how do i write a maid of honor speech

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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

Tips to knock your maid of honor speech out of the park.

how do i write a maid of honor speech

Photo by Janine Licare

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.

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 .

Brainstorm . 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."

Pause . 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.

Practice . "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.

Answer These Questions to Get Started

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

Maid of Honor Speech Examples to Make 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.

She has this belief that the more she can give you, embrace you, and love you—the better off she is.

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?'

Inspiring joyful moments is what Sarah does for everyone else in her life, and it makes me happy to know that her new husband will do exactly that for her.

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.

That’s one of the things I love and admire about Winnie: She inspires the people around her to be the best versions of themselves.

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 over complicate it! Stay authentic to yourself and keep it simple by telling a story , sharing why you love the bride, and toasting to 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?

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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

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How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech

A flawless maid of honor speech can't be hastily written on your phone at the reception—it takes time and a lot of practice. Here's how to write a maid of honor speech that will garner a standing ovation.

In His Image Photography

As a maid of honor in your BFF’s upcoming wedding, you're likely pretty thrilled about all that's in store for you, from the awesome maid of honor duties , to the epic events to plan ( hey bachelorette party !) to that maid of honor speech — but it's also normal to be a bit nervous, too. As we said, the maid of honor has lots of responsibilities, which include writing and delivering the maid of honor speech. The maid of honor speech usually occurs during the wedding reception, but you might be asked to deliver it at the rehearsal dinner instead. If you’re comfortable speaking in front of a crowd or have a background in acting or performing, the maid of honor speech should be a breeze . But, considering that public speaking is a very common fear, you might be anxious . And even if giving the maid of honor speech doesn’t worry you, figuring out exactly how to write a maid of honor speech likely does. It’s an important moment for both you and the bride, and of course you want to make it special.

How do you prepare the most amazing maid of honor speech she’s ever heard and alleviate some of your anxieties? We’re here to help.

When to start writing a maid of honor speech.

Presuming you haven’t procrastinated too long, you should give yourself as much time as possible to prepare — start at least three weeks to a month before the wedding. This may seem like a lot of time to write a short maid of honor speech, but the longer you wait to write, the more stressed you’ll become.

Choose a time when you’re feeling inspired by your friendship with the bride and/or couple. If you’re feeling extra sentimental after the bachelorette party brought up a plethora of stories you had forgotten about, write them down. Don’t underestimate the power of free writing, during which you unleash all of the thoughts and anecdotes about your bestie that cross your mind onto the page. That way, you’ll be able to see all of your feelings and memories all together at once. From there, who knows? More likely than not, you’ll discover some sort of inspiration within these reflections.

The maid of honor speech outline.

1. how to start the maid of honor speech..

First off, introduce yourself and mention your relationship with the bride, and the couple. Next, be sure you thank whomever you feel is important enough to mention, depending on the circumstances and who paid for or planned the wedding — parents, other family members, wedding party members, etc. Congrats! You have two lines of your speech out of the way.

2. Talk about the bride.

Now things start to get more personal. If you were just going to express gratitude, it would be a toast, not a maid of honor speech. One crowd-pleasing story you might consider including is how you met the bride. If it’s not a particularly appealing or appropriate story, you might also consider a story about the two of you the really exemplifies your friendship, or a time when you knew you were going to be friends forever. If the two of you share a bond over food, maybe you could talk about that time the two of you tried (and failed) to make your own recipe from scratch. Maybe you were really frustrated at first when you were assigned to be partners in class because you didn’t think you were going to get along, but as fate would have it, you became inseparable. Get creative and get sentimental. And don’t be afraid to be funny .

3. Talk about her partner.

After talking about you and the bride, it might be a good idea to include how you first met her almost-spouse in the maid of honor speech. I once witnessed a maid of honor that had been friends with the bride for many years, and during her speech she recalled that the bride actually had set her and the groom up on a blind date at first. The maid of honor and the future groom talked about their common friend for the entire date—and the rest was history. You’re the bride’s right hand woman, but a wedding is all about celebrating the couple, so it’s a nice transition from talking about you and the bride into talking about the bride and her partner. It also shows your solidarity and support for their relationship. No matter how you truly feel about her partner, keep a happy face on.

4. Talk about them as a couple.

Speaking of which, after you explain how you met the bride’s new spouse, talk about the two of them as a couple. This works even better if you’ve known both of them for a long time. Maybe you were the bride’s roommate when they had their first date, and you witnessed her giddy nerves beforehand. Maybe you witnessed the very prolonged will-they-or-won’t-they period of their relationship. What did she tell you after they said "I love you," for the first time? At one wedding, the groom’s sister told a story that took place about three months before the groom and bride had gotten together. The sister was teasing her brother about his love life, when he said, “I’m in love with my best friend, but it will never happen, she’s not interested.” Her brother wouldn’t give any names — but three months later, she figured it out for herself when they started dating.

5. Keep it short and sweet.

In thinking about how to write a maid of honor speech, remember that it should only be about two to three minutes long. That’s just long enough to tell a few stories about the beloved couple and toast to a happy future. Everyone will probably be anxious to start dancing (or eating!) at this point, so there’s no need to drag on. We tend to talk more quickly when we’re nervous, so be extra aware to speak slowly.

6. Practice.

Be sure to practice your speech in advance — whether it’s in front of a mirror, your cat, or a family member or friend. You can even time yourself to make sure the speech is an appropriate length.

7. End with a toast.

Don't forget to toast to the happy couple at the end! Raising your glass is a great natural finisher to your maid of honor speech, and a guaranteed crowd pleaser. You can add a few words, like "Now, let's all raise a glass to the newlyweds!" or something similarly concise and to the point.

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What to NOT say in a maid of honor speech

Here's what to avoid when writing your maid of honor speech.

1. Exes, drunken nights or anything else remotely inappropriate.

It should go without saying, but exes or drunken debauchery should not be included in a maid of honor speech. A wedding is a family event, after all. Don’t talk about anything the bride wouldn’t mind her grandmother hearing.

2. Anything that could even potentially cause tension.

Don’t mention the high divorce rate — even jokingly. It will not be received well.

3. Don’t feel pressured to be anything but yourself.

If humor isn’t your strong suit, it doesn’t have to be a hilarious maid of honor speech. You can be nostalgic, sweet, or sentimental — but not drunk. Wait to drink until after your maid of honor speech .

Whatever you write in your maid of honor speech, the most important thing is that your words come from the heart. Even if you’re not a natural-born performer , speak with feeling and emotion — not like you’re reading a classroom assignment—and talk directly to the couple, rather than focusing on the many other faces in the crowd. Your bestie may not remember the exact words you said during your maid of honor speech, but she’ll remember the care and love behind it.

Related WeddingWire Articles

A Step-by-Step Guide to Nailing Your Maid of Honor Speech

Maid of honor delivering maid of honor speech to bride and groom.

As a wedding party member, you'll likely be asked to give a toast in honor of the newlyweds. In fact, giving a maid of honor speech is one of the most important maid of honor duties to complete on the wedding day. You may be a gifted orator, which means writing (and giving) a speech will be a breeze. But if the thought of speaking in front of a crowd makes you a little nervous , don't panic. We've created a step-by-step guide to help you nail your maid of honor speech. We break down what to say, how to say it and exactly how to get rid of any nervous butterflies you might be feeling. Use these tips to write a perfect maid of honor speech that'll bring the house down.

