Although it can be stressful, being a maid of honor comes with unmatched memories and stories to look back on. Some common stressors include planning a bridal shower or bachelorette party, keeping the bride sane throughout the wedding planning process, and (the topic of this article) writing the perfect maid of honor speech. Here are some suggestions!
Focus on the Bride at First, End on the Couple
Whether the bride is your sister or your bestie, they chose you for a reason. You likely have known them long before their soulmate entered the picture – and you’ve seen them transform in front of your eyes. Start your speech by introducing your relationship with the bride before talking about the couple and how they’re better together. Think about how the two complement each other, how happy they are together, etc.
Throw in Personal Anecdotes
Forget the Hallmark card sayings and dig deep into your memory bank for a good story or two. Short stories communicate your relationship with the bride better than a few clichés ever will. If you can, combine a couple of short stories, then tie them together with one solid theme, like how much you adore the bride or how she’s been a great teacher or role model.
Create and Adhere to an Outline
The stories and jokes are all yours. But the outline? That’s us. Follow this outline to give the best maid-of-honor speech ever:
- Introduce yourself and state your connection to the bride.
- Thank the couple for inviting you to be part of their day.
- Throw in an anecdote or two that the crowd will get, like a memory, joke, or sentiment.
- Provide some advice, encouraging words, or a thoughtful quote.
- End with a closing remark and a toast for everyone to raise their glasses.
Avoid Taboo Topics
Your maid-of-honor speech should be appropriate for all attendees. So be sure to nix inappropriate or taboo topics, such as:
- Any negativity about the new marriage
- Any past relationships
- Anything to do with drinking, drugs, gambling, or addiction
- Any mention of sex
Keep It Short and Sweet
The key to the perfect maid-of-honor speech is to ensure you don’t waste time or bore guests. This means you’ll want to keep it short and sweet – ideally 2-3 minutes.
Speak Clearly
You want people to be able to hear your speech! So be sure to speak loudly, clearly, and slowly so the crowd can hear you. Nervous energy can alter your speech, so be sure to practice!