Groom's Father Has 'Issues' with Sister Being Best Woman in His Wedding Because 'It Goes Against the Norms'

Mar. 15, 2025

Bride and groom standing at altar during wedding ceremony

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A groom wants his sister at his side on his wedding day — but his father isn’t so keen on the idea.

In a post onReddit’s “Wedding” forum, the 30-year-old husband-to-be shared the predicament surrounding his upcoming nuptials. He explained that he wants the person with whom he is closest — his half-sister — standing with him as his “best woman” when he gets married.

His dad, however, has a different idea. The groom was raised alongside his cousin — the son of his dad’s brother — because his uncle and father wanted their two sons to have a brother-type bond. They spent a lot of time together growing up, the groom wrote, even attending the same schools and playing on the same sports teams.

“My cousin got married five years ago and I was his best man,” he said. “Since then, my dad has heavily pushed that when I get married I need to ask him to be my best man.”

He added, “I love this cousin dearly, but I also want my sister to be included in my wedding and I don’t want her to have secondary type roles like doing a reading, guest book attendant, etc.”

A wedding ceremony (stock image).Mint Images/Getty

Close up of bride and groom holding hands at a wedding ceremony.

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“I have suspected for many years that my dad doesn’t care much for my sister since he’s not her biological father,” he wrote. “My mom doesn’t do much to defend my sister either.”

“There’s a part of me that wants to tell my dad that if he doesn’t accept my plans for my side of the wedding party then he’s not allowed to come,” he continued.

“I’ve lost track of how many weddings I’ve attended with males and females on both sides of the wedding party, including the ‘best man’ and ‘maid of honor’ slots,” one commenter wrote. “Most now refer to them as primary witnesses to accommodate this. Don’t give it a second thought. It is YOUR decision who you want in your wedding party.”

Another Reddit user urged, “Stick to your guns. Honor the sister you have a deep bond with,” adding, “Tell your father he can’t make your decisions.”

source: people.com