how to write a co maid of honor speech

How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech—Template Included

Wondering how to write a maid of honor speech? This guide covers everything you need to know and includes a template to help you get started.

Your best friend is getting married , and she’s asked you to be her maid of honor—one of the most meaningful and important roles in helping your best friend bring her wedding daydreams to life. With this honor comes a number of important duties, and at the top of that list is delivering the maid of honor speech.

The maid of honor speech traditionally takes place at the wedding reception , but it’s possible you might deliver it at the rehearsal dinner. Regardless of when the speech will take place, it’s best to get started writing it at least three weeks before the wedding day. After all, a meaningful maid of honor speech isn’t something you can write up on your phone the morning of the wedding—it requires some thought, preparation, and maybe a round of edits or two.

If the task of giving a moving speech to a room full of people feels a bit nerve-wracking, don’t panic. We’ve broken down everything you need to know to craft the perfect speech from start to finish, along with how to keep your nerves at bay when it comes time to deliver it.

6 Tips to Prepare for Your Maid of Honor Speech

You don’t need to be a professional writer or orator to create a meaningful maid of honor speech. Use the tips below to get an idea of what to include and get an idea of the overall structure of a solid speech.

1. Introduce Yourself and Express Thanks

Begin your speech by introducing yourself and your relationship with the bride. Then, share a word of thanks for those who had a hand in planning the wedding —the bride’s family, the groom’s family, and anyone else who you feel should be mentioned.

2. Talk About the Bride

Now it’s time to get personal about the bride and your history together. You might share an anecdote about how you two met, what her friendship has meant to you over the years, or any other endearing story that illustrates why she’s so special. It’s best to focus this section of the speech on the bride before her partner came into the picture, which you can lead into in the next section.

3. Talk About Her Partner

Now is a good time to discuss the bride’s spouse. While you’re certainly the designated right-hand woman to the bride, remember that the focus of a maid of honor speech should be on celebrating the couple , the beauty of their relationship and their future together as newlyweds.

When thinking about what to say about her partner, you can share any number of special sentiments that you feel illustrate who they are and what they mean to the bride. You also might decide to talk about what you love about her partner, mention their greatest characteristics, or share a story about how much he or she means to the bride.

4. Talk About the Couple

While the last section focuses on the bride’s partner as an individual, use this section to talk about who they are as a couple. If you’re close friends with both partners, you might have some special memories to share looking back on the journey of their relationship. If not, you might talk about the impact the bride’s partner has had on her and how you saw her grow as their bond grew over time. Whatever you choose to speak about, be sure to keep the focus on the beauty of their relationship.

5. Share Encouragement or Advice for the Newlyweds’ Future

As you near the end of your speech, try closing with a word of encouragement or advice for the couple and their future together as newlyweds. After all, the whole point of the maid of honor speech is to celebrate the couple! You might include an inspirational quote or poem if you feel like it fits, but be sure to keep it short and sweet to avoid a long-winded reading.

6. Closing Toast

The closing of your speech should be short and sweet—simply share a closing remark to commemorate the happy couple. Then, invite the guests to raise their glasses in a toast to the newlyweds.

How to Nail Your Maid of Honor Speech

While the steps above are helpful in nailing the structure of your speech, there are a few additional tips to keep in mind that will help you write a compelling and meaningful speech.

Set Aside Reflection Time

Before you even attempt to write your speech, it’s a good idea to carve out some time to simply think and reflect. This can help kick off the creative process and get you into the right headspace as you ideate what you might want to include. Spend this time reflecting on the memories you share with the bride, and try to pinpoint any ideas or emotions that come to mind when you think of her. This way, you come away with a road map of all the major points you want to touch on in your speech.

Define Your Objective

As you’re planning your speech, it’s helpful to define your overall objective before you dive into the nitty gritty details and stories you’ll share. Think about the goal you want your speech to accomplish: is it to make the wedding guests laugh, cry, maybe both? Is the couple known for their sense of humor? Perhaps you add some comedic flair to your speech.

If you’ve been through a lot with the bride or want to touch on some more serious memories, perhaps you craft your speech to be more emotionally moving. In the end, defining your objective will help you find the direction your speech will take.

Don’t Go Overboard with Anecdotes

If you have a ton of history with the bride, you might have a miles-long list of heartwarming stories you want to share. However, one key to a compelling speech is keeping it short and sweet. A standard maid of honor speech should only be three to four minutes long, and you don’t want to risk boring the guests or taking the focus off of the celebration. To avoid this, choose one or two must-have memories or anecdotes that you know you want to include, and nix the rest.

Develop Your Story

Along with keeping things short and sweet, another key to writing a compelling maid of honor speech is to tell it like a story. Any story worth hearing has a defined beginning, middle and end. While you’re in control of the details that fill the story, you want to ensure that every detail aligns with the main point of your speech. Whatever you talk about should clearly tie back to the overall focus of the speech, which is celebrating the bond the couple shares and wishing them well for their new future together.

Be Authentic

The bride chose you as her maid of honor for a reason, so you shouldn’t feel like you have to be anything but yourself when you give your speech. Throw off any pressure you might feel to sound a certain way if it doesn’t ring true to you and your connection with the bride. A great maid of honor speech is about speaking openly and honestly about the bride and her partner—remember to write in the same way you’d speak to avoid sounding stiff or robotic.

Practice, Don’t Memorize

If you feel like you need to memorize your speech word for word, don’t! Instead, focus on practicing your speech in the weeks leading up to the wedding day. This way, the main points will be well committed to your memory and you won’t need to memorize it line by line. However, it’s still helpful to use a bulleted list of the main points when it’s time to give your speech—this way you don’t have to worry about losing track mid-speech.

When you’re practicing your speech, make sure you’re practicing out loud so you can get a feel for the overall flow and rhythm of what you plan to say. It’s also helpful to read it aloud to a friend or the other bridesmaids to get some outside perspective on how your speech sounds and any tweaks that might help it shine.

Maid of Honor Speech Template

Your maid of honor speech should be authentic and personal, and there’s a number of directions you might choose to take your speech in. If you’re stuck on where to begin, the template below is a great starting point to give you an idea of the general structure and flow of a maid of honor speech. Fill it in with your own words to personalize it according to you and your unique relationship with the bride!

“Hello everyone, I’m [name] and [bride’s name] maid of honor. I met [bride’s name] X years ago when [how you met]. When [bride] and I became friends, it was [personal anecdote about your relationship with the bride]. I’ll never forget [personal memory between you and the bride].

When [partner’s name] came into the picture, [personal anecdote about how you met their partner]. [Partner’s name] was [personal anecdote about the partner’s characteristics or favorite memory].

Watching their relationship grow over time has been [personal sentiments about the couple’s bond. I’ll always remember how [personal anecdote about the journey of their relationship]. Ever since then, I’ve seen [bride’s name] [sentiment about the impact of the couple’s relationship].

It’s a privilege to join with you all in honoring the marriage of [bride] and [partner], and I know I speak for everyone when I say we’re thrilled to stand by your side today and support you both as you enter your new life together. If there’s one piece of advice I’d share, it’s [word of advice or encouragement for the newlyweds]. Thank you both for showing us what it means to love unconditionally. Please raise a glass to [bride] and [partner]! May you two never stop loving each other, growing together, and showing up for each other today and every day. Cheers!”

Whether this is your first wedding speech or your 20th, feelings of nervousness are normal! With some dedicated time and practice (and a few deep breaths beforehand) you’ll be more than ready to nail your maid of honor speech. All that really matters is that your words come from the heart. After all, the couple might not remember every single word you share, but they’ll always remember the love and care that went into it.

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In This Article

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Best Tips for Maid Of Honor Speech 2024: Samples & Ideas

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Crafting a memorable maid of honor speech can be both an honor and a daunting task. It’s a chance to celebrate the bride in a heartfelt way while engaging the audience. Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or feeling the nerves, this guide will walk you through simple and effective steps to create a speech that will leave everyone touched and smiling. Remember, the key to a great speech lies in authenticity and personal anecdotes – sharing genuine stories and emotions will make your words resonate with everyone present.

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Maid Of Honor Speech Examples

Matron of honor speech.

In the realm of weddings, the roles of Maid of Honor and Matron of Honor are distinct yet equally significant. While the Maid of Honor is typically an unmarried woman, the Matron of Honor is a married woman, often a close friend or relative of the bride. The Matron of Honor’s speech is a cherished moment during the wedding reception, filled with heartfelt memories and well-wishes.

Difference between Maid of Honor and Matron of Honor:

• Maid of Honor: Unmarried woman chosen for her close relationship with the bride.
• Matron of Honor: Married woman, offering a unique perspective on married life and advice for the couple.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Good evening! For those of you who don’t know me, I’m [Your Name], the Matron of Honor and [Bride’s Name]’s older sister/best friend. It’s an incredible honor to stand here today beside my beautiful sister/best friend on this special day. Growing up, [Bride’s Name] and I shared countless memories—sleepovers filled with secrets, endless laughter, and a bond that only sisters/best friends can understand. From the moment she met [Groom’s Name], I saw a light in her eyes that was new and wonderful. Seeing her so happy and in love filled my heart with joy. As someone who has been married for a few years, I’ve learned that marriage is a journey filled with beautiful highs and challenging lows. [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], you two have a love that is strong and resilient. Cherish each other, communicate openly, and never stop laughing together. [Bride’s Name], you are my confidante, my rock, and my inspiration. [Groom’s Name], thank you for loving her the way she deserves. I’m excited to watch you two build a life filled with love and happiness. Here’s to a lifetime of love, laughter, and endless joy. Congratulations, [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name]!

Hello everyone! For those who might not know me, I’m [Your Name], the Matron of Honor and [Bride’s Name]’s college roommate/best friend. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing [Bride’s Name] for [number] years, and I must say, standing here today is an absolute joy. When [Bride’s Name] told me about [Groom’s Name], she couldn’t stop smiling. In fact, she smiled so much that I thought she had taken up a new hobby—face exercises! But in all seriousness, from the first time I met [Groom’s Name], I knew he was the one. The way they look at each other, with so much love and understanding, is something truly special. Now, as someone who has been through the ups and downs of marriage, I want to offer a bit of advice: always remember to keep the humor alive. Laugh together, especially during the tough times. It’s amazing how a little laughter can ease even the most stressful moments. [Bride’s Name], you’ve been my partner in crime, my cheerleader, and my voice of reason. [Groom’s Name], you’re incredibly lucky to have her, and I know she’s just as lucky to have you. So, here’s to [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name]—may your life together be filled with love, laughter, and lots of happy memories. Cheers!

Tips for Writing a Matron of Honor Speech:

• Start with a Personal Anecdote: Share a meaningful memory or story that highlights your relationship with the bride.
• Express Genuine Emotions: Speak from the heart, expressing your happiness and love for the couple.
• Offer Words of Wisdom: As a married woman, provide thoughtful advice and encouragement for their journey ahead.
• Keep it Concise: Aim for a speech that is heartfelt but brief, typically around 3-5 minutes.
• Practice: Rehearse your speech to ensure a smooth delivery and to manage any nerves.

Best Friend Maid Of Honor Speech

After years of helping Maids of Honor deliver awesome speeches, founder of Speechy and author of ‘The Modern Couple’s Guide to Wedding Speeches’, Heidi Ellert-McDermott, shares her tips. The first three-fifths of the speech should include revealing, entertaining stories that give an insight into the bride and your relationship with her. Don’t be shy of some affectionate teasing.

We’ve made a research and after surveying over 50,000 brides, the maid of honor choice was crystal clear: more than 51% of them chose their best friend as their maid of honor. This role isn’t just about tradition—it’s about an unbreakable bond. A best friend’s speech resonates deeply, filled with shared memories and heartfelt wishes.

“If you haven’t had the chance to meet me yet, my name is X. (Bride) and I have been best friends for about 10 years. We met in high school gym class, and we couldn’t stand each other at first. As you can see, things eventually changed for the better. When (Bride) first asked me to be her Maid of Honor I felt flattered. But as the big day approached, she also told me to give a speech and a toast. I’m kind of the shy type and tried my best to get out of it. But, as (Groom) can tell you, it’s almost impossible to tell (Bride) No and get away with it. I wanted to tell you both how absolutely spectacular you look today. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better-looking couple (except for maybe my boyfriend and I). And I hope you’re all having a lovely evening and I’d like to I wish you two all the love and happiness in the world. How blessed you are to celebrate your love on this beautiful day. I know there are many happy years ahead for you. Let’s all raise our glasses to the bride and groom, and wish them a lifetime of love and happiness!”

“I never had a sister, but (Bride) has been like a sister to me for all these years. We have similar tastes, we like similar clothes… I knew (Bride) had found the one when (Groom) walked into her life. Well, I’m fine with that – she saw him first! Actually, you could see that it was love at first, second, and third sight. He is her Prince Charming and it seems to me he gives her all she needs – a strong arm, a sympathetic ear, and his credit card.”

“I met (Bride) 6 years ago, as we tried to survive in the concrete jungle of NY. To thrive there, your tribe is essential. We are quite protective of each other, so I was a bit skeptical of (Groom) when he first came into the picture. But as time goes by, I can’t imagine anyone else but him to be her one and only. They say that anyone can be passionate, but it takes a real pair of lovers to be silly. Well, together, (Bride) and (Groom) are two of the goofiest people I know.”

“Hello everyone, my name is X, and by my dress, you can tell that I am the Maid of Honor today. For many years, we have been through thick and thin, and we have shared many memories. Today is another great day to add to our collection of sweet memories, so I’m really looking forward to the cake! I know you will have challenges as all relationships do. But you know what’s great about love and relationships and marriages? It is learning to grow together. Caring and sharing, and lots of tenderness. And maybe a bit of patience, or maybe even a lot. So let’s raise our glasses to the power of love, that makes all these wonderful things happen! Today you start a completely new chapter of your lives. What can I say? Never forget the two most important replies: ‘you’re right, dear’ and ‘okay, buy it’. Love and cherish each other! These two are a rare find in today’s world. Here’s to the groom who has a bride so fair, and here’s to the bride with a groom who is so rare.”

Check out this touching maid of honor speech to get inspired!

How to write a maid of honor speech for best friend?

• Introduction: Begin by introducing yourself and expressing how honored you are to be the maid of honor for your best friend.
• Fond Memories: Share special and cherished memories you’ve shared together, highlighting the bond you both share.
• Praise and Qualities: Speak about your best friend’s wonderful qualities, accomplishments, and the ways they have positively impacted your life and the lives of others.
• The Friendship: Emphasize the strength and significance of your friendship, and how it has grown over the years.
• Love and Support: Show appreciation for the bride’s partner and express your excitement about their journey together.
• Gratitude: Thank the guests for being a part of this special day and acknowledge the couple’s families.
• Toast: Raise a toast to your best friend and their partner, wishing them a lifetime of love, joy, and happiness together.

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Sister maid of honor speech.

According to our research, the second most popular choice for the maid of honor role is the bride’s sister. While tradition often places the best friend in the spotlight, a sister brings a unique depth to the role. Their shared history, growing up together, and the intrinsic bond make a sister’s speech incredibly touching. With a wealth of childhood memories and a deep understanding of the bride, a sister’s words carry immense emotional weight. When delivering the speech, draw upon this shared journey, express genuine emotions, and celebrate the love that binds not only siblings but also the newlyweds.

“As you may know, I am the bride’s younger sister. As we were growing up, I always wanted to be like her. Do the things she did, have the things she had –  I was probably a bit annoying, I always wanted to tag along. She taught me how to care, how to share, and how to try to reach for the stars. And as I grew up I wanted to be just as beautiful, caring, smart, and successful as her. (Bride) has always set an example for me to follow. Over the years she has shown me how to love and care. Today she shows me how to find a best friend, a partner, and a true lover, all in one person. I hope that I am just as lucky someday. It’s a great happiness to find someone who loves you as much as (Groom) loves my sister. Today, I want to thank both of you for being a part of my life, and to celebrate the love you both share. Like many sisters, we weren’t always best friends. I remember fights, screaming, and door-slamming, but I couldn’t have picked a better sister and a friend. Now that we are older, I can finally admit how happy I am to have grown up with such a great sister. Having a sister is one of the greatest things in life. Having a little sister is even better because I liked to be bossy. (Bride) always wanted to be a bit more like me… But actually, there is so much that I admire about her! I have watched her grow into the gorgeous woman that she is. It is a great honor for me to be her big sister!”

“First of all, I want to thank you all for being here with us today. As most of you know I am (Bride’s) sister. As we grew, we were as close as can be. We were always in trouble and I remember wondering if there will be a guy brave enough for someone as wild as my sister is. Well, here he is!My sis has just tied the knot. And I do believe that (Groom) is her perfect match. And today I realize that all she needs is a guy who will love her just the way she is, with all her craziness. Their commitment to each other inspires all of us because that’s what we call true love. So let’s raise our glasses to this amazing couple!”

“I want you to know that it took me 3 weeks to write this speech over and over again. And I couldn’t think of anything perfect enough to describe just how much I love you. I couldn’t find words to define the kind of sister you are to me. This is your big day and there is so much I want to say… I Googled a lot of maid of honor speech examples. The one piece of advice I kept finding over and over again was to start off with a quote. I did some research and I think their love is best described by Dr. Seuss: “You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because the reality is finally better than your dreams.”

“Love, be true to her; Life, be dear to her; Health, stay close to her; Joy, draw near to her; Fortune, find what you can do for her, Search your treasure house through and through for her, Follow her footsteps the wide world over – And keep her husband always her lover. – By Anna Lewis, from “To the Bride”

How to write a maid of honor speech for sister?

• Introduction: Start by introducing yourself and your relationship with the bride, emphasizing your sisterly bond.
• Anecdotes: Share heartfelt and funny stories that highlight your sister’s qualities, achievements, or memorable moments you’ve shared together.
• Praise the bride: Compliment her personality, kindness, and the positive impact she has on others.
• Address the groom: Welcome him into the family and share a warm message about their relationship.
• Express gratitude: Thank the guests for attending and acknowledge your parents and other family members.
• Toast: Raise a glass and propose a heartfelt toast to the newlyweds and their future happiness together.

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Funny Maid Of Honor Speech

As a close friend of the bride, you would have a lot of material for wedding speeches bridesmaids, you just need to know how to put them all together. A few sample wedding speeches would give you the right kind of inspiration to get you on your way.

“Well, for those of you who I haven’t had the chance to meet yet, my name is [NAME]. [BRIDE] and I have been best friends for around the last 10 years. We first met at work one day, when she stole my carrot cake out of the fridge in the lunchroom and I threw away her pineapple yogurt cartons in revenge. I never had a sister, but [BRIDE] has been my stand-in sister for all these years. You could say we are even closer than sisters. We don’t fight like sisters, but we do wear each other’s clothes. Somehow she can still fit into my clothes but I can’t fit into hers anymore. I’m sure that is just because her dryer must be shrinking them. I knew [BRIDE] had found the one when [GROOM] walked into her life. Sure, she dated a few guys…after I was done torturing them. But [GROOM] was different. Unlike those jerks, he was kind and thoughtful. And he had a job. You could see that it was love at first, second, and third sight. Clearly [GROOM] is charming and it seems to me he offers her what she needs – a strong arm, a kind ear, and an American Express Black Card. I trust [BRIDE] and [GROOM] completely. I remember the time I asked them to watch my dog Benji when I went skiing in Europe. They were so nice to help out. I got back and Benji was so happy to see me. He was 40 pounds lighter and now he sees a therapist twice a week. Of course, we are having fun today. The test of this relationship will be over the long term. Will she still love [GROOM] when he leaves his underwear on the floor and cuts his toenails at the dinner table? The answer is no. God, please, disgusting. No, seriously, I know they will have challenges as all relationships do. And [GROOM] will learn what all men learn eventually. Keep your wife happy! Happy wife, happy life. No, really, what’s great about love and relationships and marriage is learning to grow together. The communication it takes to keep a marriage going is massive. But half the fun is working things out, talking, communicating, and launching kitchen appliances at each other – real love. Today has been a great day. Family and friends are here, the sun is shining and the champagne is flowing. And we’ll need it to get through this chicken dinner.”

Sometimes the hardest part of being a maid of honor to your bestie might be writing the wedding speech. Speaking with your friend face to face is always easy, however, making toasts or speeches in front of a group of people would be totally different and not as easy. This is why anecdotes and funny wedding speeches maid of honor could help you cruise through your speech while giving the wedding guests a laugh at the same time.

Funny Lines For Maid Of Honor Speech

• “I did some research on how to give the perfect maid of honor speech, and the first tip I found was to imagine everyone in their underwear. So, here we are, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my nightmare!”
• “Being the maid of honor is like being a ninja. You have to be quick on your feet, prepared for anything, and ready to attack at a moment’s notice. But instead of throwing shurikens, I’m armed with embarrassing stories about the bride.”
• “As the maid of honor, I’ve been given the responsibility of keeping the bride calm and relaxed throughout the wedding planning process. Which is why I’ve been slipping her Xanax in her coffee every morning.”
• “When the bride asked me to be her maid of honor, I was thrilled. But then I realized it meant I had to give a speech in front of all these people. So if I faint halfway through, just drag me off stage and make it look like part of the act.”

Bridesmaid Wedding Speech

A list of example wedding speeches maid of honor could act as a template of sorts, helping you figure out just how to structure your bridesmaid speech.

Some of the best wedding speeches maid of honor, shine a light on the friendship between the bride and her maid of honor, as well as the beautiful personality of the bride. Most introductions begin with the story of meeting the groom for the first time. The intro is usually a good time to inject a funny quote, poem, or actual occurrence.

“Hi everyone, I am one of the bridesmaids at this wedding and I just wanted to say how happy and lucky I am to be here to celebrate [bride] and [groom’s] wedding with everyone. Today, everything looks effortless. From the beautiful wedding ceremony to the food, music, and decorations at this venue, every little detail was planned by [bride] and [groom.] And lots of time was spent shopping for dresses and doing fittings. When you get to peek behind the scenes, you see how much work really gets put into planning a wedding. There were a lot of late nights and hours spent working on this wedding and I have to say that it all turned out quite beautifully. Let’s all give a round of applause for [bride] and [groom.] [Bride] and [groom,] thank you for such a wonderful day. I raise my glass to the two of you and wish you nothing but the best in your life together. May each day be full of love and laughter between the two of you.”

Speeches are generally not as difficult as we imagine. So, you can relax, go through these samples, and create one of the best wedding toast speeches made of honor.

Short Maid Of Honor Speech Examples

“Greetings to all of you. I’m [Name], the maid of honor. I would like to express a few words about the lovely bride and groom. [Bride] has always been a wonderful friend to me, and it’s an honor to be her maid of honor today. And [Groom], I am delighted that you are joining our family. You two are a perfect match, and I wish you all the happiness and love in the world. Let’s raise a glass to the happy couple!”

“Hello, everyone. I’m [Name], the maid of honor. [Bride], you look breathtakingly beautiful today, and I feel grateful to be a part of your extraordinary day. [Groom], you’re a fortunate man! [Bride] is intelligent, gorgeous, and has a heart of gold. I am confident that you both will have a lifetime of love and happiness together. Congratulations on your special day!”

