The Best Man: My Sister's Role

can my sister be my best man

When it comes to weddings, tradition often takes a back seat as couples opt to personalise their special day. One such aspect is the wedding party, with many grooms now opting for a 'best woman' or 'groom's honour attendant' instead of a best man. This role is often filled by a close female friend or relative, such as a sister, who stands on the groom's side as a witness. While it may be unconventional, having a sister as a 'best man' is a unique way to include her in the wedding and can add a nice family touch. Ultimately, it's the couple's decision, and including a 'best woman' in the wedding party is a special way to honour a close female friend or family member.

Characteristics Values
Can a sister be a best man? Yes
What is a female best man called? Best Woman or Groom's Honour Attendant
Is it accepted to have a female best man? Yes
Can she come on the stag do? Yes
What about picture symmetry? Discuss with the bride beforehand and inform the photographer
What should she wear? A female tuxedo or suit, a dress matching the colour code of the groomsmen, or similar clothes to the bridesmaids

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It's your wedding, your choice

If you're worried about what your family will think, it's a good idea to set expectations early and be upfront about your choice. If you think your brother will be disappointed about not being your best man, or if you think it will cause drama in your family, it's best to let him know early on. You could also offer him another role in the wedding, such as groomsman, usher, driver, or speech-giver.

When it comes to attire, your sister could wear a female tuxedo or suit, matching the style and colouring of the other groomsmen. Alternatively, she could wear a dress in the same colour as the groomsmen or the bridesmaids, or she could wear the same dress as the bridesmaids.

If you're concerned about picture symmetry, you could always have your sister stand on the bride's side for the photos. But, at the end of the day, it's your wedding, and you can do whatever you want. Traditions are yours to uphold or violate.

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Best woman or groom's honour attendant?

Ultimately, it's your wedding, so you can choose whoever you want to be your best man, whether that's your sister, your friend, a man, a woman, or indeed you can have no best man at all. It's your day, so it's your decision.

If you're worried about what to call your best woman, there are a few options. Most people call them the Best Woman, but she would be considered as part of the groomsmen. If you want to avoid the term 'man', you could call her the Grooms' Honour Attendant. The equivalent exists in the opposite direction, called the Man of Honour.

If you're concerned about symmetry in your wedding photos, you could have your best woman stand on the bride's side, but this is entirely up to you and your partner.

When it comes to attire, your best woman can wear whatever she feels comfortable in. She could wear a female tuxedo or suit, matching the style and colouring of the other groomsmen. Alternatively, she could wear a dress in the colour of the groomsmen's suits or a bridesmaid dress if she's close to the bride.

If you're worried about what your family might think, it's best to set expectations early and be upfront. Chances are, if you and your sibling aren't close, they won't have been expecting to be asked to be your best man, and they won't mind at all if you've chosen someone else. If you are close, they'll probably already know who you're going to choose, so they won't be put out. If you think they'll be disappointed, it's best to be honest with them early on. You can always offer them another role in the wedding, such as usher, driver, or speech-giver.

Remember, it's your wedding, so do what feels right for you!

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Stag do or hag do?

So, your sister is your best man. Amazing! Now, you're wondering if she'll join you for your stag do, or if you'll be heading to her hag do. Well, wonder no more. The short answer is: there are no rules! It's the 21st century, and you can absolutely invite your sister to your stag do, or "sten do" if you prefer. It's becoming more and more common for mixed-gender groups to celebrate together, so don't feel you have to be restricted by tradition.

If you do decide to invite your sister (and why not, if she's your bestie?), it's a good idea to give the other stags a heads-up. They probably won't be surprised, especially if they know how close you are. You might also want to check that your sister is happy with the accommodation arrangements and that she's comfortable with all the activities you have planned. If you're going to a strip club, for example, it's probably a good idea to mention this in advance. But, in general, booking a stag do for a mixed-gender group shouldn't be any different to booking for a group of guys.

If you're not sure about having your sister along for your stag do, or you'd rather keep the celebrations separate, you could always suggest a hag do. This is a great option if there are activities you want to do that are specifically geared towards women, or if you think your sister and her friends would prefer to plan something themselves.

Remember, it's your wedding, and you can do whatever you want! If you want your sister by your side on your big day, and you want to celebrate with her before you tie the knot, go for it!

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Picture symmetry

While choosing your best man is a personal choice, and you can pick anyone you want, there are a few things to consider if you're thinking of choosing your sister for the role.

If you're going for a symmetrical look in your wedding photos, having your sister as your best man could impact that. However, there are a few ways to work around this. You could have your sister wear a suit or tuxedo in the same style and colour as the groomsmen, or a dress that matches the colour code of the groomsmen. Alternatively, she could wear a dress in the same style and colour as the bridesmaids, or a dress that is the same colour as the groomsmen suits. Ultimately, it's up to you and your sister to decide what you both feel comfortable with.

Other Considerations

It's worth noting that having a female best man may be unusual for your photographer, so it's a good idea to give them a heads-up beforehand so they can plan their shots and make sure your sister isn't left out of any key pictures. Additionally, if your sister is going to be involved in any stag do activities, it's important to consider her comfort and let the other attendees know in advance.

In conclusion, while it may be a little unconventional, having your sister as your best man can be a great way to include her in your wedding celebrations. With a little creativity and communication, you can ensure that she feels comfortable and included, and that your wedding photos look fantastic.

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What should she wear?

It's your wedding, so it's your decision. You can ask your sister to be your best man and she can wear whatever she feels comfortable in. If she would prefer a tuxedo or suit, there are female styles made to fit her perfectly. She can also wear a dress in the same colour as the tuxedos or suits that the groomsmen are wearing. For example, if the groomsmen are wearing navy suits with wine accessories, she could wear a navy dress with burgundy shoes.

If your sister would like to wear a tuxedo or suit, she can choose a women's business suit or a men's style suit cut for women. She can also rent a tuxedo or buy a tailored one. She can wear dressy flats or loafers instead of heels. If she wants to wear a dress, she can wear a long-sleeved or black mesh-sleeved dress with ballet-type flats. She can also wear a knee-length black cocktail dress with a tuxedo-style women's dress jacket.

The most important thing is that your sister feels comfortable and happy with what she's wearing.

Best Man's Guide: Preparation and Duties

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Frequently asked questions

Yes, your wedding party is your choice, and you can ask anyone to be your best man.

Most people refer to a female best man as the best woman, but she would still be considered part of the groomsmen.

This is up to the individual, but common choices include a female tuxedo or suit, a dress in the wedding colours, or the same outfit as the bridesmaids.

Yes, it is becoming more common for mixed-gender groups at stag and hen dos.

You could get a personalised gift that reflects your relationship, or something more traditional like cufflinks or a bottle of whisky.

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