In this blog post I am going to explain to you What do Quince Damas do?
If you have been invited to be a Dama for a Quinceanera and this is your first time or if you are not very familiar with the whole Quinceanera traditions and you don’t know what to expect.
Read this blog because here I’m going to give you all the details!
Hello!
My name is Paloma, I am a Quinceanera photographer based in San Diego. Welcome to my blog where you are going to learn everything about a quinceanera and how to plan one.
Get your notebook, grab your coffee and let’s get started!
WHAT DO QUINCE DAMAS DO
MAIN QUINCE DAMA DUTY
I will say that the main duty or the main thing that you are going to do as Quince Dama is going to be to accompany the Quinceanera, just hang out with her.
Maybe help her with the dress, with the bouquet.
If you were just asked to be Dama for a Quinceanera let me know in the comments ☺️
WHAT QUINCE DAMAS DO IS COMPARABLE TO AN AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY
I think a good thing to compare it to will be an after school activity. It is something that you are going to commit your time and your effort to.
For example, if you do an after school activity like a sport, if you play an instrument, dance ballet or if you do something like that.
You know that you have to be at the practices at a certain time and you are committing to do it. You are committing to do the effort, do your best to do whatever you need to do.
BEING A QUINCE DAMA IS A SHORT TERM COMMITMENT
It is not a long term commitment like playing a sport and you have been doing it for years.
It’s not something like that, it’s probably going to be a couple of months.
However, it is the same responsibility, it’s the same kind of commitment, so think about it that way.
Okay, so now I am going to walk you through what do Quince damas do before the Quinceanera and then what will happen the day of the Quinceanera.
I am going to explain it to you in a chronological order, because in this blog we like being very organized.
WHAT DO QUINCE DAMAS DO BEFORE THE QUINCEANERA
DANCE REHEARSALS FOR DAMAS
Before the Quinceanera, if you are going to dance the vals, the surprise dance or if there is anything like any dance at all.
You are going to have to attend the dance rehearsals.
This can be anywhere from 3 months, two months or one month before the Quinceanera.
And just like an example you will have to commit to it. Let’s say Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 5
Also, keep in mind when you are scheduling everything. If you already do something, like some sort of after school activity.
You will have to coordinate all the dama duties on top of everything else.
PRE PHOTO SHOOT WITH QUINCE DAMAS
Another thing that you might be needed for before the Quinceanera day is going to be the pre photo shoot.
If the Quinceanera decides that she wants to have a pre photo shoot with the court, with the Damas and chambelanes.
Sometimes they can also do a short video clip or just the pictures. Whatever the Quinceaner decides she wants to do.
And while we are at it with the photo shoot thing, I want you to prepare yourself.
Because you are going to be one of the most important people on the day of the Quinces.
That means the attention is going to be on you. You are going to be not as front and center as the Quinceanera but pretty close to it.
WHAT DO QUINCE DAMAS DO THE DAY OF THE QUINCEANERA
After you attended all the rehearsals you took your pictures and everything was done before the Quinces.
Now the day of the Quinceanera comes and taking it back to this is like an after school activity. This is like if you are playing a sport, this is like a big game.
If you are a performer this is like a big presentation, like the big performance. Treat it that way, you cannot be late, you have to show up ready, prepared and on time.
You want to make sure you have everything you need ready the day before, your dress, your shoes, your accessories.
You need to be sure that you have your hair and makeup artist booked or if you’re doing it yourself that you have everything that you need.
MEETING AT THE QUINCEANERA’S HOUSE
We usually start with the Quinceanera getting ready. If she is getting ready in her house. This will be the meeting spot.
Everyone will show up there at whatever time the Quinceanera told you to. Don’t be late!
All your parents need to do is drop you off at the Quinceanera’s house.
TRANSPORTATION AS A QUINCE DAMAS
It is really up to the Quinceanera’s parents to figure out transportation for the Damas and the chamanas for the whole day of the Quinces.
The limo or the party boss is going to pick you up at the Quinceanera’s house and we are going to take pictures and video of you walking out of the house and getting in the limo.
In most Quiceaneras we do a ceremony and then the photo shoot but in some occasions we also do the photo shoot first and then the ceremony.
In this example you go to the ceremony right after.
WHAT DO QUINCE DAMAS DO DURING THE CEREMONY
What you as a Quince dama will have to do at the ceremony is you are going to do your entrance first.
You will have to walk down the aisle and you are also going to sit on one of the front rows at church.
This is an extra tip for you if you are going to a Catholic Quinceanera mass and you are not Catholic.