In this article:

Common Questions About Maid of Honor Speech Etiquette

How to write a maid of honor speech, best maid of honor speech examples, 5 tips for giving a great maid of honor speech.

Nailing your maid of honor speech can seem like a daunting task, but we're here to help you take the stress out of it. Here are answers to common questions people have regarding writing their maid of honor speech.

Does the maid of honor have to give a speech?

It's expected for a maid of honor to give a speech, especially if the other honor attendants are planning on giving one, but it's not required. Giving a maid of honor speech can be a fun experience, but it isn't for everyone. If public speaking makes you nervous, you can express yourself in other ways like through song, dance, or by creating a sweet love story presentation about the happy couple.

How long should a maid of honor speech be?

In addition to the maid or matron of honor speech, there might also be a best man speech , toasts from the couple's parents, or even a thank-you message from the newlyweds. Since there are several speeches to fit in with meal courses, dancing, games and additional reception activities , keep your salutations short and sweet. Aim to make your maid of honor toast a minimum of three minutes or at most five minutes.

Wedding guests will be excited to hear your well-wishes and funny stories, but a long MOH speech can lose the wedding guests' interest (especially if it's full of too many personal inside jokes). A three-minute speech gives you enough time to speak about the couple's love story, offer a personal anecdote or two and finish with encouragement for married life.

What do I do if there are multiple maids of honor?

If you are one of the multiple maids of honor, you and the others should keep your maid of honor speeches to three to five minutes long. Before delivering your speeches at the wedding, we suggest that you and the other maids of honor go over them together to make sure they aren't too similar (and if they are, to adjust accordingly). If you and the other maids of honor have a close relationship, want to create only one speech or you just don't want to give your speech alone, consider doing a joint maid of honor speech. By doing a joint maid of honor speech, you have more opportunities to be creative, like setting each other up for jokes or performing a heartfelt song together.

When does the maid of honor give her speech?

If the couple is following a traditional wedding speech order , the maid of honor gives her speech after the newlyweds' parents give their speeches. Typically, following the maid of honor is the best man. Keep in mind that that wedding speech order isn't for everyone since a couple's wedding party size and wedding reception timeline impacts the order too. Also, sometimes couples opt to have all the wedding speeches delivered during the rehearsal dinner. So check with the to-be-weds about the wedding speech order to confirm your spot in the toast lineup.

Wedding speeches are common activities at receptions. In addition to the maid of honor speech, there might also be a best man speech , toasts from the couple's parents, or even a thank-you message from the newlyweds. Since there are a number of speeches to fit in with meal courses, dancing, games and additional activities , keep your salutations short and sweet. Aim to make your maid of honor toast between two to three minutes, and try to avoid exceeding five minutes total.

Wedding guests will be excited to hear your well-wishes and funny stories, but a long MOH speech can lose the interest of a crowd (especially if it's full of too many personal inside jokes). A three-minute speech will give you just enough time to speak about the couple's love story, offer a personal anecdote or two, and finish with encouragement for married life.

Maid of honor giving matron of honor speech with bride standing next to her.

So, how do you write a maid of honor speech? You don't need to be a professional speechwriter to write a special toast for the newlyweds. Use this guide as a template for creating a heartfelt message that'll make everyone laugh, cry or both.

Reflect on your relationship with the couple.

Think about your relationships with each person in the couple. This is your time to write down any personal moments you shared with them. These moments can bring on some tears or laughs, but either way, it shows the wedding guests how you know the happy couple. Maybe you and one of the newlyweds went on an epic trip to Europe together. Or maybe you and the newlyweds have known each other since high school and have plenty of silly and maybe some embarrassing stories from that time. No matter which memory you choose, pick your favorite (appropriate) story and have fun with it.

Celebrate the couple's relationship.

Another part of your maid of honor speech should be dedicated to the couple's relationship. You can talk about when they first met, when you knew they were in love, or how you knew they were meant to be. If some of the details are a little fuzzy, talk with the other honor attendants or close friends of the couple to help refresh your memory. Overall, you want to paint a picture of how the couple was when they first met, how they've grown together and why they complement one another.

Avoid taboo topics.

There are certain topics you shouldn't have in your maid or matron of honor speech. It doesn't matter how you try to deliver it, these taboo subjects are liable to offend someone:

Negativity about marriage in general.

Past relationships.

Previous marriages/divorces.

Drinking, drugs, gambling.

"Adult" humor or any other mention of sex.

Remember, you don't want to cause any drama. Keep the focus of your maid of honor speech on uplifting the newlyweds and celebrating their love for one another.

Add jokes––but not too many.

Feel like you have a comedic gift? Consider adding some jokes, one-liners or funny marriage quotes to your maid of honor speech. Make sure you don't use any inside jokes or references that only you and the newlyweds would understand. Your speech should be something every wedding guest can appreciate and laugh at. This also means that your jokes shouldn't be too harsh or bring up any taboo wedding speech topics we previously listed.

Be deliberate about where you put your jokes and spread them out. You want your jokes to add comedic relief to a sentimental toast, not seem like a stand-up routine. Start your speech with a funny opening line so the guests can laugh and get an idea of what kind of person you are––plus, laughs give you time to overcome any nerves you might have.

Create your maid of honor speech outline.

Get creative and personalize your maid of honor speech as much as you want. A customized script will be much more endearing for guests. But when it comes down to it, a great wedding toast will include the following remarks:

An introduction, along with an explanation about your connection to the happy couple.

A word of thanks to the couple for inviting you to be part of their special day.

One or two personal anecdotes, like a favorite memory, joke or sentiment that most guests will understand.

Encouraging words of advice or a thoughtful quote about the newlyweds' future.

A closing remark, along with the invitation for guests to raise their glasses.

Wedding guest giving reception toast speech.

Need more than a maid of honor speech template to help you? Check out a few maid of honor speech examples to get your creative juices flowing.

Funny maid of honor speech example

Hello! For those of you who haven't had the chance to meet me yet, my name is [Your Name]. [Newlywed's Name] and I have been best friends since high school, which means we've been on each other's top eight friends list for a while. That's for my old Myspace users out there.

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Typically, public speaking makes me beyond nervous, but I knew I had to make a speech for one of the most important people in my life. I've known [Newlywed's Name] for a long time and have appreciated every special moment we've shared over the years. [Newlywed's Name] has a beautiful soul, and I'm so happy that [Newlywed's Name] has found someone that complements it.

As everyone probably knows [Newlywed's Name] isn't a shy person, so the fact that [Newlywed's Name] would always giggle and blush whenever referring to 'the hot coworker' and I knew something special was going to come out of it. I've gotten to know [Spouse's Name] really well over the years, and I can honestly say [Spouse's Name] is one of the most genuine and caring people I've ever met.

Everyone aims to find their one true love, their soulmate, the person that's going to love and cherish them for the rest of their lives. And that moment came for [Newlywed's Name]...when they met me 18 years ago. But in all seriousness, I wish you and [Spouse's Name] a long and wonderful marriage. Congrats to you both and I hope you find a lifetime of happiness together. Cheers!

