The law requires that two adults witness
the wedding ceremony. They will be required to sign the marriage certificate along with
the bride, the groom, and the pastor. The two witnesses are usually the best man and the
maid of honor, but they need not be if you do not have a best man or maid of honor or if
one or the other is under age.
When you are choosing the attendants (the groom's men, the bride's
maids, the ring bearer, the flower carriers) please keep in mind the financial burden
that you are placing on each of them. You may want to explore ways to keep the costs down
for some or all of your attendants.
I have done weddings with only two attendants and with as many as 24.
There is no right number or wrong number. It is up to you and your circumstances.