2007-08-25 13:27:48 · 9 answers · asked by Penny 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
The best man is traditionally a man. I have never heard of a best woman. The "best woman" would usually be the maid of honor. The tradition of best man was probably invented when the groom needed his best friend to stand next to him and hold him up due to the night of drinking he did the night before the wedding...lol I don't really know how it got started but I have known a lot of grooms who would have needed that.
2007-08-25 13:39:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sometimes it was evil spirits that they wanted to keep away but most times it was raiders. Especially on the border of Scotland it was very common for enemy bandits to come to weddings and steal the bride. Sometimes she was simply raped and returned (forget what it's called but the lord had the right to have sex with any bride on her wedding night), often never seen again and put into servitude.
The groomsman were there to help fight alongside the groom in case this happened....the best man was simply the best warrior of the bunch and therefore closest to the couple.
The bridesmaids were of course to help the bride but it was also hoped that when enemies came and they bunched together they would get confused and not know which nicely dressed woman was the bride and take the wrong one.
When the Europeans immigrated they brought the tradition with them. In modern times it can certainly be a woman if you wish since there aren't any more raiders unless you count Uncle Joe attacking the reception buffet.
2007-08-25 20:43:23 · answer #2 · answered by pspoptart 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
wya back when, a groom had to be afraid of thieves/thugs/rogues/etc kidnaping his bride and asking for ransom. the reason he stands on the side he does is so that he can draw his sword to protect his bride easily. the best man comes from the same tradition - the most dependable, best fighter, or longtime ally of the groom would be the best man to help defend the bride and her maid if something were to happen during the ceremony.
nowadays, it is becomming more acceptable to mix the genders of wedding attendandts. however, some people prefer to have all the girls with the bride and all the men with the groom regardless of who they are actually there for because it represents the mixing and joining of the couples families and friends into one group.
2007-08-25 22:46:11 · answer #3 · answered by Erica S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The tradition of the "best man" started when grooms used to have to go and steal their future brides from their families. The relied upon their strongest and dearest friends to help them. Hence, the term best man was coined.
At least this is what one of my wedding books claims. Have no idea if it's true.
A best man can be male or female. It's your choice. Usually it's a man, but traditional roles are changing. The groom should do whatever he likes. It's his wedding and, hopefully, he will only wed once.
2007-08-25 20:46:25 · answer #4 · answered by Luv the Princess 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
others have basically answered the question - hhowever I will add --*** the idea today is have have someone you consider a good friend to ''stand up'' for you at the ceremony.
In fact I was '' best man'' for a mate of mine some years back ( YES I am a woman) , On his asking me to be his attendant I asked him why ?? His reply was "" well you ask your best freind , don't you??""
At the time we were really good friends.
Also today you do not actually have to have attendants as such - just 1 or 2 people to sign the marriage certificate as witnesses depending on the legal requirements where you live.
2007-08-25 22:09:50 · answer #5 · answered by fairypelican 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"The Best Man
In ancient times, men sometimes captured women to make them their brides. A man would take along his strongest and most trusted friend to help him fight resistance from the woman's family. This friend, therefore, was considered the best man among his friends. In Anglo-Saxon England, the best man accompanied the groom up the aisle to help defend the bride."
Another cites a similar "Germanic" tradition
2007-08-25 20:49:00 · answer #6 · answered by stenobrachius 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A woman does not have to be a best man because she can be the Maid of Honor, and she can have more than one person stand up for her if she likes she can have two maids of honor, or one Maid of Honor and then have some bridesmaids.
2007-08-25 21:00:55 · answer #7 · answered by Smiley 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even Miss Manners endorses the idea of gender neutrality in choosing members of the wedding party. ... http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkWmqH.O2snxxjm7QrCCjdHty6IX?qid=20070820155549AAnCnk7&show=7#profile-info-gylWm4Fcaa
But I have no idea of the history of this custom.
2007-08-25 22:11:45 · answer #8 · answered by kill_yr_television 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure of the roots of the tradition other than a person who would vouch for the groom.
Yes, it can be a woman.
2007-08-25 20:42:17 · answer #9 · answered by longhornfan1722 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