My 10 yr old was asking why "the squire asked a farmer his waiter to be" at the wedding, if he was going to give the bride away it didnt sound like the usual waiter duties. . .it occurred to me that a wedding "attendant" is a "waiter" as well, from French (attendre = to wait) and that it might be an old usage indeed. Indulge me, you all sound like you might be the sorts that enjoy such observations