The Evolution Of Female Best Man: Exploring New Titles

A female best man can be called by many names, including best woman, grooms(wo)man, groomslady, grooms-person, groom's honour attendant, best dude, groomsmaid, bridesman, or even the groom's right honourable señora and mistress of ceremonies. Ultimately, the title of a female best man is up to personal preference, and there are no rules dictating what the title should be.

Titles for a female best man

A female best man can be referred to by many different titles. While the most popular term is "best woman", other options include “groomsmaid”, “best lady”, “best maid”, “best matron”, “groom's attendant”, “groom's maid of honour”, “grooms-person”, “groomslady”, “groom's honour attendant”, “best dude”, and “best chick”. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to choose a title that they feel comfortable with.

The duties of a female best man are generally the same as those of a traditional best man. This includes planning and arranging the stag party, assisting with wedding attire shopping, helping the groom with wedding preparations, holding the wedding rings on the day of the ceremony, and greeting guests at the wedding.

When it comes to attire, the female best man can choose to wear a suit or a dress, depending on their preference and comfort level. If opting for a suit, it is common to match the style and colouring of the groomsmen. Alternatively, the female best man may choose to wear a dress that coordinates with the bridesmaids or matches the colour code of the groomsmen.

It is important to communicate with the bride-to-be and the other members of the wedding party to ensure everyone is comfortable and on the same page. This includes discussing the individual's preference for participating in the stag party or hen party, or a combination of both.

Duties of a female best man

A female best man can be called a best woman, groomswoman, grooms-person, groomslady, or the groom’s honour attendant. The title "best man" is traditional, but weddings can step away from it. It's not odd for a groom to choose a close female friend or relative to stand by his side.

Before the Wedding

• Help choose the suits
• Arrange to meet the ushers
• Liaise with the maid of honour
• Help the groom with planning admin
• Plan the bachelorette/hen/stag do
• Write the best man's speech
• Organise a groomsmen’s gift to the groom
• Organise final fittings
• Check in with the groom
• Help with the pre-wedding set-up
• Stay over with the groom

On the Wedding Day

• Help the groom get ready
• Organise the ushers
• Keep the rings safe
• Greet the guests with the groom
• Stand at the altar with the groom
• Escort the maid of honour out of the ceremony
• Stand in the receiving line
• Help organise the wedding photographs
• Be the master of ceremonies
• Deliver your speech
• Get the party started

After the Wedding

• Return and clean suits
• Take care of wedding gifts

Attire for a female best man

A female best man can be called a best woman, groomswoman, grooms-person, groomslady, or even the groom's honour attendant. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to choose a title that they feel comfortable with.

When it comes to attire, there are several options to consider. Firstly, if the female best man feels most comfortable in a tuxedo or suit, there are female styles tailored to fit perfectly. She can either choose accessories that coordinate with the groomsmen or match the maid of honour. Alternatively, if she prefers a dress, she can wear one in the same colour as the tuxedos or suits worn by the groomsmen. For instance, if the groomsmen are wearing navy suits with burgundy accessories, she could wear a navy dress with burgundy shoes. Another option is to wear a dress by the same designer as the bridesmaids but in a colour that matches the groomsmen.

If the wedding party is wearing traditional attire, such as short dresses for the bridesmaids and tuxedos for the groomsmen, the female best man could wear a long dress in a matching colour to the groomsmen's tuxedos. Alternatively, she could wear a black dress to match the tuxedos or a dress in the same style as the bridesmaids but in a different colour. If the bridesmaids are wearing knee-length cobalt dresses with mismatched cobalt ties, she could wear a cobalt pencil dress with sleeves.

Ultimately, the choice of attire should be left to the female best man, and she should feel comfortable expressing her preferences.

Stag do attendance

If your best mate is a woman, then great! This is the 21st century, so you can definitely have a best woman instead of a best man if you want. The only thing you need to consider is whether they'd be comfortable performing a role traditionally held by a man.

If you're having a stag do, you can let your best woman decide for herself if she wants to come. If it's just her and a load of other blokes, she might not be too comfortable with it. Then again, she might love it. You could always add the option of her attending the hen party or just have a mash-up of a hen and stag do (a sten do or hag do). If she's joining the lads on the stag, do remember to put some extra consideration into your accommodation choice to ensure the sleeping arrangements are suitable for your friend.

If you're worried about any activities you've planned being unsuitable, there's no need to change them. A large part of the best person's role is to organise the stag, so if she's had input into the organisation process, there shouldn't be any issues. However, if you're concerned, you can always ask your friend or ask a destination specialist for advice.

Symmetry in wedding photos

Vertical Symmetry

Vertical symmetry creates a balanced image, with equal weight on both sides of the frame. In wedding photography, this can be achieved by positioning the bride and groom centrally, with family and friends on either side. This classic composition, often seen in images of "newlyweds leaving the church," maximizes the pleasing feel of the photograph.

Horizontal Symmetry

Horizontal symmetry focuses on balance along a horizontal line. Reflections are a common example, where the mirror image creates a straight horizontal line with enough space to showcase the reflection. In wedding photography, this can be applied to photos featuring bodies of water, where the water line is aligned to create the desired emphasis.

Radial Symmetry

Radial symmetry involves circular patterns and is commonly found in nature, such as flower petals, star trails, and sunsets. In wedding photography, radial symmetry can be achieved by capturing circular patterns, such as a bride's bouquet or decorative elements, creating visually pleasing images.

Visual Balance

Visual balance is essential to achieving symmetry. It considers the visual weight of elements in the frame, such as the number and size of objects. In wedding photography, this can be applied to group photos, ensuring that the number and arrangement of people on both sides of the image create a balanced composition.

Gender Symmetry in Wedding Parties

When it comes to wedding parties, symmetry in photos can also refer to gender balance. If the bride and groom have opposite-gender individuals in their wedding parties, they may want to consider the visual symmetry of the group photos. This could mean placing the "best woman" on the groom's side or finding a way to integrate her into the bridal party.

Tips for Including a "Best Woman"

• Let her choose her attire, whether it's a tuxedo, a dress that matches the colour code of the groomsmen, or something else entirely.
• Discuss her inclusion with the bride early on to ensure everyone is on the same page and there are no surprises.
• Inform the photographer about the "best woman" so they can ensure she is included in key photos and direct the group accordingly.
• Decide on a title that she is comfortable with, such as "best woman," "groomswoman," or "grooms-person."

Frequently asked questions