What is the name of the formal group of attendants at many quinceañera celebrations?

The formal group of attendants at many quinceañera celebrations is called the court of honor. The court accompanies the quinceañera during parts of the ceremony, entrance, photographs, and choreographed dances.

Its members are often called damas and chambelanes. Damas are traditionally girls or young women, while chambelanes are traditionally boys or young men. The size and composition of the court vary widely; some celebrations use a large group, a small group, or no court at all.

The court is one of several elements that can make the event resemble a formal presentation. Attendants may wear coordinated clothing, practice a waltz, and participate in a planned entrance. These details are customary rather than universal, and modern celebrations frequently use contemporary music or mixed-gender groups.

The court of honor is not the same as a wedding party, even though the visual arrangement can look similar. A quinceañera centers on a fifteenth birthday and coming-of-age symbolism, not a marriage. That distinction is important when describing the ceremony to audiences unfamiliar with the tradition.