The quinceañera’s traditional group of attendants is called the court of honor.
A court of honor commonly includes damas, or female attendants, and chambelanes, or male attendants. Members may accompany the honoree during the ceremony, appear in formal photographs, and participate in rehearsed dances. The size and composition of the court depend on the family’s plans and local custom.
The court is sometimes compared with a bridal party because both groups support the central person at a formal event. However, a quinceañera is not a wedding, and its court has a different cultural purpose. The attendants represent family, friendship, and community support during a rite of passage.
Terminology is not completely uniform. Some celebrations use only damas, only chambelanes, mixed attendants, or no court at all. “Court of honor” is the broad English label, while the Spanish terms may be used for particular members. Modern events often adapt the arrangement to be more inclusive or informal.