This session was a sweet 16 but the dress and party was like a quinceanera.

Catherine wanted to do something special for her daughter Shemaiah on her birthday. Yes it looks like a Quinceanera but it is a Sweet 16 since the family is from the Philippines. In Philippines usually we celebrate 18th birthday for a woman. The ceremony is totally different from sweet 16 but since they’re here in US they follow the American tradition which is 16th birthday to make look similar to Quinceanera.
They dress like a Princess, the ceremony was almost the same too. They change the shoes from sneakers too stiletto shoes. They put the crown on her head after the shoes and dance each with mom and dad. She open her gifts from her parents and the parents prepared some speech for her during ceremony. After the ceremony time to eat, drinks and dance party. So she gave her a sweet 16 birthday photos shoot. They chose Union Park in Wesley Chapel. The Quezada family was referred by Hesper.

Shemaiah had her makeup done by @loveleehesper.

Do you know the difference between a Sweet16 and Quinceanera?

For every similarity between a quinceanera and a sweet 16 birthday party, there are just as many noteworthy differences. Obviously, the biggest one is age – a quinceanera is a celebration for a girl who is turning 15, while a sweet 16 party is simply a huge birthday bash for a young lady turning 16. Each type of party is extravagant, memorable and elaborate, but both definitely have a diverse set of differences you should be aware of. Quinceañeras and Sweet Sixteens revolve around family and friends with you being the center of attention. Each party represents a celebration in entering woman-hood, but their different traditions separate them in almost all aspects.

QUINCEANERA

Steeped in religion and tradition, a quinceanera celebrates a young Latina girl’s journey into adulthood when she turns 15. This type of party typically begins with a religious ceremony at a Catholic church. One of the most common traditions is called the “Change of Shoes” – this includes the birthday girl swapping her flat dress shoes for high heels, which are slipped onto her feet by her father or a parental figure. The custom signifies leaving behind a girlish childhood for entry into more mature womanhood. Another aspect of a quinceanera involves the birthday girl wearing a fancy, colorful and glamorous dress along with a shiny tiara. She will also have a “court” of individuals to help her celebrate on a special day. These friends and family members will have matching dresses and tuxedos, and will also have to memorize a few different dances for the actual celebration part of the day. There will be a DJ playing both Spanish and English songs, lots of dancing, food, and fun for everyone involved. Including MGM Banquet Hall, there are a few additional banquet halls in Glendale, California, that are familiar with the customs and intricacies of a quinceanera, so be sure to ask for experience in this type of birthday party before booking.

SWEET 16

Another birthday bash for a teenage girl, popularized in the United States, is the Sweet 16. Again, this is typically a spectacular celebration of a young lady turning 16, blossoming into a woman and in many cases, obtaining a driver’s license. A Sweet 16 party doesn’t have a religious component to it, or a multitude of cultural and religious traditions like a quinceanera does. There is oftentimes a theme or at least a color scheme for the party. Sometimes the birthday girl may request that guests wear that color to the celebration, but that isn’t always the case. Depending on the budget, some parties are over-the-top elaborate and include ice sculptures, live bands, a photo booth, high-end food and ‘mocktails’, a multi-tiered cake and swag bags for those in attendance. The birthday girl and her closest friends may even arrive in a limousine for the evening and some parents will book a hotel room for them to continue the party after it’s time to leave the banquet hall.

Location: Union Park

Here is a great video Link:
https://youtu.be/mq1D1YS267Q