how to write a moh speech for best friend

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Best Tips for Maid Of Honor Speech 2024: Samples & Ideas

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Crafting a memorable maid of honor speech can be both an honor and a daunting task. It’s a chance to celebrate the bride in a heartfelt way while engaging the audience. Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or feeling the nerves, this guide will walk you through simple and effective steps to create a speech that will leave everyone touched and smiling. Remember, the key to a great speech lies in authenticity and personal anecdotes – sharing genuine stories and emotions will make your words resonate with everyone present.

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Maid Of Honor Speech Examples

Matron of honor speech.

In the realm of weddings, the roles of Maid of Honor and Matron of Honor are distinct yet equally significant. While the Maid of Honor is typically an unmarried woman, the Matron of Honor is a married woman, often a close friend or relative of the bride. The Matron of Honor’s speech is a cherished moment during the wedding reception, filled with heartfelt memories and well-wishes.

Difference between Maid of Honor and Matron of Honor:

Maid of Honor: Unmarried woman chosen for her close relationship with the bride.
Matron of Honor: Married woman, offering a unique perspective on married life and advice for the couple.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Good evening! For those of you who don’t know me, I’m [Your Name], the Matron of Honor and [Bride’s Name]’s older sister/best friend. It’s an incredible honor to stand here today beside my beautiful sister/best friend on this special day. Growing up, [Bride’s Name] and I shared countless memories—sleepovers filled with secrets, endless laughter, and a bond that only sisters/best friends can understand. From the moment she met [Groom’s Name], I saw a light in her eyes that was new and wonderful. Seeing her so happy and in love filled my heart with joy. As someone who has been married for a few years, I’ve learned that marriage is a journey filled with beautiful highs and challenging lows. [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], you two have a love that is strong and resilient. Cherish each other, communicate openly, and never stop laughing together. [Bride’s Name], you are my confidante, my rock, and my inspiration. [Groom’s Name], thank you for loving her the way she deserves. I’m excited to watch you two build a life filled with love and happiness. Here’s to a lifetime of love, laughter, and endless joy. Congratulations, [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name]!

Hello everyone! For those who might not know me, I’m [Your Name], the Matron of Honor and [Bride’s Name]’s college roommate/best friend. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing [Bride’s Name] for [number] years, and I must say, standing here today is an absolute joy. When [Bride’s Name] told me about [Groom’s Name], she couldn’t stop smiling. In fact, she smiled so much that I thought she had taken up a new hobby—face exercises! But in all seriousness, from the first time I met [Groom’s Name], I knew he was the one. The way they look at each other, with so much love and understanding, is something truly special. Now, as someone who has been through the ups and downs of marriage, I want to offer a bit of advice: always remember to keep the humor alive. Laugh together, especially during the tough times. It’s amazing how a little laughter can ease even the most stressful moments. [Bride’s Name], you’ve been my partner in crime, my cheerleader, and my voice of reason. [Groom’s Name], you’re incredibly lucky to have her, and I know she’s just as lucky to have you. So, here’s to [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name]—may your life together be filled with love, laughter, and lots of happy memories. Cheers!

Tips for Writing a Matron of Honor Speech:

Start with a Personal Anecdote: Share a meaningful memory or story that highlights your relationship with the bride.
Express Genuine Emotions: Speak from the heart, expressing your happiness and love for the couple.
Offer Words of Wisdom: As a married woman, provide thoughtful advice and encouragement for their journey ahead.
Keep it Concise: Aim for a speech that is heartfelt but brief, typically around 3-5 minutes.
Practice: Rehearse your speech to ensure a smooth delivery and to manage any nerves.

Best Friend Maid Of Honor Speech

After years of helping Maids of Honor deliver awesome speeches, founder of Speechy and author of ‘The Modern Couple’s Guide to Wedding Speeches’, Heidi Ellert-McDermott, shares her tips. The first three-fifths of the speech should include revealing, entertaining stories that give an insight into the bride and your relationship with her. Don’t be shy of some affectionate teasing.

We’ve made a research and after surveying over 50,000 brides, the maid of honor choice was crystal clear: more than 51% of them chose their best friend as their maid of honor. This role isn’t just about tradition—it’s about an unbreakable bond. A best friend’s speech resonates deeply, filled with shared memories and heartfelt wishes.

“If you haven’t had the chance to meet me yet, my name is X. (Bride) and I have been best friends for about 10 years. We met in high school gym class, and we couldn’t stand each other at first. As you can see, things eventually changed for the better. When (Bride) first asked me to be her Maid of Honor I felt flattered. But as the big day approached, she also told me to give a speech and a toast. I’m kind of the shy type and tried my best to get out of it. But, as (Groom) can tell you, it’s almost impossible to tell (Bride) No and get away with it. I wanted to tell you both how absolutely spectacular you look today. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better-looking couple (except for maybe my boyfriend and I). And I hope you’re all having a lovely evening and I’d like to I wish you two all the love and happiness in the world. How blessed you are to celebrate your love on this beautiful day. I know there are many happy years ahead for you. Let’s all raise our glasses to the bride and groom, and wish them a lifetime of love and happiness!”

“I never had a sister, but (Bride) has been like a sister to me for all these years. We have similar tastes, we like similar clothes… I knew (Bride) had found the one when (Groom) walked into her life. Well, I’m fine with that – she saw him first! Actually, you could see that it was love at first, second, and third sight. He is her Prince Charming and it seems to me he gives her all she needs – a strong arm, a sympathetic ear, and his credit card.”

“I met (Bride) 6 years ago, as we tried to survive in the concrete jungle of NY. To thrive there, your tribe is essential. We are quite protective of each other, so I was a bit skeptical of (Groom) when he first came into the picture. But as time goes by, I can’t imagine anyone else but him to be her one and only. They say that anyone can be passionate, but it takes a real pair of lovers to be silly. Well, together, (Bride) and (Groom) are two of the goofiest people I know.”

“Hello everyone, my name is X, and by my dress, you can tell that I am the Maid of Honor today. For many years, we have been through thick and thin, and we have shared many memories. Today is another great day to add to our collection of sweet memories, so I’m really looking forward to the cake! I know you will have challenges as all relationships do. But you know what’s great about love and relationships and marriages? It is learning to grow together. Caring and sharing, and lots of tenderness. And maybe a bit of patience, or maybe even a lot. So let’s raise our glasses to the power of love, that makes all these wonderful things happen! Today you start a completely new chapter of your lives. What can I say? Never forget the two most important replies: ‘you’re right, dear’ and ‘okay, buy it’. Love and cherish each other! These two are a rare find in today’s world. Here’s to the groom who has a bride so fair, and here’s to the bride with a groom who is so rare.”

Check out this touching maid of honor speech to get inspired!

How to write a maid of honor speech for best friend?

Introduction: Begin by introducing yourself and expressing how honored you are to be the maid of honor for your best friend.
Fond Memories: Share special and cherished memories you’ve shared together, highlighting the bond you both share.
Praise and Qualities: Speak about your best friend’s wonderful qualities, accomplishments, and the ways they have positively impacted your life and the lives of others.
The Friendship: Emphasize the strength and significance of your friendship, and how it has grown over the years.
Love and Support: Show appreciation for the bride’s partner and express your excitement about their journey together.
Gratitude: Thank the guests for being a part of this special day and acknowledge the couple’s families.
Toast: Raise a toast to your best friend and their partner, wishing them a lifetime of love, joy, and happiness together.

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Sister maid of honor speech.

According to our research, the second most popular choice for the maid of honor role is the bride’s sister. While tradition often places the best friend in the spotlight, a sister brings a unique depth to the role. Their shared history, growing up together, and the intrinsic bond make a sister’s speech incredibly touching. With a wealth of childhood memories and a deep understanding of the bride, a sister’s words carry immense emotional weight. When delivering the speech, draw upon this shared journey, express genuine emotions, and celebrate the love that binds not only siblings but also the newlyweds.

“As you may know, I am the bride’s younger sister. As we were growing up, I always wanted to be like her. Do the things she did, have the things she had – I was probably a bit annoying, I always wanted to tag along. She taught me how to care, how to share, and how to try to reach for the stars. And as I grew up I wanted to be just as beautiful, caring, smart, and successful as her. (Bride) has always set an example for me to follow. Over the years she has shown me how to love and care. Today she shows me how to find a best friend, a partner, and a true lover, all in one person. I hope that I am just as lucky someday. It’s a great happiness to find someone who loves you as much as (Groom) loves my sister. Today, I want to thank both of you for being a part of my life, and to celebrate the love you both share. Like many sisters, we weren’t always best friends. I remember fights, screaming, and door-slamming, but I couldn’t have picked a better sister and a friend. Now that we are older, I can finally admit how happy I am to have grown up with such a great sister. Having a sister is one of the greatest things in life. Having a little sister is even better because I liked to be bossy. (Bride) always wanted to be a bit more like me… But actually, there is so much that I admire about her! I have watched her grow into the gorgeous woman that she is. It is a great honor for me to be her big sister!”

“First of all, I want to thank you all for being here with us today. As most of you know I am (Bride’s) sister. As we grew, we were as close as can be. We were always in trouble and I remember wondering if there will be a guy brave enough for someone as wild as my sister is. Well, here he is!My sis has just tied the knot. And I do believe that (Groom) is her perfect match. And today I realize that all she needs is a guy who will love her just the way she is, with all her craziness. Their commitment to each other inspires all of us because that’s what we call true love. So let’s raise our glasses to this amazing couple!”

“I want you to know that it took me 3 weeks to write this speech over and over again. And I couldn’t think of anything perfect enough to describe just how much I love you. I couldn’t find words to define the kind of sister you are to me. This is your big day and there is so much I want to say… I Googled a lot of maid of honor speech examples. The one piece of advice I kept finding over and over again was to start off with a quote. I did some research and I think their love is best described by Dr. Seuss: “You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because the reality is finally better than your dreams.”