Maid of honor speech for sister example

Hello everyone! If you couldn't tell already from our almost identical faces, I'm [Bride's Name] sister. We're only two years apart, so we've always been really close. We would do everything together, like that one time we got gum stuck in our hair on the same day and spent hours combing peanut butter into each other's hair to help get the gum out. Unfortunately, this didn't end up working, and we had to chop a lot of hair off.

Regardless of all the trouble we've got ourselves into, I can't imagine sharing such fun memories with anyone else. I've always looked up to [Bride's Name] and continue to think of her as a great role model to not only me but to many others as well. I feel so happy and proud to call [Bride's Name] my sister.

[Spouse's Name], you've come into our lives seamlessly, and I've never seen my sister happier. You're such a funny and loving person, and to this day, every time my sister talks about you she gets giddy. I really do think you guys are perfect for one another, and I can't wait to see how you grow even more as life partners.

Everyone raise your glass to congratulate [Bride's Name] and [Spouse's Name]. May each day be full of love and laughter!

Maid of honor speech for best friend example

Good evening everyone! I thought the most nervewracking part of being a maid of honor was going to be giving the speech, but fixing [Newlywed's Name] shoe malfunction before the wedding ceremony is high on the list.

I think I've calmed down by now, so I'll continue. My name is [Your Name], and I've known [Newlywed's Name] since college. We sat next to each other one time in an eight A.M. Spanish class and have been inseparable ever since. We've known each other for so long I would consider us siblings now, and I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful person in my life.

[Spouse's Name] is charming, intelligent, thoughtful and to quote [Newlywed's Name] after their first date 'sooo cuteee.' I consider myself a top-notch wingwoman and matchmaker, but even I couldn't have picked a better person for [Newlywed's Name] to fall in love with. Anyone can take one look at them together and see that they're a perfect example of 'meant to be.'

I'm honored that you both have not only chosen me to be a significant part of your big day but a significant person in your lives. I'm excited to watch as you two enjoy this new chapter in your lives as a married couple. I love you both so much!

Short and sweet maid of honor speech example

I would like to quote the famous American author, Mark Twain, who once said, 'To get the full value of joy, you must have someone to divide it with.' I think this perfectly explains why [Newlywed's Name] and [Spouse's Name] have always radiated so much joy since they've met each other.

I have no doubt in my mind that [Newlywed's Name] has found the person that they will spend the rest of their life with. You both make a beautiful couple, and may you continue to get the full value of joy out of life with one another.

Congratulations, [Newlywed's Name] and [Spouse's Name]!

Maid of honor speech being given at outdoor wedding reception.

Completing your maid of honor speech is a big accomplishment, but the work doesn't stop when you write the closing line. Giving a great wedding toast is all about the delivery. Here's how to nail your maid of honor speech with confidence.

1. Don't procrastinate.

We recommend you start writing your maid of honor speech at least two months before the wedding day. As the maid of honor, you'll be expected to attend and plan numerous prewedding events, like dress fittings, the bach party and the rehearsal dinner , which means you won't have much time to write as the wedding day approaches. Also, it won't hurt to write a few drafts and have someone you trust edit your work. By preparing in advance, you'll be able to fully focus on writing a toast that you're excited to read in front of a crowd and not have to worry about leaving a wedding event early so you can go home and write.

2. Be true to yourself.

This is the time to open your heart and share a few favorite memories or silly stories that capture your relationship with the newlyweds. So don't feel pressured to write a maid of honor speech that sounds overly professional. A great maid of honor toast is all about speaking honestly and naturally, so write how you generally speak. Don't forget that this isn't the time to use inappropriate language, since you will be speaking to the couple's nearest and dearest. Your writing should feel like a natural extension of the way you talk. Don't try to force something over-the-top. A genuine speech from the heart is impactful.

3. Write it down.

Yes, you're expected to make an amazing speech, but that doesn't mean you have to memorize it. Writing the entire speech word for word or just jotting down bullet points of your speech's outline can work wonders for your confidence. We suggest you read your maid of honor speech on index cards instead of reading it off your cell phone. Phones are more convenient to use, but the phone screen light that would wash over your face as you're reading your speech distorts wedding photographs. To avoid ruining any wedding photos, write your speech down instead––it's said that handwritten notes boost brain activity and optimize memory.

4. Practice in front of an audience.

Practicing your speech is just as important as writing it. As with any public speaking gig, you'll become more comfortable with the material as you practice it. Read your toast out loud a few times to catch any spelling or grammar errors. This will also help you find a rhythm—you'll know exactly when you want to pause for reactions and emphasize certain points, which is key for staying within a designated time frame. You can also read your words to another wedding party member for feedback. When the time comes to stand up in front of the crowd, you'll be grateful for the pre-performance audience.

5. Stay calm, cool and collected.

Whether this is your first time giving a wedding speech or you're a toast-making pro, it's normal to feel a little nervous beforehand. Take a few deep breaths to calm your nerves and collect your thoughts. Speak slowly and clearly, and remind yourself that guests are excited to hear what you have to say. As nerve-wracking as it might feel to give a big speech at your loved one's wedding, their heartfelt reaction to your words will make your efforts worth it. As soon as your speech is over, you'll be free to celebrate with the newlyweds and the rest of the wedding party.

Couple wedding toast during wedding reception.

In This Article

The Maid Of Honor Speech Outline

10 Maid Of Honor Speech Tips

Maid of honor speech template.

Wedding Party & Reception

Best Tips for Maid Of Honor Speech 2023: Samples & Ideas

maid of honor speech bouquets

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Your BFF just got engaged and has tapped you to be her maid of honor. Congrats! But what does it mean?

If you’re new to the role, there are the huge maid of honor responsibilities that you need to be aware of like planning the bridal shower and bachelorette party, helping the bride into her gorgeous dress, and nurturing her through the big day. The reason we’re here is a meaningful speech.

Of course, you want to deliver an unforgettable maid of honor speech. That’s precisely what we’re going to help with!

Read through our updated examples of the best maid of honor speeches, get inspired, and get writing.

FREE Download: Maid of Honor Checklist

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?

You want to say a few essential things and include an anecdote or two. But, you also don’t want to talk for so long that other speeches will be rushed. You may also run the risk of losing the audience’s attention. The sweet spot comes in at 3 to 5 minutes. It’s not tons of time to work with, so you’ll want to be organized and confident.

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maid of honor speech outline

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Pick a Maid of Honor?

Maid Of Honor Speech Examples For Best Friend

maid of honor speech best friend

It’s hard to keep calm when your best friend is getting married! This is her day when you can tell just how happy you are that she found her one and only! Don’t be afraid to get a little emotional. Celebrate your feelings by adding some inspiring wedding wishes into your maid of honor speech for a best friend and don’t forget to drink in your good friend’s honor!

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.

Best Friend Short Maid Of Honor Speech Examples

“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!”

Wedding Planning Printables: Everything You Need To Plan Your Big Day

Wedding Planning Printables: Everything You Need To Plan Your Big Day

Maid of honor speech samples for sister.

maid of honor speech sister

How to write a maid of honor speech for sister?

