Do we have to have a best man and maid of honor at a Catholic wedding?

[Sasha21]

My fiance and I are getting married in the Catholic Church. We understand that we are required to have two witnesses and traditionally the maid of honor and best man fullfills this duty. Are we required to have a maid of honor and best man participate in the wedding ceremony? Can our witnesses witness the ceremony from the pew?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Can our witnesses witness the ceremony from the pew?

Yes, but it would be more considerate of their feelings and more fitting to the awesome responsibility they have agreed to undertake on your behalf for them to witness the vows while standing at your side. You don’t have to call the official witnesses a “best man” or “maid of honor” (for that matter, they need not even be of the same sex) and they need not process to the altar or recess out after. But I very much discourage the idea of denying the witnesses even a modicum of recognition for their service by not allowing them to join you at the altar during the vows.