“Love, be true to her; Life, be dear to her; Health, stay close to her; Joy, draw near to her; Fortune, find what you can do for her, Search your treasure house through and through for her, Follow her footsteps the wide world over – And keep her husband always her lover. – By Anna Lewis, from “To the Bride”

How to write a maid of honor speech for sister?

Introduction: Start by introducing yourself and your relationship with the bride, emphasizing your sisterly bond.
Anecdotes: Share heartfelt and funny stories that highlight your sister’s qualities, achievements, or memorable moments you’ve shared together.
Praise the bride: Compliment her personality, kindness, and the positive impact she has on others.
Address the groom: Welcome him into the family and share a warm message about their relationship.
Express gratitude: Thank the guests for attending and acknowledge your parents and other family members.
Toast: Raise a glass and propose a heartfelt toast to the newlyweds and their future happiness together.

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Funny Maid Of Honor Speech

As a close friend of the bride, you would have a lot of material for wedding speeches bridesmaids, you just need to know how to put them all together. A few sample wedding speeches would give you the right kind of inspiration to get you on your way.

“Well, for those of you who I haven’t had the chance to meet yet, my name is [NAME]. [BRIDE] and I have been best friends for around the last 10 years. We first met at work one day, when she stole my carrot cake out of the fridge in the lunchroom and I threw away her pineapple yogurt cartons in revenge. I never had a sister, but [BRIDE] has been my stand-in sister for all these years. You could say we are even closer than sisters. We don’t fight like sisters, but we do wear each other’s clothes. Somehow she can still fit into my clothes but I can’t fit into hers anymore. I’m sure that is just because her dryer must be shrinking them. I knew [BRIDE] had found the one when [GROOM] walked into her life. Sure, she dated a few guys…after I was done torturing them. But [GROOM] was different. Unlike those jerks, he was kind and thoughtful. And he had a job. You could see that it was love at first, second, and third sight. Clearly [GROOM] is charming and it seems to me he offers her what she needs – a strong arm, a kind ear, and an American Express Black Card. I trust [BRIDE] and [GROOM] completely. I remember the time I asked them to watch my dog Benji when I went skiing in Europe. They were so nice to help out. I got back and Benji was so happy to see me. He was 40 pounds lighter and now he sees a therapist twice a week. Of course, we are having fun today. The test of this relationship will be over the long term. Will she still love [GROOM] when he leaves his underwear on the floor and cuts his toenails at the dinner table? The answer is no. God, please, disgusting. No, seriously, I know they will have challenges as all relationships do. And [GROOM] will learn what all men learn eventually. Keep your wife happy! Happy wife, happy life. No, really, what’s great about love and relationships and marriage is learning to grow together. The communication it takes to keep a marriage going is massive. But half the fun is working things out, talking, communicating, and launching kitchen appliances at each other – real love. Today has been a great day. Family and friends are here, the sun is shining and the champagne is flowing. And we’ll need it to get through this chicken dinner.”

Sometimes the hardest part of being a maid of honor to your bestie might be writing the wedding speech. Speaking with your friend face to face is always easy, however, making toasts or speeches in front of a group of people would be totally different and not as easy. This is why anecdotes and funny wedding speeches maid of honor could help you cruise through your speech while giving the wedding guests a laugh at the same time.

Funny Lines For Maid Of Honor Speech

“I did some research on how to give the perfect maid of honor speech, and the first tip I found was to imagine everyone in their underwear. So, here we are, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my nightmare!”
“Being the maid of honor is like being a ninja. You have to be quick on your feet, prepared for anything, and ready to attack at a moment’s notice. But instead of throwing shurikens, I’m armed with embarrassing stories about the bride.”
“As the maid of honor, I’ve been given the responsibility of keeping the bride calm and relaxed throughout the wedding planning process. Which is why I’ve been slipping her Xanax in her coffee every morning.”
“When the bride asked me to be her maid of honor, I was thrilled. But then I realized it meant I had to give a speech in front of all these people. So if I faint halfway through, just drag me off stage and make it look like part of the act.”

Bridesmaid Wedding Speech

A list of example wedding speeches maid of honor could act as a template of sorts, helping you figure out just how to structure your bridesmaid speech.

Some of the best wedding speeches maid of honor, shine a light on the friendship between the bride and her maid of honor, as well as the beautiful personality of the bride. Most introductions begin with the story of meeting the groom for the first time. The intro is usually a good time to inject a funny quote, poem, or actual occurrence.

“Hi everyone, I am one of the bridesmaids at this wedding and I just wanted to say how happy and lucky I am to be here to celebrate [bride] and [groom’s] wedding with everyone. Today, everything looks effortless. From the beautiful wedding ceremony to the food, music, and decorations at this venue, every little detail was planned by [bride] and [groom.] And lots of time was spent shopping for dresses and doing fittings. When you get to peek behind the scenes, you see how much work really gets put into planning a wedding. There were a lot of late nights and hours spent working on this wedding and I have to say that it all turned out quite beautifully. Let’s all give a round of applause for [bride] and [groom.] [Bride] and [groom,] thank you for such a wonderful day. I raise my glass to the two of you and wish you nothing but the best in your life together. May each day be full of love and laughter between the two of you.”

Speeches are generally not as difficult as we imagine. So, you can relax, go through these samples, and create one of the best wedding toast speeches made of honor.

Short Maid Of Honor Speech Examples

“Greetings to all of you. I’m [Name], the maid of honor. I would like to express a few words about the lovely bride and groom. [Bride] has always been a wonderful friend to me, and it’s an honor to be her maid of honor today. And [Groom], I am delighted that you are joining our family. You two are a perfect match, and I wish you all the happiness and love in the world. Let’s raise a glass to the happy couple!”

“Hello, everyone. I’m [Name], the maid of honor. [Bride], you look breathtakingly beautiful today, and I feel grateful to be a part of your extraordinary day. [Groom], you’re a fortunate man! [Bride] is intelligent, gorgeous, and has a heart of gold. I am confident that you both will have a lifetime of love and happiness together. Congratulations on your special day!”

“Good evening, all. I’m [Name], the maid of honor, and for those who don’t know me, it’s lovely to meet you. I have known [Bride] for several years, and I have never seen her as happy as she is with [Groom]. You two bring out the best in each other, and it’s evident that you are destined to be together. It’s an honor to stand here today as a witness to your love and commitment. Congratulations to the joyful couple!”

“Hello everyone, I’m [Name], the maid of honor. [Bride], you’re my best friend and I couldn’t be happier to see you marry [Groom]. You two are perfect for each other and I wish you a lifetime of love and happiness. Congratulations!”

“Good evening, all. I’m [Name], the maid of honor, and I’m honored to celebrate [Bride] and [Groom]’s special day. [Bride], you’re my best friend and I’m so happy to see you with someone as wonderful as [Groom]. Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness. Congratulations!”

“Hi everyone, I’m [Name], the maid of honor, and I’m thrilled to celebrate my best friend [Bride] and her groom [Groom]. [Bride], I’m so proud of you and I know that [Groom] is the perfect partner for you. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness and love. Congratulations!”

“Good evening, everyone! For those who don’t know me, I’m [Your Name], and I have the incredible honor of standing by [Bride’s Name]’s side today as her maid of honor. First and foremost, I want to say how breathtakingly beautiful she looks tonight. As I stand here, I can’t help but reflect on the journey that led us to this moment. [Bride’s Name] and I have been inseparable since childhood, and I am beyond grateful for the memories we’ve created together. We’ve laughed together, cried together, and supported each other through life’s ups and downs. And now, as I watch her embark on this new chapter with [Groom’s Name], my heart overflows with joy. I’ve witnessed the love between them grow and flourish, and it’s truly something special. [Groom’s Name], thank you for making my best friend the happiest she’s ever been. To [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], may your love continue to blossom and may your journey together be filled with laughter, love, and adventure. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness. Cheers!”

“Hello, everyone! I’m [Your Name], and I have the honor of being [Bride’s Name]’s slightly crazy, but totally awesome, maid of honor! When [Bride’s Name] asked me to take on this role, I knew it would be an adventure. From choosing the perfect dress to planning wild bachelorette parties, we’ve had our fair share of laughs and tears. And let’s not forget about all the emergency wedding dress fittings! But in all seriousness, I couldn’t have asked for a better friend. [Bride’s Name] is compassionate, hilarious, and always there to lend a helping hand. She lights up every room she enters, and I know that [Groom’s Name] feels incredibly lucky to have her as his partner in crime. [Groom’s Name], welcome to the family! We’ve all been waiting for someone to take on the challenge of dealing with [Bride’s Name]’s terrible dance moves, and it looks like you’re up for it. To the happy couple, may your love be as endless as the dance floor at the reception. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness, laughter, and love. Cheers!”

“Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and most importantly, the beautiful couple of the day, [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name]. I’m [Your Name], and I have the privilege of being [Bride’s Name]’s maid of honor. Today, I stand here with a heart full of emotions, for I’ve had the honor of witnessing the love between [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name] blossom into something truly extraordinary. Their love is like a gentle breeze, calming our souls and reminding us of the beauty in life. [Bride’s Name], you’ve always been the ray of sunshine in my life. Your kindness, grace, and unwavering love inspire all who know you. And now, as you embark on this new journey with [Groom’s Name], I know that you’ll be a guiding light in his life as well. [Groom’s Name], thank you for cherishing and loving [Bride’s Name] with all your heart. Your dedication to making her happy is evident in every glance you share. Let us all raise our glasses to the newlyweds. May your love continue to grow, like the mighty oak standing tall through the changing seasons. May your days be filled with laughter, and your hearts forever intertwined. Congratulations, and here’s to a lifetime of happiness and love!”

