Padrinos: who they are and what each one gives
In a Mexican or Latin American Catholic wedding, padrinos sponsor a part of the ceremony: they bring the lazo, the arras or the rings and stand with you when it is their moment. Here is what each one does and how to organize them.
What padrinos are
Padrinos are people close to you, often a married couple, who sponsor one element of the ceremony. Traditionally they give it (the lazo, the arras, the Bible) and present it at the right moment. The padrinos de velación have a special place: they accompany the couple in their married life.
No two weddings have the same padrinos. Each family and each parish follows its own traditions, so choose the ones that mean something to you.
The most common padrinos
Each role is usually a pair:
- Velación: the veil and the candles, a sign of unity
- Anillos: the rings blessed during the ceremony
- Arras: thirteen coins, a sign of shared prosperity
- Lazo: a cord or rosary placed around the couple in a figure eight
- Biblia y rosario: given to the couple for their new home
- Cojines: the kneeling cushions at the altar
- Ramo: the bouquet offered to the Virgin Mary
- Brindis: the glasses and the first toast at the reception
How to ask them
Ask in person, several months ahead, and say exactly what the role involves: what they would give, whether they buy it themselves or you share the cost, and when they need to be at the church. Many couples ask the padrinos de velación first.
Ask your parish what it requires of the padrinos too: some ask for documents or a talk before the wedding.
Their place in the ceremony
The padrinos usually sit in the front rows, walk in the processional in pairs and come forward at their moment: the arras after the vows, the lazo, the Bible. The order changes from parish to parish, so confirm it with the priest and rehearse it the day before.
Your padrinos in noiva
Padrinos are a pack of roles you switch on under Roles. Each one comes with its duties, and the ceremony knows where they sit and when they come forward.
- Switch on the Padrinos packVelación, anillos, arras, lazo, Biblia y rosario, cojines, ramo and brindis, each for a pair. Add your own roles for any other tradition.
- Track the yesFollow each pair from proposed to asked to accepted. Their duties come with due dates, like buying the lazo a month before.
- Reserve their seatsA suggested rule seats every padrino and madrina together in a reserved Padrinos section of the ceremony.
- Plan their momentThe processional puts the padrinos in pairs, and the ceremony’s special moments get a row for each pair with who takes part.
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Questions
How many padrinos do we need?
There is no fixed number: it depends on the traditions you follow and what your parish asks. Many couples have padrinos de velación, anillos, arras and lazo, and add others that matter to their families.
Do padrinos pay for what they give?
Traditionally they give the item they sponsor, like the lazo or the arras. Today many couples agree on it with each pair, so say it clearly when you ask them.
Can I add padrinos that aren’t on noiva’s list?
Yes. Next to the Padrinos pack you can add your own roles, with their own duties, for any other tradition your family follows.
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