As the maid of honour, you have a crucial role on your best friend’s wedding day. One of your most important duties is delivering the maid of honour speech.
This speech is an opportunity to express your love for the bride, share fond memories, and wish the couple well in their new journey together. Writing and delivering this speech might seem daunting, especially if you’re not used to public speaking.
However, your speech can be heartfelt, memorable, and effective with the right preparation and structure. Follow these steps to create a winning Maid of Honour speech that everyone will remember.
Let’s get straight to the point.
A maid of honour speech should be heartfelt, concise, and focused on celebrating the bride and groom. Start by introducing yourself, sharing personal stories about the bride, highlighting the couple’s relationship, and offering wisdom for their future.
Keep the speech between 3 and 5 minutes, avoid overly formal language, and use light humour without embarrassing stories. Practise your delivery, maintain eye contact, and end with a simple toast. Above all, speak from the heart and enjoy the moment!
Step-By-Step Guide To Writing Your Maid Of Honour Speech
1. Introduction: Start With Gratitude And Excitement
- Begin by introducing yourself. Explain how you know the bride and, if applicable, the groom.
- Express your happiness and gratitude for being part of their special day.
- Thank the couple for inviting you to participate in their wedding.
2. Share Personal Stories
- The heart of any great maid of honour speech is your connection with the bride.
- Think back to when you first met her. Share a story or memory that captures the essence of your relationship.
- Choose stories highlighting her qualities and how she has been a wonderful friend.
For example:
“I’ve known [Bride’s Name] since we were in high school, and from the very first day, I knew we would be best friends. She has always been caring, supportive, and someone you can count on.”
3. Introduce The Couple’s Relationship
- After sharing your memories, focus on the couple’s relationship.
- Talk about how you’ve seen the bride grow through her relationship with the groom.
- If you know the groom well, feel free to share a story about how they met or something that shows their connection.
For instance:
“I remember the first time [Bride’s Name] talked about [Groom’s Name]. Her eyes lit up, and I could tell that this was something special. Since then, I’ve seen them support and love each other through thick and thin.”
4. Offer Advice Or Wisdom
- This part of the speech is where you can offer advice or wisdom for the couple’s future.
- You could share a quote, proverb, or personal insight on marriage and love.
For example:
“As you both embark on this journey together, remember that love is not just about finding the right person but being the right person. Always communicate openly and never stop laughing together.”
5. Keep The Speech Light And Positive
- Humour is welcome, but make sure it’s appropriate for the occasion and audience.
- Avoid inside jokes that only a few people will understand.
- Keep your speech light-hearted, positive, and filled with good wishes.
6. End With A Toast
- Close your speech by raising a glass to the couple.
- Keep the toast simple and sincere.
For example:
“Let’s all raise a glass to [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], to a lifetime of happiness, love, and adventure together.”
Additional Tips For Writing A Memorable Speech
1. Be Genuine
- When writing your speech, focus on sincerity. Speak from the heart and let your feelings guide your words.
- You don’t need to use complex language or fancy vocabulary. Just be yourself and let your connection to the bride shine through.
2. Practice Your Speech
- Practice your speech several times before the big day. Rehearse before a mirror or a friend to get comfortable with the content.
- Familiarising yourself with the speech will help reduce nerves and ensure you can deliver it confidently.
3. Keep It Short And Sweet
- Aim for your speech to be around 3-5 minutes long. This is enough time to cover all the key points without losing the audience’s attention.
- Avoid dragging the speech out with unnecessary details. Stay focused and concise.
4. Avoid Embarrassing Stories Or Jokes
- While humour is great, steer clear of any embarrassing or inappropriate anecdotes.
- The focus of your speech should be on celebrating the couple and their love, not awkward moments.
5. Use Simple Language
- Stick to simple language. Avoid overusing adjectives or phrases that sound too formal or forced.
- Make sure your speech is easy to understand and resonates with the audience.
Practising And Delivering The Speech
Writing the speech is only half the battle. Delivering it confidently is just as important. Here are some tips to help you perform the speech like a pro:
1. Practise Aloud
- Once you’ve written your speech, practise reading it aloud multiple times.
- Rehearsing aloud will help you get comfortable with the wording and identify tricky sections.
2. Time Your Speech
- Time yourself while practising to ensure your speech doesn’t run too long.
- Adjust the length to stay within the recommended 3-5 minute timeframe.
3. Manage Nerves
- It’s normal to feel nervous before giving a speech. Take deep breaths and focus on the positive energy in the room.
- Remember, the audience is filled with people who love and support you.
4. Make Eye Contact
- Make eye contact with the bride, groom, and guests during the speech.
- This will make your speech feel more personal and engaging.
5. Bring Notes, But Don’t Rely On Them
- You can bring notes or cue cards to the podium, but avoid reading your speech word for word.
- Use the notes as a guide and speak naturally.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
1. Don’t Overdo The Adjectives
- Avoid using overly descriptive phrases or strings of adjectives. Keep your language clear and direct.
- For example, instead of saying, “She’s the most beautiful, kind-hearted, wonderfully amazing bride,” say, “She’s a kind, caring, and beautiful person.”
2. Avoid Inside Jokes
- While it might be tempting to share inside jokes, remember that most of the audience won’t understand them.
- Stick to stories and jokes that everyone can appreciate.
3. Don’t Make It About You
- Your speech should focus on the bride and groom, not your experiences or feelings.
- While sharing personal stories is okay, focus on celebrating the couple.
Conclusion
Writing a maid of honour speech can be a rewarding and emotional experience. By following these guidelines, you can craft a heartfelt, sincere, and memorable speech.
Remember to speak from the heart, keep the tone light and positive, and focus on celebrating the bride and groom’s love.
Above all, have fun and enjoy the moment! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share your love and support for your best friend on one of the most important days of their life.
FAQs About Wedding Speech
What Do You Say In A Maid Of Honor Speech?
Tell a story
- Introduce yourself – Tell people who you are and your relationship with the bride.
- Start with the bride – Talk about why she’s a good person and friend.
- Share the love story – Share your version of how they met.
- Compliment the groom – Say some nice things about the groom.
How Long Should A Maid Of Honor Speech Be?
A maid of honour speech is typically only a few minutes long. Aim for 2-3 minutes; it shouldn’t be over five minutes maximum.
How Do You Introduce Yourself In A Maid Of Honor Speech?
Tell guests who you are, mention you’re the Maid of Honor and highlight your relationship with the bride. That way, the speech gives context and helps the guests to connect with what you’re about to say. Remember that it isn’t about you.
Who Qualifies To Be A Maid Of Honour?
The Maid of Honor refers to a bride’s honour attendant who is NOT married. The Matron of Honor refers to one who is married. Honour attendants are usually best friends or sisters. Recently, though, some brides have selected their mothers for this role.
Does The Maid Of Honour Carry A Bouquet?
During the ceremony, the maid of honour’s responsibilities include holding your bouquet while you and your spouse exchange a vow and holding the groom’s ring.