When delivering a speech, remember to speak from the heart, keep it concise, and maintain a positive tone. Make sure to customize the speech to fit your relationship with the couple and the overall vibe of the wedding.

How to write a short wedding speech?

Start by introducing yourself and briefly mentioning your relationship with the bride. This will help the audience understand your perspective and why you were chosen to be the maid of honor.
Take a moment to express your gratitude for being a part of the special day and your well wishes for the newlyweds.
Say a few words about the bride and groom, highlighting their qualities and how they complement each other. You can talk about their journey as a couple and your hopes for their future together.
End your speech by raising a toast to the newlyweds.

Maid Of Honor Toasts

One of the tips for giving good wedding speeches – to use a good toast. A toast is basically well wished to the newlyweds and their family, followed by a signal for guests to raise their glasses.

If you are unsure what exactly to say, here are some beautiful maid of honor toast examples to inspire you.

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. – Philippians 1:9”
“Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. – Ephesians 4:32”
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Here’s to love, laughter and happily ever after. – Romans 12:10″
“As (Groom) and (Bride) start their new life together, Let’s toast to the new husband and wife!”
“Here’s to the husband And here’s to the wife; May they remain Lovers for life.”
“Here’s to the health of the happy pair; may good luck follow them everywhere; And may each day of wedded bliss be always as sweet and joyous as this.”
“May you grow old on one pillow. May their joy be as bright as the morning, and their sorrows be shadows that fade in the sunlight of love.”
“Let’s drink to love, which is nothing—unless it’s divided into two with someone you love. May your joys be as sweet as spring flowers that grow.”
“As bright as a fire when winter winds blow; As countless as leaves that float down in the fall; And as serene as the love that keeps watching over us all.”

As the maid of honor, you need to find the one speech, that is short and sweet, and resonates with you! Great Maid of Honor wedding speeches often includes great quotes . Famous quotes have a way of painting a picture that our own words can’t seem to do on their own.

The Maid Of Honor Speech Template

Infographic.

INFO maid of honor speech template new 16112023

The biggest worry that most maids of honor have is freezing and forgetting the speech. A great solution is breaking your speech into sections and writing them down on cards that you carry with you. As you practice your speech it will be easier to memorize, and having all the words with you will keep you from panicking.

To get you started, stick to our basic Maid Of Honor Speech Outline:

Introduce yourself (your name, your relationship to the bride, and how long you’ve known each other)
Thank everyone involved in the wedding planning for their hard work
Talk about the bride (why she’s a good person and friend, share a story to illustrate it)
Tell the love story (The most romantic version of how the bride and groom met)
Talk about the groom (Compliment him, why he’s great for your friend, what he does for her etc)
Celebrate the couple (Why they’re so good together)
Wish the newlyweds wonderful things for the future You could also insert a quote or a poem.
Toast to the bride and groom – Raise your glass, say: “Here’s to the happy couple”, take and sip and voila! You’ve nailed it!

How To Write The Best Maid Of Honor Speech Ever

We’ve all seen when speeches go wrong, so how you do you get it right? After years of helping Maids of Honor deliver awesome speeches, founder of Speechy , Heidi Ellert-McDermott, shares her tips.

Introduce yourself & explain how you know the bride.
Include humor throughout. Yes, your speech should be a loving tribute to a true friend, but it’s also meant to entertain a crowd.
Once you’ve written your speech, try to edit it in half. Promise, your speech will be better the punchier it is. No one ever wished a speech was longer!
Pay tribute to the bride’s partner with than a cursory platitude. Prove you genuinely know and like them!
Rehearse as often as you can but use notes on the day. Delivering the speech shouldn’t be a memory test.
Remember to smile throughout your delivery. It’s a powerful (and infectious) communication tool.

Don’t

Resort to cheesy cliches about love and friendship.
Google gags.
Thank anyone. It’s not your job.
Take up more than 10 mins mic time.
Pretend the bride is perfect. Instead cherish the crazy character she truly is, with all her quirks and eccentricities.
Talk over laughter when you deliver your speech. If you’ve written a funny line, leave a pause after you’ve said it to allow your audience to get the joke and respond. Don’t start talking till the last giggle has died down.
Drink more than a glass of bubbles prior to your speech. Alcohol actually increases the stress hormone.

How to Get Started Maid of Honor Wedding Speech

Know Your Audience: Consider the bride and groom’s personalities, the formality of the event, and the sensibilities of the guests. Tailor your speech to the audience.
Start Early: Begin writing your speech well in advance. This allows time for revisions and practice. Don’t wait until the last minute.
Personalize It: Share anecdotes and stories that reflect your relationship with the bride. Highlight special moments and inside jokes.

Examples of How to Get Started:

Opening with a Quote: Start with an inspiring or humorous quote related to love or marriage. For instance,

“Maya Angelou once said, ‘Love recognizes no barriers.’ Today, we’re here to celebrate a love that knows no bounds.”

Anecdotal Introduction: Begin with a personal story about your friendship with the bride.

“As I stand here today, I can’t help but think back to the time we met in kindergarten. Who would’ve thought that our friendship would lead us to this beautiful wedding?”

Express Your Gratitude: Begin by expressing your gratitude for being chosen as the maid of honor.

“First and foremost, I want to thank [bride’s name] for giving me the honor of standing by her side today as her maid of honor.” Remember, the key to a memorable maid of honor speech is sincerity and a touch of humor, sprinkled with personal anecdotes that capture the essence of your relationship with the bride.

How To End A Maid Of Honor Speech

When figuring out how to write a maid of honor speech, keep in mind that the latter part of the speech should be where you talk about the couple. In that vein, it’s also important to know how to end the speech flawlessly. Here are a few tips.

Keep it short and sweet. While you might have a lot to say, there are time slots for each speech, so keeping things short would be best.
Use sentimental wedding quotes. You might have a maid of honor speech template you follow but adding inspirational quotes to your speech is a great way to wrap things up.
Finish with a toast. At the very end, it is customary to raise a toast to the happy couple.

10 Maid Of Honor Speech Tips

After years of helping Maids of Honor deliver awesome speeches, founder of Speechy and author of ‘The Modern Couple’s Guide to Wedding Speeches’, Heidi Ellert-McDermott, shares her tips.

Planning Your Speech

Think of the speechwriting process as writing a dissertation (only this time, don’t leave it till the night before your deadline!).
Firstly, jot down all your ideas and favourite stories and then construct a central idea (narrative theme) that you stick to through. It could be that your friend is always right, or maybe the newlyweds prove that opposites really do attract. Whatever it is, make sure your speech flows from one idea to the next, rather than being a list of random thoughts.

Speech Structure

Remember to introduce yourself and how you know the bride at the start of the speech and try to include humor within the first 30 seconds. Resist the urge to include any of those tired googled-wedding-gags and ensure your line is original and relates to the couple themselves or the surroundings you find yourself in.
The first three-fifths of the speech should include revealing, entertaining stories that give an insight into the bride and your relationship with her. Don’t be shy of some affectionate teasing.
Towards the latter half of the speech, introduce her partner and explain why the couple are suited. Again, make sure to include some good-natured humour here.
The final fifth of your speech could be a full-on love-bomb of a tribute to your friend. Make sure you avoid the usual cliches and platitudes about friendship and instead, try to nail the bride’s individual characteristics and quirks that make you love her.

Edit Your Speech

When you’ve finished writing your speech, try to edit it in half. You may not achieve it but once you get editing, you’ll be surprised by the amount of needless waffle that’s in there.
Remember, a speech is better punchy, so be brutal. A good maid of honour speech is generally between 700 and 1,100 words. No more than 10 minutes airtime!

how to write a moh speech for best friend

Choosing Quotes for a Memorable Maid of Honor Speech

Talking about love and trying to sum up a friendship, can be hard. Luckily, some other clever people have already done it and we can all exploit their genius! Whilst plagiarism isn’t ever cool, finding the perfect quote to supercharge your speech is a great idea. Founder of Speechy (the bespoke speechwriting service), Heidi Ellert-McDermott, shares her tips for hunting the perfect quote to honour your bestie.

How to Use Quotes

Don’t resort to a generic ‘marriage advice’ quote. They’re over-used.
Don’t overload your speech with quotes. One, maximum two.
Quote recognisable names – or at least provide some context. Don’t quote someone you need to Google or someone who’s a random ‘relationship coach’.
Once you add the perfect quote to your speech, script a comedy back ref or put it into the context of the couple’s real-life relationship.
Remember, quotes can be used to add the necessary humor, as well as the sentiment.

Where to Find Quotes

Don’t just search for ‘wedding quotes’ on Pinterest.
Quotes become more meaningful if they come from somewhere that means something to the couple. Could the quote come from the bride’s favourite book, her partner’s favourite film, or maybe it’s from that song you play when you’ve both had a few too many dirty martinis.
Quotes can be found everywhere from children’s books to rom-coms, from hip-hop classics to the great philosophers, from historical icons to classic sitcoms so enjoy the search!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the maid of honor have to give a speech.

It’s definitely customary for the maid of honor to give a toast to the newlyweds at the reception, but usually, she gave a sweet speech.

How long should a maid of honor speech be?

A maid of honor speech should ideally be around 3 to 5 minutes in length. This timeframe allows you to convey your message effectively without losing the audience’s attention or making other speeches feel rushed.

What should be avoided in maid of honor speeches?