Figuring out how to write a maid of honor speech for your sister can be truly confusing. To help put things into perspective, take a look at this great list of maid of honor speech for sister ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

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”

Funny Wedding Speeches From Maid Of Honor

maid of honor speech funny

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.

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 for bridesmaids 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.

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.”

“The bride has always been the yin to my yang, the peanut butter to my jelly, the wine to my cheese. And now she’s found her perfect match in the groom. I mean, he’s no cheese, but he’s definitely a nice bottle of red.”

Sample Wedding Speeches For Bridesmaids

maid of honor speech sample

Wedding speeches from the maid of honor are usually not lengthy and take two to three minutes tops. This is why you would need to create your draft, and edit until you have just the right words put together to express just how you feel. 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 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. 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.

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.

Short Maid Of Honor Speech Examples

maid of honor speech example

Writing a short maid of honor speech can seem like a daunting task, but with a bit of preparation and creativity, you can deliver a memorable speech that honors the couple and celebrates their love.

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!

Short Examples Of Maid Of Honor Toasts

As a Maid of Honor, you might want to check some tips for giving good wedding speeches 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. 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. Of course, you want to make sure to make it personal – as we mentioned above – by introducing yourself, complimenting the bride and groom and the rest of the family, a cute story, and an invitation to the guests to raise their glasses. But, famous quotes have a way of painting a picture that our own words can’t seem to do on their own.

These beautiful maid of honor toast examples are sure to inspire.

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.

How To Write The Best Maid Of Honor Speech Ever

maid of honor speech how to write

As the maid of honor, it is best that your wedding speech starts with a brief introduction, then talk about the bride, and then end with the couple. You can wrap the speech up beautifully with a wedding toast that they will love.

If you’re planning to deliver one of the best maids of honor speeches of all time, you’ll definitely have to check out this list of DOs and DON’Ts before you get started.

Do: Open your speech with a self-introduction and your relationship with the bride. There are guests at the wedding who might not know you very well. Let them know how much you mean to each other. Don’t: Feel the need to be comical. A sweet, emotional story means so much more than a bunch of silly, inside jokes that everyone might not get. There will be a time and place for your special BFF humor, but leave it for the after-party.

Do: Tell everyone what an amazing person the bride is, how she is ALWAYS there for you, whenever, wherever! Also, it would be a nice opportunity to thank the rest of your girls for being a big part of the special day. Don’t: Make the bride look bad by saying things like “We thought this day would NEVER come.” That might sound funny at the hen party, but the wedding reception is not the place.

Do: Share her love story and how she met the groom and maybe an amusing (but not humiliating) anecdote or two about their courtship. The newlyweds would love to hear such tribute to their love. Don’t: Compare the groom to her former boyfriends. That might bring up some bad feelings and memories and it is definitely not the time or place.

Do: Describe what you love about the groom, his greatest attributes, and how much he means to the bride. You may want to include how the bride has changed(for the better of course) since she met the groom. Speak from your heart and mention how she became happier etc. It’s time to get emotional! Don’t: Be trite and say things to the groom along with the lines of “Call me when you get divorced.” You don’t want people throwing objects or start booing.

Do: Make the toast about BOTH the bride & groom, not just amusing stories of the bride. Usually, it’s a good idea to start the speech by talking about the bride and finish the speech by talking about her and the groom as a couple. Don’t: Get sidetracked and make the speech all about you. It’s HER day, not yours!

Do: Wish them a happy future, filled with love, a lifetime of joy, and so forth. Don’t: End your speech with phrases like “Cheers” and “Drink up!” You want to end on a sentimental note, not a cheesy one!

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.

Overall, here are some guidelines to make your Maid of Honor Speech shine like diamonds:

Infographic

how do i write a maid of honor speech

If you want to make sure that you deliver the best maids of honor speeches you can’t forget about the presentation. To help out we’ve prepared a great maid of honor speech template just for you. How to start a maid of honor speech? Most bridesmaid speeches start the same: Greet the audience and introduce yourself, then move on to your relationship with the bride. Ending a maid of honor speech can be a little more complicated. The best bridesmaids’ speech examples end off with well-wishes for the new couple and a simple toast of champaign. But, don’t be scared to add your own personal touch.

FREE Download: Maid of Honor Speech Template

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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Find a local wedding supplier, ultimate guide: how to write a maid of honour speech.

Modern Wedding Posted: January 15, 2020

So your best gal has asked you to be her maid of honour, how exciting! As you look forward to the incredible tasks of wedding dress shopping, hair trials and of course, planning the hen's party, you realise that you will also have a give a speech! Bit scary right? Well, don't worry, because we have the ultimate guide for how to write the most amazing maid of honour speech!

Write A Maid Of Honour Speech

The True Honour...

Remember the deliciously cringe-worthy maid of honour speech ‘duel’ between characters Annie Walker and Helen Harris in the blockbuster movie Bridesmaids ? While extremely entertaining to watch, it was almost the perfect example of what not to do. This observation may be pretty obvious, but many maids of honour do find themselves scratching their heads wondering what they should say. As a relatively new addition to the wedding speech lineup, the maid of honour speech is somewhat of a blank canvas and the challenge is to not replicate what’s already being covered in other people’s speeches.

For The Expert...

Anita Stevens , Founder of Write It For Me , who specialises in writing customised wedding speeches for members of the bridal party, says the beauty of a maid of honour speech is that without any traditional roots or official ‘duties’ to deliver, the format and approach are pretty flexible. “You can pretty much make it your own, but ultimately you should focus your speech on two things: celebrating your friendship with the bride and celebrating her marriage”, she says. "It doesn’t need to be a tear-jerking, gushing account of how great your friend is. The maid of honour speech can be just as entertaining, heart-warming, and funny as the best man‘s – in fact, I encourage women to really try to give the best man a run for his money in the comedy department and knock it out of the park.” Here’s Anita’s ultimate guide to writing a knockout maid of honour speech!

Introduce yourself...

It might seem like a no-brainer but people often forget to introduce themselves. You need to tell people who you are and explain your relationship to the bride. This gives your speech context and helps people connect with what you’re about to say.

TIP: Don’t feel like you have to open with a joke. There’s nothing worse than leading with a forced joke that falls flat. Your confidence will take a hit and you’ll create an awkward vibe that you may find hard to recover from. Let the speech and the humour build around the stories – don’t force it.

Tell a story...

Like any good story, your speech needs a beginning, middle and an end. A clear, simple structure is like a road map for your audience – it helps them stay on track and if they do get distracted they won’t get lost.

TIP: Try this basic structure for a maid of honour speech.

1. Introduce yourself – Tell people who you are and your relationship with the bride.

2. Start with the bride – Talk about why she’s a good person and friend. Don’t just say, “She’s really great”, share a story about why she’s great.

3. Share the love story – Share your version of how they met. What was her impression? What did she say? How did YOU know she had met The One?

4. Compliment the groom – Say some nice things about the groom. Why he’s great for your friend, share some of the nice things he does for her.

5. Celebrate the couple – Why they are great together, how their lives have changed for the better.

6. Share some words of advice - Wish them wonderful things for the future or offer some pearls of wisdom. You could also insert a quote or poem at this point.

7. Toast to the bride and groom - Raise your glass and say: “Here’s to the happy couple”, take and sip and you’re all done.