“Good evening, all. I’m [Name], the maid of honor, and for those who don’t know me, it’s lovely to meet you. I have known [Bride] for several years, and I have never seen her as happy as she is with [Groom]. You two bring out the best in each other, and it’s evident that you are destined to be together. It’s an honor to stand here today as a witness to your love and commitment. Congratulations to the joyful couple!”

“Hello everyone, I’m [Name], the maid of honor. [Bride], you’re my best friend and I couldn’t be happier to see you marry [Groom]. You two are perfect for each other and I wish you a lifetime of love and happiness. Congratulations!”

“Good evening, all. I’m [Name], the maid of honor, and I’m honored to celebrate [Bride] and [Groom]’s special day. [Bride], you’re my best friend and I’m so happy to see you with someone as wonderful as [Groom]. Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness. Congratulations!”

“Hi everyone, I’m [Name], the maid of honor, and I’m thrilled to celebrate my best friend [Bride] and her groom [Groom]. [Bride], I’m so proud of you and I know that [Groom] is the perfect partner for you. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness and love. Congratulations!”

“Good evening, everyone! For those who don’t know me, I’m [Your Name], and I have the incredible honor of standing by [Bride’s Name]’s side today as her maid of honor. First and foremost, I want to say how breathtakingly beautiful she looks tonight. As I stand here, I can’t help but reflect on the journey that led us to this moment. [Bride’s Name] and I have been inseparable since childhood, and I am beyond grateful for the memories we’ve created together. We’ve laughed together, cried together, and supported each other through life’s ups and downs. And now, as I watch her embark on this new chapter with [Groom’s Name], my heart overflows with joy. I’ve witnessed the love between them grow and flourish, and it’s truly something special. [Groom’s Name], thank you for making my best friend the happiest she’s ever been. To [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], may your love continue to blossom and may your journey together be filled with laughter, love, and adventure. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness. Cheers!”

“Hello, everyone! I’m [Your Name], and I have the honor of being [Bride’s Name]’s slightly crazy, but totally awesome, maid of honor! When [Bride’s Name] asked me to take on this role, I knew it would be an adventure. From choosing the perfect dress to planning wild bachelorette parties, we’ve had our fair share of laughs and tears. And let’s not forget about all the emergency wedding dress fittings! But in all seriousness, I couldn’t have asked for a better friend. [Bride’s Name] is compassionate, hilarious, and always there to lend a helping hand. She lights up every room she enters, and I know that [Groom’s Name] feels incredibly lucky to have her as his partner in crime. [Groom’s Name], welcome to the family! We’ve all been waiting for someone to take on the challenge of dealing with [Bride’s Name]’s terrible dance moves, and it looks like you’re up for it. To the happy couple, may your love be as endless as the dance floor at the reception. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness, laughter, and love. Cheers!”

“Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and most importantly, the beautiful couple of the day, [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name]. I’m [Your Name], and I have the privilege of being [Bride’s Name]’s maid of honor. Today, I stand here with a heart full of emotions, for I’ve had the honor of witnessing the love between [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name] blossom into something truly extraordinary. Their love is like a gentle breeze, calming our souls and reminding us of the beauty in life. [Bride’s Name], you’ve always been the ray of sunshine in my life. Your kindness, grace, and unwavering love inspire all who know you. And now, as you embark on this new journey with [Groom’s Name], I know that you’ll be a guiding light in his life as well. [Groom’s Name], thank you for cherishing and loving [Bride’s Name] with all your heart. Your dedication to making her happy is evident in every glance you share. Let us all raise our glasses to the newlyweds. May your love continue to grow, like the mighty oak standing tall through the changing seasons. May your days be filled with laughter, and your hearts forever intertwined. Congratulations, and here’s to a lifetime of happiness and love!”

When delivering a speech, remember to speak from the heart, keep it concise, and maintain a positive tone. Make sure to customize the speech to fit your relationship with the couple and the overall vibe of the wedding.

How to write a short wedding speech?

• Start by introducing yourself and briefly mentioning your relationship with the bride. This will help the audience understand your perspective and why you were chosen to be the maid of honor.
• Take a moment to express your gratitude for being a part of the special day and your well wishes for the newlyweds.
• Say a few words about the bride and groom, highlighting their qualities and how they complement each other. You can talk about their journey as a couple and your hopes for their future together.
• End your speech by raising a toast to the newlyweds.

Maid Of Honor Toasts

One of the tips for giving good wedding speeches – to use a good toast. A toast is basically well wished to the newlyweds and their family, followed by a signal for guests to raise their glasses.

If you are unsure what exactly to say, here are some beautiful maid of honor toast examples to inspire you.

• “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. – Philippians 1:9”
• “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. – Ephesians 4:32”
• “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Here’s to love, laughter and happily ever after. – Romans 12:10″
• “As (Groom) and (Bride) start their new life together, Let’s toast to the new husband and wife!”
• “Here’s to the husband And here’s to the wife; May they remain Lovers for life.”
• “Here’s to the health of the happy pair; may good luck follow them everywhere; And may each day of wedded bliss be always as sweet and joyous as this.”
• “May you grow old on one pillow. May their joy be as bright as the morning, and their sorrows be shadows that fade in the sunlight of love.”
• “Let’s drink to love, which is nothing—unless it’s divided into two with someone you love. May your joys be as sweet as spring flowers that grow.”
• “As bright as a fire when winter winds blow; As countless as leaves that float down in the fall; And as serene as the love that keeps watching over us all.”

As the maid of honor, you need to find the one speech, that is short and sweet, and resonates with you! Great Maid of Honor wedding speeches often includes great quotes . Famous quotes have a way of painting a picture that our own words can’t seem to do on their own.

The Maid Of Honor Speech Template

Infographic.

The biggest worry that most maids of honor have is freezing and forgetting the speech. A great solution is breaking your speech into sections and writing them down on cards that you carry with you. As you practice your speech it will be easier to memorize, and having all the words with you will keep you from panicking.

To get you started, stick to our basic Maid Of Honor Speech Outline:

• Introduce yourself (your name, your relationship to the bride, and how long you’ve known each other)
• Thank everyone involved in the wedding planning for their hard work
• Talk about the bride (why she’s a good person and friend, share a story to illustrate it)
• Tell the love story (The most romantic version of how the bride and groom met)
• Talk about the groom (Compliment him, why he’s great for your friend, what he does for her etc)
• Celebrate the couple (Why they’re so good together)
• Wish the newlyweds wonderful things for the future You could also insert a quote or a poem.
• Toast to the bride and groom – Raise your glass, say: “Here’s to the happy couple”, take and sip and voila! You’ve nailed it!

How To Write The Best Maid Of Honor Speech Ever

We’ve all seen when speeches go wrong, so how you do you get it right? After years of helping Maids of Honor deliver awesome speeches, founder of Speechy , Heidi Ellert-McDermott, shares her tips.

• Introduce yourself & explain how you know the bride.
• Include humor throughout. Yes, your speech should be a loving tribute to a true friend, but it’s also meant to entertain a crowd.
• Once you’ve written your speech, try to edit it in half. Promise, your speech will be better the punchier it is. No one ever wished a speech was longer!
• Pay tribute to the bride’s partner with than a cursory platitude. Prove you genuinely know and like them!
• Rehearse as often as you can but use notes on the day. Delivering the speech shouldn’t be a memory test.
• Remember to smile throughout your delivery. It’s a powerful (and infectious) communication tool.

Don’t

• Resort to cheesy cliches about love and friendship.
• Google gags.
• Thank anyone. It’s not your job.
• Take up more than 10 mins mic time.
• Pretend the bride is perfect. Instead cherish the crazy character she truly is, with all her quirks and eccentricities.
• Talk over laughter when you deliver your speech. If you’ve written a funny line, leave a pause after you’ve said it to allow your audience to get the joke and respond. Don’t start talking till the last giggle has died down.
• Drink more than a glass of bubbles prior to your speech. Alcohol actually increases the stress hormone.

How to Get Started Maid of Honor Wedding Speech

• Know Your Audience: Consider the bride and groom’s personalities, the formality of the event, and the sensibilities of the guests. Tailor your speech to the audience.
• Start Early: Begin writing your speech well in advance. This allows time for revisions and practice. Don’t wait until the last minute.
• Personalize It: Share anecdotes and stories that reflect your relationship with the bride. Highlight special moments and inside jokes.

Examples of How to Get Started:

• Opening with a Quote: Start with an inspiring or humorous quote related to love or marriage. For instance,

“Maya Angelou once said, ‘Love recognizes no barriers.’ Today, we’re here to celebrate a love that knows no bounds.”

• Anecdotal Introduction: Begin with a personal story about your friendship with the bride.

“As I stand here today, I can’t help but think back to the time we met in kindergarten. Who would’ve thought that our friendship would lead us to this beautiful wedding?”

• Express Your Gratitude: Begin by expressing your gratitude for being chosen as the maid of honor.

“First and foremost, I want to thank [bride’s name] for giving me the honor of standing by her side today as her maid of honor.” Remember, the key to a memorable maid of honor speech is sincerity and a touch of humor, sprinkled with personal anecdotes that capture the essence of your relationship with the bride.

How To End A Maid Of Honor Speech

When figuring out how to write a maid of honor speech, keep in mind that the latter part of the speech should be where you talk about the couple. In that vein, it’s also important to know how to end the speech flawlessly. Here are a few tips.

• Keep it short and sweet. While you might have a lot to say, there are time slots for each speech, so keeping things short would be best.
• Use sentimental wedding quotes. You might have a maid of honor speech template you follow but adding inspirational quotes to your speech is a great way to wrap things up.
• Finish with a toast. At the very end, it is customary to raise a toast to the happy couple.

10 Maid Of Honor Speech Tips

After years of helping Maids of Honor deliver awesome speeches, founder of Speechy and author of ‘The Modern Couple’s Guide to Wedding Speeches’, Heidi Ellert-McDermott, shares her tips.

Planning Your Speech

• Think of the speechwriting process as writing a dissertation (only this time, don’t leave it till the night before your deadline!).
• Firstly, jot down all your ideas and favourite stories and then construct a central idea (narrative theme) that you stick to through. It could be that your friend is always right, or maybe the newlyweds prove that opposites really do attract. Whatever it is, make sure your speech flows from one idea to the next, rather than being a list of random thoughts.

Speech Structure

• Remember to introduce yourself and how you know the bride at the start of the speech and try to include humor within the first 30 seconds. Resist the urge to include any of those tired googled-wedding-gags and ensure your line is original and relates to the couple themselves or the surroundings you find yourself in.
• The first three-fifths of the speech should include revealing, entertaining stories that give an insight into the bride and your relationship with her. Don’t be shy of some affectionate teasing.
• Towards the latter half of the speech, introduce her partner and explain why the couple are suited. Again, make sure to include some good-natured humour here.
• The final fifth of your speech could be a full-on love-bomb of a tribute to your friend. Make sure you avoid the usual cliches and platitudes about friendship and instead, try to nail the bride’s individual characteristics and quirks that make you love her.

Edit Your Speech

• When you’ve finished writing your speech, try to edit it in half. You may not achieve it but once you get editing, you’ll be surprised by the amount of needless waffle that’s in there.
• Remember, a speech is better punchy, so be brutal. A good maid of honour speech is generally between 700 and 1,100 words. No more than 10 minutes airtime!

Choosing Quotes for a Memorable Maid of Honor Speech

Talking about love and trying to sum up a friendship, can be hard. Luckily, some other clever people have already done it and we can all exploit their genius! Whilst plagiarism isn’t ever cool, finding the perfect quote to supercharge your speech is a great idea. Founder of Speechy (the bespoke speechwriting service), Heidi Ellert-McDermott, shares her tips for hunting the perfect quote to honour your bestie.

How to Use Quotes

• Don’t resort to a generic ‘marriage advice’ quote. They’re over-used.
• Don’t overload your speech with quotes. One, maximum two.
• Quote recognisable names – or at least provide some context. Don’t quote someone you need to Google or someone who’s a random ‘relationship coach’.
• Once you add the perfect quote to your speech, script a comedy back ref or put it into the context of the couple’s real-life relationship.
• Remember, quotes can be used to add the necessary humor, as well as the sentiment.

Where to Find Quotes

• Don’t just search for ‘wedding quotes’ on Pinterest.
• Quotes become more meaningful if they come from somewhere that means something to the couple. Could the quote come from the bride’s favourite book, her partner’s favourite film, or maybe it’s from that song you play when you’ve both had a few too many dirty martinis.
• Quotes can be found everywhere from children’s books to rom-coms, from hip-hop classics to the great philosophers, from historical icons to classic sitcoms so enjoy the search!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the maid of honor have to give a speech.

It’s definitely customary for the maid of honor to give a toast to the newlyweds at the reception, but usually, she gave a sweet speech.

How long should a maid of honor speech be?

A maid of honor speech should ideally be around 3 to 5 minutes in length. This timeframe allows you to convey your message effectively without losing the audience’s attention or making other speeches feel rushed.

What should be avoided in maid of honor speeches?

When delivering a maid of honor speech, there are a few things to avoid to ensure it is memorable for the right reasons:

• Avoid embarrassing or offensive stories: You shouldn’t share anything that may make the bride uncomfortable or might be inappropriate for the audience.
• Steer clear of inside jokes: Inside jokes may exclude or confuse other guests who are not familiar with the context. Keep your speech inclusive and relatable for everyone present.
• Don’t overshadow the couple: Avoid making the speech all about yourself or unrelated topics that detract from the celebration of the couple’s special day.
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption can impair your ability to deliver a coherent and meaningful message.
• Don’t go on for too long: Avoid rambling or dragging out the speech, as it may lose the interest of the audience.

Remember, the moh speech is an opportunity to celebrate the couple and express your love and support for them.

We hope that now you have everything you need for your perfect maid of honor speech. So just keep all of this in mind as you prepare and deliver your maid of honor speech, and you will be amazing. Make the bride proud she chose you!

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• Who Gives a Speech at a Wedding Reception? How to Write a Wedding Toast Tips for the Father of the Bride Speech How to Write a Best Man Toast Advice for the Maid of Honor Speech What to Know About a Newlywed Toast Public Speaking Experts' Wedding Speech Tips 60 Quotes to Use for Your Wedding Toast

How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech

Follow these expert tips to knock your maid of honor speech out of the park.

Photo by Janine Licare

In This Article

You've been asked to play a huge role in your best friend's wedding—maid of honor! But, the job comes with a slew of important tasks , including giving the maid of honor speech. While this is a moment to celebrate your friendship, the idea of getting up in front of a crowd can be nerve-wracking if you're not used to giving speeches.

As staunch advocates of BFF love, we've taken it upon ourselves to create a go-to guide for penning the perfect speech to see your bestie off on their new life with their partner. With a few tips and tricks along with plenty of practice, your maid of honor speech will go off without a hitch.

With expert insight from professional speechwriter Katelyn Peterson—founder of vow- and toast-writing company Wedding Words —and examples of real-life speeches, we have all the details you need. Read on for helpful tips and guidelines to deliver an absolutely unforgettable maid of honor speech .

Meet the Expert

Katelyn Peterson is a speech writer and the founder of vow- and toast-writing company Wedding Words .

Maid of Honor Speech Template

While every maid of honor speech will be different, we've put together an outline to get you started on yours.

Start with the bride; end with the couple.

Of everyone at the wedding, you have the best insight into how much your bestie's partner has changed them for the better. Your maid of honor speech needs to be about the friend you knew long before meeting their soulmate and then pivot to what role they have played in their life. Maybe your friend is even funnier now, or maybe you've simply never seen your BFF so happy. This is also a great way to incorporate their new spouse into the speech if you don't really know them that well; speak to the way that they complement each other or how your BFF's new spouse has made them a better person.

Pepper in anecdotes.

Stories do a better job of getting your point across than blanket statements do. "Each anecdote you share should have an underlying theme that ties all the short stories together," says Peterson. "Reveal that theme near the end of your speech , and you’ll achieve a strong emotional impact."

End with a positive outlook.

The nature of this speech is not so much about your relationship with your friend, but the bond the couple shares. Make sure all of the separate components of your toast draw a positive conclusion, ending in how happy the couple is together and your best wishes for their marriage .

Maid of Honor Speech Tips

Keep in mind these helpful tips from professional speechwriter Katelyn Peterson to ensure you nail your maid-of-honor toast .

Kick-start the creative process by writing down any memories , emotions, or ideas that make you think of your BFF. "I recommend free-writing for 20 minutes," says Peterson. "When you’re done with this exercise, you should have some quality material that you can weave into the form of a speech." This allows you to create a blueprint of all the major points you want to make—more or less creating a roadmap for your ideas—and then fill it in with supporting information.

Ditch Generic Praise

"Use entertaining and engaging stories to show the bride’s personality ," advises Peterson. There's a big difference between simply saying, "She is such a great friend!" versus telling a story that illustrates just that.

Half the guests may not know your BFF all that well, so use this moment to paint a picture of how amazing they are. Bring their character to life with details only you could know.

Remember it isn't about you.

While a lot of the anecdotes should be about your time with your friend, you should not be the focal point. After you briefly introduce yourself (remember: most of the people probably won't know who you are or your relation to the couple), you shouldn't be making any additional references to yourself. You're simply the vehicle to explain why the newlyweds are so fantastic.

Do not mention exes.

No one wants to be reminded of past relationships , particularly in front of their family, friends, and new life partner. Keep the tone of your speech positive, and it will reflect positively on you also. You don't want to come across as though you're trying to roast your friend.

Keep it short.

The longer your speech, the more opportunities you'll have for people to start losing attention. "Keep your speech under five minutes," suggests Peterson. "Anywhere between two to five minutes is great."

Be sure to pause for a few seconds after each joke to let the audience laugh. When you immediately start speaking right afterward, you won't give people a chance to laugh or even understand the next line. Keep in mind that starting the speech on a funny note can help you capture the attention of the audience for a minute or two, but it's the meaningful content that will keep them enthralled until the end. "Your goal should be to have guests laughing and wiping tears away by balancing humor with sincerity," says Peterson.

If you experience public-speaking jitters, try looking just above everyone’s head. This can minimize your anxiety while allowing guests to think you're looking right at them.

Don't use inside jokes.

If the joke or situation is something other wedding guests would have to be there to understand, avoid using it. If people don't understand the context behind it, it will probably go over their heads. It's okay to poke a little bit of fun at your friend, but keep it light. Don't say anything that would be embarrassing or make them feel uncomfortable.

"The more you recite your speech out loud, the more comfortable you’ll become," notes Peterson. Practice your speech twice a day, starting at least a week beforehand, and record yourself a couple of times so you can hear your pacing and tone. Rehearse the speech in front of friends, too, in order to see if your jokes get a laugh, and try practicing in a mirror to nail your physical presence.

How to Get Started

Here are a few questions to ask yourself to start brainstorming ideas for your speech.

• Who will be speaking before or after you, and how will this affect the content of your speech? (You might want to include a reference to their toast in your speech, thank them for an introduction, or introduce the next speaker.)
• What would your friend want their in-laws and newly acquired family to know about them, and how can you attest to those qualities or characteristics from your own experiences with them?
• What's a warm memory of the newlyweds that always makes you smile? (Ask yourself: If their relationship were a Hollywood movie trailer, what key moments would be featured?)
• When you picture the couple's life together in a few years (or from this moment forward), what do you see? Is there any advice you can give them for their lifelong journey ahead?
• Is there something you want to say to your bestie's new spouse? (Perhaps a few lighthearted tips on how to handle more trying situations that you've learned from your own experiences with them.)

Maid of Honor Speech Examples to Make Your Own

If you're feeling stuck, here are three examples of speeches from real bridesmaids to inspire your own.

"Good evening, everyone. I’m Cami, the maid of honor and the bride’s best friend. Over the past 15 years, I’ve witnessed Madison prioritize everyone else’s happiness, but today, we get to honor hers. With Madison being my most fun-loving friend, I knew she’d be down to join me on a two-week adventure traveling throughout Europe. We lived together, but nothing cements a friendship quite like sharing a full-size bed in dingy hostels from the Netherlands to Spain. Madison’s luggage kept breaking, and she went through four suitcases in 14 days! There we were, strolling down a busy street in Madrid and Madison’s clothes were falling out of her over-packed suitcase, painting the path behind us with her sundresses and socks. But she never let her rundown luggage ruin the trip. She just kept rolling with it. Literally. I can always depend on Madison to roll with any situation, to show up for the people that she loves, and to have a good time.

But the truth is everyone in this room is better for knowing you, Madison. You love so deeply, selflessly, and unconditionally. And I know that Pete is the best partner for Madison because I’ve seen him mirror these traits for her. No matter what may come your way, your combined patience, resilience, and love will make you an unstoppable team. And most importantly, I know you two will continue to keep rolling with it . Cheers!" —Cami

"I’m Ashley and welcome! I was introduced to Sarah through a mutual friend to evaluate if she would be a fit as my future roommate. I showed up to that first dinner wearing a casual sundress and flats. Meanwhile, Sarah walked in with voluminous curls, smoky eyes , red lipstick, and a smile that showed me she deserved that Miss Florida title in ’04. I just thought, 'Who is this girl?' Over the next two hours, I learned that this girl was the coolest, funniest person and that I had to live with her. We moved in and it was truly an immediate fit from watching the same shows to downing bottles of the same wine. Despite our homebody nature, we did enjoy our Saturday nights running around the city. One night after several margaritas, Sarah and I found ourselves locked out of our house. So we came up with the best plan we could imagine: Let’s cannonball into our pool. There we were: Two tequila-loving girls cannonballing to see who could create the biggest splash. From that night on, whenever we went out, we’d ask ourselves one key question: 'Is it going to be a cannonball in the pool kind of night?'

And just like she’s always filled the gap in our friend group—we know that John has entered her life to level her out in the best of ways, too. Let’s raise a glass to Sarah and John! May your life together be full of cannonball-in-the-pool kind of nights." —Ashley

"Hi, my name is Makena and I’m the bride’s younger sister and maid of honor . As I look at Winnie and Miles today, I see two people in the most loving, trustworthy, and nurturing relationship I’ve ever witnessed. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to me that even on her wedding day, Winnie is teaching me about life and love. Because the truth is Winnie has been my lifelong teacher. She’s the one who taught me how to read and how to ride a bike, but my most memorable teaching moment was when I was 11 years old.  We had this mutual understanding—or so I thought—that we would not read each other’s journals. But I, of course, read hers and naively assumed she did not read mine. I learned the truth when I opened my journal one day to see an entire page filled with Winnie’s handwriting. There in the middle of my journal was a critique from my sister detailing out how I could improve my writing.

I know that if it weren’t for my sister, I would not be the person I am today. I’m inspired daily by the woman she is. Her confidence is unshakable, her excitability is contagious, and her determination is awe-inspiring. Winnie will finally get to experience what I’ve felt like my entire life with her. She’ll be cared for, unconditionally loved, and will learn every day with Miles as her lifelong teacher through love. Please raise a glass to Winnie and Miles! May you two never stop learning from each other as you continue to love each other." —Makena

First things first: Don't overcomplicate it! Stay authentic to yourself and keep it simple by telling a story, sharing why you love the bride, and toasting the newlyweds.

