It doesn't have to but I think it was placed there for when two people are floundering in that heady place of love and marriage they might intentionally or unintentionally overlook or ignore issues or situations that should be considered before marriage. Granted it leaves the door wide open for an uninvited and possibly irrelevent statement from someone who is bent on disrupting things but it at least gives a chance for something important to be addressed.
I have seen the following with variations to meet the needs and beliefs of the couple
As Family and friends we gather today in the presence of God and witnesses for the covenant of Marriage or Holy Matrimony.
Bob, do you freely and without reservation enter in to this covenant.
Cindy, do you freely and without reservation enter in to this covenant.
Do any of the family or friends have any reservation about Bob and Cindy entering in to this covenant.
Let us pray
Or
Let us as loving family & friends join with Bob and Cindy in this holy covenant ordained by God and
whatever is the order of the ceremony or what you and or couple wanted to do.
Any feedback is appreciated and improves what we do and who we serve.
The only incedent I can think of involved a man who was still married to another woman but kept it quiet. No one in the wedding party knew about it (go figure) and it was found out right before the ceremony. It's rare but it does happen.
[blockquote]Auntie Moira said: I struggle to understand why anyone would wait until the ceremony to voice concerns. Does this ever happen? Why not speak objections before the ceremony?[/blockquote]
The time it happened when I was doing the ceremony, we had the bride and groom pull the person aside when the paperwork was being signed. Turns out, the person thought it would be funny to object (they were already 3 sheets to the wind, one problem with an open bar while the guests are waiting). Needless to say, we had a bit of a discussion about what was appropriate, but at least I didn't have to use my drill square voice. They at least had the common sense to look sheepish when they found out that I could have stopped the ceremony and asked them to explain themselves before carrying on with it (actually took a bitt of liberty with that, but I was firing for effect, not just to startle).
In Ontario, the investigation of objection is left to the officiant, as long as there's some logic to it, and the people involved are happy. For a spurious objection, it is perfectly alright to make the person feel uncomfortable, but I prefer doing it in private, rather than publicly. For a serious objection, it's better to do it privately anyhow, as the ceremony itself is just theatre. The real thing is the signatures on the paperwork.