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Quinceanera shoes: quinceanera heels or flats?
Are you wondering what kind of shoes to wear to your quinceanera? One option is to start in flats and change to heels during a changing of the shoes ceremony. The changing of the shoes ceremony is a fun and symbolic quinceanera tradition. Read on to learn more about this traditional quinceanera ceremony~
From flats to heels: the symbolic changing of the shoes ceremony
Quinceaneras tend to incorporate a lot of symbolism into various aspects of the day, from the mass to the reception.
One tradition calls for the quinceanera to wear flats during the ceremony. She will continue to wear them to the reception and during the time leading up to the traditional quince waltz. Just before the waltz, a changing of the shoes ceremony will take place.
How to perform the ceremony
- Set up a chair in the center of the dance floor. To make it extra special, have the chair already decorated. Attach balloons, a plaque with the quinceanera’s name, tulle, bows, or anything you can think of to make the chair look pretty.
- The DJ will request that the quinceanera and her father come to the dance floor for the changing of the shoes ceremony. All attention will now be focused on the quinceanera and her dad. If your dad is not able to take part in this ceremony–don’t worry! Just ask someone special to you, such as your mother, brother, tio, tia, or grandparents.
- The quinceanera will then sit down, and her dad or other person of honor will change her shoes from her flats to heels. This symbolizes a change from girl to young woman.
- After the shoes have been changed, hug the person who changed them. You are now ready to dance your waltz in your heels!
- An alternative to flats–decorate a pair of all-white converse or any brand of tennis shoe that you prefer. Remove the laces and substitute ribbons. Add rhinestones or other decorative elements, like sequins or crystals.
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Hi I am 13 I am trying to start planning early, Could you tell me what I need padrinos for?
Hi Sofi, padrinos are basically sponsors for your event. Family, and close friends of the family, are people who may be padrinos for your event. This will help tie them to your special day, and it will help your event financially 🙂
good for all
I haven’t gotten my first communion yet and I don’t know how to throw a Quinceañera without having mass, can anyone help me please?
Hi you can try looking into getting your first communion and confirmation at the same time, that’s what we had to do. Hope this helps! Traditionally a quince will start at the church but some quinceaneras choose to not do this–and this is ok. You can incorporate gratitude into your day . I hope this helps and if anyone else has any other suggestions please comment! Sarah
Being an American and studying this tradition in school, I really don’t know much about the quinceañera, however, I don’t think the real symbolism of the changing of the shoes ceremony is about the high-heels being “the first pair” that you get. I think it would be fine if you wore high-heels before the ceremony! 🙂 J.
I’m sorry, I meant to be replying to Jackie. Good luck with your quinceañeras everyone!
Omg oops I meant to be replying to Zoe 🙂 my bad!
Is it ok to do the changing of shoes during the church ceremony when the rest of the gifts are presented? Instead of just before the first dance?
I think that would be an appropriate alternative. Run it by the Priest and see about working it into your mass 🙂 Sarah
Hi. My quinceñera is still almost 2 years away because I am 13 but I really want to be prepared for it. I already have a dress picked out that I really want. And I already know where I want to have it too. But I have not learned all of the traditions that you need to know. I know about the father – daughter dance and about having a chambelan. But I worry that there will be other traditions that I need to do but I won’t know how. Please help! What other traditions should I be doing at my quineñera?
This is a great question and preparing early is a great idea!! I can make a post on traditions and email it to you 🙂 Sarah
can u email it to me as well please?
what if u fall because u dont wear heels and thats ur first
I would say, definitely practice in your heels before your quince, even if it is around your house! Also, maybe don’t go for the tallest shoes you can find, choose a pretty pair that is not terrible to walk in 🙂 Sarah
What if my heels make me taller than my chambelan de honor. He’s taller than me by 2 inches
Hi, I think you could do a combination of flats and heels maybe? It is okay to be taller sometimes. If you wear flats during the ceremony and for the pictures, and do the changing of the shoes ceremony then you stay in the heels for awhile. Likely your heels will come off eventually anyway during the dance. So I basically say: don’t worry about it! 🙂 Sarah