Keep it short and sweet! Having a two to five minute speech that is both sentimental and humorous is the best way to honor the couple in a way that is engaging and memorable .

Close out your speech with a simple, light-hearted joke and a toast to the newlyweds . This will create the perfect opportunity for a combined cheer and chuckle from the crowd .

A Guide to Wedding Reception Toasts

• Who Gives a Speech at a Wedding Reception?
• How to Write a Wedding Toast
• Tips for the Father of the Bride Speech
• How to Write a Best Man Toast
• currently on Advice for the Maid of Honor Speech
• What to Know About a Newlywed Toast
• Public Speaking Experts' Wedding Speech Tips
• 60 Quotes to Use for Your Wedding Toast

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• How to Write the Perfect Best Man Speech
• Our Favorite Unique Maid of Honor Speech Ideas
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My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

Maid of Honor Speech [What to Say + Outline + Template]

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

Giving a maid of honor speech is an honor – and also a responsibility.

If you’re invited to be maid of honor at a family member or friend’s wedding, you have a huge role in the wedding ceremony. Writing the perfect wedding toast or speech can often seem like the hardest part.

Coming up with the perfect toast for this special day is much easier when you have sample speeches to be inspired by. We’ve compiled an essential list of maid of honor speech examples, from roast to religious.

Read on for our step-by-step guide to writing a maid of honor speech, and then watch the examples below. Now you’re ready to prepare a great speech with confidence.

In this article:

How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech

Maid of honor speech topics blueprint, maid of honor speech outline, maid of honor speech examples.

Can We Write Your Speech?

Get your audience blown away with help from a professional speechwriter. Free proofreading and copy-editing included.

The Maid of Honor, sometimes also called the Bridesmaid or even the Matron of Honor, speaks after the Best Man. Remember, the audience has to listen to lots of speeches before and after you.

So, my tip number one is: Keep it brief and simple; for your own utility and the convenience of the guests.

Maid of honor speeches can take many different forms. They might be funny or sweet, creative or traditional . Often, the speech will incorporate different elements, like humor and nostalgia, to hit all the right notes. Most speeches are 5 to 10 minutes long, but wedding speeches can also take many shapes, from short toasts to extended performances.

These simple tips will help you write a maid of honor speech that’s a perfect fit for the wedding day.

Begin Early

When you need to write a maid of honor speech, you’ll want to start early.

Begin the brainstorming process as soon as you’re asked to be maid of honor or bridesmaid. This might involve jotting down fun memories or an embarrassing story you’ve shared with the bride. You can also consider talking about the groom, the bride and groom’s relationship, or how they met.

Write down some ideas early on and then take a few days or weeks to let them percolate. When you come back to your ideas, the speech outline will start to become more clear.

Try a Quote

A great way to start or end your speech can be with a beautiful quote that has meaning for the wedding day. It can be funny, emotional, or poignant. Just make sure it’s something that has meaning for the newlyweds and that wedding guests can resonate with as well.

Tell Stories

The best speeches combine quotes or big ideas about love with real stories. Stories are fun for guests to listen to, and give your speech a solid foundation.

Choosing the right stories about the bride, or the bride and groom, is important. Do you want your speech to be funny, inspiring, or touching? The stories you tell will help set the tone. Think about details: the sights, sounds, or sensations you remember will keep the audience’s attention. Just don’t let it get too long – most speeches should be 10 minutes or less.

Be Prepared

Your speech will go much better if you’ve practiced ahead of time – more than once. The more you practice, the more confident you will feel when the big day comes.

Practice reading your speech, and time yourself to make sure it’s the length you want. Keep in mind that at the wedding ceremony or reception there will be pauses for laughter or applause, which will make your speech a few minutes longer.

You might want to videotape yourself practicing, or even practice in front of a friend or family member to get some feedback on your delivery. Just make sure not to give it to the bride ahead of time – your speech should come as a surprise on the wedding day.

Don’t forget to bring notes, too. Even if you never actually look at them, they will help you feel more comfortable when you take the microphone, and can save you if you draw a blank when it’s time to start.

A heartfelt speech is better than a perfect one.

Don’t be afraid that you’re going to stumble over a word or mess up somehow. If you’ve practiced ahead of time and drafted your speech early, you’ve done all the preparation you need.

Take the stage with confidence, knowing that little mistakes and imperfections can sometimes make a speech that much more meaningful because it’s genuine. If you laugh or cry, the wedding guests are probably going to laugh or cry with you. Keep your sense of humor if the mic cuts out or you stumble over a word. Enjoy the moment!

Here are our maid of honor speech tips in a sample template plus the speaking do’s and don’ts in a matrimonial ceremony based on their complimentary life styles. You are invited and do not know what to say?

Use our template for outlining thoughts, ideas and facts about the bridal couple. I will show you what you should mention and what the text should focus on. If you are not an experienced talker: relax, you do not have to say much, less is more is often said and well put!

But always: public speeches should be from the heart! Be enthusiastic and sincere, but do not exaggerate.

Maid Of Honor Speech Template

INTRODUCTION

• Tell who you are for the ones who don’t know.
• Thank your friend for asking you to be in this wedding.
• How long have you known the bride and groom?
• Why were you selected to accept the honor giving the oral?
• Why did you accept the invitation?
• How did the two of them met?
• What did you think when you saw their friendship became more serious? Reflect on their complimentary life styles. Approach this from the female side. Be tasteful. The best man is at the grooms’ side … so his job is to cover that part, not you 🙂
• Can you come up with a funny story that illustrates the personality of the wedding couple? Think about characterizing sweet, inspiring, exciting or just average daily events or moments.
• Can you come up with a hilarious anecdote based on a real life situation?
• Conclude this part of this special wedding address with letting them know that’s why you were so happy when they announced their wedding. As I said before: keep it short. Stick to one funny story. Ask others if they really like it, if it’s funny enough to share.

THE CEREMONY

• Stress the importance of the matrimonial ceremony. Give your personal view.
• Use a famous quote about marriage, love or the future.
• Relate a short poem to the couple. Quotes and poems are a good starting point for inspiration.
• Wish the bride and groom a long and happy life.
• Express your love and best wishes for the future.
• If they have had hard times, then mention it briefly in one poetic sentence. Not more. Focus on this happy day!
• You can thank and toast to the bride and groom on behalf of the bride, but only if she asked you to do so.

Do’s And Don’ts

• Bring notes, know what you want to say. Too much improvisation can lead to babbling, stumbling or a too long maid of honor speech.
• Do not get too personal. Ask others if the stories you want to tell will not embarrass the bride and groom or the guests. Check double check is the motto.
• Do not come up with negative or depressing speech topics. Kee it nice and friendly for all.
• Avoid sexual tinted expressions, political engagement or religion issues and hold back your horses when you want to mention actual news or political stories.
• Read a draft out loud in front of somenone else and ask for opinions. Alter with the recommendations in mind.

Although maid of honor speeches can take many forms, having a classic speech outline will help you get started. If you’re not sure what to write, follow these simple steps and you’ll be able to write a beautiful, traditional speech.

1. Introduce Yourself

You can’t count on all the wedding guests knowing who you are or how you know the bride. Make time early in your speech to mention your name, what your relationship to the bride is, and how long you’ve known each other.

2. Thank People

Weddings can be expensive, stressful, and difficult to plan. It’s good to take a moment in your speech to thank the parents and other notable guests who helped make the wedding day happen.

3. Tell Stories

Next, you can launch into a story of your choice. There are many different directions you can take this part of the speech. An embarrassing story you share with the bride can get guests laughing, while a touching anecdote about the newlywed couple’s relationship might make happy tears flow.

4. Add a Quote

You can add a meaningful quote anywhere in your speech. The quotes you choose should have meaning to both you and the bride (and maybe the groom as well), and also be relatable to the other guests in attendance. If it’s an inside joke or an obscure reference that not many people will get, you may want to leave it out.

5. Give Heartfelt Emotion

Even the funniest roasts of the bride often have a moment when the speech becomes touching. No matter what the tone of your speech is, it doesn’t hurt to take a moment and recognize the beauty of the day. The best speeches often aren’t all funny or all sentimental – they’re a mix of both.

6. Finish Strong

Your ending will be the part of the speech guests are most likely to remember. Give a strong ending, whether it’s a quote, a final story, or proposing a toast to the bride and groom.

Sister Maid of Honor Speech

This sister wedding speech celebrates all of the fun of watching your family get married. The bride’s sister starts out with humor, telling family memories through a funny lens. However, she quickly gets emotional as she recounts how much her sister means to her.

“You’ve been a great mentor. You’ve been a beautiful impact on my life, and you taught me that there’s beauty in everyone no matter what they do.”

Best Friend Matron of Honor Speech

The best friend of the bride for over 10 years, this matron of honor has nothing but praise for the bride. She recounts how she approved right away upon meeting the groom, and how excited she was upon learning of their engagement.

“You have really, truly become like my sister. I knew I’d be telling you how beautiful you looked, but seeing you next to your handsome groom, you really are absolutely breathtaking.”

Short Matron of Honor Speech

This short speech starts with a funny memory of the bride talking about the groom years before their engagement. In just a minute and a half, the matron of honor brings both laughter and heartfelt emotion to her speech.

“Speaking from experience, marriage is a wild ride. But when you find that right partner, you never want the ride to end.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRniSDMhWgM

Maid of Honor Toast

In a fun, beautiful toast to the bride, this bride’s sister thanks guests for coming, and then launches into memories of growing up together. She shouts out to both the bride and the groom for being important parts of her life.

“Katie is so much more than a big sister to me  – she’s my best friend, my mentor, and the unfailing reminder that sometimes being a sister is even better than being a princess.”

Matron of Honor Speech

This matron of honor gets guests laughing by pulling out a scroll to read from at the beginning of her speech. She recounts the embarrassing story of how the bride stole her spot on the varsity team when they first met. However, their friendship quickly blossomed, and the matron of honor touches on many of the fun things they did together as kids.

“I had the time of my life growing up with you.”

Funny Maid of Honor Speech

In a funny, lighthearted speech, this maid of honor recounts growing up with the bride, and even planning her wedding as little girls. The maid of honor also turns to the groom and thanks him for being the perfect partner for her friend. She fills the speech with memories, from embarrassing to sweet, and ends with a song for a truly memorable wedding moment.

“You’re all the things I hoped for my best friend and more, and I’m so grateful you found her and that you love her the way she really deserves.”

Roast Speech

This maid of honor kept guests laughing with her deadpan delivery of jokes in this short speech. Her stand-up comedy is perfect for the occasion, and she pokes fun at everyone from the bride to the groom to herself.

“When I first sat down and started thinking about what I want to say here tonight, I kept thinking to myself, ‘I can’t believe Erin’s getting married…in less than an hour. No, I’m kidding, I had it written before breakfast.”

Christian Maid of Honor Speech

A sweet speech from the bride’s best friend hits the right notes in a short amount of time. She compares the couple’s love to being like the love of Christ because it is so strong and so beautiful.

“The love that these two share is so strong, it doesn’t need a thousand stories, it doesn’t need a thousand words; it just radiates from these two.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKKwOBW_8xY

Creative Maid of Honor Speech

This fun maid of honor speech starts with the bride’s sister recalling dancing to pop songs as a kid with her mom, who was pregnant with the bride. Then, she uses a musical interlude to tell the story of the bride’s life from a sister’s perspective. In a mashup of pop music covers, the maid of honor gives a great performance that gets the wedding guests clapping in time.

“[My mom and I] danced around the house to Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. And lo and behold, 9:30 am on day 9…DeeDee arrives. Apparently she also just wanted to have fun.”

Bridesmaid Speech

In this genuine, sweet speech, the bridesmaid’s excitement about the happy couple’s new marriage is truly evident. Her fun while holding the microphone is contagious to all the guests.

“I’m just so excited to be here, to witness the true love that is so evident between Taylor and Niko.”

Touching Maid of Honor Speech

This heartfelt, emotional maid of honor speech was given by a college friend of both the bride and the groom. She recounts the story of how she first met the bride, and then tells the bride and groom’s love story as she saw it unfold.

“It was obvious there was something truly amazing between the two of them. Four months of courting and a very, very, very confused Mark later, Mara finally accepted his proposal to be boyfriend and girlfriend – and the rest is history.”

Bridesmaid Toast

These bridesmaids toast the bride in song form. They celebrate the happy couple in their own words, and then shout out to notable wedding guests, keeping everyone entertained the entire time.

“Love is the reason we’re all here – that’s what you toasted for.”

Maid of Honor Speech

The maid of honor speech can be just as hilarious and emotional as the best man speech . Amusing, creative speeches like this one might get a standing ovation. The maid of honor uses a numerical countdown to format her speech, ending with the number one which is, of course, the bride.

“At the end of the day, you’re always gonna have that one person who’s in your corner, who’s your personal cheerleader.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX9Y6OhkH1s

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Maid of honor speech examples

Two unique maid of honor speeches to help you prepare a perfect maid of honor speech of your own

By:  Susan Dugdale  | Last modified: 10-06-2023

What's the best way to share the happy couple's love story at the wedding reception on their big day?

The bride's your great friend, an amazing person. You love her to pieces which is why you said 'yes' when she asked you to speak on her wedding day.

However, maybe this is the first time you've given a maid of honor toast. Perhaps, in addition, you find public speaking, talking in front of a crowd and making eye contact as you do, a little bit nerve wracking.

You're in the right place. The goal of this article is to empower and enable you to write and deliver the best maid of honor speech you can. Begin by reading the speeches!

What's on this page

• 2 unique maid of honor speech examples - a heartfelt maid of honor speech - a light-hearted maid of honor speech
• how to begin - suggestions for getting started on your own MOH speech
• a link to ' How to end a Maid of Honor speech: 20 examples '
• a link to a maid of honor speech template
• how to test and rehearse your speech
• links to other resources to help you give the best maid of honor speech you can

A heartfelt Maid of Honor speech example

This example is written from the point of view of a childhood friend: someone who's shared the best and most difficult of times with the bride. The friendship between them is enduring and the speech is sincerely heartfelt: full of personal stories everybody will relate to.

Said aloud, it is approximately 5- 6 minutes long. 

Maria's MOH speech at Sonja & Mark's wedding

"Some one very wise, and obviously someone who knew Sonja and Mark said, “Don't marry a person you can live with. Marry somebody you can't live without."

That's what we're witnessing today – the union of two people who belong together. A perfect match!

My name is Maria and I'm delighted to be the Maid of Honor for my very dear friend Sonja.

We've been close friends since we were little girls and, as we are hitting our 30s, it feels like forever. I can scarcely remember life without her.

Sonja and me, we've gone from crayons to perfume together, with stops in between for learning to read and write, ride a bike, play with dolls, dress up, climb trees, scrape our knees... We’ve done our high school homework, got into trouble for staying out late, turned 21 together… And now here we are, all grown up.

A big night these days is a glass of wine, staying in and watching Netflix together.

From the time we were 13 and had to run to escape a mad, snarling, barking dog I knew Sonja was truly there for me. I was slower than her but she did not leave me behind. And she's been there to pick me up ever since.

Like when I've misplaced my confidence and haven't been able to find it. (Is it under the sofa? No! Behind the kitchen door? No!)

Or when I’ve needed someone to talk to about a personal life situation, for instance, another crappy boyfriend.

Over the years Sonja has been my touchstone, my wise go-to sister, and although there have been times when we have been physically apart that has never been true of our hearts. She is part of my identity, of who I am.

So when she asked me to be her Maid of Honor, the honor was all mine. Naturally I said yes.

Another “yes”, a previous and much more important one, is the reason we're here today.

Mark, that was one you received.

All Sonja's family members and friends, like me, take her best interests to heart. They look out for her, and I know, that like me, they are delighted that you and she have agreed to live your lives together.

Mark, your care, and love of Sonja over the last few years has demonstrated to us all you are indeed the right man, who was in the right place, at the right time. We've seen the good times you've shared together but most importantly we've also witnessed how you handled the tough ones.

You were there to shelter, cherish and nurture her through the period when her Father passed. And I know that meant everything to her. I feel certain not only he but also her brother, Matthew, would willingly give their blessing to your union from up above.

As for me, you definitely had my wholehearted approval when you asked one of my “ boyfriends”, (now very much past tense), aside for a man-to-man chat about respect and loyalty. From that time, I knew I have gained a brother.

In Sonja you have a hard-working, forgiving, loving big-hearted woman. As her friend, her sister, I am grateful you see, appreciate and know that.

I searched for a special gift of wisdom to pass on and found this – a recipe for love and marriage. It makes sense to me, and I hope it does to you too.

"As you walk through life together remember even though you both share many qualities that are very much the same, you are each unique, and it is your differences that helped bring you together.

Give your love openly and honestly. Always respect and accept what the other has to say, even when you do not agree. Take time to enjoy everyday and share together, and remember that each day is a new beginning."

Sonja, I am looking forward to all the celebrations we're going to have together down the years because although we no longer live on the same street, our roots are very deep.

Please make a note that I intend to speak at your 50th anniversary!

Cheers to the newly weds! Best wishes! I love you guys!"

A light hearted Maid of Honor speech example

To be successful this maid of honor speech relies heavily on its delivery.

Along with stories establishing the depth and importance of the relationship between the bride and her Maid of Honor it includes a good natured, gentle 'roast' of the groom.

The MOH has taken it upon herself to poll guests and family members on his suitability for the bride. She is now making the results public.

Although the groom is being teased we know he's respected, admired and loved by those who know the couple well, which includes the person delivering the speech, the bride's best friend.

The speech will take between 5-6 minutes to deliver.

Felicity's MOH speech at Sarah & Sam's wedding

Once in a while, in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.

That's what we're celebrating today: a story of true love, a dream come true, the union of two people who belong together.

My name is Felicity and it's my privilege to be Sarah’s Maid of Honor.

Sarah is my Best Friend. I know it's a cliché. However clichés become clichés for a very good reason, because they're true. She's my BFF: Best Friend Forever.

For her I would wear the gaudiest, frothiest taffeta maid of honor dress possible and still smile. Fortunately I don't have to.

Through Sarah I've learned that being a best friend isn't a competition between those who have been in your life the longest.

Neither is it about regular daily contact. Or about talking, Or being under the same sky, in the same city. Or even sharing the same tastes.

But it is definitely about sharing the same heart space.

Over the years she's been my touchstone, always encouraging me to be the best of myself: a work still in progress. I look forward to checking off the score card with her when we're much, much older.

We've seen each other through all those milestones of growing up: the ones we want to remember, as well as the ones we'd prefer to forget but don't. Amongst them are memories I'll always cherish: going on a bike tour of Paris in the rain, getting completely soaked and laughing about it, gorging ourselves on gastronomic delights in Greece. And ticking off the typical tourist “when in Rome” items: walking up the Spanish Steps and tossing coins in the Trevi fountain together.

Sarah you know, and see me clearly. Just like I know and see you. And today you've changed the course of your life forever with two words: I do.

Sam, you'll have understood by now just how much this woman is loved, not just by me but by all of us here. Inevitably that means when a suitor comes along they have to pass not just one test, but multiple ones.

There's the initial hurdle, getting her on your side. Once that's safely over there's more and these, as anyone married knows, can be quite formidable.

Friends, mothers, fathers, family, don't share quite the same blinkered infatuation. We stand back. We watch, and yes, we judge.

We have a “not-so-little” check list and we want every point on it passed, with honors.

Now I'd done a comprehensive survey of the interested parties and tallied the scores. They read like this.

On the “always has her back “ index you did extremely well. This one was a very important indicator. Knowledge of what it is “to have someone's back” is paramount. You passed with flying colors on the sub-set, “has spine” too.

Availability. The question behind this point had two parts, both equally weighted. Are you there for Sarah when she needs you? We looked at physically, as well as emotionally, present. Again, top marks.

Positive influence. Does this man extend and enhance the best in Sarah?

Now this one was a little trickier. Separating the vested interests and keeping ourselves honest is a challenge when so much is at stake. Change can be confronting even if it is for the better. But yes, we agreed, that Sam definitely brought Sarah more of all that is good. His presence enables her to grow.

Health. Really? Need we go there? Look at them! They eat so well, exercise so well – we're thinking of setting up a charity to donate the excess health they generate to those who need it. These two are the ultimate King and Queen of eating green. Their example inspires!

Our last was “laughter”.  Does this man make this woman smile, make her laugh with joy and share her humor? Sam, no one makes Sarah laugh the way you do.

In conclusion, you are quite simply, the best. We thank you for understanding, valuing and loving her as we do.

I want to acknowledge someone else in the line up looking out for Sarah, someone very dear to her who, although not physically present, is here in our hearts: Betty, Bette, her grandmother. I'm sure she would approve too.

And now a toast. Please raise your glasses.

To Sarah and Sam, and a lifetime of love! May your happily ever after begin here.

Content suggestions for your own MOH speech

Often the hardest part of preparing a speech is getting started.  These prompts will help you find the right words to say about the bride and her new husband on their special day.

Grab a piece of paper and answer the questions as quickly as you can. Let you mind go. Don't stop to edit, to check your spelling or to write full sentences. You can do all of that later.

Focus, for now, on generating ideas.

Maid of Honor speech writing prompts

• When, and how, did you first meet the bride?
• When did she become a close friend?
• What makes her a good person?
• What 3 or 4 words best describe her character?
• When did you realize (the groom's name) was the love of her life? What was your first impression of him?
• What hobbies or interests do they share as a couple?
• What do you admire about them as a couple? What makes them unique or special?
• What challenges or hardships have they faced and overcome?
• What funny moment or funny stories can you share about them?
• What do you want to say to wish them a happy future together? Is there a quote you'd like to use as a toast? A line from a song? A verse from a poem?  

What NOT to put into your speech

Before you go ahead in the writing process check the content you've generated.

Remove any:

• stories that would embarrass the bride and anyone listening: eg. tales about past relationships, wild nights out, participating in illegal activities of any sort...
• inside jokes or references that only a few people will understand
• comments or stories that make yourself the principal focus of attention. The most important people are the bride and groom.
• references to money or the costs involved in the wedding
• critical comments about the wedding planning, the people involved with that, and any of the lead up activities
• language or crudity (for instance, off-color jokes or sexual innuendo) that may offend the wedding guests
• strings of clichés. For example: she's most beautiful bride in the whole wide world. The groom swept her off her feet. It was true love at first sight and now they will live happily ever after...

How to get from notes to speech

Click the link for: a 5 part maid of honor speech outline, with examples, step-by-step guidelines and a complete maid of honor speech for a sister.

How to end a Maid of Honor speech

If you find yourself stuck, not knowing how to conclude your speech have a look here: how to end a Maid of Honor speech .

There are twenty example endings of varying types. Some are funny. Some use Biblical and other quotations and some are straight from the heart.

Find one you like, and then adapt it for your own use.

Test and rehearse your speech

It's vital to allow enough time to thoroughly test and rehearse your speech before you deliver it: that's about three weeks.