There is this part at the mass, the communion and for us Catholics is a very very important part.
You will see that a line forms and what you can do is you are going to cross your arms, you can bow your head, the priest will tap your head and you will receive a blessing.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE A QUINCE DAMA AND A MADRINA
If you Are a dama but you are also giving the Quinceanera the ramo or the Bible and rosary.
Meaning, if you are also a Madrina you will give those gifts to the Quinceanera during the mass.
After the mass is over you are going to walk out, usually the Quinceanera walks out first with the padrinos, the parents and then the court.
PICTURES WITH DAMAS AFTER THE QUINCE MASS
We usually take pictures of the Quinceanera and the super close family and friends. And of course the Damas, remember that you are a very important part of this day.
After that you are going to get in the limo again and now it’s time for the photo shoot.
QUINCEANERA PHOTO SHOOT WITH DAMAS AND CHAMBELANES
The Quinceanera decides where she wants to go for a photo shoot. It can be a park, here in San Diego of course we have the beach.
And we are going to get pictures with the whole court, all the Damas and all the Chambelanes.
This is the reason why you want to have your hair and makeup done. Because, you are going to be in a lot of pictures.
If you would like to prepare for this part of the day. I recommend you to watch this video where I give you some tips on how to prepare for a photo shoot.
I made this for Quinceaneras but I think this applies to every single photo shoot.
There will be times when I as a photographer will be working with the Quinceanera by herself.
This is not the moment to wander off and see what’s happening on the other side of the park. Remember your main duty as a Dama is to accompany the Quinceanera, hang out with her.
Be there to help her with her dress, with her bouquet.
Pictures Damas will get with the Quinceanera
I also make sure to always get a picture of the Quinceanera with each one of the Damas.
When I am taking the pictures I will tell the Quinceanera and the Damas how to stand, where to put their hands and everything.
And I encourage you to do something different or something that you want to do, like funny poses.
I always want to do something else besides the formal standing and smiling at the picture.
I really do like doing different things.
Also, as a photographer I will try to do my best to make you feel comfortable in front of the camera.
You can see more pictures of a photo shoot with Damas in this link.
After we are done with the photo shoot you are going to go on the limo again.
Usually you are going to ride around for a while until it’s time to make it to the reception.
WHAT DO QUINCE DAMAS DO DURING THE QUINCEANERA PARTY
Now comes the fun part! The party!! Yes!!!
At the party you are also going to be front and center because you are a dama.
QUINCEANERA ENTRANCE WITH DAMAS
Usually some Quinceaneras do want to do the entrance with the Damas and Chambelanes.
Sometimes the Quinceanera just wants to do the entrance with her parents or just by herself.
I have examples here in the Youtube channel for you to watch, just click here for the playlist.
After that comes like dinner, you are probably going to take some pictures and the Quinceanera is going to take some pictures around.
WHAT DO QUINCE DAMAS DO DURING THE QUINCEANERA PROTOCOL
Now comes the very important part, the whole Quinceanera protocol.
What you as a dama are going to be a part of is going to be the dances.
For example, the Valses that you guys have been rehearsing for, The main Vals.
Some choreographers decide to have the court standing on the Dance Floor during the Quinceanera traditions like the Crowning, the change of shoes or while she dances with her dad.
After that they do the toast and once again some Quinceaneras do want to have the whole court with them and have the Damas and the chambelanes saying some words.
Usually after the toast the Quinceanera will go on her own to cut the cake with her parents or padrinos and after this it’s usually time for the surprise dance.
Surprise Dance with Damas
If you are doing the surprise dance with the Quinceanera.
This is the moment to go and change your outfit if you’re wearing something different.
The surprise dance is composed of a mix of different songs and it’s a pretty fun and upbeat way to open the dance floor.
Usually at the very end of the surprise dance the Damas will go and grab one of the guests and bring them to the dance floor.
This means that the dance floor is officially open.
After this all you have to do is have fun! Enjoy the party!
Dance with the Quinceanera and with your friends!
It sounds like it’s a lot of work and like a lot of things that you will have to do. But it’s also going to be a lot of fun!
It’s going to be one of those things that you look back to and it’s like Oh I’m so glad I did this with all of my friends!
It’s a pretty cool thing to be part of a Quinceanera and I am sure you are going to enjoy it!
Enjoy the food! Enjoy the delicious treats!
Usually we Mexicans like having lots of delicious food, we like having fun and our parties are Freaking awesome!
If I dare to say so.
I hope this post helped you to get a better idea of what Quince damas do and what to expect if you are going to be Quince dama.
Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful time being a Quince Dama!