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  • Essential Tips for Planning a Budget-Friendly Quinceañera

    Essential Tips for Planning a Budget-Friendly Quinceañera

    Celebrating one of the most important milestones of a young lady’s life shouldn’t break the bank. When planning the
    dream quinceañera, be sure to consider the importance of balancing dreams with practical budget considerations.
    Here are some tips that we at Beli’s List, believe can help simplify and enhance your planning journey.

    1. Choosing the Right Venue:
    – Off-Peak Savings: Opt for dates and times that are less in demand, like weekday evenings or Sundays.
    – Community Centers: Consider affordable options like local community halls or even a spacious backyard.
    – Bundle Packages: Check venues offering all-inclusive deals on catering, decorations, or rentals.

    2. Finding the Perfect Dress:
    – Sample Sales & Clearance Racks: Great way to find a stunning dress for a fraction of the cost.
    – Second-Hand Elegance: Pre-loved dresses often look brand new and come with significant savings.
    – Custom Alterations: Buy a simple dress and invest in tailoring to make it unique and personal.

    3. Booking a DJ or Entertainment:
    – Local Talent: Hire a talented, budget-friendly DJ or even a student from a music school.
    – Negotiate Services: Discuss shorter sets or fewer extras to keep costs down.
    – Playlists: Create a custom playlist and have a friend or family member manage the music.

    4. Décor on a Dime:
    – DIY Centerpieces: Use candles, fairy lights, or fresh flowers from a local market.
    – Minimalism Works: Sometimes less is more; simple, elegant decorations can be breathtaking.
    – Upcycle & Rent: Borrow or rent decorations from friends or family.

    5. Catering Ideas:
    – Buffet-Style Meals: More affordable and guests can choose their portions.
    – Family Recipes: Involve family in cooking or consider a potluck-style menu.
    – Snack Stations: Budget-friendly and interactive-like a taco bar or dessert station.

    6. Capturing Memories:

    – Photo Booth Fun: Set up a DIY photo booth with fun props and a backdrop.
    – Photography Students: Hire photography students for professional-looking photos at a lower cost.
    – Social Media Hashtags: Encourage guests to post photos using a custom event hashtag.


    Planning a quinceañera on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing the magic. With the right approach and a little creativity,
    you can have an unforgettable celebration, and, of course, Beli’s List is here to make the process seamless. From
    vetted vendors to budget-friendly options, we make planning easy and stress-free.

  • Interactive Activities for Guests

    Interactive Activities for Guests

    Planning a special event like a quinceañera, wedding, or any big celebration is all about creating moments that make guests feel included and excited to be part of the day. Adding interactive activities can turn an ordinary gathering into a memorable experience that keeps people talking for years. Here are some ideas to get the creativity flowing:

    1. Photo Booth Fun

    Set up a photo booth with props and backdrops that match your theme. Guests can snap fun pictures, and with the addition of a unique hashtag, they can share their photos online to create a buzz.

    2. Build-Your-Own Food and Drink Stations

    Offering guests the chance to customize their meals, like a taco bar or a custom cocktail setup, adds a personal touch to the event. These stations encourage mingling and make the dining experience more interactive.

    3. Live Entertainment

    Hiring performers such as musicians, dancers, or even magicians adds energy to your event. Performers can engage directly with the audience, creating a unique and unforgettable atmosphere.

    4. Digital Graffiti Wall

    This activity allows guests to create digital art that can be displayed instantly on a screen. It’s a fun way to get people involved and provides a modern alternative to a traditional guest book.

    5. Silent Disco

    Offer a dance experience where guests wear wireless headphones and choose their own music channel. It’s a unique twist on a dance party and guarantees fun for people with different music tastes.

    6. Interactive Games

    Games like trivia, scavenger hunts, or lawn games can entertain guests of all ages. These activities are easy to set up and provide a great way to bring people together.

    7. Live Social Media Feeds

    Encourage guests to post photos and comments using a special event hashtag. Display their posts on a screen during the event to keep the energy high and everyone engaged.

    8. Themed Photo Spots

    Create a few dedicated photo areas with elaborate decorations. Guests will love capturing memories against a beautiful or quirky backdrop.

    9. Hands-On Workshops

    Offer guests short lessons or activities like a salsa class, a mixology demonstration, or DIY crafts. These mini-experiences are a great way to add variety and keep things interesting.

