Do you need a wedding party for Catholic wedding?

cms1684

My sister is getting married and her fiancée does not want a best man. She was going to have me be her MOH but now is thinking to not have a wedding party at all. This is fine with me but the Deacon made it sound like the witnesses actually had to stand on the altar with the bride and groom. We can't find any rules about this online. Does she need a wedding party for a Catholic ceremony?

OliveOilsMom

cms1684 said:

My sister is getting married and her fiancée does not want a best man. She was going to have me be her MOH but now is thinking to not have a wedding party at all. This is fine with me but the Deacon made it sound like the witnesses actually had to stand on the altar with the bride and groom. We can't find any rules about this online. Does she need a wedding party for a Catholic ceremony?

I don't know if it is a necessity, but all Catholic weddings I've attended have had a WP and they stand at the front while the vows are said.  If your FI doesn't want anyone to be in his WP, why not just have the witnesses who would sign your marriage license come up from their seats in the pews at the time of the vows and stand there with you.  They can wear whatever they want.  

But if your sister has any questions, she should ask to speak with the priest and ask him.

MobKaz

Nope.  There is no official role for the wedding party.  You can absolutely have a Catholic ceremony without a wedding party.  You will need witnesses.  Technically, everyone who attends your ceremony serves as a witness.  You will need to designate two official witnesses, but they can be absolutely anyone in attendance.  Your witnesses do not need to be Catholic to perform the official witness role.

FYI, if she wanted, your sister could still have you as MOH whether or not her FI has a best man.

HisGirlFriday13

No. The Catholic Nuptial Mass does not require a WP.