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Your Quinceanera Speech: A Foolproof Guide

There are so many exciting things to plan when it comes to your Quinceanera. There’s choosing a dress, tasting the food, creating favors for your guests… But one of the more serious but necessary tasks is writing your Quinceanera speech.

“Why should I give a speech in the first place?”

You should give a speech because it’s an important part of the celebration. While it can be tempting to skip this portion—effectively saving you the task of writing a short essay—your speech is your opportunity to thank the many people who helped make your Quinceanera possible. You’ll also be sharing your first thoughts as a young adult being welcomed into society. Sure, there’s some pressure, but all you really need is a simple but foolproof guide that will help you craft that all-important Quince speech. So read on and get started!

The Two Essential Objectives: Gratitude and Reflection

There are two basic parts of any Quinceanera speech. One is to say thank you to your parents and guests for the party. The second is to share your personal thoughts about the meaning behind the celebration.

Step 1: Open with a General Greeting

This is (to risk a little irreverence) a no-brainer. Just say something like this:

Hi, may I have everyone’s attention please?” Then say, “Good afternoon” or “Good evening.”

Step 2: Thank Your Guests  

Thank everyone for their presence and for their help with your fairytale party:

I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you all how grateful and happy I am that you’re here tonight. Thank you for coming to my Quinceanera. Thank you for taking the time to be with me here tonight, especially those who had to travel a long way. There are also some who were not able to come, and so they are with us in our thoughts and in spirit. Thank you, to all of you.

Step 3: Thank your VIPs

Now you want to get specific. Thank the people who played a significant role in making this celebration possible:

I also want to say thank you to my padrinos, who have helped contribute to the celebration of my Quinceanera. I am touched by your generosity and your desire to make this dream of mine come true. I would like to thank my Quinceanera court, all of whom are near and dear to me. Thank you for your dedication in attending the dance practices. I am honored to be in the company of people whom I am proud to call my friends.”

Step 4: Thank your Parents

These are the two people who brought you into the world and raised you to be the wonderful lady you now are. Consider something like this:

And of course, to my Papa and Mama, thank you for everything you do for me. My Quinceanera is a testament to your love, and I am very grateful to you for making this celebration possible. You are the best parents I could ever imagine having, and I am proud to be your daughter.”

Step 5: Reflect on being a Quinceanera

Share your thoughts about being a Quinceanera. Tell your guests how this milestone has made you feel, and what changes in your life are now taking place. Perhaps something like this:

To me, this Quinceanera isn’t just a beautiful dress and a wonderful party with all of you. It’s an extra special day that I get to share with the people who are most important to me, who have gathered together to warmly welcome me into the world of young adulthood. This new season of my life is important because I get to put into practice—through my words and actions—the lessons that my parents and other elders have taught me. I am grateful for all the guidance I’ve received in my fifteen years, and will continue to receive the rest of my life. I am humbled to be taught by—and loved by—these very special people.”

Step 6: Conclusion

Say your last general thank you, and then proceed with the next part of the celebration. Be simple and straightforward:

Once again, thank you everyone! I hope you are enjoying this night as much as I am. Now, on with the festivities! Hit the music, please—we all want to dance!

That’s all there is to it. You’ll make some changes along the way, especially if you have particular people you want to thank or you want to add some extra details. Also, don’t fixate on our six steps. Ours are just a jumping off point to get you started writing.

Some Final Tips

  • Read your work aloud to yourself. This is the best way to imagine how it will sound when you finally give it on the day of your Quinceanera.
  • Edit as you see fit. Your first draft will definitely not be your final one, because there’s always room for revision. Keep editing until you’re happy with it.
  • Have someone else look at it. Show your draft to someone who can correctly edit your copy for coherence, flow, and grammatical errors. Your English teacher is a good candidate for this task!
  • Read your final draft aloud and time it. Ideally, it should only be about two minutes long. Anything more than that is too much, especially since everyone wants to continue with the party.
  • Try to memorize as much as you can. While there’s no rule banning you from having a copy to read, it’s better to memorize the speech so you’ll look more natural. If you need to, prepare a small index card with an outline to refer to from time to time.
  • Don’t be afraid to improvise. If inspiration strikes in the middle of your speech, take the plunge—as long as it won’t exceed your two-minute limit. You might suddenly think of someone you want to thank specifically, or share an anecdote or two about your childhood that relates to your Quinceanera.