maid of honor speech

maid of honor speech

Tips for Delivering an Unforgettable Maid of Honor Speech

1. Introduction

So, your best friend is getting married and has bestowed upon you the honor of maid of honor. You have been there through thick and thin with her and have shared numerous memories, both good and bad. Your feelings for her go beyond that of just a friend, she’s more like a sister to you. Now she’s getting married and you don’t really know how you’re going to get through the wedding without all the waterworks. With being her maid of honor, you take on a great duty of helping her with anything she needs and keeping her as relaxed as possible. One of your main duties will be helping her with the wedding planning and most importantly helping her plan the wedding ceremony and reception. Now you end up with taking on another big duty, deliver a maid of honor speech. Uh oh! Time to break out in hives! Just kidding ???? Actually, it’s really not all that bad. Remember, everyone there to see the bride happy wants to hear what you have to say about her, that’s why they invited you to partake in the wedding. Now most of you are probably thinking, how in the world am I going to write a speech, let alone deliver one in front of a huge audience? I too had the same initial thoughts and went into a frantic panic. After spending numerous hours planning it out and practicing in front of others who assured me I’d do fine, I managed to deliver a speech I was pleased with; and most importantly the bride thought it was good and I got a good response from the audience. So here are a few tips and hints to help you deliver an unforgettable maid of honor speech.

2. Expressing Love and Gratitude

Speak from the heart. Think of a few of the kindest things that your friend has done for you or someone else. Speak of her patience, her compassion, and the fact that she has always been there for you, even when things were not fun. Make a list of the good qualities that the bride possesses. Noting specific instances where she demonstrated these attributes would be a great way to exemplify. This may take some brainstorming, but the right memories will bring more sincerity to the speech. Thank the bridesmaids and groomsmen for all of their hard work in putting the wedding together. And don’t forget to say how happy you are about gaining a new “sister” or an additional daughter to your family (assuming that the groom has siblings or that your parents love the new spouse). These are all gestures that express love and gratitude. Remember that the speech should be positive and uplifting. Any embarrassing remarks or stories should be taken lightly and not cross a line that makes anyone uncomfortable. The next approach is to share with your friend how much she means to you. If you can get through this part without tears, you’re stronger than most! As best friends, we usually see each other through the ups and downs of life. Friends are often the ones that keep us sane and serene, offering 2 helping hands and a gallon of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. This is especially poignant since your friend is about to make a huge change in her life. It’s nice to remind her that things may be different, but you will always be there for her. Close with a toast to the Bride and Groom, wishing them unending love and happiness. I am the queen of poetry and meaningful sayings, but having flashcards is always a good idea for a toast. Flipping through your mental filing cabinet of memories searching for the right words may not come as easily as imagined! You can take my word for it!

3. Sharing Memorable Stories

This step is where you plan to blow your audience away. Use vivid stories that paint a picture and create more meaning for the audience. Include the touching, self-revelation stories but steer clear of inside jokes that will leave everyone out. Although inside jokes are special to the bride and you, they can potentially leave the audience feeling alienated, especially if it’s a large, diverse group. They add a personal touch, yes, but would you really want the people closest to the bride to feel left out? Choose stories that portray the bride in a positive light, things that you love about her. And don’t forget to show emotion—you’re laughing out loud or fighting back the tears now, you’d do anything to NOT sound and look monotone. Lastly, do not be afraid to creatively set a mood or scene before you tell your story. This can stimulate a few of the five senses for the audience. Remember, the more significant this day is to you, the greater the impact of the stories you tell, so aim high!

4. Highlighting the Couple’s Special Qualities

When you present the exceptional qualities of the bride and groom, the guests will feel closer to the couple. Discuss the moments when you and others realized the couple was meant to be. Perhaps it was when you saw how happy the bride was when the groom cooked her dinner, or how after years of dating the groom still called the bride to say goodnight. This is also the perfect time to embarrass the couple, but keep in mind that the story should be light-hearted and fun for everyone, especially the bride and groom. Avoid anything that could be embarrassing or overly personal. This would be a good opportunity to thank the couple for the impact they have had on your life and others. An example would be acknowledging how supportive the couple was when you decided to go back to school and finish your degree. A good MOH speech will bring back happy memories and create new ones. Remember that the speech sets the tone for the evening, and the goal is to set a tone of love and happiness. A well-written and well-presented speech will leave a lasting impression not only on the bride and groom but also the guests. Remember to talk to the groom in the days leading up to the wedding. It never hurts to ask for his opinion on a few things and you might get some good material. Listen to anything he says about the bride and use it! He will appreciate that you cared enough to listen and it will be a nice surprise for the bride. Any extra details you can get from friends and family will be useful. It is always good to get second opinions on certain details about the couple. Make sure to write everything down and organize it. You probably won’t be able to use every story or detail but having lots of good material gives you the opportunity to pick and choose and organize it in the best possible way. Avoid repeating anything other speakers have said, especially if they are giving the same sentiment. This is your speech; make it unique and from the heart.

5. Closing with a Heartfelt Toast

Many great speeches are forgotten because there is no cement that seals them into memory. Remember that a toast is a ritual in which a drink is taken as an expression of honor or goodwill. Its ultimate purpose is to keep friendly feelings among the company present, and to suggest good luck to the person honored. It gives the audience a signal that it is time to shower the couple in toasts and good wishes. This is a signal that the speech is over and it is time to show the person being honored that you care. Animated props are effective to use to get everyone’s attention focused on you for the toast. A simple prop to use is to place two special cans of liquors identified as the bride and groom’s favorite drinks. Pour the drinks into fancy plastic cups filled with ice and walk to the person you are toasting and offer them the drink. A fun and creative way to get everyone involved in toasting the couple is to give everyone a single rose and ask them to stand in a circle around the newlyweds. Offer a brief explanation of why you have gathered them and what you are going to do. And then ask everyone to cheer and toast the couple and drop the rose after you have done it. This method is a great photo opportunity and it leaves the newlyweds with a circle of roses and a lasting impression of their wedding day in their minds.