Vanessa Martinez
Staff Writer
Families had the opportunity to meet photographers and taste gourmet foods at this year’s Los Angeles Quinceañera Expo last weekend.
The Expo, presented by Quinceañera Magazine, had many services that are needed to plan a sweet 15. The event was filled with vendors showing the latest trends in ball gowns, dresses, makeup designs and new hairstyles.
Six DJs played multiple genres of music with light shows throughout the hall.
The expo also hosted a fashion show where models walked the runway wearing the latest trends in gowns and dresses. The dresses ranged in style from colorful to sparkling.
Makeup stations welcomed attendees, and provided free makeup tutorials.
Gaby Paniagua, a Los Angeles high school student, is planning her quinceañera for this summer, and attended the expo to get new ideas and learn about the services offered.
Paniagua said she wanted to celebrate her quinceañera in Mexico, where most of her family lives.
“This is my first time coming to the Quinceañera Expo and now I have new ideas for my party,” Paniagua said, adding that she wants to wear a bright blue dress for her big day.
She said she wants to surprise her family with a dance routine featuring her cousins and friends during the celebration.
“I am looking forward to celebrating my quinceañera with my family and friends,” Paniagua said.
She said she is looking forward to having that special moment with her family and close friends that she grew up with.
“I want my party to be memorable,” Paniagua said.
Paniagua attended the event with her older sister Melanie Ponce, who said she is excited for her little sister to transition from childhood to adulthood.
“I’m very excited to see my little sister celebrate her quinceañera and have her special moment,” Ponce said.
She said that she didn’t have the opportunity to have a quinceañera of her own.
Ponce said she now has the chance to experience the planning process and also build a better connection with her sister by helping her plan her dream party.
Sandra Lozoya, a mother of four, is looking forward to planning her daughter Liliana’s quinceañera because she is the only girl in the family.
“Coming to the Expo, I found a lot of new decoration ideas and locations for the quinceañera,” Lozoya said.
She said she was excited to find a venue for the party that included the food for under $1,200, which would fit her budget.
“I want my quinceañera to be unforgettable,” Liliana Lozoya said.
The 14-year-old high school student said she wants to wear Air Jordans paired with a midnight blue gown, and have matching colored decorations.
Both Sandra and Liliana Lozoya are looking forward to the quinceañera in 2019.
“The quinceañera expo became a great experience, now I can visualize how my party will turn out,” Liliana Lozoya said.
Vanessa Martinez can be reached at vanessa.martinez4@laverne.edu.
