Events such as a christening or wedding require the presence of a witness – usually this will be a close person, such as a family member or trusted friend. What is the importance of this role at a christening or wedding ceremony? What should a witnessing request look like and how do you ask the question ‘will you be mywitness’ or ‘will you be my witness’ in the best style? Find out all this from our text!
For which ceremonies will you need a witness?
The request for witnessing applies primarily to the various ceremonies associated with the sacraments – baptism, confirmation and marriage. In each of these cases, the witness or witness has a specific role, which focuses on supporting the people who are the central figures of the day. However, let’s consider exactly what this theme looks like at these types of events.
Interestingly, while the presence of a witness at baptism and confirmation is due to church law, in the case of a wedding it is actually enforced by civil regulations. The details can be found in the Family and Guardianship Code – Article 7 states that the declarations should be made with two adult witnesses. This means that they will be necessary both for couples who want to get married civilly and for those planning a church wedding. The ceremony in a church is now almost always also combined with the registration of the union at the Registry Office – this is known as a concordat wedding.
The organtine pouches are perfect for a small card requesting a witness at the wedding and thanking the witness or godparent
What are the tasks of a witness?
Depending on the event in question, the duties of witnesses can look very different. Much also depends on the people attending the event in question. Whether it is a baptism or a wedding, it is worth finding out exactly what is expected of witnesses. There are, however, a few tasks that are almost always the responsibility of those performing this function.
A baptismal witness – who exactly is one?
It is worth starting by defining who baptismal witnesses actually are. Importantly, this is a separate role from the godparents. Due to the fact that Baptism is a strictly religious ceremony and at the same time the most important sacrament in Catholicism, it is important to bear in mind the rather strict requirements for those acting as godparents and witnesses. First and foremost, the godparents must themselves be baptised and must be at least 16 years of age.
But what about the situation of people who belong to another religious community, which is still classified as Christianity? In this case, the institution of baptismal witnesses is precisely applicable – members of other Christian denominations can also become baptismal witnesses, provided that they have also been baptised. It is also important to note that a witness can only be appointed with another godparent who is a Catholic.
The role of a baptismal witness
The primary role of the baptismal witness is simply to be present at the sacrament to witness its performance. This is known as passive participation in baptism – unlike godparents, there is no expectation of faith education in this case.
What are the tasks of a confirmation witness?
Again, the key issue here is to support the person receiving the sacrament in developing their faith. A person can become a witness to Confirmation if he or she fulfils similar conditions to those of a candidate for godparent. This means being over the age of 16 and having received the sacrament of Baptism and Confirmation. It is traditionally assumed that the witness should be of the same sex as the person receiving the sacrament, but this is not a requirement.
The role of the witness and the wedding witness
We have already covered the issues of baptism and confirmation witnesses – however, the most common request for witnessing is for a wedding. For this reason, it is worth devoting much more space to this topic. In contrast to the typically religious role of witnesses for the aforementioned sacraments, the requirements for marriage are primarily based on civil regulations. Both when you want to ask someone to be a witness and when you are preparing for this role yourself, it is worth familiarising yourself with the most important responsibilities.
Formal duties of witnesses
It is worth starting by identifying why it is actually necessary to call witnesses to a wedding. This obligation arises from the Family and Guardianship Code – the entire first chapter of this document deals specifically with civil marriages. In Article 7, we find the provision that declarations should be made in the presence of two adult witnesses. This means that without this it is not possible to conclude a marriage. There are no requirements regarding the gender of the witnesses, but in most cases it will be a woman and a man chosen by the bride and the groom respectively.
Witnesses at a civil wedding
If the entire ceremony takes place in an officiant’s office, the witnesses must be present when the declarations are made and must also sign the minutes with their own hands. What’s more, they should have their identity documents with them on the day – ID cards or passports.
Witnesses at a church wedding
What, on the other hand, is the official role of witnesses in a church? Here, the process is a little more complicated, although the tasks of the witnesses themselves remain largely unchanged. Firstly, the clergyman must obtain a certificate of no impediment to marriage from the Registry Office – this is usually provided by the bride and groom.
This is followed by an acknowledgement of the correctness of the declarations and compliance with the rules of the religious community concerned. This document is signed by both the clergyman and the bride and groom and witnesses. This usually takes place just before the service, but there is nothing to prevent this from being done at another convenient time before the ceremony itself, or possibly just after the ceremony. The whole thing is then sent to the Registry Office to register the union.
During the ceremony itself, witnesses do not have specific tasks – the exact course of the ceremony, however, will depend primarily on the vision and expectations of the people getting married. Usually the witnesses sit right behind the bride and groom.
White satin wedding bag with gold print
Witnesses during the preparation for the wedding and during the ceremony
What are the responsibilities of witnesses regarding the preparations for the wedding, as well as on the day itself of this extremely important event? Approaches to this subject vary greatly – they may depend, for example, on traditions in a particular region of Poland, as well as on the approach of the bride and groom. There is no shortage of people who do not expect any support during the preparation for the marriage, but sometimes witnesses can play an important role in this respect as well. Usually, witnesses are close people to the bride and groom, so setting precise expectations will not pose any problem.
It is usually assumed that the witness is the most important help for the groom, while the witness is the most important help for the bride. The tasks of the witness may include organising transport, keeping an eye on the rings or giving the first toast. Often, his or her duty is also to take care of the groom’s appearance, as is the case with the witness and the bride. The witness usually also collects gifts from the guests.
Furthermore, the witness and the witness usually organise the stag party and the hen party. If the people chosen to perform these functions do not yet know each other, it is advisable to arrange a meeting before the wedding to establish possible rules for joint support of the future spouses in connection with these events.
Who can be a witness and a witness at a wedding?
In principle, the only requirement for a witness and a witness is simply to be of legal age. It is worth noting at this point that even in the case of a church wedding, there are no additional requirements – a non-believer, a person of a different religion or without received sacraments can become a witness without any obstacles. This is due to the fact that the role of the witness is based solely on civil regulations. Gender is also irrelevant.
For example, family members can become witnesses – in many cases this will be siblings or cousins. However, the most common choice is close friends of the bride and groom. The most important thing is that they should be trustworthy people who will fulfil their duties effectively.
Will you be my witness? Here are some tips on how to ask this question in the best style
If you already know who should be a witness or witnesses at your wedding or other ceremony, all that’s left is the witnessing request! Its form is entirely up to you. If it will be someone you see every day, you can simply ask in person. Often, however, brides and grooms-to-be opt for requests in the form of special cards, for example, which can be accompanied by small gifts.
A request for witnessing can be handed in with the wedding invitation. When doing so, it is worth remembering that witnesses should be among the first people invited – especially if you expect them to take part in the preparations.
White satin pouch as an elegant thank-you gift for witnesses
Request for witnessing with a gift in a unique pouch
How can you ensure that your witnessing request leaves a lasting impression on the person who is to take on this role? A good idea would be to hand it over in a unique style – for example using our pouches. You can match their colour to the decorations to be placed in the wedding hall, for example. Among wedding colours, white, silver and gold have always dominated – you will find them in our range.
The bag can be used both as a request pack in any form you choose and as an interesting, decorative gift. It is a unique proposal that is a great alternative to classic envelopes, bags or boxes.
When else is it worth betting on our pouches? One of their advantages is that they are extremely versatile – a solution that will work for practically any celebration. For example, you can use them as a thank-you gift for your guests, placing small gifts related to the wedding and reception in them. A perfect choice would be, for example hangover kit a hangover kit that is sure to come in handy after the party! You can also buy numerous suggestions for hen and stag parties from us – how to use the bags is just up to you and your creativity.
