QUINCEANERA RUNDOWN The El Paso Times has a long piece up on its site explaining the quinceañera phenomenon, and offering planning advice.

First, for the uninitiated:

The quinceañera is a big celebration, not only for the young lady in the tiara but for her family and friends who come to share in the coming-of-age milestone. It's a rite of passage that has been traced back to Aztec and Mayan civilizations of ancient Mexico. The Spaniards blended the Catholic religion with a Native American ritual in which a young girl shows her devotion to God and takes the responsibility of adulthood, according to several quinceañera Web sites. For most quinceañeras, the planning begins with reserving the date with the church, which will mark the girl's 15th birthday with a special Mass.

Among The Times' advice:

SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR BEFORE EVENT Select church and set date and time for ceremony. Select hall, give deposit. Set times for reception and dance. Decide on number of guests and couples in quinceañera court. Decide on DJ or band. Some halls include DJ service. Look into hall and table decorations

Read the whole thing here.