When delivering a maid of honor speech, there are a few things to avoid to ensure it is memorable for the right reasons:

Avoid embarrassing or offensive stories: You shouldn’t share anything that may make the bride uncomfortable or might be inappropriate for the audience.
Steer clear of inside jokes: Inside jokes may exclude or confuse other guests who are not familiar with the context. Keep your speech inclusive and relatable for everyone present.
Don’t overshadow the couple: Avoid making the speech all about yourself or unrelated topics that detract from the celebration of the couple’s special day.
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption can impair your ability to deliver a coherent and meaningful message.
Don’t go on for too long: Avoid rambling or dragging out the speech, as it may lose the interest of the audience.

Remember, the moh speech is an opportunity to celebrate the couple and express your love and support for them.

We hope that now you have everything you need for your perfect maid of honor speech. So just keep all of this in mind as you prepare and deliver your maid of honor speech, and you will be amazing. Make the bride proud she chose you!

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A Step-by-Step Guide to Nailing Your Maid of Honor Speech

Maid of honor delivering maid of honor speech to bride and groom.

Chapelle writes articles for The Knot Worldwide. She covers all things wedding-related and has a personal interest in covering celebrity engagements and fashion.
Before joining The Knot Worldwide, Chapelle was an editorial intern for Subvrt Magazine.
Chapelle has a degree in English writing from Loyola University New Orleans.

As a wedding party member, you'll likely be asked to speak at the wedding. In fact, giving a maid of honor speech is one of the most important maid of honor duties to complete on the big day. You may be a gifted orator, which means writing (and giving) a speech will be a breeze. But if the thought of speaking in front of a crowd makes you a little nervous, don't panic. With the help of Heidi Ellert-McDermott, professional speech writer and founder of Speechy , we've provided you with everything you need to know about the matron of honor speech. Learn what to say, how to say it and exactly how to get rid of any nervous butterflies. Use these tips, template, outline and more to write a perfect maid of honor speech that'll bring the house down.

In this article:

Printable Template | How to Write | Examples | Tips | FAQs

Printable Maid of Honor Speech Template

For those looking for a quick and simple reminder of how to write a maid of honor speech, bookmark this template. You could even save it as your phone or laptop wallpaper while you're writing to keep you on task.

How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech Outline

So, how do you write a matron of honor speech? It helps, but you don't need to be a professional speechwriter to write a special toast for the newlyweds. Use this guide to create a heartfelt message that'll make everyone laugh, cry or both.

1. Reflect on your relationship with the couple.

Think about your relationships with each person in the couple. This is your time to write down any personal moments you shared with them. These moments can bring some tears or laughs, but they show the wedding guests how you know the happy couple. Maybe you and one of the newlyweds went on an epic trip to Europe together. Or you and the newlyweds have known each other since high school and have plenty of silly and embarrassing stories from that time. No matter which memory you choose for your maid of honor speech, pick your favorite (appropriate) story and have fun with it.

2. Celebrate the couple's relationship.

Another part of your matron of honor speech should be dedicated to the couple's relationship. You can talk about when they first met, when you knew they were in love, or how you knew they were meant to be. If some details are a little fuzzy, talk with the other honor attendants or close friends of the couple to help refresh your memory. Overall, you want to paint a picture of how the couple was when they first met, how they've grown together and why they complement one another.

3. Avoid taboo topics.

There are certain topics you shouldn't have in your maid of honor speech. It doesn't matter how you try to deliver it. These taboo subjects are liable to offend someone:

Negativity about marriage in general.
Past relationships.
Previous marriages/divorces.
Drinking, drugs, gambling.
"Adult" humor or any other mention of sex.

Remember, you don't want to cause any drama. Keep the focus of your speech on uplifting the happy couple and celebrating their love for one another.

4. Add jokes—but not too many.

Feel like you have a comedic gift? Consider adding some jokes, one-liners or funny marriage quotes to your maid of honor speech. Ensure you don't use any inside jokes or references only you and the newlyweds would understand. Your speech should be something every wedding guest can appreciate and laugh at. This also means your jokes shouldn't be too harsh or bring up any taboo wedding speech topics we previously listed.

Be deliberate about where you put your jokes and spread them out. You want them to add comedic relief to a sentimental toast, not seem like a stand-up routine. Start your speech with a funny opening line so the guests can laugh and get an idea of what kind of person you are—plus, laughs give you time to overcome any nerves you might have.

5. Create your maid of honor speech outline.

Get creative and personalize your maid of honor speech as much as you want. A customized script is much more endearing for guests. But when it comes down to it, a great wedding toast will include the following remarks:

Start with an introduction—along with an explanation about your connection to the happy couple.
Next, give a word of thanks to the couple for inviting you to be part of their special day.
Say one or two personal anecdotes, like a favorite memory, joke or sweet sentiment that most guests will understand.
Provide encouraging advice or a thoughtful quote about the newlyweds' future.
Finish with a closing remark and an invitation for guests to raise their glasses.

Maid of Honor Speech Examples

Need more than a maid of honor speech template to help you? Then choose your favorite sample maid of honor speech below and use it to help get your creative juices flowing.

Funny Maid of Honor Speech

Hello! For those of you who haven't had the chance to meet me yet, my name is [Your Name]. [Newlywed's Name] and I have been best friends since high school, which means we've been on each other's top eight friends list for a while. That's for my old Myspace users out there.

Typically, public speaking makes me beyond nervous, but I knew I had to make a speech for one of the most important people in my life. I've known [Newlywed's Name] for a long time and have appreciated every special moment we've shared over the years. [Newlywed's Name] has a beautiful soul, and I'm so happy that [Newlywed's Name] has found someone who complements it.

As everyone probably knows [Newlywed's Name] isn't a shy person, so the fact that [Newlywed's Name] would always giggle and blush whenever referring to 'the hot coworker' and I knew something special was going to come out of it. I've gotten to know [Spouse's Name] really well over the years, and I can honestly say [Spouse's Name] is one of the most genuine and caring people I've ever met.

Everyone aims to find their one true love, their soulmate, the person that's going to love and cherish them for the rest of their lives. And that moment came for [Newlywed's Name]...when they met me 18 years ago. But in all seriousness, I wish you and [Spouse's Name] a long and wonderful marriage. Congrats to you both, and I hope you find a lifetime of happiness together. Cheers!

Find your kind of venue

Maid of honor speech for best friend.

Good evening everyone! I thought the most nerve-wracking part of being a maid of honor was giving the speech, but fixing [Newlywed's Name] shoe malfunction before the wedding ceremony is high on the list.

I think I've calmed down by now, so I'll continue. My name is [Your Name], and I've known [Newlywed's Name] since college. We sat next to each other one time in an eight A.M. Spanish class and have been inseparable ever since. We've known each other for so long I would consider us siblings now, and I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful person in my life.

[Spouse's Name] is charming, intelligent, thoughtful and to quote [Newlywed's Name] after their first date, 'sooo cuteee.' I consider myself a top-notch wingwoman and matchmaker, but even I couldn't have picked a better person for [Newlywed's Name] to fall in love with. Anyone can take one look at them together and see that they're a perfect example of 'meant to be.'

I'm honored that you both have not only chosen me to be a significant part of your big day but also a significant person in your lives. I'm excited to watch you two enjoy this new chapter in your lives as a married couple. I love you both so much!

Maid of Honor Speech for Sister

Hello everyone! If you couldn't tell already from our almost identical faces, I'm [Bride's Name] sister. We're only two years apart, so we've always been really close. We would do everything together, like that one time we got gum stuck in our hair on the same day and spent hours combing peanut butter into each other's hair to help get the gum out. Unfortunately, this didn't work out, and we had to chop a lot of hair off.

Regardless of all the trouble we've got ourselves into, I can't imagine sharing such fun memories with anyone else. I've always looked up to [Bride's Name] and continue to think of her as a great role model to me and many others. I feel so happy and proud to call [Bride's Name] my sister.

[Spouse's Name], you've come into our lives seamlessly, and I've never seen my sister happier. You're such a funny and loving person, and to this day, every time my sister talks about you, she gets giddy. I really do think you guys are perfect for one another, and I can't wait to see how you grow even more as life partners.

Everyone raise your glass to congratulate [Bride's Name] and [Spouse's Name]. May each day be full of love and laughter!

Maid of Honor Speech for Cousin

Shout out to Ellert-McDermott for writing the passionate maid of honor speech below.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family and all you lucky souls who scored an invite to the wedding of the century. My name is [Your Name], and I have the pleasure of being the maid of honor today, or as I like to call it, the 'official party planner, the emergency dress fixer and human tissue dispenser.'

You all know [Bride's Name] as this gorgeous, successful, brilliant person you see before you today, but I know her as my little cousin. And I don't care how many promotions she gets, how many exotic countries she visits or how married she gets, that's who she'll always be to me. Yes, the girl who, for several years, ate nothing but chicken nugget sandwiches and had a special tree she liked to wee behind when we visited Grandma.

Being the only girls in our tribe of siblings, we quickly became best friends and partners in crime. We loved playing dress-up, but rather than pretending to marry our Prince Charmings, we'd pretend to be lawyers or scientists. And we wonder why no one wanted to hang out with us.

Our geekiness lasted well into our teens and developed into a mild addiction to One Direction, "Glee" and astronomy. We'd spend hours staring into our telescopes, wondering what we would say when we became the first astronauts to land on Mars. Sadly, that dream never came to fruition, but [Bride's Name], as we all know, did become a lawyer—an incredibly successful one at that.

But seriously, watching [Bride's Name] achieve her dreams has been a delight because she's quite simply one of life's special people. I feel incredibly lucky to have been blessed with such a fun-loving, wise and caring cousin––a special type of friend who's duty-bond to be in my life forever.

Bride and groom kissing at the altar on wedding day inside church

I always knew that [Bride's Name] deserved to be loved by someone special, and I'm delighted to say that person is [Newlywed's Name]. I've had the privilege of getting to know [Newlywed's Name] well over the last three years, and I must say, you're a brave soul for marrying into our family and having to cope with our crazy Christmas traditions. But I think you've figured out our secret. The louder we are, the more we like you. And just to clarify, we like you very much.

