The role of witnesses at a wedding

Reading Time 4 Minutes

The role of witnesses at a wedding

Reading Time 4 Minutes

A bride and groom marry at an outdoor wedding and sign a marriage certificate.

The role of witnesses at a wedding

After the wedding rings have been exchanged, they are signed. Here, the witnesses very important because without them the marriage is not legally valid. In this article, we talk about the role of the witnesses on the wedding and everything that comes with it.

A bride and groom together with their witnesses sign a marriage certificate at a wedding.

What is a witness?

Witnesses are there to prove that a couple is actually married should anything happen to the marriage certificate. You should therefore have at least 2 witnesses have to declare the marriage ceremony valid.

A woman signs a marriage certificate as a witness at a table.

This does a witness

After the bride and groom sign first, the witnesses called in turn or per 2 by the Babs.

In the marriage certificate, both the left and right sheets must be signed. The reason for this is because one copy is kept in the vault of the municipality where the certificate was made. The other part is stored in a secret repository. This is also done with birth and death certificates.

After the wedding certificate is signed, the Babs indicates whether you can stay with the bride and groom or sit back on your chair. Your job (for now) is done !

Take care when drawing

  • Together with the bride and groom, the Babs and those 4 witnesses, it can be 7 signatures on a small piece of A4 paper. Therefore, be careful not to make it too big but not too small either. As long as it leaves room for 7 signatures.
  • Besides everyone looking at you when you sign autographs. You also have to smile at the camera. Always useful to mentally prepare for that.
A wedding ceremony in a garden with people sitting on chairs, with a best man.

How many witnesses can you choose?

You are allowed a maximum of 4 witnesses questions. Commonly, 4 witnesses asked, but this is entirely your own choice. As long as there are at least two. From which side the witnesses come does not matter. For example, 3 witnesses of the bride and only 1 of the groom.

Who can you choose as witnesses?

You may have family, friends, acquaintances or even the wedding photographer questions such as witnesses. This does not really matter, as long as they are over 18 and have a valid ID.

The only people you can't ask is the Babs because she is already signing and children, but more on this later. However, it is an honour to witnesses, so give the task to someone who deserves it and someone you trust because without witnesses falls the wedding day in tatters.

A best man accompanies the bride and groom during their wedding ceremony.

Getting children to draw

You may have your children sign symbolically. For this, you can make or buy your own children's certificate. This may be signed during the ceremony after all the official documents have been signed.

A beautiful wedding invitation, elegantly placed on a leaf in the middle of a serene garden, creating a picturesque setting for the upcoming wedding. The invitation sums up the essence of this joyous occasion:

How do you ask a witness?

Most people don't know what it means to have a witnesses to be, but rather that it is an honourable duty. It is customary to give a small gift as a token of appreciation but this is not compulsory. It is, however, a good excuse to go out to dinner.

Hire a drone pilot to capture an aerial view of a garden.

Are you yourself witnessedgene Or are you a bride or groom and have questions? Let us know in the reactions!

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About the Author: Justin Manders

As wedding photographer Since 2013, I have had the privilege of constantly seeing the most beautiful sides of people. My role is to observe and direct people and moments so that they are remembered in the most enjoyable way. I am always open to a good conversation, so don't hesitate to contact me.

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