The Spanish term padrinos commonly identifies sponsors who may help provide parts of a quinceañera.
Padrinos is the plural of padrino, a word related to godparent or sponsor. In a quinceañera, padrinos may contribute money, clothing, decorations, music, or other elements of the event. The exact responsibilities depend on family relationships, local customs, and what the sponsors agree to provide.
Some families use the feminine form madrinas for female sponsors, or refer collectively to padrinos and madrinas. These sponsors are separate from the court, whose attendants are commonly called damas and chambelanes.
The arrangement is not a universal contract or a requirement of Catholic canon law. It is a social and family custom that can make a large celebration more manageable. Modern families may fund the event themselves or omit formal sponsors entirely.