You have a kind heart, a wonderful wit and you're willing to dance to One Direction after we've had a few beers. I can also see how much you love my cousin. I can see that you 'get her;' that you know just how she likes her coffee, that you understand her sarcasm is a sign of affection and that you appreciate how intelligent she is even if she insists on watching "Selling Sunset" at every opportunity she can.

You're an incredible couple, and I've no doubt your love will continue to grow with every passing day. As your maid of honor, I couldn't be happier for you, and I look forward to sharing more happy memories with you guys in the future. And with that, everyone please join me in a toast to the happy couple and a life filled with love and laughter.

Short Maid of Honor Speech

I would like to quote the famous American author, Mark Twain, who once said, 'To get the full value of joy, you must have someone to divide it with.' This perfectly explains why [Newlywed's Name] and [Spouse's Name] have always radiated so much joy since they've met each other.

I do not doubt [Newlywed's Name] has found the person they will spend the rest of their life with. You both make a beautiful couple and may you continue to get the full value of joy out of life with one another.

Congratulations, [Newlywed's Name] and [Spouse's Name]!

Maid of Honor Speech Tips

Completing your matron of honor speech is a big accomplishment, but the work doesn't stop when you write the closing line. The right delivery is what makes it. Here are confidence tips for your maid of honor speech and other speaking engagements.

Don't procrastinate.

We recommend you start writing your maid of honor speech at least two months before the wedding day. As an honor attendant, you're expected to attend and plan numerous prewedding events, like dress fittings, the bach party and the rehearsal dinner , which means you won't have much time to write as the wedding day approaches. Also, it doesn't hurt to write a few drafts and ask someone you trust to edit your work. By preparing in advance, you'll be able to focus on writing a toast you're excited to read in front of a crowd and not have to worry about leaving a wedding event early so you can go home and write.

Add stories, not adjectives.

"Adjectives are just white noise in wedding speeches. Describing the newlywed as 'kind,' 'fun' or 'beautiful' is nice but doesn't really add much. Illustrate their characteristics and qualities by sharing the evidence of them in action," Ellert-McDermott, author of "The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches," says.

Be true to yourself.

This is the time to open your heart and share a few favorite memories or silly stories that capture your relationship with the newlyweds. So don't feel pressured to write a maid of honor speech that sounds overly professional. A great maid of honor toast is about speaking honestly and naturally, so write how you generally speak. Don't forget this isn't the time to use inappropriate language since you'll be speaking to the couple's nearest and dearest. Your writing should feel like a natural extension of the way you talk. A genuine speech from the heart is impactful.

Remember to mention the partner.

"Yes, the focus of your speech is your friend and your relationship with them, but don't forget what the day's actually about. Try to make your tribute to their partner seem like more than a cliched afterthought," Ellert-McDermott advises.

Write it down.

Yes, you're expected to make an amazing speech, but that doesn't mean you must memorize it. Writing the entire speech word for word or just jotting down bullet points of your speech's outline can work wonders for your confidence. We suggest you read your maid of honor speech on index cards instead of reading it off your cell phone. Phones are more convenient, but the phone screen light that washes over your face as you're reading your speech distorts wedding photographs. To avoid ruining any wedding images, write your speech down instead. ( Psst. People say handwritten notes boost brain activity and optimize memory.)

Practice in front of an audience.

Practicing your speech is just as important as writing it. As with any public speaking gig, you'll become more comfortable with the material as you practice it. Read your toast aloud a few times to catch any spelling or grammar errors. This will also help you find a rhythm—you'll know exactly when you want to pause for reactions and emphasize certain points, which is key for staying within a designated time frame. You can also read your words to another wedding party member for feedback. When the time comes to stand up in front of the crowd, you'll be grateful for the pre-performance audience.

Stay calm, cool and collected.

Whether this is your first time giving a wedding speech or you're a pro, it's normal to feel a little nervous beforehand. Take a few deep breaths to calm your nerves and collect your thoughts. Speak slowly and clearly, and remind yourself that guests are excited to hear what you're saying. As nerve-wracking as it might feel to give a big speech at your loved one's wedding, their heartfelt reaction to your words will make your efforts worth it. As soon as your speech is over, you'll be free to celebrate with the newlyweds and the rest of the wedding party.

Don't forget to smile.

"Because they're nervous, speakers often forget to smile as they deliver their speech, but it's a simple and effective way to create a good vibe in the room. A smile is literally infectious, so make sure it looks like you're actually enjoying your time on the mic," Ellert-McDermott says. Putting on a soft smile also helps the photographer capture stunning pictures of you killing your speech.

Maid of honor giving wedding speech outdoors

Maid of Honor Speech Frequently Asked Questions

Delivering a unique maid of honor speech can seem daunting, but we're here to help you take the stress out of it. Here are answers to common questions regarding the maid of honor speech.

Does the maid of honor have to give a speech?

It's expected for a maid of honor to give a speech, especially if the other honor attendants are planning on giving one, but it's not required. Giving a maid of honor speech can be a fun experience, but it isn't for everyone. If public speaking makes you nervous, you can express yourself in other ways, like through song, dance or by creating a sweet love story presentation about the happy couple.

How long should a maid of honor speech be?

In addition to the matron of honor speech, there might also be a best man speech , toasts from the couple's parents or even a thank-you message from the newlyweds. Since there are several speeches to fit in with meal courses, dancing, games and additional reception activities , keep your salutations short and sweet. Aim to make your maid of honor speech a minimum of four minutes and at most six minutes—Ellert-McDermott suggests anything between 700 and 1000 words.

Wedding guests will be excited to hear your well-wishes and funny stories, but a long MOH speech can lose the wedding guests' interest (especially if it's full of too many personal inside jokes). A four-minute speech gives you enough time to speak about the couple's love story, offer a personal anecdote or two and finish with encouragement for married life.

How to Start a Maid of Honor Speech

"Like every other speaker, the maid of honor should say a quick hello and introduce themselves to the guests. They should explain how they know the bride and try to add some humor early on too. Tailor your speech to suit the style of the wedding. Is it a rock n roll affair or a traditional bash with children present? Consider your audience and decide if 'ladies and gentlemen' is necessary or overly formal (generally, it's the latter)," Ellert-McDermott notes.

How to End a Maid of Honor Speech

"Towards the end of the speech, the maid of honor should reiterate their joy in seeing their friend getting married. They may refer back to special memories they share with the bride and explain why she is such a great friend to them. The final few lines should be about wishing the couple well in their future life together and proposing a toast to them both," Ellert-McDermott suggests. Here is an example of a personal maid of honor toast ending from Ellert-McDermott:

Here's to a lifetime of drinking mojitos and dancing on tables. To Sophie and Taylor.

When does the maid of honor give a speech?

If the couple is following the traditional wedding speech order , the maid of honor gives her speech after the newlyweds' parents. Typically, following the maid of honor is the best man. That wedding speech order isn't for everyone since a couple's wedding party size and reception timeline impact the order too. Also, sometimes couples opt to have all the wedding speeches delivered during the rehearsal dinner. So check with the to-be-weds about the order to confirm your spot in the toast lineup.

What to do if there are multiple maids of honor?

If you are one of the multiple maids of honor , you and the others should keep your maid of honor speeches to three to five minutes long. Before delivering your speeches, we suggest you and the other maids of honor go over them together to make sure they aren't too similar (and if they are, to adjust accordingly). If you and the other maids of honor have a close relationship, want to create only one speech or you don't want to give your speech alone, consider doing a joint maid of honor speech. By doing a combined speech, you have more opportunities to be creative, like setting each other up for jokes or performing a heartfelt song together.

Bride and groom laughing during wedding toast

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Who Gives a Speech at a Wedding Reception? How to Write a Wedding Toast Tips for the Father of the Bride Speech How to Write a Best Man Toast Advice for the Maid of Honor Speech What to Know About a Newlywed Toast Public Speaking Experts' Wedding Speech Tips 60 Quotes to Use for Your Wedding Toast

How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech

Follow these expert tips to knock your maid of honor speech out of the park.

Photo by Janine Licare

In This Article

You've been asked to play a huge role in your best friend's wedding—maid of honor! But, the job comes with a slew of important tasks , including giving the maid of honor speech. While this is a moment to celebrate your friendship, the idea of getting up in front of a crowd can be nerve-wracking if you're not used to giving speeches.

As staunch advocates of BFF love, we've taken it upon ourselves to create a go-to guide for penning the perfect speech to see your bestie off on their new life with their partner. With a few tips and tricks along with plenty of practice, your maid of honor speech will go off without a hitch.

With expert insight from professional speechwriter Katelyn Peterson—founder of vow- and toast-writing company Wedding Words —and examples of real-life speeches, we have all the details you need. Read on for helpful tips and guidelines to deliver an absolutely unforgettable maid of honor speech .

Meet the Expert

Katelyn Peterson is a speech writer and the founder of vow- and toast-writing company Wedding Words .

Maid of Honor Speech Template

While every maid of honor speech will be different, we've put together an outline to get you started on yours.

Start with the bride; end with the couple.

Of everyone at the wedding, you have the best insight into how much your bestie's partner has changed them for the better. Your maid of honor speech needs to be about the friend you knew long before meeting their soulmate and then pivot to what role they have played in their life. Maybe your friend is even funnier now, or maybe you've simply never seen your BFF so happy. This is also a great way to incorporate their new spouse into the speech if you don't really know them that well; speak to the way that they complement each other or how your BFF's new spouse has made them a better person.

Pepper in anecdotes.

Stories do a better job of getting your point across than blanket statements do. "Each anecdote you share should have an underlying theme that ties all the short stories together," says Peterson. "Reveal that theme near the end of your speech , and you’ll achieve a strong emotional impact."