How to test your speech

Testing has two parts.

The first part is making sure the content covers all you think it should and flows easily from one segment to the next. This is where another pair of ears are very useful. Sometimes what we think we're saying and what we actually are is quite different. Get the opinion of someone whose judgment you trust.

The second part is testing your speech for timing. Set a timer and say it out loud at about the pace you would use if you were delivering it for real. Ideally you want it between 3 - 6 minutes long. If it's too long, look for places to cut it.

For more about how many words in a 3 minute, 4 minute, 5 minute, 6 minute...speech and speech rate .

Rehearse your speech

Once you have the words sorted, it's time to work on how you'll deliver them.

Delivery makes all the difference between an average, ordinary performance, and an extraordinary one. Please make the time to rehearse.

Trying to 'wing it' without preparation leaves you wide open for all sorts of unnecessary glitches to suddenly pop up and throw you sideways. Don't tempt it! How to rehearse a speech well: 7 steps to brilliance! ☺

More resources

Classic wedding poems and readings : find a segment of a poem or a quote to use

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How To Write The Perfect Maid Of Honor Speech

Cheat sheet included

S o the time has come, and you’re getting ready to write your maid of honor speech! We get it. You’ve been mentally writing your toast since the day you and your BFF met in second grade, or since you became roommates in college, or since she was the only person at your new job who welcomed you. Or you have more to say than you can possibly boil down into one maid of honor speech because this is your sister . She’s been with you through thick and thin.

When the time comes to write something that feels so darn special, it’s easy to find yourself with more questions than answers. Just how many inside jokes can you include? (Not that many.) How long should your toast be? (Not that long.) What should the maid of honor speech say? (We’ve got a formula for you.) How should you end the maid of honor toast? (Go out strong.) We get how overwhelming it can be, and we are here to turn all of that love into the perfect three-minute speech, that will bring down the house.

How do you write a wedding speech? Let’s break it down: In its simplest form, the maid of honor speech is one to four minutes wherein you will wax poetic about how much you love this person, how you can’t believe that she and her partner found each other because they are so perfect together, and how you can’t wait to see what kind of life they will build together. You’ll throw in a few anecdotes (tales from summer camp or college, erring on the side of caution and eschewing details that no one except the two of you needs to know). You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll toast the couple, and it will be brilliant. But if any part of you is worried about how that might come together, We’ve got some very specific tips on how to write the perfect maid of honor toast:

Related Post

How to write a maid of honor speech.

• Start early . Don’t leave writing your Maid of Honor toast for the night before, or even that week. You’ll be busy supporting your friend and I promise it’ll feel less stressful if you get ahead of it.
• Brainstorm . Before you start writing, maybe even weeks before, do some brainstorming. Have a note started on your phone from the moment you know you’ll have a speech to write, spend an evening going through old photos, do whatever it takes to help yourself remember some old stories and anecdotes that will help you make your speech that much more personal.
• Write drunk, edit sober . Or, write fast, edit slow. Just know that your first draft isn’t the end-all. You’ll undoubtedly have a hard time deciding which story to tell, maybe you’ll include a few too many jokes or loving jabs… either way, give yourself the time and space to really edit. And ask a friend for feedback, too.
• Cut it down . Take Raymond Carver’s advice: “Get in, get out. Don’t linger. Go on.” It can sometimes be so much easier to write or say a lot of words, but narrowing it down to the core feelings and message are what will make it powerful.
• Practice, practice, practice . Please don’t let the day of the wedding be the first time you read your toast out loud. Thank me later.

Download our “how to write a maid of honor speech” workbook:

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How long should the maid of honor speech be?

You should set a goal of two to three minutes for your Maid of Honor toast. Can it be a bit longer? Sure. But avoid surpassing five minutes. Katelyn Peterson, a wedding speech and vow writer from Wedding Words, gives the following advice, “Written, your speech should be 300 – 700 words. This comes out to roughly 2 – 5 minutes. Any longer and you’ll lose impact while guests lose interest. Plus, there’s nothing that needs to be said in 10 minutes that you can’t say in 5 minutes. Brevity is key to making a positive impact through your speech.”

What should the maid of honor speech say?

Katelyn Peterson has this great thought on what you should include in your toast: “Great speeches include great storytelling. What does every story have? A relatable character, a compelling event, and an internal shift.”

Her example: Tell the story about that time the bride (relatable character) helped you break into your own apartment after you locked yourself out (compelling event) and you ended up laughing so hard, you weren’t upset anymore because she made a challenging moment fun (internal shift). This story also SHOWS something about the bride (which every story should accomplish in a MOH speech). She has the ability to take stressful situations and make them fun. This is your theme. Now come up with two more short stories that SHOW this theme in action using these same storytelling elements.

How should you end the maid of honor speech?

While it’s a speech, it is also meant to be a toast. So, consider ending your time at the mic with a clear closing remark, and asking folks to raise their glasses and toast to the couple. Katelyn also suggests that you “close with a callback. Callbacks are instant crowd-pleasers.” So if you can circle back to one of your stories or anecdotes in your closing toast, you will really win at this whole maid of honor thing.

Photo by Leah and Mark & Co.

Tips For Writing Your Toast

• Get personal. Obviously, this is not the time to use every awful person your friend has dated as evidence for how excellent her chosen life-mate is, but it  is  the time to share a few personal stories. You’ll want to talk about how happy you are for the couple, how much as you knew your BFF was your BFF the second she traded shoelaces with you, you knew that her chosen partner was perfection when they showed up to her house wearing bacon-themed socks. After that, wrap it up nicely and sweetly, toast the couple, and have a seat.
• Don’t worry about the Best Man. Best men have a rep for sometimes being uncool during their speeches ( let’s avoid that ). And if you’re worried, just ignore whatever the best man might get up to, and do you. You don’t have to bring out the waterworks as a counterpoint to a counterpoint to potentially awkward jokes if that’s not your style. If you want to be funny, be funny! Steal the best man’s thunder. It’s fine.
• Don’t turn it into stand-up.   That said, your toast is not the time to try out your future career as a stand-up comedian (unless you literally are a stand-up comedian, in which case, you’ve got this). No one is expecting Maya Angelou to suddenly appear and speak through you, but they probably are expecting something heartfelt and sincere. So really consider the speech and take it seriously, even if humor is your vehicle of delivery.
• Consider your audience . If you were writing this maid of honor toast for the bachelorette party, I’d say, ‘go wild.’ You’re not though. There will be your friend’s new in-laws, grandparents, and siblings around… so keep it appropriate and, ideally, not at all embarrassing. (Hot tip: Avoid talking about exes.)
• Don’t wait too long to start writing.  Try to start writing your speech the month before the wedding so that you can practice on a friend (not the one who is getting married) or partner, and adjust as needed.

Photo by Vivian Chen

A Made of Honor Speech Template

• Part 1: Introduction, Congratulations, & “I love you both so much.”
• Part 2: A lovely anecdote about the couple’s relationship and how awesome they are. (Try to stay away from something about just one of them, but about them as a couple. Talking about primarily one person within the context of their relationship and their love can be lovely, too, if that’s your relationship to the couple.) This should be the bulk of your speech.
• Part 3: I hope you are always as happy, joyous, and in love as that moment. OR This proves how madly in love you two are. May you continue to be an inspiration to us all. Etc.
• Part 4:  (Actually make the toast.) Everyone drinks!

Photo by Betty Clicker

maid of honor speech EXAMPLEs

Here’s a sample maid of honor toast that follows the formula perfectly:

Haley and Rachel, I love you both so much . Haley, not only for you being one of my best friends, but for being there for me when being my friend didn’t just involve late night Wal-Mart runs and hours of watching ’80s movies. We’ve grown up together and I am so very grateful that we did not grow apart. And Rachel, I love you, too, for not only being such an incredible partner for my Haley, but for being a great friend to me also. I know you didn’t expect that dating Haley would include helping her flaky friend after she locked her keys in the car three times in one month, but you are a doll for doing so with a smile and only laughing at me a little. However, what I love most about the two of you is how you are together. I’ve never seen two people that fit so well in each other’s lives; it’s hard to imagine a time when you weren’t “Haley and Rachel.” It may seem to some like you two were just meant to be and that fate put you together, but I think to look at it that way diminishes how amazing your relationship really is. Having been there from the beginning, I know that what appeared to be seamless was the effort of two people who truly loved one another and were determined to make their relationship work. They didn’t just magically fit into each other’s lives; they rearranged their lives to make room. They changed priorities, made time for one another and learned to love each other’s little quirks… like Rachel’s not-so-secret love of R&B vocalists. But nothing shows this as much as Haley, Rachel, and the hockey debacle. You see, when they started dating, Rachel noticed that Haley had a framed Gretsky jersey in her living room. And, deciding to play it cool, Rachel started asking Haley if she wanted to go to local hockey games and watching the latest game on TV just so she’d have something to talk about to Haley the next time they chatted. Haley, oblivious to all of this, thought Rachel really liked hockey so she enlisted my brother to teach her more about the game. Because, you see, Haley never watched hockey. The jersey belonged to her Uncle Mike, and Aunt Laura gave it to her as a reminder of him after he passed away. Meanwhile, both my brother and Rachel are pretending to know more about hockey than they actually do and were starring in their own sports-themed comedy of errors. Eventually, they figured it out… and by eventually I mean seven months later. However, once these two worked on their communication skills, they had a new favorite hobby to do together… and further proof that Uncle Mike really is watching over Haley. AND, he’s bound and determined that she marry a hockey lover! And it only goes to show not only how goofy these two are for each other, but how much they truly are committed to being in each other’s lives. Your love makes us smile, makes us tear up with joy and makes us believe in the kind of love cynics would make you feel is impossible. Thank you for being an inspiration and my friends. To Haley and Rachel!  (everybody drinks)

Here’s another great example. There’s a reason this YouTube video has over a million views. The speaker in this video follows a pretty simple maid of honor toast template, one that might help you.

• “Good evening, everyone.”
• Short joke or anecdote from the day.
• A bit about how you know the couple. (Katelyn from Wedding Words suggests that you “don’t add fluff to your intro. “For those of you who don’t know me…” is an unnecessary line. Instead, jump right in by simply stating your name, role, and relationship to the couple.”
• Storytime. This might be one long story or a few short stories. Tell about the couple’s love story, about when you met the partner or when you knew this was going to be your friend or sister’s spouse. Throw in a few small laughs.
• Offer advice or well-wishes for the couple’s future.
• “I love you.”

One more heartfelt example. Her outline is similar, do we see a pattern?

• Hello / introduction (if you’re going to make it funny, make yourself the ‘butt of the joke.’)
• Storytime. The maid of honor stretched her story out to create the entire speech while peppering in mini-stories about different times she and her family spent time with the groom. She got some good laughs without any embarrassment to the couple.
• She didn’t feel like she had advice to give, so she offered “Three things I know,” where she highlighted different wonderful things about the couple’s love.
• She did a call back to the beginning of her story.

Have you ever written or heard a truly great maid of honor toast? What works—and what doesn’t?

Founder & Editor-In-Chief

Meg is the Founder of APW, and has been the sites EIC for the past twelve years. She has written two best selling wedding books:   A Practical Wedding   and  A Practical Wedding Planner .  Meg’s work has been referenced in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, Jezebel, and Refinery29 . She’s also written hugely viral wedding articles for Buzzfeed. She lives in Oakland, CA with her husband and two children. For more than you ever wanted to know about Meg, you can visit MegKeene.com .

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How to Write a Killer Maid of Honor Speech: The Ultimate Guide

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning we earn commissions if you shop through the links below. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my  disclaimer  for more info.

To us here at Modern MOH, the writing and delivery of the maid of honor speech is the most sacred duty of them all. We feel this is your true time to shine and the greatest opportunity to show your bestie just how much her happiness means to you. By taking the time to construct a heartfelt and well-written speech, then delivering it to the best of your ability, you will help make your bride’s wedding day all the more perfect.

And while we doubt we were your first stop on the “ how to write a maid of honor speech ” search train, we do hope to be your final destination. You see, unlike most articles you’ll find on the subject of maid of honor speeches, we’re actually going to give it to you straight. No vaguely basic outlines or generically boring examples, just the cold hard facts.

Because we have some serious experience in the toast department, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned about writing a killer maid of honor speech, it’s this: there is no secret formula, no one best way . How could there be? Each and every relationship between a maid of honor and a bride is different from the next, just as each and every memory is uniquely yours. 

Lastly, we know the thought of having to give a wedding toast in front of a large group of people may be terrifying for most, that’s why we’re here to teach you a thing or two to ease those nerves. From start to finish, we have all the tips and tricks you need to know to bring the house down.

How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech in 5 Simple Steps

1. define your overall objective.

Before you begin writing your maid of honor speech, you must first define your objective. In other words, you need to have a goal you’re looking to accomplish. For example, are you hoping to make wedding guests laugh? Cry? Both? Do you want to talk about your history with the bride, about how you met the groom, or what their relationship as a couple means to you?

Knowing the answers to these questions will help you figure out the direction you should take when writing your wedding toast.

If you find yourself struggling to define your objective, simply think of your relationship with both the bride and groom. Do they have a great sense of humor? Is your time together spent mostly joking around and laughing? If so, try taking a comedic approach to your toast by cracking a few funny jokes along the way.

Or maybe you and your bride have been through some very serious times together that you want to share, in which case your speech may be much more emotionally moving. The great part about this objective is that it’s your own, so there is no one right or best way to go about it.

MODERN MOH TIP:  Touch on a little bit of everything. Start strong with a joke or two and finish out with a sentimental toast.  While there is no exact formula to it, a truly good maid of honor speech is both funny enough to get wedding guests laughing and moving enough to bring a tear to their eye. Secondly, don’t spend so much time talking about your history with the bride that you forget to talk about the groom. Even if you don’t have your own personal memories with your best friend’s new hubby, that doesn’t mean he should be left out of your speech. Instead, talk about their relationship as a couple and what it means to you, including your wishes for the bride and groom’s future together. 

2. Decide on Your Point of View

The key to writing a killer of maid of honor speech is to not think of it as a speech, but instead a story. And as the narrator of this particular story, it’s up to you to determine the point of view from which you tell it. While it may seem obvious that you’d write from the first-person POV, there are definitely some benefits to switching it up.

To begin with, writing from a third-person POV will give your toast a unique twist and a more story-like feel. For example, instead of saying “Taylor and I met on the school bus in the third grade and she’s been my best friend ever since” , you could say “When Taylor was in the third grade, she met a little girl on the school bus who remains her best friend to this day” .

Like the idea, but don’t think you can write an entire speech that way? No problem. Unlike what you were taught in grade school, you have the freedom to switch between differing points of view when telling your story. If you haven’t caught on yet, let us reiterate: there is no right or wrong when it comes to writing your speech.

MODERN MOH TIP: Take advantage of switching up points of view. Start with narrating from the first person point of view, especially if it’s easier for you to tell the history between you and the bride that way. When it comes time to talk about the couple, tell their story from an outsider’s perspective. If you do decide to go this route, don’t get so crazy with it that you start confusing your audience. The whole point of using different points of view is to enhance your maid of honor speech, not complicate it.

3. Determine Your Must-Haves

Now that you’ve defined your objective and decided on your POV, it’s time to determine your must-haves. By must-haves, we mean the anecdotes you absolutely want to include in your maid of honor speech. For instance, is there a particularly good memory you have with the bride that you definitely want to share with wedding guests? Or maybe you were there when the bride and groom met and you want to tell your side of the couple’s story?

Determining your must-haves before you begin writing your toast will guarantee you don’t forget to feature them. Not to mention, it will keep you from going off track when it comes time to put pen to paper. If you’re having trouble narrowing it down, keep this in mind: it’s much better to have one or two epic stories than a mix of mediocre ones.

MODERN MOH TIP: Don’t be that maid of honor that goes on and on about memories and “funny” inside jokes you have with the bride (no wedding guest wants to hear it, trust us). Instead, tell one or two really good stories that portray your friendship and then move on to her relationship with the groom and their history as a couple. Too many MOHs make the mistake of making their toast all about them and not enough about the couple whose wedding they are supposed to be celebrating. If you want to talk about yourself in front of a big audience, try Youtube.

4. Develop Your Story From Beginning to End

As we mentioned before, the key to writing a killer maid of honor speech is to tell it like a story. And just like any good story, you must develop it from beginning to middle to end (think along the lines of “ once upon a time ” to “ they lived happily ever after ”). While it’s entirely up to you to decide what constitutes the beginning, middle, and end of your particular story, you should avoid big jumps in time. In other words, do your best to develop it in chronological order so you don’t confuse wedding guests.

For instance: Start by telling the story of how you and the bride met, continue on with a memory you have of the bride and groom, and finish with a toast for the couple. Again, there is no magic formula when it comes to writing a maid of honor speech, but having a clear and concise storyline is highly suggested.

MODERN MOH TIP: Don’t be predictable. Chances are you and your best friend didn’t cross paths in some epic way (especially if you’re sisters), so skip the generic “this is how we met” story. Instead, dive right into a funny/crazy/holy s*$&! moment to get the crowd’s attention. And don’t be boring with your finale either. No generic “cheers to the Mr. & Mrs.” toast, we know you can do better than that. Your goal should be to receive a standing ovation from the couple and their wedding guests, not a polite golf clap.

5. Describe Your Characters in Detail

We can’t stress how important this final step is when it comes to writing your maid of honor speech. Seriously, taking the extra step to describe your characters in detail is what differentiates the bland from the bomb. And just so we’re clear, by characters we mean the bride and groom, and by detail we mean elaboration. For example, instead of saying “Taylor is such a great friend, she’s always been there for me whenever I needed her” , you should say “I’ve never met a more loving and loyal person than Taylor, she truly exemplifies what it means to be a best friend” .

These extra tweaks may seem insignificant to you, but they’re exactly the lines that will resonate with your audience and more importantly, the couple. And if writing isn’t your strong suit, don’t worry. Simply speak from the heart, you’ll be surprised at how well your final product turns out.

MODERN MOH TIP: Use a thesaurus (seriously, we do it all the time). It’s a good way to spice up your word choice and will stop you from repeating yourself. On the flip side, don’t feel like you have to use a ton of fancy words- you want to sound like yourself after all, not Shakespeare. Lastly, don’t be afraid to throw a bit of alliteration in there. It brings character to your writing and will make your toast much more memorable ( see what we did there? )

How to End a Maid of Honor Speech

Now that you’ve got the beginning and middle of your speech outlined, it’s time to work on your ending. As this will be your final moment with the mic, your goal should be to make it a memorable one.

One hard-fast rule on ending any maid of honor speech is to address both the bride and groom as a newlywed couple and offer your best wishes for a happy marriage. The easiest way to accomplish this is by raising a toast.

As far as the contents of your toast, it’s up to you if you want to use your own words or prefer to recite a heartfelt quote . To help you decide, ask yourself the following question:

If the answer is yes, by all means, write up your own personal toast. If the answer is no, start searching for the perfect quote.

MODERN MOH TIP:  Select a few possible endings for your maid of honor speech and do test runs through them all to see which flows the best. Oftentimes it’s easier to decide based on how you deliver the words than how they sound in your head.

Have you checked out all our tips and still need help writing the perfect Maid of Honor speech?

Not to worry, Bridesmaid for Hire can help you craft an amazing, personal speech instantly!

Don’t believe it? Give it a try and see for yourself!

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Conquering the Stage: How To Write a Maid of Honor Speech in 2024 [Comprehensive Guide]

Discover the essential steps to master the art of maid of honor speeches in 2024. Our comprehensive guide will help you conquer the stage and deliver a heartfelt and memorable speech.

By Juan C Olamendy · Updated: March 5, 2024

Introduction

The maid of honor speech: a moment filled with emotion, laughter, and sometimes a few tears.

It's more than just a tradition at a wedding; it's a heartfelt tribute to the bond between the maid of honor and the bride, often sisters or close friends who have shared countless memories.

This speech is your chance to share those precious moments with everyone, encapsulating the joy, the journey, and the depth of your relationship in a few short minutes. A moment to share personal stories, express gratitude, and offer words of wisdom. But where do you start? Don't worry, we've got you covered.

Whether you're the bride's sister, her lifelong friend, or someone who has become family over the years, your speech is a reflection of your unique connection.

Understanding the role of a maid of honor in the context of the speech is crucial. You're not just a friend or a sister; you're a storyteller, a confidante, and a beacon of support.

Let's dive into crafting a speech that will be remembered long after the wedding day has passed.

Useful Links

• https://medium.com/@scribamax/mastering-the-art-of-the-maid-of-honor-speech-a-2024-guide-b70a4a09939e
• https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-tips-for-writing-a-maid-of-honor-or-best-friends-wedding-speech-What-should-it-include-and-how-long-should-it-be
• https://www.quora.com/Help-My-sister-is-getting-married-I-m-the-maid-of-honor-We-aren-t-close-at-all-and-I-have-to-give-a-speech-What-should-I-write-Also-I-don-t-see-the-love-between-her-and-her-fianc%C3%A9-at-all-so-I-can-t-write-much
• https://www.quora.com/How-long-should-a-best-man-or-maid-of-honor-speech-be
• https://www.quora.com/What-should-my-speech-be-for-my-sister-s-wedding-as-the-maid-of-honor
• https://www.quora.com/I-am-the-maid-of-honor-at-my-sisters-wedding-I-have-no-idea-how-to-give-a-toast-Can-you-give-me-some-public-speaking-tips-and-suggestions-for-content
• https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-write-a-maid-of-honor-speech
• https://www.quora.com/What-is-a-maid-of-honor-speech
• https://www.reddit.com/r/weddingplanning/comments/tkufjf/maid_of_honor_speech_draft/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/weddingplanning/comments/5t3avp/maid_of_honor_speech/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/wedding/comments/14qeioe/maid_of_honor_speech_im_so_nervous/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/weddingplanning/comments/oayp8c/tips_for_giving_maid_of_honor_speechtoast/

What is a Bridesmaid Speech?

Before we delve into the specifics of a maid of honor speech, let's clarify what a bridesmaid speech is.

A bridesmaid speech is a wedding toast delivered by a member of the bridal party at the wedding reception. While it's not as common for bridesmaids to give emotional and witty speeches as it is for the maid of honor, it's still a wonderful opportunity to honor the couple and share personal stories.

Understanding the Role of a Maid of Honor

The maid of honor plays a pivotal role in the wedding, standing as the bride's chief support, confidante, and helper throughout the wedding planning process and on the big day itself.

This role extends to your speech, where you're expected to share personal anecdotes, express heartfelt emotions, and offer words of wisdom.

Your speech is a highlight of the reception, an opportunity to honor your relationship with the bride, share insights into her character, and welcome the groom into your circle.

Key Elements of a Successful Speech

A successful maid of honor speech is a blend of personal anecdotes, humor, sentiment, and gratitude. It's about striking the right balance between being heartfelt and humorous, while ensuring that the bride and groom feel celebrated and loved.

Personal Anecdotes

Personal anecdotes are the heart of a maid of honor speech. They make your speech unique and engaging. Whether it's a childhood memory or a recent adventure, these stories help paint a picture of your relationship with the bride.

