The sponsors who may help provide ceremonial items for a quinceañera are called padrinos. The word is commonly translated as godfathers or sponsors, while female sponsors may be called madrinas.
Padrinos can contribute money, clothing, jewelry, flowers, or other parts of the celebration. Their exact responsibilities are not standardized. Some families choose relatives or close family friends, and some celebrations do not use sponsors at all.
Padrinos should not be confused with the court of honor. Court members participate as attendants and performers, while padrinos support the celebration materially or ceremonially. The custom reflects the wider role of extended family and community in organizing a quinceañera, but modern families often pay for the event themselves or divide expenses among several relatives.