Choosing your wedding witnesses ~ make it meaningful!

Who will sign your marriage certificates?

When it comes to planning your wedding on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, there are plenty of decisions to make ~ your venue, your vows, your first dance song…but have you thought about who will be your wedding witnesses?

Traditionally, the Best Man and Maid of Honour step up for this important job. But hey, this is your wedding day, and if you want to mix things up, you absolutely can!

What does a wedding witness actually do?

A wedding witness is simply someone who signs your marriage certificates to confirm they saw and heard you both say “I do.” with the greatest of enthusiasm. How many witnesses do you need at your wedding? Legally, you need two witnesses, and they must be at least 18 years old. That’s it! There are no special qualifications required, just a fancy pen, a signature, and a front-row seat to your big moment.

Can you choose someone other than the bridal party? Absolutely!

While your Best Man and Maid of Honour are the usual picks, there’s no rule that says it has to be them. Choosing different witnesses is a wonderful way to include other loved ones in your ceremony, especially those who may not be in the bridal party but hold a special place in your heart.

The ink is almost dried! Exciting moment captured by Match Made Photography

Five wedding day witness ideas to make your ceremony extra special

Your Mum or Dad - Giving your parents a special role on your wedding day
Your parents have been your biggest cheerleaders since day one, through scraped knees, first loves and all the twists and turns that led you to your wedding day. They’ve celebrated your successes, offered wisdom and probably shed a few tears along the way. And let’s be real, they’ve likely spent just as much time planning their wedding outfits as you have, so why not give them the chance to show them off in your official wedding photos? Imagine the joy on their faces as they stand beside you, pen in hand, helping to seal your commitment. It’s a moment they’ll treasure forever!

Your Grandparents - Honouring the love and wisdom that came before you

Grandparents often hold a special place in our hearts, whether they’ve shared their best life advice over a cup of tea, spoiled you with homemade treats, or been your biggest supporters since day one. If you’re lucky enough to have your grandparents at your wedding, why not give them the honour of being your witnesses? These are the people who have lived a lifetime of love, wisdom and experience and their presence at your wedding is a testament to the strong foundation of family that has shaped your journey.

Asking them to sign your marriage certificate is a beautiful way to acknowledge their influence and give them a moment in the spotlight. Plus, just imagine how thrilled they’ll be! For them, it’s not just about signing a piece of paper, it’s about being part of something deeply significant in your life and it’ll make for an incredibly touching and sentimental photo opportunity. If your grandparents have been married for decades, their presence as your witnesses is a beautiful nod to long-lasting love, perhaps even a bit of good luck for your own marriage!

The friends who have been there through it all
Some friendships are more like family, you know the ones; they’ve seen you through every stage of life, wiped your tears, celebrated your wins and stood by your side through thick and thin. Maybe it’s the friend who introduced you to your partner, who was there for the late-night deep-and-meaningfuls, the spontaneous road trips, the questionable dating decisions that led you to the one, your childhood bestie who has been there since school days, or your mate who witnessed every high and low of your relationship. Asking them to be your wedding witness is the perfect way to say, “You’ve been a huge part of my life, and I want you to be part of this moment too.” It’s a heartfelt gesture to acknowledge the role they’ve played in your love story. And trust me, they’ll be absolutely chuffed to be asked! Not only will they get a prime seat for the action, but they’ll also have the privilege of making it official with their signature!

Your adult children - A sweet way to celebrate your journey as a family

If you have grown-up children, you’ve likely already shared so many incredible milestones together. From their first steps to their own major life achievements, you’ve been there for them. Now, why not let them be there for you in this special way? Asking your adult child to sign your marriage certificate is a powerful symbol of unity. It’s a way of saying, “You are such an important part of our story, and we wouldn’t be here without you.” It acknowledges the journey you’ve taken as a family and makes them feel valued and included in your wedding day. For blended families, this can be an especially meaningful gesture. It signifies the joining of families and shows your children that they are a cherished part of this new chapter. And how many times do kids get to sign official wedding documents? They’ll no doubt love the moment!

The guests who travelled the furthest – A thoughtful gesture to show your appreciation

Maybe your cousin who flew in from Canada, your best mate rearranged their schedule to make it to your wedding day, or your aunt and uncle made the effort to be there to join in your celebrations. Asking them to be your witnesses is a meaningful way to acknowledge their dedication, time and effort and say, “Your presence means the world to us.” This gives those special guests a once-in-a-lifetime role in your wedding because they’re so much more than just a spectator, they get to be part of making it official! And, it’s a fantastic way to ensure they get a little extra camera time in your wedding photos. A win-win for everyone!

Photo Credit:Match Made Photography

Think outside the box and dare to be different with these fun ideas to choose your witnesses!

Golden Ticket Surprise

Slip two golden tickets under random guests’ chairs before your ceremony. At the right moment, announce whoever finds the tickets gets the honour of being your witnesses!

Lucky Dip Draw

Place your guest’s names in a decorative hat, box or bowl. Draw two names just before the signing to create a spontaneous and exciting moment for everyone.

Spin the Wheel

Set up a small spinning wheel with guest’s names. Give it a whirl, and whoever it lands on becomes your official witnesses!

Photo Booth Surprise

Set up a photo booth before your ceremony and tell your guests to take fun snaps. Just before the signing, select the top two photos, and those guests become your witnesses!

Signature Drink Toast

Before your ceremony, serve guests a cocktail or mocktail with a hidden message at the bottom of two glasses saying, “You’re our witness!” When they finish their drink, they get the big reveal.

Final thoughts – Who will you choose as your wedding day witnesses?

The lucky souls who sign your certificates of marriage on your wedding day don’t just sign a piece of paper; they become part of your love story. Whether you choose your parents, grandparents, best friends, children, or that dedicated guest who travelled halfway across the world, make it meaningful to you. It’s a chance to honour the people who have shaped your love story and share an intimate moment with them during your ceremony. At the end of the day, there’s no right or wrong choice, only what feels right for your wedding. So, who will you choose to stand by your side and sign your marriage certificate?

If you’re planning a fun, relaxed, and light-hearted wedding on the Sunshine Coast, let’s chat!

You can book a Zoom call with me by clicking here, and we’ll chat about creating a ceremony that truly reflects you.