Incorporating personal stories that capture the essence of your relationship with the bride makes your speech genuinely engaging. These anecdotes should reflect shared experiences, growth, and the deep bond you have.

Sharing personal stories is a great way to make your speech unique and engaging. Whether it's a childhood memory or a recent adventure, these anecdotes help paint a picture of your relationship with the bride.

Humor and Sentiment

Humor can lighten the mood and engage the audience, but sentiment is what makes a speech truly memorable. It's about sharing heartfelt emotions and expressing your love and admiration for the couple.

A balance of humor and sentiment is key. While it's great to have the audience laughing, the heart of your speech should be the love and admiration you feel for the bride and her partner.

While humor can lighten the mood and engage the audience, sentiment is what makes a speech truly memorable. It's about sharing heartfelt emotions and expressing your love and admiration for the couple.

Gratitude Expression

Don't forget to express your gratitude. Thank the couple for including you in their special day, and acknowledge the guests for their presence and support.

Your speech should also include thanks to the families, the wedding party, and the guests for their roles in the couple's lives and for joining the celebration.

Laying the Foundation: Crafting the Introduction

Basic template for a maid of honor speech.

Every speech is unique, but having a basic template can help structure your thoughts. Start with a theme, followed by an introduction, key speech ideas (past, present, future), and a closing.

Your introduction is where you grab the audience's attention. Briefly introduce yourself and your relationship with the bride. Mention how honored you feel to be part of the wedding. A touching or humorous anecdote can work well here to set the tone for the rest of the speech.

Past Reflect on your history with the bride. Share a memorable story that illustrates the depth of your relationship or a moment that showcases her character. This is a great opportunity to evoke nostalgia and highlight how she has grown over the years.

Talk about the bride's current chapter. You can mention how she met her partner and what changes you've seen in her since they came into her life. Emphasize the positive impact of their relationship and celebrate her happiness.

Express your hopes and wishes for the couple's future together. Offer words of encouragement and advice for the journey ahead. This section is about looking forward with optimism and love.

Conclude your speech by reiterating your love and support for the couple. Summarize your main message, tying it back to your theme if possible. Raise a toast to the bride and groom, wishing them all the happiness in their new life together.

Introducing Yourself and Establishing Your Relationship

Begin your maid of honor speech by introducing yourself and explaining your relationship to the bride. This not only sets the stage for your speech but also connects you with the audience. Share a brief story or anecdote that highlights your bond with the bride. This will help the guests understand the significance of your role in her life.

Expressing thanks to those who have played a significant role in the day, such as the parents or wedding planners, is a gracious touch. It's also important to acknowledge the guests for their support and presence. This not only shows your appreciation but also helps create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for your speech.

Acknowledging the Occasion and Honoring the Hosts

Highlight the significance of the day and offer gratitude to the hosts, usually the parents or the couple themselves, for orchestrating such a beautiful celebration.

When acknowledging the occasion and honoring the hosts, it's important to convey the depth of your gratitude eloquently. Mention how their efforts have culminated in a day that's not only a testament to love but also a gathering of friends and family from near and far.

Emphasize the beauty and warmth of the event, reflecting on the meticulous planning and love that went into making it happen. Your words should paint a picture of appreciation, highlighting the hosts' generosity and dedication in bringing this joyous occasion to life. This not only sets a tone of thankfulness but also connects everyone in a shared sentiment of gratitude.

Setting the Tone: Heartfelt, Humorous, or Both?

Choosing the tone of your speech is a pivotal decision that influences its overall impact. If your relationship with the bride is filled with laughter, a humorous tone may be fitting, weaving in jokes and funny anecdotes.

However, if your bond is marked by deep emotional support, a heartfelt approach will resonate more, allowing room for touching memories and sincere wishes.

Opting for a blend of both humor and sentiment offers a dynamic experience, capturing the multifaceted nature of your relationship. Ensure your choice aligns with the wedding's atmosphere, aiming to enhance the celebration with authenticity and grace.

Capturing Attention with a Memorable Opening

Kick off your maid of honor speech with a statement or question that grabs attention. This could be a personal story, a quote, or a joke that relates to the bride or the couple.

The goal is to pave the way for a speech that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish. A memorable opening sets the tone for your speech and captures the audience's interest, making them more likely to listen and connect with your message. So, take the time to craft an opening that is not only attention-grabbing but also authentic and meaningful.

Sharing Your Story: The Body of the Speech

Highlighting the bride's journey: a tapestry of memories.

In sharing stories of the bride's journey, select moments that illuminate her resilience, kindness, or any trait that stands out, painting a vivid picture of who she is.

Incorporate anecdotes that demonstrate how she has touched the lives of those around her, including your own. A humorous recounting of shared adventures or misadventures adds levity, ensuring the speech remains engaging and relatable.

Yet, the crux lies in honoring her essence and the evolution of your relationship over time, crafting a narrative that not only entertains but deeply resonates with all who know and love her.

Recognizing the Groom: A Toast to the Perfect Match

In reflecting on the relationship between the bride and groom, focus on the moments that illuminate their compatibility and mutual respect. Share observations that highlight their shared values, interests, or the effortless way they complement each other.

Anecdotes that capture their support for one another during challenges or their ability to celebrate each other's successes can powerfully depict their bond. This is your chance to not just acknowledge the groom's presence in your life but to embrace him with open arms into your family or friend circle.

Mentioning specific qualities you admire in him, or the moments when you saw their love shine brightest, underscores the genuine affection and acceptance extended towards him, strengthening the sense of unity and celebration on this special day.

Words of Wisdom for the Happy Couple: A Beacon of Guidance

When offering words of wisdom to the happy couple, tap into the reservoir of your experiences or the collective wisdom of those who've navigated marital waters successfully. Frame your best maid of honor advice in a way that resonates with their personalities and journey together.

For instance, lighthearted personalized speech tips on never going to bed angry or always finding time for date nights can add a touch of humor while imparting valuable guidance.

Alternatively, deeper insights on the importance of communication, compromise, and mutual support in fostering a lasting relationship can provide a more profound perspective.

Personalize these nuggets of wisdom by relating them to heartfelt anecdotes or characteristics specific to the couple, ensuring your advice is not only meaningful but also a reflection of your genuine wishes for their happiness and success in their shared life ahead.

Expressing Sincere Emotion: A Heartfelt Tribute to the Bride

In concluding the body of your speech with a tribute to the bride, let your genuine affection and admiration shine through.

Speak directly from the heart about what her happiness means to you, and the joy you feel witnessing her embark on this beautiful journey. Reflect on the depth of your bond, acknowledging how it has shaped both of your lives, and express your unwavering support for her future endeavors.

Your words should encapsulate the excitement for the adventures that lie ahead for her, imbued with promises of continued friendship, laughter, and shared memories. This moment is an opportunity to highlight the essence of her spirit, celebrating her past, present, and the promise of a future filled with love and fulfillment.

Crafting this tribute with sincerity and love will not only move the bride but also leave an indelible mark on the hearts of everyone present.

Concluding with Grace: The Final Touches

In the final moments of your speech, elegantly draw all threads together to craft a conclusion that resonates. Begin by raising your glass, an emblematic gesture that unites the room in celebration of the couple's union.

Express your heartfelt gratitude to the guests for their presence, emphasizing how each person contributes to the tapestry of the couple's life. Choose a closing line that encapsulates your wishes for the bride and groom, something poignant that will linger in their memories and the hearts of those gathered.

It could reflect hope, joy, or an enduring bond of love. The effectiveness of this finale relies not just on the words themselves but on the sincerity and emotion with which they are delivered. Through meticulous practice and genuine sentiment, your speech will not only honor the couple magnificently but will also stand as a cherished moment of their wedding day.

Overcoming Obstacles: Addressing Common Speechwriting Challenges

Battling writer's block: sparking inspiration.

Confronting writer's block head-on can feel daunting, but there are strategies to break through the barrier and find your creative flow.

Start by immersing yourself in environments or activities that stimulate your thoughts and emotions. This could be anything from a quiet walk in nature to listening to music that evokes memories of your time with the bride.

Additionally, perusing old photos or engaging in conversations about the bride and groom with other friends and family can unearth forgotten stories or perspectives that might spark the perfect narrative for your speech. Don't underestimate the power of jotting down even the most random thoughts or phrases; these snippets can later evolve into meaningful parts of your speech.

Remember, inspiration often strikes when least expected, so keep an open mind and heart to all experiences, knowing that each holds the potential to unlock the words you're searching to find.

Conquering Stage Fright: Calming the Nerves

Overcoming stage fright is a common challenge, but with the right techniques, you can transform nervous energy into a compelling performance.

Deep breathing exercises, such as the 4-7-8 technique, can significantly reduce public speaking anxiety by slowing down the heart rate and promoting a sense of calm. Visualization is another powerful tool; imagine delivering your speech with confidence and grace, focusing on the positive reactions of the audience.

Envisioning success can create a self-fulfilling prophecy. Engaging in positive self-talk is equally important. Remind yourself of your strengths and the honor of being chosen as the maid of honor. Reassure yourself that you are sharing stories and sentiments that celebrate and uplift the bride and groom.

Finally, remember that the audience is rooting for you. They're friends and family, there to celebrate love, making them inherently supportive and forgiving. Embrace these techniques to step onto the stage with confidence, knowing you are prepared to deliver a heartfelt tribute.

Staying on Track: Maintaining Focus and Structure

To ensure your maid of honor speech stays on track, consider utilizing cue cards or notecards for reference. These can help you remember key points and maintain the structure of your speech. Keep in mind that while cue cards can be helpful, they should not be used as a script. Instead, use them as a guide to keep your speech natural and conversational.

Another important aspect of staying on track is practicing with time constraints. This will help you ensure brevity and prevent your speech from dragging on. Set a timer and practice delivering your speech within a specific time frame. This will help you gauge the length of your speech and make necessary adjustments.

Lastly, consider mixing humor with heartfelt moments for impact. This will keep your audience engaged and add an element of surprise to your speech. However, be mindful of the tone and ensure that the humor is appropriate and respectful.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practice is a critical aspect of delivering a great maid of honor speech. It helps you familiarize yourself with the content, improve your delivery, and build confidence. Practicing your speech beforehand allows you to identify any areas that may need improvement, such as awkward phrasing or unclear points.

Moreover, practice helps you become more comfortable with public speaking. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel on the day of the wedding. You can practice in front of a mirror, record yourself, or even rehearse in front of a trusted friend or family member.

Remember, the goal of practice is not to memorize your speech word for word. Instead, it's about becoming familiar with the content and flow of your speech, so you can deliver it naturally and confidently. So, take the time to practice and watch your maid of honor speech go from good to great.

How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech?

Begin by reflecting on your relationship with the bride, highlighting memorable moments and shared experiences. Structure your speech with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Incorporate personal anecdotes, humor, and heartfelt wishes. Practice regularly to refine your delivery and ensure a smooth, confident presentation.

How Long Should a Maid of Honor Speech Be?

A maid of honor speech should ideally last between three to five minutes. This duration strikes the perfect balance, allowing you to share meaningful stories and express your feelings without losing the audience's attention. Practice timing your speech to ensure it fits within this sweet spot.

What are Some Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Maid of Honor Speech?

Common mistakes include being too long, not practicing, and relying too heavily on notes. Avoid getting too personal or sharing inappropriate stories. Remember to speak clearly and make eye contact with the audience.

What are Some Creative Ways to Personalize a Maid of Honor Speech?

Consider incorporating personal anecdotes, inside jokes, or quotes that hold special meaning to you and the bride. You can also use props or visual aids to enhance your speech.

Can I Include Humor in My Speech? If So, How Much and of What Kind?

Yes, humor can be a delightful addition to your speech, provided it's tasteful and appropriate for the audience. Light, affectionate teasing or funny anecdotes about your experiences together can add warmth and relatability. Aim for a balance of humor and sentiment to keep the speech engaging and heartfelt.

What if I Get Emotional While Delivering My Speech?

It's natural to get emotional during a maid of honor speech. If you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, take a deep breath and pause for a moment. It's okay to show emotion, but try to keep it under control so you can continue with your speech.

Is it Okay to Include Inside Jokes or Personal References?

Inside jokes and personal references can add a unique touch but use them sparingly. Ensure they're accessible enough so the majority of guests can appreciate the humor or sentiment. Overusing them might alienate the audience or detract from the universality of your message.

Is it Appropriate to Share Embarrassing Stories About the Bride?

While light, humorous anecdotes can be entertaining, avoid sharing stories that could embarrass the bride or make her feel uncomfortable. The focus should be on celebrating her and her partner's special day, not on moments she'd prefer to forget. Always choose stories that cast her in a positive light.

What Should I Wear When Delivering My Maid of Honor Speech?

Choose an outfit that complements the wedding's theme and formalities while ensuring you feel comfortable and confident. Your attire should align with the bridal party's dress code but also allow you to stand out slightly as the maid of honor. Comfort is key, as you'll be standing and possibly moving around.

Do I Need to Thank Anyone Else Besides the Couple and the Guests?

Yes, it's gracious to acknowledge the parents of the couple (if applicable), any family members who played a significant role in the wedding, and the wedding party for their support and contributions to making the day special. Briefly thanking the vendors and staff can also be a thoughtful gesture.

How to Start a Maid of Honor Speech?

Start by introducing yourself, establishing your relationship with the bride, and acknowledging the occasion. You can also use a quote, a joke, or a personal story to capture the audience's attention.

Tips for Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety?

Practice is key to overcoming public speaking anxiety. You can also try deep breathing exercises, visualization, and positive self-talk. Remember, it's okay to be nervous, and the audience is there to support you.

Crafting a memorable maid of honor speech is a beautiful responsibility that allows you to honor your bond with the bride and share joyous moments with the wedding guests.

Key takeaways include the importance of keeping your speech within a three to five-minute duration, balancing humor with heartfelt sentiments, and the power of practice to enhance delivery.

Personalizing your speech with anecdotes, expressing gratitude to all involved, and handling emotions gracefully enrich the experience for everyone.

Remember, the essence of a great maid of honor speech lies in its authenticity, its ability to evoke laughter and tears, and its celebration of love and friendship.

As you stand before the couple and their loved ones, your words will not only mark the day but also echo in their hearts for years to come.

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10 Heartfelt Maid of Honour Speech Examples for Your Sister’s Wedding

Crafting the perfect words for your sister\’s Maid of Honour speech can seem like a daunting task. Trust me, navigating through the sea of love and memories to find just the right things to say is something many of us struggle with.

Through diligent research and a sprinkle of creativity, I learned how to compose speeches that genuinely touch hearts. In this article, I’ll walk you through creating a memorable Maid of Honour speech that’s sure to bring laughter, tears, and warm affection to everyone listening.

Are you ready to embark on this journey?

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Practice and prepare your speech beforehand to boost confidence and deliver it fluently.
• Make your Maid of Honor speech personal by sharing special memories and inside jokes with the bride.
• Add humor to keep the atmosphere light and make everyone smile during the wedding.
• Always speak from the heart , showing genuine love and support for the couple during your speech.
• End with a heartfelt toast , wishing happiness, love, and laughter for the newlyweds.

Tips for Crafting a Heartfelt Maid of Honor Speech

Craft a personalized speech to express your unique bond with the bride , share heartfelt memories , show gratitude to the couple, and include humor. Speak from the heart and end with a heartfelt toast to the couple.

Personalize the speech

Making your speech personal means everything when talking about your sister’s wedding. Start by introducing yourself and explaining how you’re related to the bride. This helps guests who might not know you understand your connection.

Then, dive into stories only you can tell . Mention those late-night talks or adventures that shaped both of you. These details bring warmth and authenticity to your words.

Next, add a special touch with memories or quotes that mean something just to the two of you. Maybe there’s a funny saying from your childhood or a moment that turned into an inside joke over the years.

These personal bits make everyone feel like they’re getting a glimpse into your unique bond . Now, let’s move on to sharing some heartfelt memories in the speech.

Share heartfelt memories

Reflect on the most cherished moments you’ve shared with your sister. Recall a fond childhood memory or a meaningful experience that encapsulates your special bond . Share anecdotes that highlight her kindness, strength, and unique qualities.

Emphasize the love and support you’ve provided each other throughout the years. Use these heartfelt memories to showcase the depth of your relationship and express your joy in celebrating her wedding day.

Crafting a memorable maid of honor speech is an opportunity to celebrate the bride in an authentic and touching manner, allowing you to create an emotional connection with both her and the audience.

Show gratitude to the couple

Maid of honor speeches provide a special moment to express gratitude to the couple for their love and friendship. It’s an opportunity to thank them for allowing you to share in their joyous occasion.

Expressing appreciation towards the bride and groom creates a warm and heartfelt connection with the audience, showcasing your genuine love and support for their union. Incorporating specific examples of how they have enriched your life will resonate deeply with everyone present at the wedding.

I hope this serves as inspiration when expressing gratitude towards the couple during your maid of honor speech at your sister’s wedding.

Include humor

Crafting a Maid of Honor speech for your sister’s wedding? Don’t forget to sprinkle in some humor ! It can lighten the mood and bring smiles to everyone’s faces. Share a funny anecdote from your childhood with your sister, or tease her playfully about something endearing.

Just keep it lighthearted and make sure it aligns with her personality. Remember , a well-timed joke can add that special touch to your speech, making it memorable for everyone attending the wedding.

Now let’s talk about adding humor to this important speech without overshadowing its heartfelt nature. Balancing wit and emotion is key here – think charming stories that also bring laughter.

Examples of Maid of Honor Speeches for a Sister’s Wedding

Here are some heartfelt maid of honor speeches for your sister’s wedding. To read more, click the link to our blog!

Speech focused on sisterly bond

As sisters , we’ve shared so many special moments together. From our childhood adventures to supporting each other through life’s ups and downs, our bond is unbreakable. I remember when we used to stay up late giggling and sharing secrets.

Now, as you embark on this new journey with your partner, I am filled with joy knowing that you have found someone who cherishes you just as much as I do. The love between siblings is a unique and precious thing; it’s a foundation of support that shapes us into who we are today.

Seeing the beautiful woman you have become fills my heart with pride. Today, I stand here celebrating not only your love for your partner but also the amazing person that you are. As we move forward in life, know that no matter where this journey takes us, our sisterly bond will always be a source of strength and comfort for both of us .

Speech highlighting the couple’s love story

Crafting a heartfelt speech that highlights the couple’s love story is essential. It can include how they met, their journey together, and the qualities that make their relationship special.

Adding personal anecdotes or experiences with the couple can also make this part of your speech more engaging and relatable for the audience. Expressing your joy for the couple’s love and recounting heartwarming moments between them during your speech can leave a lasting impact on everyone present.

Including well wishes for their future together can add a touching conclusion to this aspect of your maid of honor speech.

Speech expressing gratitude to the couple and family

Express heartfelt gratitude to the couple and family . Share specific reasons you’re grateful for their presence. Use anecdotes or special memories to show your appreciation, convey your best wishes for the couple’s future together .

Speech including funny anecdotes

Now, let’s add some humor to the speech. Share a funny story or two about your sister, maybe from when you were kids or recent adventures together. Remember to keep it light and relatable for everyone in the room.

Humor can bring warmth and laughter to the speech, making it even more memorable for everyone involved.

As I wrap up Shakespeare said “Brevity is the soul of wit.” It was challenging but essential to maintain clarity throughout each paragraph while keeping an active voice with short sentences at a Grade 6 readability level.

Speech filled with heartfelt wishes for the couple

As you express your heartfelt wishes for the couple, focus on their enduring happiness and unity. Share your genuine hopes for their future together as you toast to a lifetime of love and laughter .

Let them know that you believe in their love and wish them endless joy and prosperity . Express your support for their journey ahead with warmth and sincerity , capturing the essence of your bond with both bride and groom.

The Importance of a Maid of Honor Speech

Crafting a heartfelt Maid of Honor speech is crucial for honoring the bride and groom, bringing joy and laughter to the wedding, and celebrating the special relationship with the bride.

To discover more about how you can deliver an impactful Maid of Honor speech, read on!

Honoring the bride and groom

Honoring the bride and groom through a maid of honor speech allows me to celebrate their love and unity . Expressing heartfelt wishes for their happiness , prosperity, and growth is a key part of this special moment.

We can share stories that exemplify the bond between the couple, wishing them an ever-evolving partnership filled with joy and memorable moments from my perspective as their close friend or family member.

This is an opportunity to shine a light on their journey while offering them our unwavering support as they embark on this new chapter together.

Remember not all guests might be familiar with me or my connection to the bride, so introducing myself before delving into sharing memories ensures inclusivity in celebrating our loved ones .

Including photos from our past together makes this representation even more personal .

Bringing joy and laughter to the wedding

Bringing joy and laughter to the wedding is essential for creating a warm and celebratory atmosphere . As the Maid of Honor, I’ll infuse humor into my speech to lighten the mood and uplift everyone’s spirits.

By sharing lighthearted anecdotes about the bride and groom, I hope to create moments of shared laughter among guests – making them feel connected and joyful in celebrating this special occasion.

It’s important to balance humor with sincerity, ensuring that everyone leaves with heartwarming memories of love, laughter, and celebration.

The Maid of Honor plays a pivotal role in bringing joy and laughter to the wedding through their speech. Crafting an engaging narrative filled with joyous moments can enhance the overall experience for all in attendance.

Celebrating the special relationship with the bride

The bond between a maid of honor and the bride is truly special. Sharing personal anecdotes and memories can add a heartwarming touch to your speech. It’s also important to express hopes for the bride’s future and her connection with her partner, showcasing your love and support for her on this joyous occasion.

Crafting a maid of honor speech for your sister allows you to celebrate her in a heartfelt way, offering wishes for her happiness, prosperity, and growth. Remember that not all wedding guests may know who you are or how you’re related to the bride, so introducing yourself before diving into your speech is crucial.

Including photos from growing up together can also bring an intimate personalized feel to your words.

Tips for Delivering a Memorable Maid of Honor Speech

Deliver a heartfelt toast to the couple.

Speak from the heart and engage with the audience.

Practice and prepare beforehand

To deliver a memorable maid of honor speech, practice and prepare beforehand. This will boost your confidence and help you speak fluently . Rehearse the speech aloud several times to become comfortable with the content.

Familiarize yourself with the venue’s layout and location where you will be speaking, so you can adjust your projection accordingly.

Ensure that any visual aids or props are ready and easily accessible during your speech. By practicing in advance , you’ll be able to focus on delivering a heartfelt message rather than worrying about stumbling over your words during the actual wedding event.

Speak from the heart

Pace and project your words.

When delivering your maid of honour speech, remember to speak clearly and at a moderate pace .

Keep eye contact with the audience and ensure that your voice carries well throughout the room.

Projecting confidence in your words will captivate the attention of everyone present.

Engage with the audience

Now that you’ve set the tone and projected your words, it’s time to engage with the audience . Maintaining eye contact and speaking clearly will help connect with everyone present. Using relatable stories and inclusive language invites everyone to share in the joy of the occasion.

This helps create a warm atmosphere where everyone feels like they’re a part of something special.

