Download Article
Plus templates, examples & tips to make the big day unforgettable
Download Article
Being chosen as a bride’s maid of honor is already a special privilege, but it can feel even more special when the bride is your beloved sister. We know you probably want to rise to the occasion and deliver a maid of honor speech for your sister that will bring her to laughter, tears, and make her special day even better. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to writing a maid of honor speech for your sister, along with a handy outline and tips on delivering your speech flawlessly. Then, all you have to do is get your tissues ready!
What to Include in a Maid of Honor Speech
- Introduce yourself and mention your relationship to the bride.
- Share some funny or sentimental memories.
- Talk about the bride’s journey and her special qualities.
- Share the newlyweds’ love story and why they make a good match.
- Address your sister’s partner directly and welcome them to the family.
- Offer well-wishes for the couple's future and close with a toast.
Steps
Section 1 of 5:
How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech for a Sister
-
Start with a friendly opening and introduction to your speech. Welcome guests and express gratitude to them for being a part of your sister’s special day. Then, introduce yourself and your relationship to the bride. Keep in mind that this part of the speech will set the tone for the rest, so make sure it’s true to you and engages the attendees in a fun or heartfelt way. [1] X Research source
- Example: “Hi, everyone! Thank you so much for being here this evening, I’ve had the best time celebrating this special day with all of you. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m [ bride’s name ]’s younger sister, and I’m so excited to tell you all about my big sis and how happy I am for her.”
-
Talk about childhood memories and anecdotes. This section of your speech can be more sentimental or nostalgic, talking about all of your special moments with your sister and all she’s done for you, or you can tell a funny story from your time growing up together. Consider including ways you looked up to your sister, special nicknames you called each other, or secret things you used to keep from your parents.
- However, try to avoid really embarrassing stories. Even if you think they’re funny, you don’t want to run the risk of humiliating your sister in front of her friends and family, not all of whom she may feel close to.
- Similarly, remember to stay positive. While you might privately reflect on how happy you are that your sister has gone through so much heartbreak to find her true love, mulling over toxic exes or other life hardships may not be appropriate for a maid of honor speech.
- Example: “One of the most defining memories that comes to mind when I think of my sister is my first time I visited her while she was living abroad in Tangier. In a classic older-sister move, [ bride’s name ] insisted on doing all the navigation herself as we road-tripped along the Moroccan coastline and obviously…we got lost. That’s how we found ourselves stumbling into an invite to a random local family’s dinner table where we experienced an evening of laughter, broken French, and an impromptu visit to their family holiday the following week. With [ bride’s name ], you can always expect even the most nerve wracking of mishaps to turn into a heartwarming and memorable adventure.”
Advertisement -
Tie your memories to the present with an overview of the bride’s journey. Transition from your childhood memories to talk about how your sister has grown and changed over time. Talk about your sister’s personal growth, her achievements, and how proud you are of how far she has come in life. [2] X Research source
- Example: “And adventure is really the name of the game when you’re lucky enough to share a life with [ bride’s name ]. She turns every day into something fun and exciting, even when you’re just sitting around the house. She makes a bad day better, and a good day unforgettable. I’m so grateful to have a sister like that, but I’m even more grateful for the distinct honor of watching her grow into such an incredible and beautiful person who’s about to embark on what will arguably be her greatest adventure yet (besides ours in Morocco, obviously).”
-
Transition from talking about you and your sister to the newlywed couple. Present stories of love about your sister and her new spouse. Talk about the depth of their love, the reasons why they’re perfect for each other, and personal moments that you’ve witnessed that show the strength of their relationship. [3] X Research source
- Keep this section as personal as possible—rather than cliched or overused statements about love, try sprinkling in some personal anecdotes or inside jokes about the couple.
