Download Article
An easy-to-follow outline for the perfect maid of honor speech
Download Article
Being the maid of honor is, as the name suggests, a huge honor. Delivering a maid of honor speech can feel overwhelming, but it’s a great way to show the newlyweds how much they mean to you. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to write a maid of honor speech, including tips on how to deliver it. We’ll also provide example speeches and answer additional questions about maid of honor speeches.
Writing a Maid of Honor Speech: An Overview
- Introduce yourself and how you know the couple.
- Talk about the bride and what makes her special.
- Compliment the bride’s partner and reflect on their relationship.
- Share a couple of personal anecdotes or sweet memories.
- End on a positive note with well wishes or advice.
- Finish your speech by asking the audience to join you for a toast.
Steps
Section 1 of 4:
How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech Outline
-
Introduce yourself and your relationship to the bride. Begin your speech by introducing yourself and how you know the bride (or the couple). As the maid of honor, you’re likely a relative or good friend of the bride, but it’s important to remember that not every guest will know who you are. Greet the room and briefly explain your relationship. [1] X Research source
- For example, “Good evening, everyone. My name is Rachel, and I’m the sister of the beautiful bride.”
- Or, “Hi, everyone. My name is Penny, and I’ve known this lovely couple since college.”
-
Highlight the bride and talk about what makes her special. Briefly offer the newlyweds a few compliments, then turn your attention to the bride. In traditional weddings, the maid of honor speech is mainly directed at the bride, while the best man’s speech is directed at the groom. Share a few heartfelt sentiments about the bride, highlighting what you love about her and what makes her special. Talk about who she is and what she was like before meeting her spouse. There will be time to talk about them as a couple later. [2] X Research source
- For example, “Ashley has always been an incredible big sister. She’s kind and thoughtful but isn’t afraid to be hard-headed when it comes to things she’s passionate about. I’m so lucky to have her as a role model.
- Or, “Since you’re all here at the wedding, I’m sure you already know just how smart, talented, and amazing Kenzie is. She’s always been there for me through thick and thin, and she’s the best friend a person could ask for.”
- If there isn’t a bride or there are two brides, your main focus should be on the person who asked you to deliver the speech and whose side of the aisle you stood on during the ceremony, if applicable.
Advertisement -
Reflect on the couple’s relationship. Many maid-of-honor speeches start by focusing on the bride and then transition into how the relationship has changed her for the better. This is the time to offer compliments to the bride's partner and mention all the great things about their relationship. Talk about things like when they first met, when you knew they were in love, or how you knew they were meant to be. [3] X Research source
- For example, “I knew Melissa was the one for Valerie because they always matched each other’s wit. I mean, the banter was crazy! It was like watching a rom-com in real life.”
- Or, “When Sarah first brought David home, we all knew right away that it would last forever. We’d never seen someone who could make her smile so much, and he always looked at her with so much affection.”
-
Share one or two personal anecdotes about the bride or the couple. It’s one thing to say that the bride is funny or that the couple is meant-to be. But to deliver an amazing maid of honor speech, it’s important to show it. Think of your favorite memories or stories that reflect how you want to portray the bride or the couple. These can be funny or sweet, but they should tie into the overall theme of your speech. [4] X Research source
- For example, if you want to highlight how romantic the bride is, say something like, “You all probably know that Bella is a hopeless romantic, but did you know that she used to force me to play weddings with her as a kid? Let me tell you the story…”
- Or, if you want to talk about how the couple met, say something like, “Not to brag, but I’m actually the reason these two got together. Let’s take a trip down memory lane to a little bookshop five years ago…”
- Remember, your focus should be on the couple, not yourself. Make sure your anecdotes are mainly about the bride or the couple and that they reflect them in a positive light.
- It’s okay to add a few jokes here and there, too, but don’t go overboard. Try to focus on jokes that the whole audience can enjoy, as well, rather than including a bunch of inside jokes between you and the bride that will go over everyone else’s heads.
-
End your maid of honor speech with well wishes and a toast. Make sure all of the elements of your speech tie together nicely at the end. Consider ending with a romantic quote, and offer the newlyweds your best wishes. Raise your glass and propose a toast to the couple to conclude your speech. [5] X Research source
- For example, “You two are the perfect couple, and I’m absolutely blessed to call you my friends. Here’s to the Johnsons—may you continue to make each other laugh for many years to come.”
- Or, “Your love is so inspiring, and it’s been so special to watch it grow. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness. Here’s to the happy couple!”
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
- Remember to make eye contact with the couple and the audience while giving your speech.Thanks
- Brainstorm a bunch of different themes and ideas for your speech, then choose the one that you like the best. For example, would you prefer a humorous speech or a sentimental one?Thanks
- Even if you don’t know the bride’s spouse well, make sure to compliment them and include them in your speech.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://www.weddingsonline.ie/blog/how-to-write-a-killer-maid-of-honour-speech/
- ↑ https://www.weddingsonline.ie/blog/how-to-write-a-killer-maid-of-honour-speech/
- ↑ https://www.weddingsonline.ie/blog/how-to-write-a-killer-maid-of-honour-speech/
- ↑ https://www.wedding-spot.com/blog/maid-honor-speech-ideas
- ↑ https://modernmoh.com/maid-of-honor-duties/how-to-write-speech/
- ↑ https://bridalmusings.com/189149/write-maid-of-honor-speech-with-examples/
- ↑ https://www.wedding-spot.com/blog/maid-honor-speech-ideas
- ↑ https://www.wedding-spot.com/blog/maid-honor-speech-ideas
- ↑ https://www.weddingsonline.ie/blog/how-to-write-a-killer-maid-of-honour-speech/
- ↑ https://bridalmusings.com/189149/write-maid-of-honor-speech-with-examples/
- ↑ https://www.weddingsonline.ie/blog/how-to-write-a-killer-maid-of-honour-speech/
- ↑ https://www.weddingsonline.ie/blog/how-to-write-a-killer-maid-of-honour-speech/
- ↑ https://thespeakerlab.com/blog/bridesmaid-speech-examples/#dosanddontsofdeliveringamemorablebridesmaidspeech
- ↑ https://www.wedding-spot.com/blog/maid-honor-speech-ideas
- ↑ https://www.theknot.com/content/maid-of-honor-etiquette
- ↑ https://www.wedding-spot.com/blog/maid-honor-speech-ideas
- ↑ https://www.provenance.co/post/how-to-write-a-perfect-joint-wedding-speech-tips-for-bridesmaids-and-groomsmen
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 564 times.
Advertisement