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If you’re currently planning an upcoming quinceañera, you may be thinking about who could fill the roles of the padrino and madrina—the “godparents” of the birthday girl.

The padrino and madrina is a long-standing quinceañera tradition. These are two adults who are selected by the birthday girl and her parents to fill a very important role.

They not only help pay for the quinceañera; being asked is also a big honor because it’s like being asked to be part of the family. When they are requested to be the birthday girl’s padrino or madrina, they become a mentor and role model to her for the rest of her life—so the choice is very important.

Let’s learn a little more about padrinos and madrinas.

Parents Should Help Choose

It’s very important for both the birthday girl and her parents to be happy with the choice for the padrino and madrina.

While many parents automatically want to select friends of theirs who can help pay for the event, the people who are selected should also be meaningful for the birthday girl. They will be her mentors for the rest of her life, so it should be people whom she knows wells, loves, trusts, and who love her. They should be responsible, dependable, and nurturing.

They Don’t Have To Be A Couple

Although a married couple is typically chosen to be the padrino and madrina, these days most churches are flexible and allow single padrinos and madrinas who come together in honor of the birthday girl. It’s still wise to ask the church first, though, just to make sure.

They Should Be Personally Asked

When it comes time to ask the padrino and madrina if they will accept their roles, it’s good for the birthday girl herself to ask, either in person or with a phone call.

This adds an extra step of respect that they will truly appreciate. If the parents ask or if the request is sent via an electronic message, it takes away from the importance of it.

Their Opinion Should Be Welcomed

Just as the parents will be giving their opinion about everything involved with a quinceañera, the selected padrino and madrina should have similiar rights to share their opinion—especially if they’re paying for the item that’s being discussed, such as the dress or cake.

Traditionally, They Help Pay For The Event

Generally speaking, the padrino and madrina take care of some of the expenses for the celebration. This can vary widely, as the rules change with every different girl.

Sometimes they will pay for one specific thing, such as the birthday cake, a piece of jewelry, or the dress. Other times, they will entirely pay the expenses for the religious part of the quinceañera, while the parents pay for the party. This includes paying for items such as the Bible, cross, and rings.

Other times, the padrino and madrina simply contribute money by handing the parents a check.

It all depends, but traditionally, the padrino and madrina are expected to help pay for the celebration in some way.

They Can Match The Court

Just like in a wedding, a quinceañera will often have matching colors and styles for the attire of the involved party members. The damas, chambelanes, birthday girl, and her parents usually match their colors, fabrics, and/or styles.

Because your padrino and madrina are a special part of the event, they are considered to be part of the coordinated party as well, so let them know what the theme or colors are so that they can match if they would like to.

They Should Receive A Small Gift

It’s very nice to give your padrino and madrina a small thank-you gift for their acceptance and generosity. This can be anything, from coffee mugs to flowers to religious items. The birthday girl should put a lot of considerate thought into what they might like, reflecting on how she feels about them and choosing something that will be meaningful.

They Don’t Necessarily Have To Be The Same Faith

Before, we mentioned that churches are becoming more flexible with the padrino and madrina not having to be a married couple. Some churches are also becoming less strict about them having to be members of that specific congregation, and will allow them to participate anyway.

Again, it’s important to check with the church first, but it most likely will be fine.

Hopefully this has been helpful in explaining what exactly the role of padrino and madrina is for a quinceañera birthday girl. It is an honor and a lifelong role for her, so it’s an important decision, especially when planning a celebration at a luxury banquet hall.

If you’re currently in search of a beautiful event venue for a quinceañera in Las Vegas NV, you landed on the right website. Explore our venue to see if it’s a good match for your party!

For most couples getting married, choosing bridesmaids and groomsmen is one of the best and most exciting parts of the wedding planning process. It provides the perfect opportunity to honor those who are the closest to you.

But after deciding who will be in the wedding party, many couples find themselves facing a lot of questions that they weren’t expecting. Tricky questions.