End with a positive outlook.

The nature of this speech is not so much about your relationship with your friend, but the bond the couple shares. Make sure all of the separate components of your toast draw a positive conclusion, ending in how happy the couple is together and your best wishes for their marriage .

Maid of Honor Speech Tips

Keep in mind these helpful tips from professional speechwriter Katelyn Peterson to ensure you nail your maid-of-honor toast .

Kick-start the creative process by writing down any memories , emotions, or ideas that make you think of your BFF. "I recommend free-writing for 20 minutes," says Peterson. "When you’re done with this exercise, you should have some quality material that you can weave into the form of a speech." This allows you to create a blueprint of all the major points you want to make—more or less creating a roadmap for your ideas—and then fill it in with supporting information.

Ditch Generic Praise

"Use entertaining and engaging stories to show the bride’s personality ," advises Peterson. There's a big difference between simply saying, "She is such a great friend!" versus telling a story that illustrates just that.

Half the guests may not know your BFF all that well, so use this moment to paint a picture of how amazing they are. Bring their character to life with details only you could know.

Remember it isn't about you.

While a lot of the anecdotes should be about your time with your friend, you should not be the focal point. After you briefly introduce yourself (remember: most of the people probably won't know who you are or your relation to the couple), you shouldn't be making any additional references to yourself. You're simply the vehicle to explain why the newlyweds are so fantastic.

Do not mention exes.

No one wants to be reminded of past relationships , particularly in front of their family, friends, and new life partner. Keep the tone of your speech positive, and it will reflect positively on you also. You don't want to come across as though you're trying to roast your friend.

Keep it short.

The longer your speech, the more opportunities you'll have for people to start losing attention. "Keep your speech under five minutes," suggests Peterson. "Anywhere between two to five minutes is great."

Be sure to pause for a few seconds after each joke to let the audience laugh. When you immediately start speaking right afterward, you won't give people a chance to laugh or even understand the next line. Keep in mind that starting the speech on a funny note can help you capture the attention of the audience for a minute or two, but it's the meaningful content that will keep them enthralled until the end. "Your goal should be to have guests laughing and wiping tears away by balancing humor with sincerity," says Peterson.

If you experience public-speaking jitters, try looking just above everyone’s head. This can minimize your anxiety while allowing guests to think you're looking right at them.

Don't use inside jokes.

If the joke or situation is something other wedding guests would have to be there to understand, avoid using it. If people don't understand the context behind it, it will probably go over their heads. It's okay to poke a little bit of fun at your friend, but keep it light. Don't say anything that would be embarrassing or make them feel uncomfortable.

"The more you recite your speech out loud, the more comfortable you’ll become," notes Peterson. Practice your speech twice a day, starting at least a week beforehand, and record yourself a couple of times so you can hear your pacing and tone. Rehearse the speech in front of friends, too, in order to see if your jokes get a laugh, and try practicing in a mirror to nail your physical presence.

How to Get Started

Here are a few questions to ask yourself to start brainstorming ideas for your speech.

Who will be speaking before or after you, and how will this affect the content of your speech? (You might want to include a reference to their toast in your speech, thank them for an introduction, or introduce the next speaker.)
What would your friend want their in-laws and newly acquired family to know about them, and how can you attest to those qualities or characteristics from your own experiences with them?
What's a warm memory of the newlyweds that always makes you smile? (Ask yourself: If their relationship were a Hollywood movie trailer, what key moments would be featured?)
When you picture the couple's life together in a few years (or from this moment forward), what do you see? Is there any advice you can give them for their lifelong journey ahead?
Is there something you want to say to your bestie's new spouse? (Perhaps a few lighthearted tips on how to handle more trying situations that you've learned from your own experiences with them.)

Maid of Honor Speech Examples to Make Your Own

If you're feeling stuck, here are three examples of speeches from real bridesmaids to inspire your own.

"Good evening, everyone. I’m Cami, the maid of honor and the bride’s best friend. Over the past 15 years, I’ve witnessed Madison prioritize everyone else’s happiness, but today, we get to honor hers. With Madison being my most fun-loving friend, I knew she’d be down to join me on a two-week adventure traveling throughout Europe. We lived together, but nothing cements a friendship quite like sharing a full-size bed in dingy hostels from the Netherlands to Spain. Madison’s luggage kept breaking, and she went through four suitcases in 14 days! There we were, strolling down a busy street in Madrid and Madison’s clothes were falling out of her over-packed suitcase, painting the path behind us with her sundresses and socks. But she never let her rundown luggage ruin the trip. She just kept rolling with it. Literally. I can always depend on Madison to roll with any situation, to show up for the people that she loves, and to have a good time.

But the truth is everyone in this room is better for knowing you, Madison. You love so deeply, selflessly, and unconditionally. And I know that Pete is the best partner for Madison because I’ve seen him mirror these traits for her. No matter what may come your way, your combined patience, resilience, and love will make you an unstoppable team. And most importantly, I know you two will continue to keep rolling with it . Cheers!" —Cami

"I’m Ashley and welcome! I was introduced to Sarah through a mutual friend to evaluate if she would be a fit as my future roommate. I showed up to that first dinner wearing a casual sundress and flats. Meanwhile, Sarah walked in with voluminous curls, smoky eyes , red lipstick, and a smile that showed me she deserved that Miss Florida title in ’04. I just thought, 'Who is this girl?' Over the next two hours, I learned that this girl was the coolest, funniest person and that I had to live with her. We moved in and it was truly an immediate fit from watching the same shows to downing bottles of the same wine. Despite our homebody nature, we did enjoy our Saturday nights running around the city. One night after several margaritas, Sarah and I found ourselves locked out of our house. So we came up with the best plan we could imagine: Let’s cannonball into our pool. There we were: Two tequila-loving girls cannonballing to see who could create the biggest splash. From that night on, whenever we went out, we’d ask ourselves one key question: 'Is it going to be a cannonball in the pool kind of night?'

And just like she’s always filled the gap in our friend group—we know that John has entered her life to level her out in the best of ways, too. Let’s raise a glass to Sarah and John! May your life together be full of cannonball-in-the-pool kind of nights." —Ashley

"Hi, my name is Makena and I’m the bride’s younger sister and maid of honor . As I look at Winnie and Miles today, I see two people in the most loving, trustworthy, and nurturing relationship I’ve ever witnessed. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to me that even on her wedding day, Winnie is teaching me about life and love. Because the truth is Winnie has been my lifelong teacher. She’s the one who taught me how to read and how to ride a bike, but my most memorable teaching moment was when I was 11 years old. We had this mutual understanding—or so I thought—that we would not read each other’s journals. But I, of course, read hers and naively assumed she did not read mine. I learned the truth when I opened my journal one day to see an entire page filled with Winnie’s handwriting. There in the middle of my journal was a critique from my sister detailing out how I could improve my writing.

I know that if it weren’t for my sister, I would not be the person I am today. I’m inspired daily by the woman she is. Her confidence is unshakable, her excitability is contagious, and her determination is awe-inspiring. Winnie will finally get to experience what I’ve felt like my entire life with her. She’ll be cared for, unconditionally loved, and will learn every day with Miles as her lifelong teacher through love. Please raise a glass to Winnie and Miles! May you two never stop learning from each other as you continue to love each other." —Makena

First things first: Don't overcomplicate it! Stay authentic to yourself and keep it simple by telling a story, sharing why you love the bride, and toasting the newlyweds.

Keep it short and sweet! Having a two to five minute speech that is both sentimental and humorous is the best way to honor the couple in a way that is engaging and memorable .

Close out your speech with a simple, light-hearted joke and a toast to the newlyweds . This will create the perfect opportunity for a combined cheer and chuckle from the crowd .

A Guide to Wedding Reception Toasts

Who Gives a Speech at a Wedding Reception?

How to Write a Wedding Toast

Tips for the Father of the Bride Speech

How to Write a Best Man Toast

Advice for the Maid of Honor Speech

What to Know About a Newlywed Toast

Public Speaking Experts' Wedding Speech Tips

60 Quotes to Use for Your Wedding Toast

Your Maid of Honor Speech- Ultimate Guide With Examples!

Well, here we are! This is the moment you’ve been waiting for. It’s time to give an amazing maid of honor speech. We’ll show you how to make it unforgettable.

We are going to make your life so much easier because we have the ultimate guide to writing the perfect maid of honor speech. And we are not just talking about a good game, we WILL deliver!

In this blog post, we will give you a step-by-step guide for writing a fabulous MOH speech that will make the bride and her wedding guests happy to hear.

Get your FREE maid of honor speech outline at the end of this post if you need an extra boost.

Now it is time for your grand (MOH) finale! Let’s begin so you can write a phenomenal piece for the bride’s big day.

What is a maid of honor speech? Why is it so scary?

At the wedding reception, the maid of honor speaks to the couple in front of everyone. It is a major part of the maid of honor duties for the wedding day. She expresses her well wishes during her speech. The maid of honor toast concludes with a declaration and the attendees take a drink.

Giving a maid of honor speech can be nerve-wracking because it includes speaking in front of a crowd. However, with the right tools and preparation, you can overcome this. Out of all of the maid of honor responsibilities, the speech is the most important.

Let’s look at the maid of honor speech by considering types, timing, and content to include.

Types of maid of honor speeches

There are many unique styles for a MOH speech. There, are funny ones, emotional ones, unique ones, and even short maid of honor speeches you could go for.

The speaker determines the type of maid of honor speech. If the maid of honor is the bride’s sister, best friend, or a close relative (like a cousin). It all depends on your relationship with the bride and your personality.

For example, If you are an extrovert, you may be more comfortable speaking a little longer because you are familiar with the bride’s family and friends.