End with a heartfelt toast to the couple.

As we raise our glasses , let’s wish the happy couple a lifetime filled with love , laughter, and cherished memories. Here’s to your love that grows stronger every day and brings joy to all those around you.

To the bride and groom – may your journey together be marked by endless happiness , unwavering support , and deep-seated affection. Cheers!

Moving right into the expert opinion, we turn to Lisa Chen, a renowned public speaking coach with over 15 years of experience. Lisa holds a master’s degree in Communication Studies and has helped countless individuals craft speeches that touch hearts and spark laughter.

Her work focuses on emotional connectivity through storytelling , an essential component for any maid of honor speech, particularly for one’s sister.

Lisa evaluates the crucial aspects of constructing a maid of honor speech. She highlights personalization as key . By weaving personal anecdotes and heartfelt memories into the speech, it becomes not just words but a narrative that captivates and moves the audience.

Lisa stresses that balancing emotion with humor can significantly enhance the effectiveness of the speech, creating an unforgettable moment for both the bride and guests.

On safety, ethics, and transparency in crafting these speeches, Lisa emphasizes honesty without oversharing sensitive or potentially embarrassing details . This approach maintains respect for all involved while still allowing depth and genuine sentiment to shine through.

For integrating these principles into daily life or specific contexts like weddings, she suggests starting early in preparation is crucial. Practice makes perfect; therefore practicing delivery ensures confidence when presenting.

Engaging with your audience by making eye contact helps in making them feel part of this special moment.

As for pros and cons compared to other options—like hiring professional writers—the advantage lies in authenticity; no one knows your sister like you do! The potential drawback? Navigating personal bias might require external feedback to ensure relatability to all attendees.

Finally, Lisa gives her verdict on “10 Heartfelt Maid of Honour Speech Examples for Your Sister’s Wedding.” She considers it invaluable—especially given examples draw from authentic experiences reflecting sincerity which resonates more than generic sentiments often found online.

Ryan Nelson is the founder of Speak2Impress, a platform dedicated to helping individuals master the art of public speaking. Despite having a crippling fear of public speaking for many years, Ryan overcame his anxiety through diligent practice and active participation in Toastmasters. Now residing in New York City, he is passionate about sharing his journey and techniques to empower others to speak with confidence and clarity.

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How To Write a Stellar Maid of Honor Speech in 2024

• Intro • First subsection

Congratulations! If you’re reading this, you’ve probably been asked to serve as maid of honor at the wedding of a friend or family member. And make no mistake — they asked you because they value your voice and have no doubt you’ll knock it out of the park.

And you will ( let’s make sure of it ).

But for now, you may be staring at the blank page, wondering exactly where to start. It can be intimidating: writing a speech that eloquently sums up what might have been a years or decades long relationship, balancing your natural voice with the polish a maid of honor speech deserves.

So let’s start simple.

Your traditional role as Maid of Honor is to serve as the main “attendant” of the bride, or whichever partner chose you for this role. While your duties may extend to a number of activities, from dress selection to planning the bachelorette, your speech at the rehearsal dinner or reception is central. While the focus of this speech should be the bride, it should also show love and recognition to both partners and to the couple as a unit.

How Long Should a Maid of Honor Speech Be?

A Maid of Honor speech should only be a few minutes long. Oftentimes wedding toasts are 2-3 minutes, while they shouldn't be longer than 5 minutes. It's worth asking the couple how much time you have for the wedding speech so that you are not going over however long they budgeted.

What's the best outline or template for a Maid of Honor Speech?

Here's a step-by-step guide, checklist, and outline for writing a stellar Maid of Honor speech (with each step expanded on below)

• Include 2-3 stories in your speech that capture the essence of the bride or your friendship.
• Make sure your speech is appropriate by discussing "no-go's" with the bride beforehand.
• Acknowledge the bride's partner in your speech and speak about how the relationship has helped the bride grow.
• Offer a thematic takeaway, such as the importance of friendship or the strength of the couple's love.
• Be sure to practice

Include 2 - 3 Stories in Your Maid of Honor Speech

Stories make wedding speeches. They are the raw material, the bricks with which you build the structure. Beyond that, they’re what distinguish one speech from the next. Most likely, the bride is a person you’ve known for years and about whom you could tell dozens of stories, so the question is: which should you pick?

We recommend beginning with a brainstorm, either with pen and paper or in the notes on your phone (or if you use our Toast Builder , you'll add them directly into the tool). When you think of the bride, what stories come to mind? Jot down a few notes for each — the vivid details, bits of dialogue, etc.

Now take a step back. When you examine your list, which of these stories feel like they best capture the bride’s essence, whatever makes her so unique in your mind.

Provenance Tip: Read more about selecting a great wedding speech story .

Make Sure Your Maid of Honor Speech is Appropriate

While identifying which stories to tell, you should pay careful attention to context and tone.

We’ve all seen a Maid of Honor who, often after one too many martinis, rambles on or cracks a joke but doesn’t stick the landing ( example A ).  Before drafting, you should have a simple conversation with the bride to identify topics to steer clear of in your speech. Such diligence is particularly essential for the Best Man and Maid of Honor, as their speeches set the tone for those following — and because people may be less forgiving of indiscretions or flubs than they would be with the parents or officiant.

In thinking about tone, you should carefully consider your strengths. You were asked to serve this role because the bride values your particular voice, whether that’s hilarious or poetic and heartfelt. Be true to that, but also recognize that the point of this speech is not simply to amuse the audience, but to honor your friend and articulate what makes her so special.

Provenance Tip: Read more about having the “no-go” conversation and sense-checking your wedding speech jokes .

Your Speech Should Acknowledge the Partner

As maid of honor, it's important to not only focus on the bride in your speech, but also acknowledge her partner. Even if you're not close with the partner, you can speak about how the bride has changed and grown in their relationship. You can also offer advice, based on your knowledge of the bride's love language and needs for support. Above all, acknowledging the partner in your speech is a meaningful gesture that welcomes them into the bride's community.

How Do I End a Maid of Honor Speech?

If the stories are the bricks, then these thematic takeaways are the mortar — what connects an otherwise disordered pile into something that stands on its own, and can be quite beautiful.

To know how to end a Maid of Honor toast, meditate on what ties these stories together, beyond the characters: is there something particular about the way the bride exists in relationship to others, how she cares for them or expresses love? Is there something noteworthy and potentially affecting about her emotional development and arc?

Whatever it is, this theme should be used, structurally, as a “trope” to which you return — tying the stories together and leading your audience toward the takeaway or end note that sums up what you love about the bride.

Be Sure to Practice Your Maid of Honor Speech

Finally, practice your speech before the big day. This will help you feel more confident and comfortable, and allow you to make any necessary revisions or adjustments. And on the day of the wedding, remember to speak from the heart and enjoy the moment. With these tips, you’ll be able to deliver a meaningful, polished Maid of Honor speech that the couple will never forget.

Provenance Tip: Learn tips on how to nail public speaking

To make sure you follow all of the above steps (while also not needing to remember them because they're built into the tool), check out Provenance's Toast Builder .

Do I have to give a Maid of Honor speech?

While you're of course not legally required to do anything, it's important to have this conversation with the couple. You should do what you feel comfortable with, but since it is traditionally expected for the Maid of Honor to give a speech, make sure to connect with the couple if this is not something you are comfortable with so that there aren't any surprises.

What else do I have to do as the Maid of Honor?

It is common for the Maid of Honor to plan the bachelorette party, attend dress fittings, and just be the bride's go-to person for her big weekend. She also plays a critical role in the ceremony, standing next to the bride (if that's what the bride wants), helping the bride with her veil, and taking the bouquet from the bride once she meets her partner at the altar. As with everything, communication is key, so it's worth talking to the bride to see how you can be most helpful as her Maid of Honor.

What do I do if there are two Maids of Honor?

Ask the bride if she wants you to give your toasts together, or separately. This decision can often be informed by the amount of time that's designated for speeches, and there are many ways to give a joint Maid of Honor speech.

More about this topic

How to Write a Perfect Joint Wedding Speech: Tips for Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

Who Should Speak and When at a Wedding?

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15 Best Examples of Maid of Honor Speeches for Inspiration

As the maid of honor, delivering a speech at your best friend's wedding is a great honor and responsibility. You want to express your love, appreciation, and support for the bride and groom while also sharing some funny and heartfelt memories. However, writing and delivering a speech can be nerve-wracking, especially if you're not used to public speaking. That's why we have compiled this list of 15 best examples of maid of honor speeches for inspiration. These speeches are heartfelt, funny, and unique, and they will help you create a speech that perfectly reflects your relationship with the bride and groom. So, whether you're looking for a speech that is sentimental, humorous, or a mix of both, these examples are sure to inspire you to deliver a maid of honor speech that will be remembered for years to come.

15 Examples of Maid of Honor Speeches

• "Good evening, everyone. As the maid of honor, it is an honor to stand here and celebrate the union of my best friend and her partner. I remember the first time she told me about [partner's name], and I could see the twinkle in her eye. I knew from that moment that they were meant to be together. As I have watched their relationship grow, I have seen the way they support and challenge each other, and I am in awe of the love they share. [Share a personal story about your friendship with the bride, highlighting the moments when you knew she had found the one.] I am so grateful to have [bride's name] in my life, and I cannot wait to see the beautiful life that she and [partner's name] will build together.
• "To the happy couple, I am honored to stand here as the maid of honor and witness the start of your new journey together. [Share a personal story about the couple, highlighting the moments when you knew they were meant to be together.] From the moment I met [partner's name], I could see how much they adored [bride's name]. Their love is contagious, and it has brought so much joy and laughter into our lives. I am grateful to have witnessed their love grow, and I know that they will continue to be each other's best friend and support system. Congratulations on finding your forever love.
• "Dear family and friends, I am thrilled to be the maid of honor and celebrate the love between the bride and groom. [Share a personal story about the couple, highlighting the moments when you saw their love grow stronger.] From the first time I met [partner's name], I could tell that they were something special. Their love is a beautiful example of how two people can bring out the best in each other. I have seen them support each other through thick and thin, and I am grateful to have them in my life. [Add a personal anecdote or joke to lighten the mood.] I know that they will continue to bring love and light into the world, and I am honored to be here to witness it.
• "To my dear friend and her partner, I am so grateful to be standing here as the maid of honor, celebrating your love and commitment. [Share a personal story about the bride and groom, highlighting the moments when you saw their commitment to each other.] From the first time I saw [bride's name] and [partner's name] together, I could tell that they were meant to be. Their love is a beautiful example of how two people can work together to build a life full of love and happiness. [Add a personal anecdote or joke to lighten the mood.] I am so excited to see what the future holds for you both, and I am honored to be a part of your journey.
• "Good evening, everyone. As the maid of honor, I am honored to be here and celebrate the union of two amazing people. [Share a personal story about the bride and groom, highlighting the moments when you saw their love and admiration for each other.] From the moment I met [bride's name] and [partner's name], I could see the love and respect they had for each other. Their relationship is a beautiful example of how two people can support and challenge each other to be the best versions of themselves. [Add a personal anecdote or joke to lighten the mood.] I am so excited to see the amazing things they will accomplish together, and I am honored to be a part of their journey.
• "To the bride and groom, it is an honor to stand here as the maid of honor and celebrate your love and commitment to each other. I have had the privilege of seeing your relationship grow from the beginning, and I have been in awe of the way you two complement each other. [Share a personal story about the couple, highlighting the moments when you saw their love and connection.] Your relationship is a testament to how two people can come together to create something beautiful and powerful. [Add a personal anecdote or joke to lighten the mood.] I am grateful to have [bride's name] as my friend, and I know that [partner's name] is the perfect match for her. I cannot wait to see the adventures and experiences that you two will share together as you embark on this new chapter of your lives.
• "Dear family and friends, I am thrilled to be here as the maid of honor to celebrate the love between [bride's name] and [partner's name]. [Share a personal story about the bride and groom, highlighting the moments when you saw their love and dedication to each other.] Their relationship is a true testament to how two people can grow and evolve together, and it fills me with joy to see the love and respect they have for each other. [Add a personal anecdote or joke to lighten the mood.] I am grateful to have [bride's name] as my friend, and I am so excited to see what the future holds for her and [partner's name]. Congratulations on finding your forever love.
• "To the happy couple, it is an honor to be standing here as the maid of honor and witness the start of your new journey together. [Share a personal story about the couple, highlighting the moments when you saw their love and connection.] From the first time I met [bride's name] and [partner's name], I knew that they were something special. Their love is a beautiful example of how two people can support and uplift each other, and it has been amazing to see them grow together. [Add a personal anecdote or joke to lighten the mood.] I am so excited to see the adventures and memories that you two will create together. Congratulations on your wedding day.
• "Good evening, everyone. As the maid of honor, I am honored to be here and celebrate the love between [bride's name] and [partner's name]. [Share a personal story about the couple, highlighting the moments when you saw their love and dedication to each other.] Their relationship is a beautiful example of how two people can come together to create something powerful and meaningful. [Add a personal anecdote or joke to lighten the mood.] I am grateful to have [bride's name] as my friend, and I know that [partner's name] is the perfect partner for her. I cannot wait to see the adventures and experiences that they will share together as they start this new chapter in their lives.
• "To my dear friend and her partner, it is an honor to be standing here as the maid of honor, celebrating your love and commitment to each other. [Share a personal story about the bride and groom, highlighting the moments when you saw their love and admiration for each other.] Your relationship is a beautiful example of how two people can work together to create something powerful and lasting. [Add a personal anecdote or joke to lighten the mood.] I am so excited to see what the future holds for you both, and I am honored to be a part of your journey. Congratulations on your wedding day."
• "Good evening, everyone. I am honored to be standing here as the maid of honor for my dear friend [bride's name] and her partner [partner's name]. [Share a personal story about the bride and groom, highlighting the moments when you saw their love and connection.] Their love is truly inspiring, and it fills me with joy to see them together. [Add a personal anecdote or joke to lighten the mood.] I know that they will have an amazing life together, and I cannot wait to see all the incredible things they will achieve as a couple. Congratulations, [bride's name] and [partner's name], on your wedding day."
• "To my best friend and her partner, it is an honor to be here today as the maid of honor, celebrating your love and commitment to each other. [Share a personal story about the bride and groom, highlighting the moments when you saw their love and dedication to each other.] Your relationship is a beautiful example of how two people can come together to create something truly special. [Add a personal anecdote or joke to lighten the mood.] I am grateful to have [bride's name] in my life, and I know that [partner's name] is the perfect match for her. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness and love."
• "Dear family and friends, I am thrilled to be here today as the maid of honor for [bride's name] and [partner's name]'s wedding. [Share a personal story about the couple, highlighting the moments when you saw their love and connection.] Their love is truly one of a kind, and it has been amazing to see how much they have grown together. [Add a personal anecdote or joke to lighten the mood.] I know that they will have a lifetime of love, laughter, and happiness together. Congratulations, [bride's name] and [partner's name]."
• "To the bride and groom, I am honored to stand here as the maid of honor and celebrate your love for each other. [Share a personal story about the bride and groom, highlighting the moments when you saw their love and connection.] Your love story is one for the ages, and it has been a privilege to witness your journey together. [Add a personal anecdote or joke to lighten the mood.] I know that you will have a beautiful life together, filled with love, laughter, and countless adventures. Congratulations, [bride's name] and [partner's name]."
• "Good evening, everyone. As the maid of honor, I am overjoyed to be here today to celebrate the love between [bride's name] and [partner's name]. [Share a personal story about the bride and groom, highlighting the moments when you saw their love and dedication to each other.] Their love is truly inspiring, and it has been an honor to witness their journey together. [Add a personal anecdote or joke to lighten the mood.] I know that they will have a lifetime of happiness and love, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for them. Congratulations, [bride's name] and [partner's name]."

In conclusion, delivering a maid of honor speech can be a daunting task, but with the right inspiration and guidance, you can create a speech that perfectly reflects your relationship with the bride and groom. The 15 best examples of maid of honor speeches we have provided are a great starting point for anyone looking to craft a heartfelt and memorable speech. Whether you choose to incorporate humor, sentimentality, or a combination of both, these speeches will help you find the perfect words to express your love and appreciation for the happy couple. So, take a deep breath, use these examples as a guide, and have confidence that you wil l deliver a speech that will be cherished by the bride, groom, and all in attendance.

If you're in need of more examples of wedding speeches, the following content may be helpful to you.

• 10 best examples of wedding speech for brother for inspiration
• 17 Best Examples of Wedding Speech for Father of the Bride for Inspiration
• 28 Best Examples of Wedding Speech for Mother of the Bride for Inspiration
• Comprehensive Resource List of Wedding Vows 2023 For Him & He

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How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech: Wording Examples and Ideas

As a maid of honor, you’ll need to juggle several important duties – from organising an epic bridal shower to going wedding dress shopping and holding the bride’s bouquet.

But the most daunting task of all? Writing and delivering a maid of honor speech at the reception!

We totally get how terrifying this can be, which is why we’re here to help. Keep reading for our ultimate guide on writing the perfect maid of honor speech below, including some brainstorming prompts and wording examples to get you started.

How Long Should a Maid of Honor Speech Be?

Let’s get the good news out of the way first: your maid of honor speech doesn’t have to be long! Remember, you probably won’t be the only one speaking at the reception, so you’ll want to keep your speech short and sweet. We’d say the perfect maid of honor speech should ideally be between 2 to 4 minutes, and definitely no longer than 5.

What Should a Maid of Honor Speech Include?

Simply put, a maid of honor speech should be based around two key things: celebrating your relationship with the bride and celebrating her relationship with her new husband or wife. 

Maid of honor speeches usually includes a mix of personal anecdotes, compliments to the happy couple, and well wishes for the future. Your speech can include your favourite memories with the bride, but it should also strike the right balance by including some sentiments towards her partner and their relationship, too. Usually, you’ll start your speech by talking about the bride and wrap it up by talking about her and her partner as a couple.

So, what does this look like in action? If you’re looking for a helpful framework to follow, consider this tried and tested formula for a winning maid of honor speech below:

• Introduce yourself. It might seem obvious, but introducing yourself is important to give your speech context and explain your relationship with the bride. Don’t forget, there may be guests at the wedding who have no idea who you are!
• Talk about the bride. Begin your speech by complimenting the bride. What do you love about her? What makes her such a good person/best friend/sibling? Be specific with your compliments, too – rather than saying, “She’s such a generous friend”, share a specific moment that demonstrates this.
• Include a favourite anecdote. Do you have a favourite memory that sticks out when you reflect on your relationship with the bride? This is a good time to share one or two short anecdotes. They can be funny stories or more sincere and heartfelt moments.
• Compliment their partner. Now it’s time to bring her partner into the speech. What are your favourite qualities about them? What was your first impression of them? Why are they such a good match for the bride?
• Celebrate the couple. This is where you’ll want to highlight the relationship between the happy couple. Talk about what makes their relationship so special, what you admire about them as a couple, and how their lives have changed for the better.
• Share your well wishes. Tie it all together by offering your best piece of marriage advice, favourite quote, or some warm wishes for the future.
• Share a toast. Finally, raise your glass to toast the happy couple (and reward yourself with a sip of champagne, too!).

Things To Avoid In Your Maid of Honor Speech

Now that you know what to include in a maid of honor speech, is there anything you should strictly avoid? When it comes to correct etiquette, keep the following suggestions in mind to ensure your speech is well-received: 

• Sharing funny stories or gently “roasting” the couple is totally fine if that suits your relationship with them, but steer clear of anything inappropriate, rude, or embarrassing. Remember, there will likely be elderly relatives and important family members in the room, so keep it PG-rated.
• If you’re not comfortable using jokes or humour, then don’t! It’s better to keep your speech genuine and heartfelt, rather than trying to be funny. Of course, it’s completely okay to include some comedy, but don’t force it unless it’s true to who you are.
• While you and your BFF probably have a lifetime of inside jokes between you, try to avoid referencing these in your speech. If the majority of wedding guests won’t understand it, it’s probably not worth including.
• Finally, don’t bring up any old boyfriends or ex-partners! It probably goes without saying, but your maid of honor speech is about celebrating the happy couple – not bringing up unwanted memories from the past.

Maid of Honor Speech Writing Prompts

Still feeling stuck? The best place to start crafting your maid of honor speech is usually with a good brainstorming session. Use these questions and writing prompts to help you get the inspiration flowing:

• How did you meet the bride? 
• What was your first impression of her?
• How has your relationship evolved over the years?
• What’s your favourite memory with the bride?
• What’s your funniest story about the bride?
• What are the bride’s best qualities? How does she demonstrate this?
• How would you describe the bride in 3 words?
• How did you meet her partner?
• What was your first impression of her partner?
• What are her partner’s best qualities? How do they demonstrate this?
• How would you describe her partner in 3 words?
• How did you know her partner was “the one”?
• How did her partner propose?
• What do you admire most about the couple?
• What milestones have the couple celebrated?
• How has their relationship evolved over the years?
• Have they overcome any challenges or hardships together?
• What makes their relationship unique?
• What’s your favourite memory with the couple?
• How have they made an impact on your life?
• What are your hopes for their future together as a married couple?

Once you’ve spent some time answering these prompts, you should have plenty of fantastic material to work with. 

Maid of Honor Speech Examples and Ideas

Now, it’s time to start pulling everything together! Use these maid of honor speech templates and examples below to be inspired:

Maid of Honor Speech Example For Sister:

“Hi everyone. I wanted to start by thanking you all for being here today to celebrate this amazing couple. As most of you know, I’m (Bride’s) little sister, (Name). 

I think we can all agree that (Bride) has a personality like no other. She’s outspoken, feisty, and stubborn – but also the most caring, loyal, and funniest person I’ve ever known. Growing up, we were like two peas in a pod. We were always getting into trouble and causing mischief together – and truthfully, not much has changed! I’ll never forget the time we (insert relevant anecdote), or the time we (insert relevant anecdote). It’s memories like these that make me so thankful to have (Bride) as a sister.

I used to wonder if there would ever be a guy brave enough to handle (Bride). Well, my sister has just tied the knot, and I think she’s found her perfect match in (Partner). (Partner), I couldn’t have chosen anyone better for my big sister. You’re kind, patient, and just the right amount of crazy to fit into our family – as demonstrated by the time you (insert relevant anecdote). Most importantly, you love my sister for who she is – stubbornness and all.

Your commitment to each other inspires me every day, and watching your relationship grow over the years has been so special to witness. I wish you both nothing but the best for the future, and I know you’re going to have some unforgettable adventures together. So, with that, I’d like to invite everyone to raise their glasses for a toast. Here’s to the happy couple!”

Maid of Honor Speech Example for Best Friend:

“Hi everyone. For those who haven’t yet had the chance to meet me, I’m (Name). (Bride) and I have been best friends since college, where we quickly bonded over our shared love for (insert hobbies/interests). 10 years later, and I couldn’t be happier to be standing here today to celebrate the amazing person (Bride) is, and the amazing life she and (Partner) have created together.