Inject humour but don’t force it...

Working humour into a speech is probably the hardest part. The best way to approach it is to write everything down and then look for the comedy. It might be a story about the bride or how the happy couple met. Comedy is everywhere – look to your stories and friends for inspiration if you’re having trouble.

TIP: If you’re not comfortable telling jokes or being funny then don’t. A genuine heartfelt speech beats try-hard humor every time. Be true to who you are. Oh and avoid internet jokes because a) they’re mostly terrible and b) people have heard them a million times.

Practice but don’t memorise...

Don’t feel you have to memorise your speech because you will only trip yourself up if you try. That’s not to say you shouldn’t practice. You should – a LOT. The trick is to know your speech well enough so that you only need to refer to your notes to jog your memory. The more you can look up and connect with the audience, the better.

TIP: When you practice you must read your speech out loud. You need to get a feel for the rhythm and it will help you weed out any awkward phrases and words that may trip you up.

Go easy on the anecdotes...

One or two anecdotes are enough. Avoid private or in-jokes because you will alienate people in the audience. Even if you fancy yourself as quite the entertainer, one or two good stories told well are much better than five average ones that seem to go on forever.

TIP: Avoid stories about drunken nights out or other really embarrassing moments. A little bit of embarrassment is funny but telling everyone about the time the bride wet her pants at school camp is not a good idea.

Less is more...

There’s nothing worse than a long wedding speech. Weddings guests are there for a good time, not a long time, and chances are you are not the only one speaking at the event. Brevity is good.

TIP: Aim to speak for no longer than five minutes. Any longer and you will probably start to see people looking at their watch or heading for the bar.

Be sure you've got it right - get it written!...

If you’re not a great public speaker or writer, why not hire a professional speechwriter to help you write your speech? Your bride and the guests will appreciate the gesture and you can relax and enjoy the event knowing you have the right words for your friend’s big day. Contact Anita at Write It For Me.

Most of all, remember a wedding is a happy occasion and the audience is having fun and they WANT you to succeed – so have some fun with it!

how do i write a maid of honor speech

Via Dos And Don'ts Of Wedding Speeches

Special thanks to Anita Stevens for sharing how to write the perfect maid of honour speech! You can contact her [email protected] or connect with her on Facebook .

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Cheat Sheet to Ace Your Maid of Honor Speech

If the idea of standing up in front of all those people frazzles your nerves, don't panic — these tips will help you write a toast you’ll be excited about..

bridesmaid giving toast

Photo Credit: Jessica Lauren Photography

What to Say

The words make the wedding. No matter how gorgeous the cake or flowers are, it's the toasts that fill the day with heart. Here's how to create an unforgettable start to the celebration.

DO open with who you are and how you know the bride. Not everyone in the room is from her side, and it creates a sense of connection to you and what you’re about to say.

DON'T feel like you have to open with a joke. Forget that misguided advice often given by corny uncles; It’s better to lead with sentiment and sweetness rather than a gimmick that can fall flat.

What to Say About the Bride

DO share a brief story on what you love most about the bride. Talk about positive attributes, such as how she lights up any room and is the first one to help a friend in need.

DON'T say, “Finally, she met the man of her dreams” or any other phrasing that indicates she may be the last one out of your friends to find her mate. That’s a big no-no!

DO briefly share how you knew she met The One . And this is where your funny story comes in, like how she started to use some of his catchphrases: “When Jen came home from a date with Evan and used the word ‘rad,’ we knew she was gone over him!” Or how she started to take an interest in his interests and passions (and the moment you spotted him in bike shorts, ready to take on one of her hobbies as well).

DON'T refer to how her partner is different from former boyfriends, such as “None of Jen’s other beaus ever wanted to put on biking shorts!” Never refer to any exes, period — even if you’re trying to be funny. Yes, Jen dated some clunkers, but you can save that for the bachelorette party roast.

Next, It's the Groom's Turn

DO say what you love about the groom, like how he treats her like gold, how sweet he is to her family, and how well he fits in with your circle of friends.

DON'T make that awful, cliché joke about wanting to clone him so that you can date him, or — even worse — say that “If it doesn’t work out between you two, you know where to find me.” Someone’s likely to throw a fish fork at you, and you'll deserve it.

DO focus on addressing both the bride and groom in your speech, not just the bride.

DON'T talk about yourself. It’s a huge flop of a toast if you were to say, “Well, with Jen so busy with Evan, and me finishing up medical school — at the top of my class, 90-hour weeks, you know — we haven’t spent much time together lately, but it’s like she’s always with me. I know that she’s there for me 100% in whatever I’m doing with my life.” How self-centered! Guard youself against using too many "I's" and "me's."

Keep the Charm, Cut the Crass

DO keep it classy and elegant, since you’re speaking to a room full of their relatives and friends; share only positive stories that cast the bride in the best light possible.

DON'T insert thinly-veiled "inside jokes" such as referring to "That time in Cabo." It’s a heinous error and cruel to hint at the bride’s wild, party days during this important moment in her life. Even if this is your style of joking around, skip the inside jokes.

Then They Lived Happily Ever After

DO wish them wonderful things in their future: A lifetime of love and joy, surrounded by family and friends who love them, for all of their wishes to come true and a life of ease and abundance.

DON'T just abruptly say, "Cheers!" to wish them luck and then sit down. You don't want your ending to be anti-climactic.

DO have a distinct ending to your toast; something sweet like a classic quote or song lyrics that "tag" your toast with an unforgettable, iconic saying.

DON'T forget to prepare your closer. Too many toast-givers tend to ramble on and on, spinning their wheels for a clincher at the end...awkward!

10 Steps to Nail Your Delivery

couple giving speech

If you’re concerned with the performance part of your toast, keep these tips in mind to help you shine in the spotlight:

1. Write out what you plan to say in phrases , not word-for-word. Having blocks of text in front of you gets you to speak more naturally than if you were to read stiffly from complete sentences on a page.

2. Keep it short. No one likes to listen to anyone drone on and on and on. Just a minute (perhaps a few seconds more), is all you need to deliver the perfect toast. Anything longer, and everyone thinks, “She likes to hear herself talk.”

3. Read your toast out loud to yourself , as well as a friend, to pluck out any awkward spots or tongue twisters.

4. Speak a little more slowly than you normally would . When people get nervous, they tend to talk super fast, which is when flubs and stammers happen.

5. Breathe! As you practice your toast, mark in red pen places where it’s best to take a "breath break" so that your reading comes out more naturally, instead of you gasping for air at the end of a long sentence.

6. Don’t lock your knees. When you’re standing to deliver your toast, keep your knees loose and your body relaxed to stand nice and tall.

7. Stay sober. Liquid courage isn’t going to result in a great toast, but rather spins off into slurred tangents, and the bride will never forgive you for being bombed during your big moment in her honor.

8. Make eye contact. When you’re talking about the bride and groom, look them in the eyes instead of staring down at your notes or having your eyes dart across the room. If looking at them directly makes you nervous, direct your gaze over the guests' heads and naturally look from side to side in sweeping glances, not locking eyes with anyone in particular.

9. Smile, even if you’re nervous. If you’re talking about something amusing in your toast, be sure your facial expressions match the levity of your story! Don’t just stiffly deliver your toast as if you're trying to get through it.

