Role of Witness: Is the witness part of the bridal party?

Question

My sister in law 2b is one of the witnesses at our wedding. She seems pretty adament that witnesses are part of the bridal party..

I didn't think witnesses were part of the bridal party, i thought it consisted of our maid of honor, best man, ushers, bridesmaid, flowergirls and page boy..

She expects to sit on the 1st row of seats at the wedding, but i thought that was were the bridal party (as above) sat after walking down the aisle plus our parents...

Maybe i'm wrong and don't want to get off on the wrong foot with her.. but she has brought this up on numerous occasions

Anyone shed any light on this please?? Please explain to me what exactly the witness does at the wedding (opposed to witness the wedding and signing of marriage certificate).

Thanks

Answer 1

Oh my God! It sounds just my wedding! My sis-in-law2b was dictatorial! She questioned the guest list, the venue, flowers, the bride's dress, even the bride herself?(ME!) Every aspect of my wedding was criticised! Unless she is a bridesmaid, or "matron of honour", your sis-in-law2b is just a witness, she has no right to dictate where she sits! (I used the Best Man and Bridesmaid!) You have answered your own question, a witness does just that, witness the wedding and sign the marriage certificate! If you are still unsure about the role of witnesses, speak to your local registrar before the wedding. I hope you can resolve the matter and have a really lovely day!!!!

Answer 2

The only time I've seen a wedding party sit down during a wedding was in a Catholic ceremony. Yes, they sat in the front row, as did the parents. The bridal party stood up at the front until the Priest said a few words, and then they went and sat down. The best man and the maid of honor stood up with the bride and groom, and they were the witnesses who signed the marriage certificate.



I've never heard of someone else other than the BM and/or the MOH being a witness. The witness has to be up near the bride and groom so this person can hear the vows being said (and sometimes those sitting in the church cannot hear what is being said).

Answer 3

Any of the weddings I have attended or been in, or even for mine, the witnesses have been the maid of honor and the best man! In which case, they were a part of the wedding party!

I wish I could be of more help, but I've never heard of anyone having someone outside of the attendants as their witnesses!

And as for where they would sit in your case, I would say, let her sit with the bridal party, which again, is a new thing to me! All attendants I've seen stood up front, but everybody does things their own way! If there is room, why not let her sit there! Is it really going to be a crisis if they sit on the rows with the attendants!?

I wasn't much help, but maybe it was a little! Do how you want, but remember, you still want to be close to these people after the wedding day is over, so be considerate within means!

Good luck and congrats!

Answer 4

Hi if you are in the uk and getting married in a register office then the two witnesses are a major part of the wedding party. They will be the only other two people standing apart from the bride and groom. if it is a church wedding then the witnesses will be seated but should be somewhere very near the front as they sign to say that they have witnessed the whole event. Hope this helps, I am a registrar.

Answer 5

A witness at a wedding can be anyone, i`ts just some one to see you sign the register at the church,sit her on the second row of seatsat one end so she can easily get up to follow you into the room to sign, the front seats are for the bride and groom and brides maids and the coup[les parents no one else. have a nice day and a happy life don`t let this be a problem just tell her where to sit .

Answer 6

Usually the minister signs as a witness when he fills out the license information. They aren't part of the bridal party it's just that sometimes a best man or bridesmaid will sign as a witness. Sometimes the priest just grabs someone nearby. That's what ours did. I gave him our license and he took care of everything and mailed it in for us. A few days later our certificate came in the mail.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

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Answer 9

At my wedding, and most that I have attended, the maid of honour and best man acted as the witnesses.

Answer 10

It's your wedding---you tell her where to sit and what to do.