- Example: “And, as ever, my sister has really turned her love story into an adventure. She and [ groom or bride’s name ] met on the other side of the world, despite being from the same small town here in Michigan. They fell in love doing things that would send most of us in this room (including me) into an absolute meltdown—if you don’t know, their first date was ziplining in the Alps. And despite a mutual love of spontaneity and adrenaline-pumping stunts, I’ve seen how [ bride’s name ] and [ groom or bride’s name ] love and care for each other in the quieter moments. How, when it comes to being with the person you’re meant to be with, there’s few adventures greater than just building a home together, wherever that home may be.”
-
Close your speech with gratitude, well wishes, and advice for the future. Wrap up your speech by welcoming your sister’s new spouse to the family and offer them well-wishes for their future together. If you have any pearls of wisdom for them as they embark on their marriage journey, this section would be the place to include it. Consider also extending appreciation to the families of the newlyweds, as well as the guests of the wedding. [4] X Research source
- Example: “[ Groom or bride’s name ], we’re so lucky to have you as part of our family, and I’m so grateful for all the love you’ve given my sister. I’m so excited to watch how the two of you navigate this next chapter together, and please know I’ll be by your side for the ups, downs, and in-betweens. I’d also like to extend my appreciation and warmth to all of [ groom or bride’s name ]’s family and friends who are with us today for sharing such an incredible person with me and with my family.”
-
Give a final blessing and toast the newlyweds before ending your speech. End your speech with a sincere blessing for your sister and her new spouse, and raise your glass so that all of the attendees join you in a toast. For an extra-special touch, consider making a callback to an earlier story or theme in your speech to make everything tie together. [5] X Research source
- Example: “And with that in mind, I’d like to ask everyone to join me in raising a glass to this beautiful, outstanding, death-defying couple. May your adventure together last a lifetime.”
Advertisement
Section 4 of 5:
Rehearsing & Delivering Your Maid of Honor Speech
-
Practice your speech as much as possible before the big day. Write your speech ahead of time and don’t leave it until the last minute. Once you have your final draft, rehearse your speech multiple times, ideally in front of friends and family members. Frequent practice will help you to become more comfortable with the content, sound more natural, and get valuable feedback to make any final edits. [7] X Research source
-
Keep your body language open, confident, and expressive. Once the time comes to deliver your speech, be mindful of your posture, gestures, and facial expressions. Stand up tall and straight and make eye contact with the audience as you give your speech. Match your facial expressions to the emotions of your speech, and keep your smile wide and body language open to make everyone feel warm and engaged. [8] X Research source
- If you get stage fright easily, choose a few people in the audience that you feel most at-ease with and alternate making eye contact with each of them. Or, just look at the bride!
-
Vary your tone and put emphasis on important parts of your speech. If you’re sharing a funny story, for example, use a boisterous and lively tone. If you’re sharing something sentimental or heartfelt, soften your voice and allow it to become more emotive. Emphasize key words and important messages by slowing down your speaking pace and articulating each carefully. [9] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
-
Manage nerves with breathing exercises and other calming tools. It’s completely natural to feel nervous before giving a maid of honor speech. Before standing up to start your speech, inhale deeply through your nose, hold your breath for a few seconds, then exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat as needed, or until it’s your time to speak. [10] X Research source
- You can also try to use positive visualization to calm your nerves. Close your eyes and picture yourself giving a confident, moving, and engaging performance. Envision the smiles on the faces of your sister and her partner, the audience laughing and applauding, and the joy you’ll feel at the end of your speech.
- Additionally, try power poses or positive affirmations to feel more confident before your speech.
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
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!
References
- ↑ https://withlovefromkat.com/how-to-write-a-maid-of-honor-speech/
- ↑ https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/how-to-write-a-maid-of-honor-speech
- ↑ https://withlovefromkat.com/how-to-write-a-maid-of-honor-speech/
- ↑ https://www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-planning/toasts/wedding-toast-to-the-happy-couple/
- ↑ https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/how-to-write-a-maid-of-honor-speech
- ↑ https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-toasting-tips-for-the-maid-of-honor
- ↑ https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-toasting-tips-for-the-maid-of-honor
- ↑ https://sps.columbia.edu/news/five-ways-improve-your-body-language-during-speech
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12693687/
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 674 times.
Advertisement