In a traditional quinceañera, a reception is usually held after the religious ceremony.
The reception is the social celebration where guests gather for food, music, dancing, speeches, photographs, and formal presentations. It may take place in a family home, banquet hall, restaurant, community venue, or another event space. The scale ranges from a small gathering to a large formal party.
Many traditional schedules begin with a church service or thanksgiving Mass, followed by the reception. However, this order is not mandatory. Some families hold only a reception, while others choose a secular ceremony or combine the formal elements in one venue.
The reception should not be confused with the court of honor or the choreographed dance. The court is a group of attendants, and the dance is one possible activity; the reception is the broader gathering that contains these elements.