To ask someone to be a padrino or madrina, tell them which role you have in mind, what it involves (standing with you at the ceremony, giving an item, paying for it or not), the date, and that they can say no. Ask your most important padrinos in person first, then send a written or video message with the details. Wording for each step is below. To build one in a few minutes, try the video invitation maker.
Padrino Roles at Weddings and Quinceañeras
Names and traditions vary by family, region and parish, so treat this as a starting list rather than a rulebook. The padrinos de velación are the main sponsors at a Catholic wedding; many families list them on the invitation.
| Role | Wedding | Quinceañera | What it usually involves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Padrinos de velación | Yes | Sometimes (padrinos de misa) | Main sponsors; stand with the couple, often a mentor couple |
| Padrinos de anillos | Yes | Yes (ring for the quinceañera) | Present the rings, sometimes buy them |
| Padrinos de arras | Yes | No | Give the 13 coins and present them in the ceremony |
| Padrinos de lazo | Yes | No | Place the lazo (cord or rosary) around the couple |
| Padrinos de Biblia y rosario | Yes | Yes | Give a Bible or rosary blessed during Mass |
| Padrinos de cojines | Yes | Yes | Kneeling cushions for the ceremony |
| Padrinos de corona / tiara | No | Yes | The quinceañera's tiara |
| Padrinos de zapatillas | No | Yes | The heels for the change-of-shoes moment |
| Padrinos de última muñeca | No | Yes | The "last doll" |
| Padrinos de brindis, pastel, música | Yes | Yes | Toast glasses, cake or the band; more common at the reception |
How to Ask: The Order That Works
- Talk first. Visit, call or video-call the main padrinos. A text-only ask can feel cold for velación padrinos or grandparents.
- Follow up in writing with the role, the date, and what you are hoping they will do or give.
- Give them a real way out: "If it's not possible, we completely understand."
- Confirm details later: rehearsal time, where to sit, when to bring the item.
Wedding Wording: Asking Your Padrinos
Padrinos de velación (formal)
Dear [Names],
You have shown us what a good marriage looks like, and that is exactly why we're asking.
Would you be our padrinos de velación when we marry on Saturday, [date], at [church]?
We'd love to sit down with you soon and talk about what it means to both of us.
With love, [Names]
Tío [Name] and Tía [Name],
We are getting married on [date], and we would be honored if you would stand with us as our padrinos de velación.
Please take your time to think about it. Whatever you decide, we're grateful for you.
Padrinos de anillos, arras or lazo (warm)
[Name], you were there the day we met, so it only makes sense you're there when we say "I do."
Would you be our padrinos de anillos? You'd present the rings during Mass on [date].
We've already chosen the rings; we'd just love you to carry them.
We're asking a few people we love to sponsor parts of our ceremony, and we thought of you for the arras.
It would mean giving the thirteen coins and presenting them at the altar on [date].
Only say yes if it's comfortable. We'll love you either way.
Would you and [partner] be our padrinos de lazo?
You'd place the lazo around us during the ceremony on [date] at [church].
We're happy to choose the lazo together if you'd like.
Reception roles (casual)
You make every party better, so we want you in charge of the toast.
Would you be our padrinos de brindis on [date]? It means the champagne glasses for our table and the first toast of the night.
Text us back, no pressure!
Pair it with: Ivory Bloom. Two wedding rings rest on a ribbon over an ivory card, then champagne glasses come into view on draped silk. It suits an ask to the padrinos de anillos or de brindis.
Say it in your video message: "Tía, it's us. We're getting married on [date], and we'd love you to be our madrina de lazo. Call us when you've watched this." Hold to record it in the app, or upload a clip of the two of you together.
Quinceañera Wording: Asking Padrinos and Madrinas
For a quinceañera, the ask usually comes from the parents, sometimes with a line from the quinceañera herself.
Dear [Names],
Our daughter [Name] turns fifteen on [date], and we are celebrating with a Mass and reception on Saturday, [date].
We would be honored if you would be her padrinos de misa and stand with her during the ceremony.
With affection, [Parents' names]
Madrina [Name],
Since I was little you've been the one who does my hair for every party. Would you be my madrina de corona at my quinceañera on [date]?
Love, [Name]
Tío, would you be my padrino de última muñeca? I'll give the doll to my little cousin during the party, and I'd love it to come from you.
The party is [date] at [venue].