10. If you get emotional, it’s okay — let a few tears loose, don’t hold back. That’s simply a sign of how much you love the bride and how happy you are. Don’t feel like you have to fight it back.

How to Give a Sweet Bridal Shower Toast

As spokesperson of the bridal party, it's your job to say lovely things about the bride. But don't forget about those who co-planned the shower with you: Start your speech off by paying tribute to the bridesmaids and moms.

If you have games planned, keep your toast short and sweet to stick to the schedule.

This is the time when you can share cute inside jokes about you and the bride. For example, that time when you and the bride were five and used to dress up as brides, stuffing your bras with toilet paper and singing “Going to the Snapple” instead of "Going to the Chapel." Share those adorable tales about the bride, and—again—avoid the risqué ones. Her future mother-in-law is in the house, after all!

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The Maid of Honor Speech Guide: Tips, Examples, & Templates

how do i write a maid of honor speech

One of the most challenging maid of honor duties can be giving a speech at the reception or wedding ceremony.

Although the MOH is typically someone who knows the bride well as either a best friend, sister, or other family member, public speaking is one of the most common phobias, and the pressure to come up with the right words to describe the bride and groom can leave maids of honor not knowing where to begin.

To give maids and matrons of honor a good starting point for their wedding toast, we’ve pulled together some helpful tips for making your speech memorable.

How To Write a Maid of Honor Speech

How long should a maid of honor speech be.

A maid of honor speech typically only needs to be a few minutes long. Aim for 2-3 minutes, and it shouldn’t be longer than five minutes maximum. Very often there will be speeches from the best man, family members, or other members of the bridal party, so the maid of honor isn’t responsible for filling up the whole time. Keep it short and sweet!

What should a maid of honor speech say?

People will be interested in hearing about your unique relationship with the bride, any personal anecdotes you can share about the bride and groom’s history, and well wishes for the couple. Your toast should be positive and sincere. As the bride’s friend or family member, begin your speech with your focus on the bride and then compliment the groom and wish them well as a couple.

How do you make your maid of honor speech funny?

A maid of honor speech does not have to be funny, so don’t worry about coming up with a standup routine if jokes aren’t naturally your thing! A sincere and straightforward speech is going to be better than awkward or forced humor. That being said, the best way to make a funny maid of honor speech is to focus on telling stories that highlight the couple’s unique history. Write down your stories about the couple and look for the naturally funny moments. For example, you might gently tease the bride in your speech with a story about how she texted you in excitement after her first date with her new spouse. Lay on the charm and keep anything crude out of your notes. A maid of honor speech is not the time for crass language, inside jokes that most of the wedding guests won’t understand, or anything else that might make the bride or her family uncomfortable.

How do you end a maid of honor speech?

A maid of honor speech should end on a sincere and happy note. Celebrate the couple and how they make each other better, share your love for the bride, offer pearls of wisdom for a happy life together, or recite a meaningful quote. At the end of your speech, wrap up by offering a toast to the couple such as “wishing you both a lifetime of happiness” and raising your glass. If you are seated near enough to the bride and groom, feel free to give them a hug before sitting back down.

10 Do’s and Don’ts for Maid of Honor Speeches

how do i write a maid of honor speech

Do briefly 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.

Do 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 little unnatural), but practicing your talking points and cadence ahead of time can go a long way in making you feel more confident on the big day. If you are scared of public speaking, you can write yourself note cards that have bullet points or key phrases that will help you remember the points you want to make without reading word for word. Practice speaking more slowly than you would naturally (we tend to speed up our speech when we are nervous) and pausing to take breaths between transitions. Speaking your toast out loud to yourself will also help you hear any awkward parts or tongue twisters ahead of time so you can iron them out.

Do stay 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 a little alcohol might make you feel more relaxed and confident, too much can make your words sloppy, rambling, or less coherent. A drunk speech is not something you’ll want the bride to remember about her wedding day!

Do show genuine emotion

Even if you are nervous, remember to smile and make eye contact with the crowd or with the couple. People tend to be able to “hear” when you are smiling or not, and by actively smiling you will set yourself up to appear happier and more confident. Your facial expressions should mirror the speech you are giving and reflect your joy for the couple. It’s okay to let yourself get a little emotional as well. If you feel yourself starting to tear up, don’t feel like you need to force it back – it only shows your genuine love and happiness for the couple.

Do celebrate them as a couple

You may know the bride much better than her partner, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t include both of them in your speech. If you know both of them well, talk about how beautiful their relationship is or tell funny stories about their history. If you don’t know the bride’s partner well, focus on how happy they have made the bride.

Don’t mention any exes

While exes may seem like a comedy goldmine or an opportunity to favorably compare the groom to past partners, it’s simply inappropriate to bring them up and likely to make the bride and her new spouse uncomfortable. Leave exes in the past where they belong! Along those lines, if this isn’t the bride’s first wedding, avoid jokes about past weddings or marriages.

Don’t make it about yourself

Of course, you should feel free to tell stories that include you and the bride or the couple, but the focus should always be on the people getting married. Even if the bride is your sister or best friend, don’t make the speech entirely about your relationship to the bride. Avoid inside jokes that outsiders won’t understand, and don’t go overboard with anecdotes that take too much backstory or explanation. Absolutely don’t talk about your own personal relationship stories unless it’s to briefly share a piece of wisdom. Even then, those sorts of stories are best left to the mother of the bride or other older family members. Focus instead on what you think the bride would most like to hear from you on her big day.

Don’t ramble

When it comes to wedding speeches, sometimes less is more. Long unabbreviated stories will be less impactful than a few short sweet or funny anecdotes. When drafting your speech, write down the things you’d like to include and then edit out things that aren’t resonating as you practice. If you aren’t sure what to include and what to leave out, ask another friend or family member of the bride to be your sounding board while brainstorming your speech.

Don’t be generic or inauthentic

The bride asked you to be her maid of honor because the two of you have a special relationship, and your knowledge of the bride should be reflected in your speech. For example, if you and the bride have a goofy relationship, feel free to play up the jokes or gently roast the couple in a rated PG way, but don’t force yourself to say something the two of you would consider “sappy” if that’s not who you are as friends. As the bride’s friend you’ll know things about her like her passions, quirks, favorite movies, etc. Reference things that are specific to her and her partner to make it a speech that could only be about them.

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself

Everyone at the reception is there to have a good time and is already inclined to like you and your speech. We are often our own toughest critics, and it’s important to remember that the other guests likely won’t even notice little mistakes in your toast. The bride and guests will just be happy to hear from you and to toast the couple together.

Maid of Honor Speech Examples

how do i write a maid of honor speech

One of the best ways to start brainstorming a maid of honor speech is by using helpful writing prompts like the ones below.

Maid of Honor Speech Templates

Start by greeting everyone and introducing yourself.

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).”

Move on to what you love about your sister, the bride.

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.

Transition to a compliment about your sister’s partner.

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).

Wrap up your speech by toasting the couple

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:

Begin your speech by introducing yourself and sharing a brief history of your relationship to the bride.

Ex: “Hi everyone. For those of you who I haven’t had the chance to meet yet, 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 more proud to celebrate my friend today.