If you are a shy maid of honor and the bride’s college friend, you may consider delivering a unique speech.

Timing of maid of honor speech

Wedding speeches always begin after the meal of the reception. It’s typically the maid of honor’s turn to say her speech after the father of the bride or the best man.

How long should your maid of honor speech be? Your speech should be about 3-7 minutes long. That time provides sufficient insight, without being too long to distract or encourage side conversations among guests.

What to cover in your speech?

Talk about the bride first. Congratulate her and offer her your sincerest well wishes for a happy union. You should tell a personal story about the bride.

Give characteristics of the bride that tell why she is so amazing. Share a brief history of the happy couple. And end with more well wishes by giving a toast to true love.

Hosting a Bridal Shower? Start Here!

During your talk, be sure to include jokes, and tell fun facts about the bride or the couple. Interact with guests by pausing. This gives time to respond or react you parts of your speech.

Last minute adds to your speech:

Before the wedding, prepare your speech. You may mention the wonderful experience of seeing the bride walk down the aisle and get married. This part will not be in the initial speech you’ve prepared, but it adds a nice touch of originality. Don’t feel limited to only your written speech.

How to write a maid of honor speech for the best wedding toast

Now we will take a closer look at what to cover in your maid of honor speech. Let’s go through each point and elaborate more on how you could use them.

7 Steps For The Perfect MOH Speech

Talk about the bride. Remember that it is not about you. After you introduce yourself, start talking about the bride and how you know her. How did you meet? What is something you find amazing about her?
Congratulations and well wishes. Express your happiness at her wedding and how amazing it was to share this amazing journey with her. Wish her and the groom the best.
A personal story about your relationship. Talk about your friendship, a heartfelt or funny story on why she is your BFF.
Touch on the bride’s character. Discuss the joy she brings into your life. This is a time to give some fun facts about her that some of the guests may not know.
Talk about the couple. Say something nice about the two being together and their love story. Like how she is a lot happier or how they are perfect for each other.
Thank you and more well wishes. Again, wish them the very best with all of your love and your blessing. And thank them for making you a big part of their special day.
Toast . Now celebrate the couple. Say cheers and take a much-deserved drink!

WHAT NOT TO DO!

No clichés (they’re corny)
No long quotes (they’re boring)
No inside jokes (they’re awkward)

Please know that there is nothing set in stone. If you want a short and sweet maid of honor speech, just subtract some of the sentences or paragraphs from each section.

For example, you could shorten number 3 significantly by reducing the number of paragraphs you write in your speech. Lastly, be sure to recite your speech in front of a small crowd like the bridal party or a relative.

Make sure you practice your speech well in advance to be prepared.

Maid of Honor Speech Examples

We will provide 3 examples for a maid of honor speech. Use these as inspiration for your future speech. Or use them word for word (just change names lol). You will find speech ideas for a best friend, sister, and a funny example.

Maid of honor speech for best friend

“ Hi, I’m Shante, I am Ariana’s maid of honor. I’ve known Ariana since college and since then, my life has changed for the better she is really one of my favorite people and one of the best humans on this planet.

When you asked me to be your maid of honor I was overjoyed. The first thing I thought about was the bachelorette party!

I cannot put into words how much you mean to me. You know that I’m so happy for you and_____. And I will be rooting for your relationship for the rest of my life.

When I met you I was going through such a difficult time you’ve taught me to be strong and always strive to be my best self.

There were times when I would almost lose it, and then a phone call from you would make things so much better.

One of my favorite memories was when we went to the B2K concert and got backstage pass security. And we got to meet Omarion.

We didn’t sneak in nor did we pay for passes. We got in all because you weren’t scared to just walkthrough.

I followed you in, and because of your bravery, audacity, and fearlessness, I got to have one of the best nights of my life.

Groom, this is what you’re dealing with here! She’s a woman who was bold, fearless, and a badass!

My wish if I get to have one is for everyone to have an Ariana in their life. She is the most loving and caring person that I’ve ever met.

Her heart is a reflection of what she does. And all she wants to do is take care of everyone around her. At the end of the day, she just wants everyone to love one another.

When you got engaged, I knew that this would be the best decision you’ve ever made. The smile you both put on each other’s faces are fascinating and I pray that you both remain happy forever .

Thank you so much for letting me be a part of this and I want to wish you all the love and happiness int.

Now let’s toast to the bride and the groom! “

Maid of honor speech for sister

“ Hello, my name is LeCole, Tasha’s little sister. Tash, You have been my backbone. The foundation for our family. I do not know where I would be without you.

I am so happy for you and Kwame and want to tell you both congratulations on your union. I know you guys will have so many wonderful moments together in your marriage.

Tash, when mom died you really showed me, our brother, and your son that nothing would ever break our bond.

As long as we have each other, everything will be okay. Going through such a traumatic thing like that should have made us all statistics.

But because of you taking care of us, we are now successful people. You’ve made us examples of what good could come from a bad situation.

Now that we are adults all we want is for you to be happy and loved. And we know you’ve got that with Kwame. And Kwame, get used to sister tattoos, sister bracelets, and hair emergencies. Welcome to the family!

Now that you’re officially a part of our cult, cheers to you both! “

Funny maid of honor speech

“ Hello my name is Tammy and Carla is my best friend And we’ve known each other since elementary school. She’s my best friend, confidant, and sometimes therapist.

I am so happy that you picked me to be by your side on this marvelous journey. You are an amazing friend and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you…. Even this sappy maid of honor speech (LOL).

I will try not to cry because I’m a very ugly crier and I don’t wanna ruin any photos (LOL). I want to wish you and Tony many many years of happiness.

Y ou deserve the best that life has to offer in love and marriage.

If you ask Carla about some of our adventures she’s probably a little hesitant (LOL). There are countless times that she is saving me from making a bad decision.

For the times she’s made me laugh uncontrollably on what I thought was a bad day.

Carla, it’s clear that everyone’s life is just better with you in it. Watching you go after your career and climb the corporate ladder and do wedding planning all in the same year has inspired me to be better and reach for the stars in life.

Because of you, I did manage to wear a real pair of pants this week, so here’s my progress in life’s achievements (LOL).

But in all seriousness, you have such a beautiful soul. She is someone I look up to because she is a positive influence in my life.

You know you’re a good person when someone’s pet prefers you over their owner. My dog absolutely loves Carla and would leave with her every time if she could. I mean seriously she would leave me for Carla any day LOL.

I know you will make a great wife and you two make a wonderful couple.

Umm…I think this is the part where I give relationship advice but I am 28 and single so I’m no help in that department (LOL) .

I want to end this by doing an activity with the couple. Carla put your hand on the table. Tony put your hand over Carla’s………

……..Take a good look Tony, and savor this moment. Because this will be the last time that you will EVER have the upper hand (LOL).

God Bless you both! Raise your glasses for Mr. and Mrs. Davis! “

Here is a Funny Maid of Honor Speech Template HERE

Perfect Maid of Honor Speech Template

Now you have everything you need to draft up the perfect maid of honor speech. If you use this guide, we are pretty sure you will NAIL your MOH speech. And before you go, we’ve got a FREE template for you to use to make writing your maid of honor speech easier. So start writing now!

Short Maid of Honor Speech Template :

And when you’ve completed your maid or matron of honor speech, take a breath of relief and have a good time!

Featured Image Credit: Kenneth Hein

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How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech—Template Included

Wondering how to write a maid of honor speech? This guide covers everything you need to know and includes a template to help you get started.

Your best friend is getting married , and she’s asked you to be her maid of honor—one of the most meaningful and important roles in helping your best friend bring her wedding daydreams to life. With this honor comes a number of important duties, and at the top of that list is delivering the maid of honor speech.

The maid of honor speech traditionally takes place at the wedding reception , but it’s possible you might deliver it at the rehearsal dinner. Regardless of when the speech will take place, it’s best to get started writing it at least three weeks before the wedding day. After all, a meaningful maid of honor speech isn’t something you can write up on your phone the morning of the wedding—it requires some thought, preparation, and maybe a round of edits or two.

If the task of giving a moving speech to a room full of people feels a bit nerve-wracking, don’t panic. We’ve broken down everything you need to know to craft the perfect speech from start to finish, along with how to keep your nerves at bay when it comes time to deliver it.

6 Tips to Prepare for Your Maid of Honor Speech

You don’t need to be a professional writer or orator to create a meaningful maid of honor speech. Use the tips below to get an idea of what to include and get an idea of the overall structure of a solid speech.

1. Introduce Yourself and Express Thanks

Begin your speech by introducing yourself and your relationship with the bride. Then, share a word of thanks for those who had a hand in planning the wedding —the bride’s family, the groom’s family, and anyone else who you feel should be mentioned.

2. Talk About the Bride

Now it’s time to get personal about the bride and your history together. You might share an anecdote about how you two met, what her friendship has meant to you over the years, or any other endearing story that illustrates why she’s so special. It’s best to focus this section of the speech on the bride before her partner came into the picture, which you can lead into in the next section.

3. Talk About Her Partner

Now is a good time to discuss the bride’s spouse. While you’re certainly the designated right-hand woman to the bride, remember that the focus of a maid of honor speech should be on celebrating the couple , the beauty of their relationship and their future together as newlyweds.

When thinking about what to say about her partner, you can share any number of special sentiments that you feel illustrate who they are and what they mean to the bride. You also might decide to talk about what you love about her partner, mention their greatest characteristics, or share a story about how much he or she means to the bride.

4. Talk About the Couple

While the last section focuses on the bride’s partner as an individual, use this section to talk about who they are as a couple. If you’re close friends with both partners, you might have some special memories to share looking back on the journey of their relationship. If not, you might talk about the impact the bride’s partner has had on her and how you saw her grow as their bond grew over time. Whatever you choose to speak about, be sure to keep the focus on the beauty of their relationship.

