Quick Answer
What are Trauzeugen?
Trauzeugen (singular: Trauzeuge for a man, Trauzeugin for a woman) are the couple's chosen wedding witnesses in German tradition — one commonly chosen by the bride and one by the groom — filling a role close to a best man and maid of honour combined. Having witnesses was a legal requirement in Germany until 1998; it is no longer legally mandatory but remains a strong, near-universal custom.
Last updated:
Last updated:
What are Trauzeugen?
Also called: wedding witnesses, Trauzeuge, Trauzeugin.
Trauzeugen carry more organisational weight in German wedding culture than a typical best man or maid of honour elsewhere, largely because the role used to be a legal necessity rather than just an honour. Today the legal requirement is gone, but the tradition of naming one or two Trauzeugen — and leaning on them to plan the Junggesellenabschied, give a speech, and generally run interference on the couple's behalf — has stayed firmly in place.
What Trauzeugen actually do
Traditionally, one Trauzeuge is chosen by the groom and one Trauzeugin by the bride, though modern couples increasingly choose based on closeness rather than strict gender pairing. Their role typically includes organising the Junggesellenabschied or Junggesellinnenabschied, helping plan or fund parts of the wedding, giving a speech at the reception, and standing beside the couple during the ceremony. Until a 1998 change in German marriage law, having at least one witness present was a legal requirement for a valid marriage; it is now optional, but the custom of naming Trauzeugen for the ceremony has remained widely observed.
Planning notes
- •Confirm early whether the couple wants the traditional one-per-partner pairing or a more flexible choice based on closeness.
- •Loop Trauzeugen into planning for the Junggesellenabschied and reception speeches well ahead of time, since both are typically their responsibility.
- •If a legal witness is wanted on the marriage certificate for sentimental reasons, note that it is optional under current German law, not required.
- •Coordinate the ceremony program with the officiant so Trauzeugen know their exact placement and any speaking cues.
Give your Trauzeugen their own planning view
Weddingkart lets the couple's chosen witnesses coordinate speeches, pre-wedding events, and reception logistics without needing full access to every wedding detail.
See multi-event support →Frequently Asked Questions
Are Trauzeugen legally required in Germany today?
No — the legal requirement for a wedding witness was removed from German marriage law in 1998. Naming Trauzeugen remains a strong cultural tradition rather than a legal necessity.
How many Trauzeugen does a couple typically have?
Traditionally one per partner — a Trauzeuge chosen by the groom and a Trauzeugin chosen by the bride — though modern couples sometimes choose differently.
Is a Trauzeuge the same as a best man?
It's a close equivalent — the role combines elements of a best man or maid of honour with the historical legal function of a wedding witness, and typically includes organising the bachelor or bachelorette event and giving a speech.
Related
By Mayank JaiswalLast updated