We're asking a few special people to be part of [Name]'s quinceañera. We thought of you for the zapatillas, the heels she'll change into after the father-daughter dance.
If it's not possible this year, we completely understand.
For the full invitation wording, see our quinceañera invitation wording guide, and our guide to digital quinceañera invitations for sending it by text.
How to List Padrinos on the Invitation
Many Mexican and Mexican-American invitations name the parents and the padrinos de velación (or padrinos de misa) under the couple or the quinceañera. A longer list usually goes in the ceremony program instead.
Wedding
Together with their parents
[Bride's parents] and [Groom's parents]
and their padrinos de velación
[Padrinos' names]
[Name] and [Name]
invite you to celebrate their marriage
Saturday, [date], at [time] · [church, city]
With the blessing of God and our parents,
and with our padrinos [names] by our side,
we, [Name] and [Name], invite you to our wedding.
Quinceañera
With the blessing of God and the love of my parents
[Parents' names]
and my padrinos
[Padrinos' names]
I, [Name], invite you to celebrate my fifteen years
[Date] · Mass at [time], [church] · Reception at [venue]
Pair it with: A Beautiful Beginning: Piano Serenade. Burgundy and cream roses and golden ribbons frame a card reading "A Beautiful Beginning" above piano keys. Its formal, romantic feel fits a padrinos de velación ask or a wedding that credits its padrinos.
Short Follow-Up Messages
For after the conversation, sent with the invitation link:
- "Thank you for saying yes! Here's our invitation with all the details for [date]."
- "Padrinos, the rehearsal is [day] at [time] at [church]. See you there!"
- "Madrina, here's the invitation. Please tap Yes so we save your seat at the family table."
- "We'd love your answer by [date] so we can print the program. No pressure at all."
- "Your name is on the invitation! Thank you for being part of our day."
Tricky Lines, Said Politely
- Clarifying cost: "We've already bought the lazo; we'd just love you to place it."
- When you do hope they'll give the item: "The role traditionally includes giving the arras. Only say yes if that works for you."
- Couple padrinos where one can't attend: "If only one of you can make it, we'd still love to have you."
- Too many offers: "We have our padrinos for the ceremony, but we would love you to lead the first toast."
- Declining an offer: "Thank you so much for offering. We've kept the ceremony small, and having you there means everything."
Another option: Something Blue, a pale blue envelope that opens on a "You're invited" card with blue botanical line drawings and a wax seal, for a soft, classic message to madrinas.
How to Send It as a Video
- Pick a template in the TwistInvite app.
- Add your details and personal media: a photo with your padrinos, an imported song that matters to your family, or a recorded message asking them in your own words.
- Share the link by text with one of the follow-up messages above.
- See who has answered. Your padrinos open it in their browser and choose Going, Can't make it or Maybe without downloading an app or creating an account.
The template shows your wedding or quinceañera design, so let the ask itself live in your recorded video and in the message you send with the link.
The same app handles the wedding invitation itself; for the main wording, see our wedding invitation wording examples. If the families are still meeting formally, our pedida de mano invitations guide comes first. Open the TwistInvite app.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a padrino and a godparent?
In a baptism, padrinos are godparents with a lifelong spiritual role. At a wedding or quinceañera, padrinos are sponsors: honored relatives or friends who take a role in the ceremony and often give or pay for a specific item, such as the rings, the lazo or the cake.
How early should you ask padrinos?
Six to twelve months before the wedding, and at least six months before a quinceañera. Ask before the invitations are printed or sent, because many families list padrinos on the invitation.
Is it rude to ask padrinos to pay for something?
No, if you are clear and give them a real choice. Say what the role involves, whether you expect them to buy the item, and that it's fine to say no. Never assume.
Should padrinos be listed on the invitation?
It is common in Mexican and Mexican-American weddings and quinceañeras, especially the padrinos de velación. If the list is long, many families list only the main padrinos on the invitation and thank everyone else in the program or a speech.
Do you ask padrinos in person or by message?
Ask the most important ones in person or by phone first, then follow up with a card or video message that has the details. A message alone is fine for close friends and smaller roles.
Can padrinos RSVP to a TwistInvite invitation without the app?
Yes. They open the link in a browser and answer Going, Can't make it or Maybe without downloading an app or creating an account.
Create it in the TwistInvite app
Download free on iPhone or Android, then share one link with your guests.