In a traditional quinceañera, a reception usually follows any religious ceremony.
The reception is the social portion of the celebration. It commonly brings together relatives and friends for food, music, dancing, speeches, photographs, and a formal presentation of the honoree. Some families hold the reception in a banquet hall, while others use a home or community venue.
A religious service may precede the party, but it is not required in every modern celebration. Families differ in denomination, personal belief, budget, and local custom, so some quinceañeras are primarily secular.
The reception also should not be confused with the entire quinceañera. In broad usage, quinceañera can describe the complete milestone event, including preparation, ceremony, procession, meal, and dancing.