There are so many traits that I love about (Bride). First, her wacky sense of humour and ability to find the funny moment in any situation – like the time she (insert relevant anecdote). Secondly, her thoughtfulness and generosity, especially when she (insert relevant anecdote). And finally, her ability to light up any room she walks into. (Bride), you look so beautiful tonight.

Now, onto (Partner). My first impression of (Partner) was that he was incredibly kind, friendly, and humble. All of these things are still true, but as I’ve gotten to know him better, I’ve also seen how hilariously goofy he can be. I’ll never forget when he (insert relevant anecdote). It was then I knew that he was “the one” for my best friend.

(Bride) and (Partner), you complement each other perfectly, and it’s easy to see how crazy you are about each other. I’m so honoured to call you my friends, and I can’t wait to see how you navigate this exciting next chapter together. I’ll leave with you a quote to take with you through marriage: (insert relevant quote). Here’s to (Bride) and (Partner)!”

Nailing Your Wedding Speech

Finally, don’t forget that practice makes perfect. Once you’ve crafted your maid of honor speech, spend some time rehearsing it before the day until you’re comfortable with your delivery. The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel when the big moment comes!

And while the thought of writing a maid of honor speech can definitely be daunting, try not to put too much pressure on yourself. Simply speak authentically from the heart, and you can’t go wrong.

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How to Write a Great Maid of Honor Speech: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Hello there, wonderful Maid of Honor! Being chosen for this role isn’t just a badge of honor; it signifies deep trust and affection. You’re not just a participant but a pillar of support on this magical day. Now, along with the fun and festivities comes the responsibility of delivering a speech. It might seem a bit daunting, right? But don't worry! Whether you're a seasoned speaker or new to the spotlight, this guide is here to walk you through crafting a speech that’s as unforgettable as the day itself. Let's break it down together and turn those nerves into excitement!

Understanding the Maid of Honor’s Role

As the Maid of Honor, your role transcends carrying the bride's train or organizing the bachelorette party. You're the bride's confidante, her stalwart support during the whirlwind of wedding planning, and most importantly, her cheerleader and emotional anchor throughout the celebration. When it comes to your speech, it’s more than just a series of anecdotes; it's a heartfelt homage to your friendship and a warm welcome to the new chapter in her life. It’s your words that will echo in the couple’s hearts, reinforcing why you were chosen to stand beside her on the most significant day of her life.

The Art of Crafting Your Speech

Starting your speech.

Diving into your Maid of Honor speech can be the trickiest part. How do you begin? Start strong and confident. Open with a line that’s either witty or profoundly touching—something that not only grabs attention but also sets the tone for what’s to come. A humorous anecdote about how you met the bride or a touching remark on the day she told you about her engagement can work wonders. Remember, the opening is your hook; it’s your chance to sparkle and pave the way for a captivating narrative.

Developing the Body of the Speech

Now, let’s weave the fabric of your speech. This is where your memories and anecdotes come to life. Structure this part carefully by choosing stories that are meaningful and showcase the bride’s wonderful qualities or funny quirks. Balance is key—mix light-hearted tales with touching moments to keep the speech dynamic and engaging. Link these stories together with themes or chronological events, but ensure each transition is smooth and natural. This isn’t just storytelling; it’s painting a picture of your unique bond with the bride.

Concluding with Impact

As all good things must come to an end, so must your speech—but let it be memorable. Conclude on a high note that resonates with heartfelt emotion. Express your happiness for the couple, your hopes for their future, and perhaps incorporate a toast that invites all guests to celebrate this beautiful union. This is your moment to shine with warmth and sincerity, leaving a lasting impression that complements the joy of the day.

Common Challenges in Speech Writing

Crafting a Maid of Honor speech comes with its own set of challenges. Let’s address a few common hurdles with some examples and handy reminders:

Time Constraints: Often, the Maid of Honor has numerous responsibilities that can crunch the time available for speech writing. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Remember, it's not about crafting a novel but sharing heartfelt thoughts. Sometimes, the most touching speeches are simple and succinct.

Emotional Overload: It’s normal to feel a whirlwind of emotions when reflecting on your friendship and the journey to this day. For instance, the mention of a loved one who cannot be there, or recalling a particularly emotional period in your relationship with the bride, can make it hard to keep composed. If you find yourself at a loss for words or too choked up, take a step back. Give yourself a moment to collect your thoughts and channel these emotions into words that express your joy and love.

Audience Engagement: Wondering how to keep a diverse group of wedding guests engaged can be intimidating. Remember how monotonous it felt to sit through long lectures at school? Your speech is your chance to break that mold. The key here is authenticity and relatability. Speak from the heart, and even those who don’t know you well will feel connected to your stories and sentiments. Think of your speech as a conversation, not a lecture. Engage with your listeners as if you’re telling them a story in a living room, not a classroom.

Streamlining the Process

Yes, writing a memorable speech can be time-consuming, but there are efficient ways to streamline the process without losing the personal touch:

Speech Writing Services: If you're pressed for time or need a little extra help, consider using a professional speech writing service. They can offer a structured outline or even a fully crafted speech tailored to your memories and messages.

Templates and Examples: Don’t reinvent the wheel. Utilize templates and look at other Maid of Honor speeches for structure and inspiration. These resources can guide your flow and content, ensuring you cover all bases while adding your unique flair.

Rehearsal and Delivery Tips

With the speech in hand, it's time to turn those words into an unforgettable delivery:

Effective Rehearsal Techniques: Practice makes perfect. Rehearse your speech multiple times, in front of a mirror or a small audience of friends or family. Pay attention to your body language, making sure it reflects openness and sincerity. Use pauses effectively to emphasize key points and allow the message to resonate.

Mastering Delivery on the Big Day: When the moment arrives, take a deep breath and speak confidently. Start by making eye contact to connect with the audience, varying your tone to maintain interest. Remember, your delivery should be as natural as a conversation with the bride herself.

Quick Fixes for Unexpected Situations: No matter how well you prepare, surprises can happen. Maybe you lose your place, or the emotion of the moment overwhelms you. Keep a small note card with bullet points of your main topics. If emotions get the better of you, it’s okay to pause, take a breath, and acknowledge the moment. The audience will empathize with your sincerity.

Tips and Tricks for Efficient Preparation

Preparing a speech doesn't have to consume all your time. Here are some shortcuts to help you efficiently prepare a powerful speech:

Quick Tips for Speech Writing: Start with an outline to organize your thoughts. Focus on key moments that define your relationship with the bride and build around them. Use simple, conversational language that feels natural to you, which can save time on revisions.

Public Speaking Shortcuts: Familiarize yourself with the venue beforehand if possible, which can ease anxiety and help you visualize the setting. Practice the key parts of your speech—the opening and closing lines—so they're particularly polished and impactful.

Resources and Tools

Leverage modern tools and resources to enhance your speech preparation process:

Speech Builder Tools: Online tools can help structure your speech or generate content based on input about your relationship with the bride. These tools can be particularly helpful for sparking ideas or overcoming writer's block.

Workshops and Webinars: Consider attending a workshop or watching a webinar on speech writing and delivery. These can provide valuable insights and techniques from public speaking experts that can elevate your speech from good to great.

Conclusion and Motivation

You're almost there, and you're going to be amazing! Remember:

Confidence Comes from Preparation: You've done the work, practiced your speech, and chosen words that come from the heart. Trust in your preparation, and let your genuine affection for the bride shine through.

Enjoy the Moment: This is a celebration, not just a formal obligation. Enjoy the process of sharing your thoughts and feelings. The guests will remember how you made them feel, more than every word you say.

You Are Not Alone: Remember that everyone in attendance is there to celebrate and support the couple. They're rooting for you too, eager to hear your stories and share in the joy. So, take a deep breath, smile, and speak from the heart.

Stressed About Your Wedding Speech?

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How To Write A Killer Maid Of Honor Speech

Don't forget to make a toast.

Everyone knows how big the wedding industry is and just how much goes into wedding planning. Whether the couple has hired a professional wedding planner or simply put their bridal party to work, there's tons to do before the big day.

Aside from the wedding ceremony and reception details, there are also the best man and maid of honor duties to consider. For example, they're responsible for ensuring things go smoothly on the wedding day, planning the bachelor and bachelorette party, or helping the bride and groom with anything they might need. Among their duties are also the best man and maid of honor speeches.

Wedding speeches can cause a lot of anxiety for those making the wedding toast, and it's completely understandable. Finding the right words to say about your close friend or family member on her wedding day can be a challenge. When writing your maid of honor speech, word it in a way that tells the couple's love story but also highlights the best things about the bride and how they've been improved since being with her new husband.

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Even if you know the bride well and have tons of inside jokes together, crafting a speech that entertains guests while casting her in the best light can be hard to balance. Whether it's your first or fifth time writing maid of honor toasts, there are a few tips and formats to keep in mind to ensure your speech is well received, memorable and makes the bride and groom feel special on their big day.

All you want is to be the best maid of honor to the bride, and we want to help you get there. Here's how to write a killer maid of honor speech that both the bride and groom, as well as all the guests at the wedding reception will remember. 

How To Write A Maid Of Honor Speech

Writing a maid of honor speech is a very personal process -- which is one of the reasons why it's so difficult. Every bride has their own idea of what they would want to be included in a speech, what things are off-limits and what would be important for the bride and her guests to hear from a maid of honor speech.

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This also makes it difficult to put together a hard and fast guideline of rules to follow when writing a maid of honor speech. Though every pride is different, there are some ground rules and templates that can be used as a starting point to use as a guide. 

Maid Of Honor Speech Outline 

In an ideal scenario, a well-executed maid of honor speech generally follows the below outline.

Step One: Say a few things about the bride

Sometimes the hardest part of writing a maid of honor speech is knowing where to start. It can be helpful to envision yourself standing up in front of the room and asking yourself, what would they want to know? 

A good starting point would be to introduce yourself and say how you know the bride. You may include an anecdote about how you met, but make sure you keep mentions of yourself light and keep the focus on the bride. For example, what was it that drew you to want to meet her initially? What are some of the positive qualities about her you recognized off the bat? Over time? 

Step Two: Say how happy you are for the bride and groom

Now that everyone knows who you are and how you know the bride, express how happy you are to be part of her special day, and how excited you are to see the new couple begin their lives together.

Step Three: Tell one personal story about you and the bride

This can be the hardest part about writing a maid of honor speech. You likely have so many fun stories you'd love to share, but for the sake of time stick to one. Try to have this story be something that everyone can relate to – maybe it's the time that she came up with an inventive solution to a problem you were met with while on a trip because she's so resourceful, or the time her spontaneity caused you to make friends with strangers.

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This can be a heartfelt story as well, of a time where she did something meaningful for you. Try to keep these stories light and fun and cast the bride in the best light.

Step Four: Say a few more positive things about the bride

After you've shared a personal story, build on the other positive attributes of the bride. Is she dependable? Fun? Hilarious? Giving? Think about the ways she's impacted your life for the better. Chances are the wedding guests who have showed up for her on her big day have been touched by her in that way, too, which will make your speech relatable. 

Step Five: Talk about why the bride and groom are great together

Hopefully, you've had the chance to get to know the bride's significant other well. But in the event that you haven't spent as much time with her new spouse as you might have liked for the sake of writing this speech, focus on how you've noticed how much happier she is since they've been together. 

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Step six: thank the bride and the family.

Planning a wedding is rarely ever a solo person effort. It's likely that in addition to the work and funds the bride and groom put forward to make this day happen, the families of the new couple likely contributed as well. While you don't need to necessarily call this out, thanking the bride and groom for making you part of their day, and their families for making this incredible event happen is always a good move. 

Step Seven: Make a wedding toast

Wondering how to end a maid of honor speech? With a toast! Wish the couple well and ask the room to join you in raising a glass to toast to the new couple. This might be the easiest (and most fun) part of the maid of honor speech, so don't skip it!

Maid Of Honor Speech Tips

Try freewriting. If you're having trouble starting your maid of honor speech, it could be because you feel the immense pressure to say the exact right thing. Freewriting, or writing your thoughts as you go, helps take the pressure off and allows you to get all of your feelings and thoughts about the bride down on paper. Set a timer and allow yourself to write for 20 minutes.

Think about all the positives about the bride, the memories you've shared, and any stories that you love to talk about her. At the end of your 20 minutes, you'll likely have plenty of material to pick and choose from for your maid of honor speech.

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Keep it brief. How long should a maid of honor speech be? Keep your maid of honor speech under five minutes. Any longer than this, and people start to lose interest. Not to mention, there are other speeches that need to be made along with finding time for all the other wedding traditions. Before the wedding, it's a good idea to time your speech to ensure it's not too long.

Pause for responses. If you're someone who gets nervous speaking in front of people, it can be tempting to power through the entire speech without stopping to allow people to react. Make sure you give people space to react. Even if your speech isn't funny, you may be surprised at the "awws" or even applause that people feel compelled to give -- especially if they've had a few drinks at this point. Keep your speech well-paced and remember to incorporate breathing room. 

Maid Of Honor Speech Dos And Don’ts

Don't mention past relationships. This one might seem like a given, but it's an important one to avoid. Even if you did witness the bride kiss a lot of frogs before finding her prince, now is not the time to bring that up. Instead of focusing on past dating mishaps, including what was different about the person she's marrying and the positive attributes that drew her to him.

Do practice ahead of time. Even if you're a pro at public speaking, practicing your maid of honor speech to ensure you're familiar with it, that it's well-timed and doesn't run too long is a smart idea ahead of the big day. 

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Don't be generic . As much as possible, try to steer clear of generic phrases when talking about the bride and make the speech authentic to your friendship. Weddings are formal events, but if your friendship with the bride is funny and goofy, don't be afraid to interject that into your speech.

Do stay sober before the big speech. This can be difficult, especially during a long ceremony day. Only you know your relationship with alcohol and how it impacts you, so be mindful of how much you're drinking before you get up in front of a room full of wedding guests to give a speech. 

Maid Of Honor Speech Examples

Still having trouble writing your maid of honor speech? Here are a few maid of honor toast examples to help get the creative juices flowing. 

Speech for a Best Friend

Hi everyone. My name is [name], and I've known [Bride] since [childhood/high school/college] when she and I [insert story of how you met/bonded]. Having known her for [X] years, it makes me so happy to be able to stand up here today and celebrate her. 

If you know [Bride], you know how thoughtful she is -- she always takes care of others before herself. This is why I was so happy when she met [Groom], who is equally giving and has always made her his top priority -- even on their very first date, which he took the red-eye back for after a work trip because it worked best with [bride's] schedule.

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[Tell the story of your first impression of the groom]. Example: My first impression of [Groom] was that taking care of others was also important to him. He really went out of his way to make sure all of our friends had a great time at the restaurant we were at, even going out of his way to carry the drinks over to our table himself when he saw how busy our waitress was -- something that I could see [Bride] doing as well. 

Over the last [X] years, I've seen how happy being with [groom] has made [bride], and I'm so honored to be here to wish them well. [Bride] has truly met her match, and I can't wait to see what's in store for you both as you start your lives together.

Please join me in a toast to the new couple – as the character from our favorite TV show put it best, [insert love quote here]. Cheers to the happy couple!

Speech for a Sister

Thank you all for being here to celebrate my sister, [Bride]. I'm the youngest of five siblings, and being the only other girl, [bride] was forced to team up with me against our brothers. I've looked up to her in so many ways and continue to learn from her even in adulthood. She has always paved her own way, and I admire that about her. 

When [Bride] met [Groom], I knew instantly that something had changed. She seemed calmer and at ease. After meeting [Groom], it was clear that his easy-going nature and go with the flow attitude had rubbed off on my sister. [Groom] fits so well with our family, it almost feels like he's always been a part of it. I'm so excited to make that official today.

Let's raise a glass to toast the happy couple. I wish you both a lifetime of unconditional love and happiness and can't wait to see what the next chapter brings. Cheers!

Funny Maid of Honor Speech

Hi everyone, I'm [Name], and I've been [Bride's] best friend since we met on the playground in elementary school. We've come a long way since staking our claim on the best swings at recess. [Bride] has been friends with me through thick and thin, and there's nothing I wouldn't do for her. Including giving a maid of honor speech to a room full of strangers. 

Everyone who meets [Bride] likes her more than me, even my own cat, which is fair since she's absolutely my better half. She's selfless, hilarious and can turn any situation into a positive one. Even when [Groom] called her the wrong name on their blind first date, she stuck to it and played the role of [Name]. Luckily he got it right when he said "I Do" today.

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In all seriousness, I'm so happy [Bride] and [Groom] found one another. These two look at each other the way I look at the food being brought to my table at a restaurant. I know they're going to have a happy, beautiful life together...and I'm an ugly crier so I'm going to stop there. 

Let's raise a glass to the new couple. Wishing you both the best that life has to offer. Cheers!

Writing a maid of honor speech is an important job. This speech will likely be something that the couple refers back to throughout their lives, that gets played whenever they revisit their wedding video.

Writing a maid of honor speech can feel overwhelming but having a maid of honor speech template and maid of honor speech examples to refer back to can be a huge help. Overall, be authentic and show the bride in the best light. And don't forget to make a toast!

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Man Forgets Girlfriend After Tragedy, She Won Him Over Again

It seems like Cody Bryant and his girlfriend Haley Woloshen are destined to be together.

In a story that's giving off some serious 50 First Dates vibes, the couple was torn apart after a horrific car accident left Cody in a coma. Suffering a traumatic brain injury, he had no memories of their previous life together.

But true love? Knows no bounds. And just like the best rom-com, this couple is now living their happily ever after.

Tragedy Strikes

After a horrific car accident, Cody Bryant ended up in a coma with a serious brain injury.

Cody Bryant/TikTok

When Hayley and Cody met while vacationing in Hawaii in 2022, sparks flew. It felt like kismet, especially when they discovered they lived just a mile apart in their hometown of Los Angeles.

They spent a few blissful weeks getting to know each other and falling in love.

But then, out of the blue, it all came to a screeching halt.

Cody stopped calling. He stopped texting. It was as if he'd fallen off the face of the earth. Hayley thought he had lost interest. But it turns out, he wasn't ghosting her...he was in a coma.

Cody shares their "insane" love story in a now-viral TikTok that he captions, "50 First Dates or make our own movie?" And it just goes to prove, sometimes? Life really does imitate art.

The one-minute clip features a montage of photos and videos over the course of their relationship with text overlay. It starts off with a bang,

"I wasn't ghosting her, I was in a coma."

Cody continues, "I had actually been hit by a car and was in a coma."

Cody was driving a moped through Ibiza, Spain when he was struck by a taxi driver. He ended up in ICU with a traumatic brain injury and a fractured femur as a result. Spanish doctors questioned if he would even survive.

Haley only learned of the accident after doing some internet sleuthing on the guy she thought had ghosted her (as one does). That's when she stumbled across a GoFundMe page set up by his family to help offset his astronomical medical bills.

"You Always Meet Someone Twice"

@codys.comeback 50 First Dates or make our own movie?🙊🤍 #dating #relationship #fyp #love #datingstorytime #recovery #girlfriend

When Cody woke up from his coma he had no memory of the past year, including Haley and their time together.

"Plot twist: because of my brain injury, I actually had no memory of our pre-accident connection."

But when it comes to true love, NOTHING can stand in its way.

Eventually, Cody was transferred to a full-time rehab facility in Los Angeles. Diagnosed with partial paralysis, he had to relearn how to walk and perform even the simplest of tasks. After months of rehabilitative therapies, he reconnected with Haley as "friends." But despite having no recollection of their relationship, it was obvious something was still there.

"Neither of us expected it, but feelings started to build," he writes. "I joke that she won me over a second time."

Cody admits that navigating boundaries between a relationship and caregiving was challenging "but I couldn't be happier with where we are."

"We've built a strong foundation in the most terrible of situations," he continues. "We've been together over a year now." And if the pictures are any indication, they are blissfully happy.

Love Can Move Mountains

@codys.comeback second time’s the charm ;) #dating #relationships #love #romance #datingtok #trend #fyp

Cody continues to deal with the aftermath of his accident. Traumatic brain injuries don't heal overnight and even two years later, he's still in intense, full-time therapy.

"Some of my next goals are relearning how to write, run, and swim," he writes in an update on his GoFundMe.

He continues to struggle with memory issues and uses notes for everything.

"My brain doesn’t “auto save” anymore so I use notes for everything. In order to accomplish a goal, I avoid multitasking and each step must be small," he shares. He has persistent brain fog and his attention is fleeting.

But with Haley by his side as his biggest cheerleader, he's been able to climb mountains, figuratively AND literally. Against all odds and the doctors who originally believed he'd be in a vegetative state for the rest of his life, Cody and Haley attended their friends' wedding in Guatemala in March.

While there, Cody completed a two-day hike to summit the Acetenango volcano. Haley was right by his side.

Despite the profound challenges posed by the car accident and subsequent memory loss, it's obvious that these two are meant to be together. Because true love? Always finds a way.

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Quinta Brunson Comforts Crying Jennifer Aniston In Interview

Jennifer Aniston and Quinta Brunson were paired for Variety's Actors on Actors series, a conversation that promised laughs from the two comedic actresses but took an unexpected emotional turn.

As they discussed their careers, a producer asked Abbott Elementary 's breakout star Brunson to inquire about Aniston’s experience rewatching Friends . The question hit hard, prompting Aniston to tear up, reminding us of the deep bonds formed on set.

The Weight of Perry's Passing

NEW YORK, NY - 1995: American actress and producer, Jennifer Aniston and Canadian-American actor, comedian and producer, Matthew Perry of the television comedy, Friend's, attend the 1995 NBC Fall Preview circa 1995 at the Lincoln Center in New York, New York.

Photo by Ron Davis/Getty Images

Jennifer Aniston has always been open about her close bond with Matthew Perry, who passed away unexpectedly in October 2023. "Having to say goodbye to our Matty has been an insane wave of emotions that I’ve never experienced before," Aniston shared in a heartfelt tribute.

Their friendship extended beyond the screen, with Aniston being the one who reached out to Perry the most during his struggles with sobriety. The 30th anniversary of Friends has been bittersweet for Aniston, bringing back memories of a time when they were all together.

In a recent episode of Variety's Actors on Actors , Jennifer Aniston couldn't hold back her tears when reflecting on the 30th anniversary of Friends and the loss of her close friend and co-star, Matthew Perry. The unexpected death of Perry in October 2023 hit Aniston hard, and this emotional moment underscored the deep bond they shared. Suddenly, she lost the ability to speak and her emotions hit hard. The next thing that happened said it all.

Jennifer Was Embarrassed To Cry On Camera

Jennifer Aniston and Quinta Brunson on Variety's Actors on Actors.

YouTube/ Variety

During the interview, when a producer suggested Quinta Brunson ask Aniston about watching Friends now, it immediately struck a nerve. Aniston, visibly emotional, tried to hold back her tears, but couldn't help herself.

"Don't make me cry," Aniston pleaded, her voice trembling.

The pain of losing Perry was evident, and she felt vulnerable showing such raw emotion on camera. "I just started thinking about...," she began, struggling to continue as the memories flooded back.

Quinta Put Jennifer First

@varietymagazine Jennifer Aniston gets emotional when asked about "Friends." #ActorsOnActors

Quinta Brunson's reaction was immediate and compassionate.

