Best Woman

A Best Woman is the groom's chief attendant at a wedding.

Traditionally, the groom's chief attendant has been a man (e.g. the Best Man). As gender roles have changed over time, there have been an increasing number of Best Woman. A groom can choose his Best Woman from among his female family members or female friends.

Tips

For selecting your Best Woman

Choosing a Best Woman can sometimes create conflict between an engaged couple, especially if the Best Woman is a female friend (i.e. not a family member). It's best to talk to your bride first before making any decisions.
Under most circumstances, it is best not to select an ex-girlfriend or ex-wife as your Best Woman.

For a Best Woman

Check with the bride and groom for guidance on how they would be most comfortable with your role in the wedding. For example, some couples prefer the Best Woman to be dressed as a bridesmaid or Maid of Honor. Also, there are varying preferences as to whether the Best Woman should stand on the bride's side or the groom's side.