Latino Bridal and Quince Girl Expo has smart answers.
On her 15th birthday, a typical Hispanic girl transitions from childhood to womanhood at her Quinceañera, a religious celebration followed by an elaborate reception. Years later, she becomes the lady of the house at her wedding, another beautiful occasion.
Smart Dallas girls and women know exactly where to go for everything needed to make these huge milestones particularly memorable: the annual Latino Bridal and Quince Girl Expo, February 22 from noon-5 pm at the Fair Park Automobile Building.
Everything needed, under one festive roof.
“This is the one-stop shop for ladies who know the importance of carefully planning their Quince or wedding,” says Cindy Benavides, who has produced the event since 1997 along with her husband, Rafael Luna. “This is the only event of its kind in Dallas and the first stop in a national tour that includes Phoenix, Chicago, Houston, Miami, San Antonio, Austin and Los Angeles.”
Everyone’s invited to share in the excitement: families, grooms, the rest of the wedding or Quince party and so on. There are cakes to sample, hairstyles to marvel at, and makeup artists to consult for that special look. And all the while, plenty of Latino music—including musicians and DJs to audition—will keep the mood festive.
“You can try on dresses, talk to banquet hall representatives, arrange limo rides, and even get honeymoon details all squared away,” explains Ms. Benavides. “New this year is a makeup workshop that goes beyond ‘skin deep.’ Young Quince candidates can learn how to maintain a clean complexion, brides can obtain inside info on getting makeup to stay on all day, and many other tips.”
As dazzling as Quinces and weddings can be, staying on a budget and finalizing every facet of the event can be challenging. Budgeting sessions and other how-to’s are among the most popular draws of the show. Says Ms. Benavides, “It takes a year to plan events like these, and educating families on how to be realistic is critical.”
Fashion trends reveal colorful quinces, more traditional brides.
Ms. Benavides notes that Quince trends are getting bolder these days…as reflected in some of the fashions and services at her show. “The Quince dress has always been pink and rarely white, since white is reserved for the bride. We’re seeing much more colorful dresses of a ball gown style, in colors like red, fuchsia and teal.”
Another trend—seen mainly in Dallas—is hiring a cadet group to dance with the Quinceañera, doing special waltzes with her and even well-choreographed hip-hop. This replaces having 7 boys and 7 girls (one person to represent each year of the quinceañera, and she is number 15) as a ‘court.’
Wedding gowns, on the other hand, are going back to a more traditional tone. “There are more ceremonial elements incorporated in today’s ceremonies,” says Ms. Benavides. “Crystal rosaries are bestowed on the wedding couple to ‘bond’ them in holy matrimony. At the ‘arras’ ceremony, 13 silver coins are given by the bride’s father to his future son-in-law, who in turn pours coins from a crystal holder into the bride’s hands to unite them both. These articles are also found at the expo.”
Over 8,000 girls and ladies will see their dreams take shape with the ideas found at the Latino Bridal and Quince Girl Expo. “We are so proud to be part of such a wonderful experience,” says Cindy Benavides. “Everyone has tears of joy in their eyes.”
For more information, visit the Latino Bridal and Quince Girl Expo web site.