Here are some of the most common questions about bridesmaids and groomsmen, and our advice.

Do We Have To Have The Same Amount Of Bridesmaids And Groomsmen?

Absolutely not. If you have an uneven ratio of bridesmaids to groomsmen or vice versa, you just need to get a little creative (or get advice from your wedding planner). For example, a groomsman can link arms with two bridesmaids, or you can just have the wedding party walk down the aisle single-file. The main thing is to invite members to the wedding party whose presence to you is meaningful. Don’t feel the need to invite random people just so the numbers match up. No one should be that OCD!

What Does A Bridesmaid Or Groomsman Need To Know?

Before someone agrees to be a member the wedding party, they should be informed on a few things, including the ceremony and reception venues, the wedding date, and how much it may cost them (considering attire, travel, accommodation, party expenses, hair and makeup, etc.). This information is very important for them to know so that they can make a realistic decision.

You should also be up front with them about how involved they’ll need to be with things such as planning, wedding events, and rehearsals.

If someone has to decline for any reason, try not to be offended, and instead respect the fact that he or she was honest with you. Some people simply can’t afford to be a bridesmaid or groomsman, or they can’t take time off of work to travel.

I’m Not Particularly Close With My Future Sister-In-Law/Brother-In-Law. Do I Have To Make Them A Bridemaid/Groomsman?

This one can be sensitive, and the answer will most likely come down to how important it is to you and your fiancé(e).

If you’re not especially close to him/her, you may not want them to be at the important events such as the bachelor/bachelorette party. However, this person is about to be your new family, and you don’t want to hurt their feelings.

If you get along pretty well — even if you’re not super close — it may be smart to simply include them in the wedding party. If you just don’t want to, though, perhaps he or she can have a different part in the wedding, such as performing a reading or a song. You may also consider making him or her an honorary bridesmaid/groomsman.

Do My Bridesmaids And Groomsmen Get Plus Ones?

For those bridesmaids and groomsmen who are single, you should definitely give them a plus one (and those who are married should obviously be allowed to bring their spouse). It’s not required for the single wedding party members to get a plus one, but it’s a considerate gesture.

I Have More Than One Sister. How Do I Choose Which One Should Be My Maid Of Honor?

One obvious option for this dilemma is to simply select a friend to be the maid of honor instead of a sister. However, if you find yourself having to choose a sister for whatever reason, this might help:

If one of your sisters is married, technically she should be the matron of honor, which will free up another sister to be the maid of honor. The two of them can divide up the responsibilities and have equal honors.

If you have multiple sisters and none of them are married, and you truly cannot decide, consider making it fun. Hold a “Bride Trivia” contest for them, and whoever wins gets to be your maid of honor. Or put all of their names in a hat and pull one out. Or draw straws. Or simply discuss it as a group and decide amongst yourselves. There are plenty of ways to choose a sister without offending the others. Just make sure it’s fair.

Can I Control My Bridesmaids’ Hair And Makeup?

Our advice is to not become a bridezilla over your bridesmaids’ look. Sure, you can guide them a little, but know the boundaries.

For example, it’s okay if you want all of them to wear their hair up. It’s not okay for you to ask them to all dye their hair the same color. 

It’s okay to ask them to wear similar makeup tones. It’s not okay to make them buy a specific high-end brand of lipstick.

And no matter what, handle every request for their appearance graciously.  

Can I Have Male Bridesmaids And Female Groomsmen?

But of course! Many couples are having mixed bridal parties now. “Bridesmen” and “groomsmaids” are becoming more and more popular these days, and even have their own attire.

Sure, there will be people who think it’s weird, but who cares? It’s your wedding. It’s all about who you want to be by your side on your wedding day.

Has this list helped you? We hope so. Good luck, and if you’re currently looking for a beautifulwedding reception venue in Las Vegas, consider Fabrizio Banquet Hall!