Who Should You Choose as Your
Wedding Witnesses?
One of the important (but sometimes overlooked) decisions when planning a civil ceremony is choosing your witnesses. In England, every wedding requires a minimum of two witnesses (but you can have up to six in my district, check with your registration office for how many they allow, there are also different rules in Scotland) The role of a witness is simple yet significant – they sign the marriage schedule officially witnessing your union.
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| White fountain pen |
The Role of a Witness
Your witnesses are there to
confirm that your marriage took place. Legally, they don’t need to know you
well, but they must be present for the full ceremony (no nipping out with an
upset child) and be able to understand what is happening in the wedding
ceremony as well as being able to print and sign their name. In practice, most
couples choose people they trust and want to include in their special moment.
Who Can Be a Witness?
Almost anyone can act as a
witness if they are old enough to understand the responsibility. There are no
minimum age restrictions. Some couples choose to have their children /
stepchildren as witnesses. We would expect at least one of the witnesses to be over 18. My youngest witness has been 14, he was witness alongside the couples best man and maid of honour and this worked
perfectly.
There are no rules regarding
gender, relationship to the couple, or nationality.
Witnesses do not have to
provide any ID and if a witness needs to be changed on the day of your ceremony
(due to ill health etc) this can be changed by chatting to your registrar
during your pre ceremony chat.
Popular Choices for Witnesses
- Family Members – Parents & siblings often
take on this role. It’s a meaningful way to include loved ones in the
legal aspect of the day.
- Best Friends – Your closest friends will feel honoured
to be chosen
- Bridal Party or Groomsmen – If you have a wedding party, picking
your maid of honour or best man can be a natural choice.
- Colleagues or Neighbours – Sometimes, couples choose work friends
or other close connections who have played a big part in their lives.
- Strangers! – Believe it or not, if you’re eloping or
having a very small wedding, registrars can sometimes help find witnesses.
I have never personally had to do this, but I know colleagues who have
gone into the park opposite my local registration office and asked a
stranger if they have the time and would like to come in and be a witness
for a couple getting married.
How Many Witnesses Should You
Have?
While two is the minimum,
having up to six witnesses means more people can share in this official part of
the day (six is possible in my local registration district, please check with
your local office if this is the same in your area)
Some couples pick extra
witnesses as a way to involve more loved ones in a meaningful role.
From a practical point of view, four names and signatures fit well onto the marriage schedule, six makes things a little tight for space (in my opinion).
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| Fountain pen in front of flowers |
A Few Things to Consider
- Make sure they arrive on time – Witnesses must be present for the
entire ceremony.
- They need to be able to sign their name – While literacy isn’t a legal requirement, they should be comfortable with signing official documents.
Ultimately, choosing your
witnesses is a personal decision. Whether you opt for family, friends, or even
a kind stranger, their role is to stand by you as you say “I do.” And who
knows? Signing your marriage schedule could be just as emotional for them as it
is for you!
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