    10. Make-and-Take Keepsakes

    Set up stations where guests can create small mementos to take home, such as engraved items, custom jewelry, or personalized crafts. It’s a thoughtful way to leave a lasting impression.

    By including activities like these, your event becomes more engaging and enjoyable for everyone involved. Each idea can be adjusted to fit your theme and style, helping your celebration stand out and leaving your guests with great memories.

  • The Dress – Finally!

    The Dress – Finally!

    Finding THE dress was quite the roller coaster! Beli knew EXACTLY what she wanted at this point in “our” quinceañera planning journey and the dress was next on the list. The venue was booked and the theme was set so we just needed to find the perfect dress. During our endless hours of internet searching, Beli found a quinceañera expo and made sure I bought tickets for us to go.

    The expo day finally came! We walked in and felt an immediate sense of excitement and adrenaline! It was like Beli and I were kids in a candy store just waiting to try everything! Except it was dresses, photographers, make-up artists, prop designers, and even rent-a-courts! We stopped at every booth and soaked it in. I watched her eyes light up at the idea of her big day seemingly around the corner.

    And in the midst of the loud excited chaos, she stopped dead in her tracks. The dress. There. Calling her name. I looked over to her and just knew….she found it.

    I found out very quickly that you don’t just buy the dress and take it home. Those dresses are for display and there’s a whole process for actually getting the dress. First, you have to get sized, then you order it, then you wait! Eight long months! Until you get the call that the dress is in and ready for the FIRST fitting. I was exhausted! And Beli’s quince was still over a year away!

  • So, we need a theme?!

    So, we need a theme?!

    Beli had one thing in mind when we were deciding on the theme. “It has to be something that no one is doing right now.” That’s easier said than done considering quiceañeras have been growing in popularity over the last ten years. But I couldn’t tell my baby girl that! I wanted her to feel like a princess in every moment leading up to her big day.

    ”Blood red, not burgundy, and gold.” Beli and I ran with those colors and fantasized about every detail down to the silverware! We knew who was wearing what and what color the flower arrangements would be. It was perfect for about 10 minutes…until she changed her mind.

    We went back and forth on the theme and colors for at least 3 months. Who knew that picking something that seemed so simple would be so challenging. It had to feel right for her and I had to stay patient.

  • Where it starts – The Venue

    Where it starts – The Venue

    After years of going back and forth, Beli was almost 13 when she finally said, “mom, I’ve decided I want a quince” and it was in that moment that I knew I had to start planning right away. Where do I start? Who do I ask? How much is too much? Deposits? It was overwhelming but I was sure of one thing. My baby girl deserved the best and no matter how stressful it was going to be, I knew I had to get it done.

    First on the list was the venue! Everyone thought I was crazy for starting my search two years in advance but finding the right venue felt like an impossible needle in a hay stack type of search. So I did what I knew best. 

    Instagram, Yelp, Google, Facebook, and recommendations from family and friends  consumed my lunch hours for weeks! Countless direct Messages, emails, phone calls, voicemails….I might as well have sent out smoke signals! Finding the venue felt nearly impossible with all of the endless search options. It was most frustrating when I wouldn’t hear back from some of the venues. They have 4 stars on Google but can’t call me back?! 

    There had to be a better way!

  • Hello world!

    Planning an event can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Here at the Belis List Blog, our mission is to be your trusted companion through every step of the event planning journey. Whether you’re organizing a dream wedding, a memorable quinceañera, a milestone birthday, or a corporate event, we’re here to provide insightful articles, practical tips, and plenty of inspiration to make your planning experience smoother and more enjoyable.

    Our blog will feature:

    • Event Planning Basics for those just starting out.
    • Tips & Tricks to save time and stay on budget.
    • Vendor Spotlights to highlight amazing professionals you can trust.
    • Inspiration for themes, decorations, and creative ideas.
    • How-Tos for tackling common challenges step-by-step.

    We’ll also go behind the scenes to share engineering stories from our development team, giving you a glimpse into the technology that powers Belis List and how we’re innovating to simplify event planning.

    Whether you’re a seasoned planner or hosting your first big event, our blog is your go-to resource for thoughtful advice, inspiration, and solutions tailored to your needs. Stay tuned for exciting posts covering everything from wedding trends and DIY ideas to troubleshooting event hiccups and managing your budget.

    Let’s make your next event unforgettable—together!