Talk about what you love about the bride.

Ex: “There are so many reasons to love (Bride). She’s smart, kind, and generous, 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.

Transition to complimenting the bride’s partner.

Ex: “Now, onto (Partner). 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 and good humor. However, it wasn’t until (insert anecdote) that I realized that he was (Bride’s) soul mate. It’s been such a pleasure getting to know you as an individual and as the perfect partner for my best friend. Thank you for loving her the way she deserves.

Finish by wishing them both well.

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!

Final Thoughts

We hope this helped get you started on your maid of honor speech writing! Are there any other tips you would have included? Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook , Twitter , or Instagram !

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

how do i write a maid of honor speech

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.

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how do i write a maid of honor speech

18 Comments

Suggestions for the maid of honor when she’s the mother of the bride…? I don’t wanna get too mushy I want to keep it lighthearted and fun but I want it to be special.

What a super special time for you and your daughter!

I would definitely recommend starting with some funny childhood stories, especially if you they feature any family members or friends who are attending. Pulling the audience in is the best way to capture their attention!

I totally get not wanting to get too mushy, but as her mom, you definitely have the opportunity for an extra hard tug at the heartstrings (and I absolutely suggest doing so!) Whether you talk about how you’ve envisioned this day since she was a little girl, or how you felt when you realized your daughter had met ‘the one’, speaking from the heart as her mom will add the perfect sentimental touch to your speech.

Good luck with everything- I have total faith that you’ll knock it out of the park 🙂

What should I write when I’m the step daughter of the bride

That is so sweet of your stepmother to ask you to be her maid of honor! During your speech, I would be sure to tell her how much your relationship as stepmother and stepdaughter means to you, as well as what her relationship with your father means to your family.

You are in a unique position that you have been such a close part of their relationship, so I would use that to your advantage!

What if I’m the maid of honor and need to write this speech, but really dislike the groom?

Unfortunately, this situation is more common than you may think and my advice is always the same- do not under any circumstances let your feelings about the groom be known during your speech.

Even if you can’t find it within yourself to say something nice specifically about the groom, this does not mean you should ignore him altogether. Simply include a few lines about the two as a couple, keeping it light and positive.

I’m the sister of the groom and barely know the bride! She and my brother live several states away and have visited a total of about 6 days (2 long weekends)- so there are no real stories or experiences about us. How do I pull this off?? Any tips would be wonderful!!

This is definitely a difficult position to be in, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still deliver a great speech!

My best recommendation would be to reach out to your brother and future SIL’s closest friends to ask for any stories they may have about them as a couple (e.g. how they met, a favorite memory, etc.) Just because you don’t have your own experiences to share doesn’t mean you can’t speak to their relationship through the voice of their loved ones.

Also, don’t make a point to say you don’t know the bride very well. Instead, say something along the lines of “I know that living far away from each other makes it difficult to spend time together, but I truly look forward to getting to know you better as not just a sister-in-law, but a friend.”

I hope this helps in some way! Good luck 🙂

Help! What if I’ve never met the groom? We’ve been long distance best friends for a while now.

For those MOHs who have never met/don’t know the groom very well, I always recommend that they talk to the bride for some insight. Start by asking your BFF about how they met, her favorite memories as a couple, and their hopes/dreams as husband and wife.

You can also reach out to the best man or other groomsmen to get their perspective of the groom and his relationship with your friend. Just because you don’t have your own experiences to share doesn’t mean you can’t speak to their relationship through the voice of their loved ones.

Hope this helps! Good luck 🙂

So, the bride and myself have only been friends for about a year and a half. We are so close though, it feels like we’ve known each other forever. How do I go about talking about our friendship when most of the suggestions are childhood memories or having known the bride for so long. Thanks!

Hi Brittany! I think the fact that you’ve only known each other for a year and a half, but are close enough to be playing such an important role in your friend’s wedding is so special. I would totally highlight that in your speech as a way to show the audience how welcoming and obviously lovable the bride is.

And just because you don’t have a long history together does not mean that you and your friend don’t have fun memories for you to reminisce on during your speech. You can also talk about your hopes and plans for the future of your friendship!

I hope this helps and good luck! 🙂

I feel like writing this speech for my sister’s wedding should be so easy, but I am struggling hard. I have so many funny stories but can’t figure out how to tie one or two of them together to create a wonderful speech. Please help!

Sometimes writing such an important speech for someone you love is the opposite of easy because you put so much pressure on yourself to make it perfect! I would recommend choosing stories that the audience can easily follow along with without feeling totally left out or lost. In other words, don’t rely on stories that feature an inside joke between you and your sister or you’ll be the only two laughing at the end.

I hope this helps! Good luck 🙂

Help!! My sister is getting married next September so I have some time but of course she asked me to be her MOH but her best friend had her as her MOH and I thought she was going to have her be hers in return since they are basically sisters and have known each other since they were very little. I love that I’m her MOH but is it possible to have two?? How should I go about bringing it up? I’m 6 years younger than my sister so her best friend knows more about her and her friends and the groom even since she was there watching them fall in love. I feel like I’m at a disadvantage. I don’t want to not be her MOH but I also rather share the title with her best friend that way we could make a killer speech??

Hi Kait, this is a tough position to be in! If you are simply worried about not making a great MOH speech, you could just let your sister know your fears and ask her if she would mind you bringing her friend in for some insight and inspiration.

On the other hand, if you truly feel that you could be a better MOH all around with your sister’s friend’s help, then I think it’s totally ok to let your sister know this. Just be sure to emphasize that it’s not because you don’t want to be her MOH at all, but that you really could use the support of her very close friend to make her wedding experience the best that it can be.

I hope this helps! If you have any more questions or concerns, feel free to let me know.

My big sister is getting married in September and she asked me to be here MOH. I’m struggling to write my speech for her because I dont have any fond memories with her, and we weren’t exactly the closest due to past occurrences. I’m very nervous with public speaking as is, so this is adding a lot more stress than I’d like. I’m lost of how to write a speech that’s short but meaningful.

Hi Beth, so sorry to hear that you’re stressing out about your speech! It can definitely be challenging to write a speech when you don’t have a lot of fond memories to touch on, but it’s certainly not impossible.

Since you and your sister have had a difficult past, my advice would be to instead focus the speech on the relationship she has with the groom. Keep it short by telling one good story about them as a couple, and wrap it up with your well wishes for their future as husband and wife. As long as you speak from the heart and sound sincere, your speech will be very meaningful!

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Here’s How to Nail Your Maid of Honor Speech (Examples Included!)

how to write a maid of honor speech

Writing a killer maid of honor speech is no easy feat, nor is delivering one — especially when you think about what you’re up against. The entire internet .

You can’t even search for inspiration without being bombarded with over-the-top, super creative speeches. That joke you crafted? Someone already made it, but they delivered it with a choreographed dance. That ending line you thought up? Someone already used it, but they timed it perfectly to a smoke machine. Every idea you had? They’ve all been done way better than you were ever going to do them.

Or at least that’s what it seems like.

While you’re free to go all-out, there’s not really a need to. A great maid of honor speech really only needs a few elements to make your best friend happy. And even if you completely fail, they’ll still love you for trying your best. So let that sink in and hopefully calm your nerves!