"You're already crying. Do you want a minute? We don't have to talk about this," Brunson offered gently.

Brunson's sensitivity to Aniston's feelings was a masterclass in empathy. "We don’t have to go there if you don’t want to," she reassured, prioritizing Aniston’s emotional well-being over creating a dramatic moment for the show. This quick, thoughtful pivot provided Aniston the space she needed to compose herself.

Quinta Told Jen How She Got Her Through Hard Times

There's nothing quite as heartbreaking as experiencing an unexpected vulnerable moment and feeling completely alone and exposed. Quinta Brunson, recognizing this, shared with Jennifer Aniston how Aniston's 2003 classic Bruce Almighty helped her through tough times.

"Bruce Almighty was my depression movie," Brunson revealed.

Aniston, taken aback, responded with, "Really?!" Brunson nodded, expressing her gratitude. "I grew up with you," she gushed, thanking Aniston for inspiring her throughout the years. This exchange highlighted how impactful Aniston's work has been, providing comfort and inspiration to many, including Brunson, during challenging periods.

Quinta Brunson Says She Grew Up With Jennifer Aniston

@varietymagazine Quinta Brunson calls #BruceAlmighty her "depression movie" and says she grew up watching Jennifer Aniston. #ActorsOnActors

Listening And Love Are The Same Thing

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Brunson's actions exemplify how listening and love are intertwined. By being present and understanding, she turned a potentially painful moment into a testament of true friendship. As Aniston wiped her tears and regained her composure, it was clear that this act of kindness left a lasting impact.

"Quinta’s little ‘I know’ — it was so simple but so kind and empathetic," one viewer commented. This heartwarming exchange reminds us that in moments of vulnerability, the greatest gift we can offer is our compassion and understanding.

In a world that often values sensationalism over sensitivity, Quinta Brunson's handling of Jennifer Aniston's emotional moment is a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy. It is moments like these that teach us the true essence of friendship and human connection. "Seeing people take care of one another never gets old," one fan noted, capturing the sentiment perfectly.

Is it too cheesy to say, we all need friends who will "be there for you"?

Copyright © 2024 Goalcast

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How to Write Maid of Honor Speech for Sister (With Examples)

• by Marisa Jenkins
• January 5, 2024

Being a maid of honor comes with a lot of duties and responsibilities; you have to help the bride with many aspects of wedding planning. However, it is also extremely rewarding; you get to be with the bride on her most special day—you might even get to make her cry with your speech .

Writing anything, be it a speech or a letter, can be a challenging task. Here is a step-by-step guide to help make the process a little easier:

• Reflect on your sisterhood
• Create an outline
• Start drafting the speech
• Revise your first draft
• Ask for insights and feedback
• Make the final revisions
• Prepare for the big day

Each step is discussed more specifically below, including a detailed outline of a maid of honor speech for your sister. Tips are also given. Lastly, examples are provided to give you an idea of what a typical speech looks like. 

Writing a Maid of Honor Speech for Your Sister: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Reflect on Your Sisterhood

If your sister chose you as her maid of honor, it means she treasures your close bond. Look back on the past years and see how your relationship has evolved. Likewise, reflect on your and your sister’s personalities and your growth over the years.

You may want to narrow down specific stories, especially those that can highlight your relationship, personality, and growth. These anecdotes can add humor or sincerity to your speech as a maid of honor . 

Step 2: Create an Outline

Preparing an outline for a maid of honor speech for your sister can help you organize your thoughts, ultimately making writing easier. Here is an example of a structure, though you are free to customize it however you want:

• Greet your guests briefly.
• If you want, you can thank the vendors and other bridal party members for their hard work.
• Introduce yourself and your relationship with the bride.
• Share a memory you have with your sister. You can be funny, lighthearted, or serious.
• Highlight her qualities, quirks, and everything that you love about her.
• Reflect on what it means to be a sister.
• To transition to the next item on the outline, mention any significant milestones or turning points in your relationship.
• Describe how you two first met and what was your first impression of them.
• Recall a memorable interaction or story that shows their relationship.
• You can also share how you grew to like and trust your sister’s partner.
• Discuss how they complement each other.
• Highlight any positive changes you have seen in your sister and her partner over the years.
• Offer your heartfelt well-wishes for the future.
• If you have any piece of marriage advice, you can add them here.
• End your maid of honor speech for your sister with a toast to the newlyweds. Encourage everyone to raise their glass or clink it in celebration .

Step 3: Start Drafting the Speech

Once your outline is ready, you can begin with the speech itself. Just write whatever comes to mind, and do not worry about the technicalities like grammar and length. Focus on putting down into words everything you want to express.

Step 4: Revise your First Draft

After finishing your first draft, you should start revising what you wrote. On the technical side, this means fixing any grammatical errors, rewriting any awkward phrases, and rearranging some parts to improve the speech’s flow.

As you read through your speech over and over again, you should also start imagining how you will deliver it. Try giving the speech to yourself and determine the tone, rhythm, and speed that works best. Mark down the places where you should pause to catch your breath (or wait for applause).

Step 5: Ask for Insights and Feedback

Approach someone you trust—such as other bridal party members—and ask them to listen to your speech. By this point, you should have practiced your delivery a few times.

Give your speech to your test audience. Be open and responsive to constructive criticism. Moreover, observe their reactions and see if you need to change anything in the tone or pace of your delivery.

Step 6: Make the Final Revisions

Given the feedback you received from your test audience and any personal changes you see necessary, it is time to make the final revisions. Remove anything that feels unnatural or forced, and go through the text to ensure that you did not miss any grammatical errors.

Step 7: Prepare for the Big Day

Print a copy of your maid of honor speech for your sister. Although you can try to memorize the entire speech or write down key points, having a backup is a great idea—things can get emotional, after all, and you might forget what you practiced.

Moreover, keep in mind any positive coping strategies for anxiety. Some breathing techniques can help you manage your nerves.

How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech for Sister: Tips

Add Personal Touches

You can make your speech as your sister’s maid of honor more unique by adding personal touches, such as lines from a song, a movie, or a book that you both love. If she has iconic catchphrases, you can incorporate that, too.

Keep It Short

A great speech—regardless of who is giving it—is not too long to bore listeners and not too short to feel rushed or incomplete. For your maid of honor speech, aim for 4–6 minutes. Any more than that and you risk losing your guests’ attention

Keep It Light

The reception is no occasion to air out any family laundry. If you have unresolved tension with your sister or other relatives, keep it out of your speech and talk about it another time—preferably somewhere more private.

Find the Balance

In the same vein, try to find the right balance between humor and sincerity. This is a maid of honor speech, not a stand-up comedy set. Juxtapose emotional depth with lightheartedness; this will get your guests invested in this journey with you.

Identify Key Themes

If you are struggling with writing a cohesive maid of honor speech for your sister, it might help if you identify 2–3 key themes and center your speech around those.

You can focus on things like your sister’s strength, resilience, humor, kindness, intelligence, and so on.

Think about how these themes have played out in her life and her relationship. The anecdotes you will incorporate must show these themes one way or another.

Maid of Honor Speech for Sister: Lovely Examples

Humorous and Quirky Maid of Honor Speech for Sister

To all our family and friends,

Good evening! For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Alissa, the proud and slightly teary-eyed maid of honor and, more importantly, Denise’s younger sister.

First of all, can we take a moment to appreciate how gorgeous and stunning Denise looks today? Huh? What about Tom? I mean, you’re not too bad yourself!

Growing up with Denise was kinda like living in a reality show—you can’t change the channel, so you just have to look at the second camera every time someone says something stupid.

I saw every side of her: the dramatic, the hilarious, and the extraordinarily compassionate. Like the time she spent hours consoling me after I lost my doll, or when she sold lemonade and old clothes just to raise funds for our local animal shelter.

All this to say, she’s always been my role model, even when she wore those questionable neon braces in high school. The journey to get where we are today has been surreal. We’ve shared secrets, clothes (sometimes without asking), and countless laughs.

Denise, you’ve always been my anchor, my confidant, and on rare occasions, my partner in crime. Remember that time when we “borrowed” Dad’s car for a joyride at midnight and swore never to speak of it again? Oh, oops. Sorry, dad.

When Tom and Denise first got together, I saw and felt a change in her. I don’t know how else to describe it, other than someone turning up the brightness—and volume—of her soul. Tom, your kindness, patience, and outstanding ability to deal with all of Denise’s hyper-fixations make you the perfect match for my sister. Her soulmate, even.

Together, you two are an unstoppable team. Whether it’s your epic karaoke duets, adventurous travels, or hours of just lying down and simply binge-watching a series while sharing dessert—you two are the perfect fit.

So, here’s to love, laughter, and a lifetime of stealing each other’s fries and pretending you didn’t. Denise and Tom Stalzer, may your life be filled with moments as beautiful and precious as the vows you shared today.

Everyone, please raise your glass in honor of the newlyweds!

Short and Sweet Maid of Honor Speech for Your Sister

Hello everyone! I hope you’re all having a blast tonight.

I’m Trina, the incredibly proud sister and maid of honor of our gorgeous bride, Kim. Watching her exchange vows with Mario, the dapper groom, is truly a joy.

Kim, you’ve always been my player two in everything. You always beat me at Scrabble, but you could never one-up me in chess. However, my favorite game will forever be our roleplays; remember when we’d play ‘wedding’ in our backyard? I’m so emotional standing here, in your actual wedding, getting to celebrate your love.

When you met Mario, I saw a happiness in your eyes that was never there before. Mario, thank you for bringing that joy into her life and keeping my sister’s soul bright. Thank you for loving her so fiercely and unwaveringly. Because of that, we officially welcome you to our family.

This is only the beginning of the biggest journey of your life so far. If it’s anything like the adventures you’ve already had, I’m sure it will be nothing short of extraordinary.

Everyone, raise your glass and toast to love, laughter, and a happy ever after! Mr. and Mrs. Carter, may the future be as sweet, romantic, and elegant as this day.

Final Thoughts

The thought of writing a speech, revising it, and then delivering it in front of an audience is understandably intimidating. However, with the right tools and tips, you can breeze through the process and create a unique speech as your sister’s maid of honor.

If nothing else, make sure that you write the speech authentically and sincerely. As long as you put your heart and soul into it, everything will turn out okay. Just make sure to place tissues for your sister nearby—she might erupt into tears because of your words.

Marisa Jenkins

Marisa Jenkins is a wedding planner and event coordinator. Her main goal for WeddingFrontier.com is to simplify the wedding planning process by sharing her years of expertise in the industry.

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How to Nail Your Maid of Honor Speech

Giving a maid of honor speech is a memorable experience that can leave a lasting impression on the couple and guests. Whether you’re a seasoned public speaker or feeling a bit nervous, we’ll explore tips, templates, and a step-by-step approach to help you write a genuine and engaging speech for the big day.  

How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech  

When preparing your maid of honor speech, consider your unique relationship with the bride, personal anecdotes about the couple, and your heartfelt wishes for their future. Begin by highlighting the bride, then extend compliments to their partner and wish them both well as a couple.  

If you’re having trouble getting started, here are a few prompts to help you generate ideas:  

• What was your first impression of their partner?  
• What do they both bring to the relationship?  
• How did they know they were the “one”?  
• How have they impacted each other’s lives?  
• How would you describe their relationship in five words?  
• How did you get introduced to their partner?
• What’s the funniest story you know about them as a couple?  

Your maid of honor speech should conclude on a sincere and joyful note. Celebrate the couple’s bond, express love for the bride, offer wisdom for their future, or share a meaningful quote.  

Maid of Honor Speech Template

• Introduce yourself: As the bride’s good friend or family member, you may assume that everyone there knows who you are, but that might not be the case. Greet the room and briefly share who you are and your relationship with the bride.
• Highlight the bride: Share heartfelt sentiments about the bride, highlighting what makes her special.
• Personal anecdotes: Share a memorable anecdote—or two— about the couple or your experiences with the bride.
• Couple’s relationship: Discuss the couple’s relationship and how you’ve witnessed their love grow. Optionally, include a story that involves the groom or tell a story that highlights the couple’s love and compatibility.
• Compliments: Compliment the bride and groom individually, highlighting their strengths.
• Toast and well wishes: Raise your glass and propose a toast to the newlyweds, expressing your best wishes for their future together.    

Optional Template Additions:  

• Jokes: While adding funny lines can enhance your speech, remember that a maid of honor speech doesn’t require humor if it’s not your forte. A sincere and direct approach is often more impactful than forced jokes. Focus on sharing stories that highlight the couple’s history; look for naturally funny moments, like gently teasing the bride about her excitement after the first date.
• Advice: If you are married, offer words of wisdom or advice for a happy and successful marriage that draws from your experience.

How long should a maid of honor speech be?

A maid of honor speech should be 2-3 minutes long (five minutes, max). Often, there are speeches from the best man or family members, so the maid of honor isn’t responsible for speaking the entire time reserved for toasts.   

Maid of Honor Speech Tips

1. practice your speech ahead of time  .

You don’t need to memorize your speech word for word (in fact, doing so might make your delivery a bit unnatural), but practicing your talking points and cadence ahead of time will go a long way in making you feel more confident. Use a small, aesthetic notebook with bullet points or key phrases if you’re nervous about public speaking. Speak slowly and pause between transitions—practicing aloud will help identify and smooth out any awkward parts or tongue twisters.  

2. Stay (Mostly) Sober Before Your Speech  

You can let loose during the reception, but you’ll want to have a clear head when making your speech. While some alcohol may ease nerves, drinking too much might lead to a speech that’s less thoughtful than it should be.  

3. Don’t Mention Any Exes  

Avoid mentioning exes, as it can make the bride and groom uncomfortable. Likewise, refrain from jokes about past weddings or marriages if this isn’t the bride’s first wedding.  

4. Don’t Make It About Yourself  

Focus your speech on the couple rather than solely on your relationship with the bride and avoid inside jokes and anecdotes that might be sensitive or require too much backstory. Any advice given should be heartfelt but quick and focused on the couple.  

5. Keep it Short and Sweet  

For wedding speeches, less is often more effective. Focus on succinct, funny anecdotes rather than long, unabbreviated stories. Write down your ideas and edit out less resonant parts as you practice. Seek input from another friend or family member of the bride to refine your speech.  

6. Don’t Put Too Much Pressure on Yourself  

Guests at the reception are there to enjoy themselves and will appreciate your speech no matter what. Don’t dwell on minor mistakes—focus on celebrating the couple.  

Maid of Honor Speech Examples

• Ex: “Hi everyone, our family wants to thank you all for being here today to celebrate (Bride) and (Partner). As most of you know, I’m (Bride’s) sister, (Name).”
• Ex: “I feel so privileged to have had (Bride) to look up to throughout my life. She has always been an example to me of what it means to show love through actions. Growing up, I remember she would (insert relevant anecdote). It’s memories like these that make me know that (Partner) is one of the luckiest people in the world to get (Bride) as someone to go through life with.”  
• Ex: “When (Bride) and (Partner) first met, our family already had an idea that (Partner) was (Bride’s) perfect match. When (Bride) first introduced him to us, I could tell that (Bride) had never felt this way about anyone before, and that this was her forever person. I couldn’t have chosen anyone better for my sister, and we are so excited to welcome you into our family. Thank you for your kindness, sense of humor, and patience—especially when (Bride) (insert funny anecdote).”  
• Ex: “Your love and commitment to each other is so inspiring, and it’s been so special to watch your relationship unfold. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness, understanding, and joy. I’d like to invite everyone to raise their glasses to the happy couple. Here’s to (Bride) and (Partner)!”  

For Best Friend

• Ex: “Hi everyone. For those of you who I don’t know, I’m (Name). (Bride) and I have been best friends since (college/high school/diapers), when we bonded over (insert funny shared interest). It’s (number) years later, and I couldn’t be happier or prouder to celebrate my friend today.”
• Ex: “There are so many reasons to love (Bride). She’s funny, silly, and sweet, but I think my favorite thing about her is her sense of humor. Something she definitely needed when she and (Partner) (insert funny anecdote). (Bride), you have always had the ability to light up the room, and you are so stunning tonight.”
• Ex: “My first impression after meeting (Partner) was that they were one of the only people I’ve ever met who could keep up with (Bride’s) wit. However, it wasn’t until (insert anecdote) that I knew he was (Bride’s) soul mate. It’s been a total pleasure getting to know you as an person and as the perfect partner for my best friend. Thank you for loving her the way she deserves.”
• Ex: “It’s so easy to see that you two are crazy about each other, and I’m honored to call you both my friends. I can’t wait to see the kinds of adventures you will get up to in the years to come. I’ll leave you with a quote from (Bride’s) favorite poet to take with you after tonight: (insert relevant quote). Here’s to the happy couple!”  

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Bride’s sister applauded for leaving wedding after she was ‘humiliated’ by maid-of-honor’s speech

Maid-of-honor joked the bride’s sister was a ‘screw-up’ in the speech, article bookmarked.

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A bride ’s sister has been applauded for leaving the wedding early after the maid-of-honor “humiliated” her.

In a recent post shared to the popular “ Am I The A**hole?” Reddit forum , a woman explained how she was one of the bridesmaids for her older sister’s wedding. She shared that while everything at the wedding was running smoothly, things took a turn at the reception, when her sister’s best friend, who was also the maid-of-honor, made a certain joke in her speech.

“It was emotional and all but then she made a joke about how I was the family screw-up, who finally managed to do something right by not messing up my bridesmaid duties,” she wrote about the speech. “Everyone laughed but I didn’t find it funny.”

The bridesmaid then described how she had “a rough few years,” explaining that she’s struggled with her mental health. She acknowledged that while she’s “gotten [her] life back on track”, she emphasized that she didn’t find any amusement in the joke. She also opened up about her relationship with her sister’s maid-of-honor.

“Hearing that joke in front of all our family and friends wasn’t funny at all,” she continued. “My sister’s best friend and I never really got along but still, I never expected something like this from her. Especially the day wasn’t about me at all then why bring me up in the speech?”

She added that she’d stepped outside during the wedding after being hurt by the speech, and that her sister followed her and asked what was wrong. Although the bride told her younger sibling that it was “just a joke” and that the maid-of-honor “meant nothing bad” by it, the bridesmaid was still upset and ultimately decided to leave the wedding.

“I tried to go back inside but I just couldn’t and I ended up leaving the wedding early. My parents understood why I was upset but my sister is angry with me,” she concluded. “I do feel terrible for leaving but I also feel like I had the right to feel hurt and humiliated.”

AITA for leaving my sister's wedding early after her maid of honor humiliated me in her speech? by u/Few_Setting_4917 in AITAH

In an edit to the post, she explained that when the maid-of-honor made the joke, the Reddit user didn’t say anything “at the moment because [she] didn’t want to cause a scene” at the wedding.

She shared another edit to the post, noting that she’s not close to her sister’s best friend. She acknowledged that the main response why she avoids the former maid-of-honor is because she said she doesn’t generally “feel comfortable around someone struggling mentally because in her head God only knows what they’re capable of.”

The Reddit post has quickly gone viral, with more than 12,000 upvotes. In the comments, multiple people defended the bridesmaid for leaving the wedding early, claiming that the maid-of-honor shouldn’t have made the joke about her. They also criticized the bride for not defending her younger sister from the unkind remark.

“No one wants to be the butt of a joke and the friend should have run the speech by your sister prior,” one wrote. “Very poor taste.”

“You were publicly insulted and humiliated at your sister’s wedding. Leaving early is a reasonable response,” another wrote.

“[Maid-of-honor] was being a ‘mean girl’, her point was to be a b**** and she was,” a third claimed. “Her speech should have been about the couple who just got married, there was no reason to bring you into her speech at all, except to be mean. Your sister not seeing this and her words to you also make her an ah. I’m sorry your sister was crappy to you.”

In a follow-up to her post, the woman shared that her father called in to check on her after the wedding, assuring her she “had nothing to apologize for.” She also explained that, according to her brother, the groom wasn’t happy about the maid-of-honor’s joke either.

She then described how she had a conversation with her sister, who “did most of the talking.” She also noted that the maid-of-honor was there and “refused to apologize.”

“[The maid-of-honor] reminded my sister that I was the reason her husband got angry at her on their wedding day because I couldn’t take a joke,” the Reddit user recalled, before expressing that the maid-of-honor eventually told her: “Yeah whatever. Sorry.”

The former bridesmaid also claimed that when she left, the maid-of-honor made another rude joke, which the Reddit user’s sister laughed at. While the former bride “stopped mid-laugh and apologized,” her sister “didn’t say anything and left.”

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June 12, 24

Bride's sister is praised for walking out of wedding after being 'humiliated' by maid of honor's speech

By James Kay

A woman has been praised after she left her sisters wedding when the maid of honor directed a pretty nasty joke in her direction.

Don't get me wrong, I think poking fun at people in wedding speeches is great as long as it is done right.

There's a fine line between playful banter that everyone will find funny, and just bashing people for no reason.

If you can find the balance, you've got a great speech on your hands... but if you can't, it can end pretty badly as one woman found out.

Writing on the popular Am I The A**hole forum on Reddit , a woman has opened up about how one wedding speech left her "humiliated".

While the ceremony proceeded smoothly, the reception took a turn when the maid-of-honor, who is also the bride’s best friend, made a controversial joke during her speech.

“It was emotional and all but then she made a joke about how I was the family screw-up, who finally managed to do something right by not messing up my bridesmaid duties,” the bridesmaid recounted. “Everyone laughed but I didn’t find it funny.”

The bridesmaid, who has faced significant mental health challenges in recent years, expressed that the joke was deeply hurtful.

She noted that she has worked hard to get her life back on track and found no humor in being the butt of the maid-of-honor’s joke.

“Hearing that joke in front of all our family and friends wasn’t funny at all,” she continued. “My sister’s best friend and I never really got along but still, I never expected something like this from her. Especially the day wasn’t about me at all then why bring me up in the speech?”

The bridesmaid explained that she stepped outside after the speech, visibly upset. Her sister followed, attempting to downplay the incident by saying it was “just a joke” and that the maid-of-honor “meant nothing bad” by it.

Despite this, the bridesmaid was too distressed to continue and decided to leave the wedding.

“I tried to go back inside but I just couldn’t and I ended up leaving the wedding early. My parents understood why I was upset but my sister is angry with me,” she concluded.

“I do feel terrible for leaving but I also feel like I had the right to feel hurt and humiliated.”

In an update, the bridesmaid clarified that she didn’t react immediately to avoid causing a scene. She also shared that she is not close to the maid-of-honor, who has previously expressed discomfort around people struggling with mental health issues.

People flocked to the comments to defend the Redditor, with one person writing: "No one wants to be the butt of a joke and the friend should have run the speech by your sister prior. Very poor taste."

A second person said: "You were publicly insulted and humiliated at your sister's wedding. Leaving early is a reasonable response."

A third added: "You were upset. You left to avoid causing a big scene. That was the right thing to do.

"Anger is an emotion. Let your sister learn to deal with her emotions. It's not up to you to bend to her will and sit there taking 'jokes' given at your expense."

Featured image credit: Kobus Louw/Getty

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