My Italian cousin has asked me to be his witness for his wedding. I've looked on line with no luck as to what this entails. Does anybody know what a witness does or where I can find this information? My folks think it might be like a best man, but being as I'm a female, that doesn't make much sense. (I can't post this under the weddings section since they say we can only post questions on the helpline.)
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Well, actually, your parents are probably correct. Usually, in North American an church weddings, we have the "best man" and "maid (matron) of honour" for the religious service....but then they act as witnesses to the civil license that marries you in the eyes of the law. However, there's no legal requirement that one be a man and the other a woman. In strictly civil weddings (Justice of the Peace, city hall clerk, etc), you can bring along any two people to be witnesses....in fact, some wedding chapels will even provide witnesses for you. So it sounds like your cousin is asking you to be part of his wedding party, one of those who will sign the marriage certificate as a legal witness to the marriage. Now, you've got to find out if he wants you to coordinate dresses, etc!
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1127 posts
Do you speak fluent Italian? I don't think you can be a witness if you cannot understand the language. Be sure to check so there are no problems.
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
712 posts
In the USA they sign the papers. Ask you Italian Cousin if it is the same in their country. You are very honored he or she asked. Have fun at the wedding.
Posted by
bergamo
401 posts
It's not a hard job. You sit near the bride and groom during the wedding, and when it is time to sign the official form, you sign on the dotted line. My two witnesses at my church wedding did not speak a word of Italian and it wasn't a problem at all. They just signed where the priest showed them to sign. My husband had a woman as one of his witnesses, she sat over behind him on his side. It is an honor to be asked, and best of all, you wear your own clothes instead of being forced to buy an ugly bridesmaid dress.