Here are the things to include, along with several bridesmaid speech examples. Using these tips from real life maids of honor, we can help you keep your cool and give a toast that both your bff and wedding guests will love! So raise your glass to the happy couple, because here we go.

SEE MORE: Wedding Speech Disasters

Need wedding planning help? Our wedding e-book will teach you everything you need to know!

Make It About The Couple, Not You

Lois, who was her sister’s maid of honor, advises that after introducing yourself and sharing what your relationship is to the bride, make the toast less about you and all about the couple. While guests will no doubt fall immediately in love with your winning personality, they traveled here to celebrate the bride and groom, so it’s best to make sure your maid of honor speech does the same.

“Take your moment to share, speak from the heart and be yourself while you’re doing it,” Lois said. But “don’t steal [the bride’s] shine in the process. It’s her special day.”

Anna, who was a maid of honor once and loves helping friends write their MOH toasts, agrees.

“It’s fine to share how you know the bride, and maybe a brief childhood story, but make the speech more about the bride/couple than your friendship with her,” she said.

WGM Says: As far as some guests are concerned, you’re a stranger. It might be obvious, but be sure to mention your name, that you are the maid of honor, and how you know the bride!

Keep It Brief

If you want to be a favorite of both the couple and their guests, keep your speech tight. A maid of honor toast that’s 2-3 minutes is your sweet spot: just long enough to share a heartwarming story or two, but not so long that it drags and everyone begins to check their watches.

Maid of Honor Anna is equally as passionate about brevity as she is about keeping things about the couple.

“Remember, it’s supposed to be a heartwarming and brief TOAST, not a 30-minute dissertation on your inside jokes,” she said. Keep it “short, sweet and to the point [with] one or two classy jokes and absolutely nothing embarrassing.”

You Might Also Like: Don’t Forget these Maid of Honor Duties

Skip The Inside Jokes

Like Anna, maid of honor Claire has found that inside jokes are best reserved for times when you aren’t holding a microphone.

“I’d definitely skip the inside jokes,” she said. “Don’t mention them, because people won’t get it and that’ll be awkward.”

Few things are more uncomfortable than a single person laughing at a joke told in a room full of people. So if you do want to tell a joke, Claire recommends going for something that will make your guests laugh along with the bride and groom and “make sure it hearkens back to a quality about the bride/couple that people will find relatable.”

Speak From The Heart

While speaking in front of a crowd can be nerve-wracking — and holding note cards with a few points you don’t want to forget is more than fine — reading a prepared speech line by line usually comes off as a little too rehearsed. Rather than over-preparing, Molly, who was her friend’s maid of honor a few years ago, believes that the best thing you can do as the MOH is speak from your heart.

“I planned one joke at the beginning, just to break the ice I suppose, but honestly didn’t plan much else,” she said, adding that she just “spoke from the heart about how much I loved my friend and how happy I was for her,” without sounding like I was “reading off of a phone.”

And if you fumble your words because of emotions or get a little choked up along the way? Don’t worry! The honesty of the moment will move the couple far more than the most beautifully written speech ever could!

Be Yourself

When it all comes down to it, you were chosen by the bride to be her maid of honor because of who you are, so what she wants to hear and see more than anything in your toast is you! Maid of honor, Samantha, exemplified that in her toast and gives this piece of advice to all maids of honor to be.

“A lot of people try to make it too humorous or too heartfelt or whatever,” she said, “but stick with what is comfortable for you. The bride picked you because she wants YOU, not what any other maid of honor is. Just be you, let your personality lead you and focus on why you love the bride and the couple. It’ll all come together if you stay true to that.”

Real Maid of Honor Speeches

Looking for real life maid of honor speeches? Don’t miss these popular videos that got millions of likes!

Here are even more tips for writing the perfect maid of honor speech for your bestie

Before you put pen to paper (or, ahem, keyboard to paper) you’ll want to keep these guidelines in mind:

Introduce yourself and explain how you met the bride

Guests want to hear if you’ve been BFFs since kindergarten or if you’re cousins who grew up down the street. Talk about why she’s such an amazing friend and how lucky you feel to be standing beside her. This can be as sentimental or silly as you make it, depending on you and the bride’s personalities, but remember that sweet never fails while attempts at humor can occasionally fall flat.

Don’t forget the personal details

While you should definitely talk about how you met the bride as mentioned above, you’ll want to keep the personal details coming.

For example, when writing your maid of honor speech, focus on incorporating personal details into sentences where you might normally say something generic.

Instead of “[bride’s name] is amazing,” try something along the lines of [I’ve been close with [bride’s name] for X years, because she’s extremely [caring, hilarious, loyal, etc.]” and follow it up with a quick story that illustrates how she’s [caring, hilarious, loyal, etc.].

Adding personal details to a general compliment is a great way to appeal to both the bride and all of the guests (even the ones that aren’t from the bride’s side). What you don’t want to do is tell a story or a joke that only the bride is going to understand. Keep the inside jokes for your texts!

This also applies to their partner. What do you love about them together? What was your first impression of the pairing (avoid phrases that sound like jokes but are really just insults: out of his/her league, downgrade/upgrade, etc.)? When did you realize they were perfect for each other? Where do you see them in 20 years? (As long as it’s not separated!)

SEE MORE: The Dos and Don’ts of Giving a Best Man Speech

Keep the Jokes to a Minimum

In a maid of honor speech, landing one joke is hard; — landing more than three is nearly impossible. It’s important to keep in mind that you don’t know everyone on the guest list, so something that’s funny to you could be offensive to someone else.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t show off your sense of humor! Just make sure you choose the right jokes. And pro tip: Make sure you’re pacing yourself. After you tell a joke, take a pause. If you talk too quickly, you won’t give enough time for the laughter to fill the room!

And Definitely Don’t Talk About Exes

You may find stories about the bride’s ex-boyfriends hilarious, but the maid of honor speech is not the time or place to bring them up. Save your jokes for the bachelorette party, where the bride’s embarrassment is up for grabs! Nobody wants to be reminded of their or their spouse’s ex’s on their wedding day.

Show it to Friends

You should absolutely show your MOH speech to a friend or two so you can get some feedback. There’s a shockingly good chance that you might think a speech is great, but when other people read it they aren’t on the same page. Instead of taking that risk, show your speech to a few friends and make sure it’s as good as you think it is.

Create an Outline…and Practice!

Even the best writers and speakers need to do several drafts (or five) before they get a great toast. The best way to start any speech is to create an outline, which could look something like this:

The Love Story:

Happily Ever After:

Once you write the speech, you’ll want to make sure you practice saying it out loud at least a few times a week leading up to the wedding. Consider recording it on your phone and saying it in front of the mirror, so you can see how you look. The more comfortable you are making the speech, the more you can make eye contact with the couple and guests at the wedding reception while you’re doing it!

Have an Ending

This isn’t 8th grade geography, so don’t end your speech like you’re concluding a PowerPoint presentation: “So… um, yeah!” Offer your well wishes, followed by something that prompts guests, like “Here’s to the newlyweds!” or “Cheers!”

Are you writing a maid of honor speech? Let us know how it’s going, below, and be sure to follow us on Instagram for more great wedding ideas!

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