5. Share Encouragement or Advice for the Newlyweds’ Future

As you near the end of your speech, try closing with a word of encouragement or advice for the couple and their future together as newlyweds. After all, the whole point of the maid of honor speech is to celebrate the couple! You might include an inspirational quote or poem if you feel like it fits, but be sure to keep it short and sweet to avoid a long-winded reading.

6. Closing Toast

The closing of your speech should be short and sweet—simply share a closing remark to commemorate the happy couple. Then, invite the guests to raise their glasses in a toast to the newlyweds.

How to Nail Your Maid of Honor Speech

While the steps above are helpful in nailing the structure of your speech, there are a few additional tips to keep in mind that will help you write a compelling and meaningful speech.

Set Aside Reflection Time

Before you even attempt to write your speech, it’s a good idea to carve out some time to simply think and reflect. This can help kick off the creative process and get you into the right headspace as you ideate what you might want to include. Spend this time reflecting on the memories you share with the bride, and try to pinpoint any ideas or emotions that come to mind when you think of her. This way, you come away with a road map of all the major points you want to touch on in your speech.

Define Your Objective

As you’re planning your speech, it’s helpful to define your overall objective before you dive into the nitty gritty details and stories you’ll share. Think about the goal you want your speech to accomplish: is it to make the wedding guests laugh, cry, maybe both? Is the couple known for their sense of humor? Perhaps you add some comedic flair to your speech.

If you’ve been through a lot with the bride or want to touch on some more serious memories, perhaps you craft your speech to be more emotionally moving. In the end, defining your objective will help you find the direction your speech will take.

Don’t Go Overboard with Anecdotes

If you have a ton of history with the bride, you might have a miles-long list of heartwarming stories you want to share. However, one key to a compelling speech is keeping it short and sweet. A standard maid of honor speech should only be three to four minutes long, and you don’t want to risk boring the guests or taking the focus off of the celebration. To avoid this, choose one or two must-have memories or anecdotes that you know you want to include, and nix the rest.

Develop Your Story

Along with keeping things short and sweet, another key to writing a compelling maid of honor speech is to tell it like a story. Any story worth hearing has a defined beginning, middle and end. While you’re in control of the details that fill the story, you want to ensure that every detail aligns with the main point of your speech. Whatever you talk about should clearly tie back to the overall focus of the speech, which is celebrating the bond the couple shares and wishing them well for their new future together.

Be Authentic

The bride chose you as her maid of honor for a reason, so you shouldn’t feel like you have to be anything but yourself when you give your speech. Throw off any pressure you might feel to sound a certain way if it doesn’t ring true to you and your connection with the bride. A great maid of honor speech is about speaking openly and honestly about the bride and her partner—remember to write in the same way you’d speak to avoid sounding stiff or robotic.

Practice, Don’t Memorize

If you feel like you need to memorize your speech word for word, don’t! Instead, focus on practicing your speech in the weeks leading up to the wedding day. This way, the main points will be well committed to your memory and you won’t need to memorize it line by line. However, it’s still helpful to use a bulleted list of the main points when it’s time to give your speech—this way you don’t have to worry about losing track mid-speech.

When you’re practicing your speech, make sure you’re practicing out loud so you can get a feel for the overall flow and rhythm of what you plan to say. It’s also helpful to read it aloud to a friend or the other bridesmaids to get some outside perspective on how your speech sounds and any tweaks that might help it shine.

Maid of Honor Speech Template

Your maid of honor speech should be authentic and personal, and there’s a number of directions you might choose to take your speech in. If you’re stuck on where to begin, the template below is a great starting point to give you an idea of the general structure and flow of a maid of honor speech. Fill it in with your own words to personalize it according to you and your unique relationship with the bride!

“Hello everyone, I’m [name] and [bride’s name] maid of honor. I met [bride’s name] X years ago when [how you met]. When [bride] and I became friends, it was [personal anecdote about your relationship with the bride]. I’ll never forget [personal memory between you and the bride].

When [partner’s name] came into the picture, [personal anecdote about how you met their partner]. [Partner’s name] was [personal anecdote about the partner’s characteristics or favorite memory].

Watching their relationship grow over time has been [personal sentiments about the couple’s bond. I’ll always remember how [personal anecdote about the journey of their relationship]. Ever since then, I’ve seen [bride’s name] [sentiment about the impact of the couple’s relationship].

It’s a privilege to join with you all in honoring the marriage of [bride] and [partner], and I know I speak for everyone when I say we’re thrilled to stand by your side today and support you both as you enter your new life together. If there’s one piece of advice I’d share, it’s [word of advice or encouragement for the newlyweds]. Thank you both for showing us what it means to love unconditionally. Please raise a glass to [bride] and [partner]! May you two never stop loving each other, growing together, and showing up for each other today and every day. Cheers!”

Whether this is your first wedding speech or your 20th, feelings of nervousness are normal! With some dedicated time and practice (and a few deep breaths beforehand) you’ll be more than ready to nail your maid of honor speech. All that really matters is that your words come from the heart. After all, the couple might not remember every single word you share, but they’ll always remember the love and care that went into it.

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How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech: Wording Examples and Ideas

As a maid of honor, you’ll need to juggle several important duties – from organising an epic bridal shower to going wedding dress shopping and holding the bride’s bouquet.

But the most daunting task of all? Writing and delivering a maid of honor speech at the reception!

We totally get how terrifying this can be, which is why we’re here to help. Keep reading for our ultimate guide on writing the perfect maid of honor speech below, including some brainstorming prompts and wording examples to get you started.

How Long Should a Maid of Honor Speech Be?

Let’s get the good news out of the way first: your maid of honor speech doesn’t have to be long! Remember, you probably won’t be the only one speaking at the reception, so you’ll want to keep your speech short and sweet. We’d say the perfect maid of honor speech should ideally be between 2 to 4 minutes, and definitely no longer than 5.

What Should a Maid of Honor Speech Include?

Simply put, a maid of honor speech should be based around two key things: celebrating your relationship with the bride and celebrating her relationship with her new husband or wife.

Maid of honor speeches usually includes a mix of personal anecdotes, compliments to the happy couple, and well wishes for the future. Your speech can include your favourite memories with the bride, but it should also strike the right balance by including some sentiments towards her partner and their relationship, too. Usually, you’ll start your speech by talking about the bride and wrap it up by talking about her and her partner as a couple.

So, what does this look like in action? If you’re looking for a helpful framework to follow, consider this tried and tested formula for a winning maid of honor speech below:

Introduce yourself. It might seem obvious, but introducing yourself is important to give your speech context and explain your relationship with the bride. Don’t forget, there may be guests at the wedding who have no idea who you are!
Talk about the bride. Begin your speech by complimenting the bride. What do you love about her? What makes her such a good person/best friend/sibling? Be specific with your compliments, too – rather than saying, “She’s such a generous friend”, share a specific moment that demonstrates this.
Include a favourite anecdote. Do you have a favourite memory that sticks out when you reflect on your relationship with the bride? This is a good time to share one or two short anecdotes. They can be funny stories or more sincere and heartfelt moments.
Compliment their partner. Now it’s time to bring her partner into the speech. What are your favourite qualities about them? What was your first impression of them? Why are they such a good match for the bride?
Celebrate the couple. This is where you’ll want to highlight the relationship between the happy couple. Talk about what makes their relationship so special, what you admire about them as a couple, and how their lives have changed for the better.
Share your well wishes. Tie it all together by offering your best piece of marriage advice, favourite quote, or some warm wishes for the future.
Share a toast. Finally, raise your glass to toast the happy couple (and reward yourself with a sip of champagne, too!).

Things To Avoid In Your Maid of Honor Speech

Now that you know what to include in a maid of honor speech, is there anything you should strictly avoid? When it comes to correct etiquette, keep the following suggestions in mind to ensure your speech is well-received:

Sharing funny stories or gently “roasting” the couple is totally fine if that suits your relationship with them, but steer clear of anything inappropriate, rude, or embarrassing. Remember, there will likely be elderly relatives and important family members in the room, so keep it PG-rated.
If you’re not comfortable using jokes or humour, then don’t! It’s better to keep your speech genuine and heartfelt, rather than trying to be funny. Of course, it’s completely okay to include some comedy, but don’t force it unless it’s true to who you are.
While you and your BFF probably have a lifetime of inside jokes between you, try to avoid referencing these in your speech. If the majority of wedding guests won’t understand it, it’s probably not worth including.
Finally, don’t bring up any old boyfriends or ex-partners! It probably goes without saying, but your maid of honor speech is about celebrating the happy couple – not bringing up unwanted memories from the past.

Maid of Honor Speech Writing Prompts

Still feeling stuck? The best place to start crafting your maid of honor speech is usually with a good brainstorming session. Use these questions and writing prompts to help you get the inspiration flowing:

How did you meet the bride?
What was your first impression of her?
How has your relationship evolved over the years?
What’s your favourite memory with the bride?
What’s your funniest story about the bride?
What are the bride’s best qualities? How does she demonstrate this?
How would you describe the bride in 3 words?
How did you meet her partner?
What was your first impression of her partner?
What are her partner’s best qualities? How do they demonstrate this?
How would you describe her partner in 3 words?
How did you know her partner was “the one”?
How did her partner propose?
What do you admire most about the couple?
What milestones have the couple celebrated?
How has their relationship evolved over the years?
Have they overcome any challenges or hardships together?
What makes their relationship unique?
What’s your favourite memory with the couple?
How have they made an impact on your life?
What are your hopes for their future together as a married couple?

Once you’ve spent some time answering these prompts, you should have plenty of fantastic material to work with.

Maid of Honor Speech Examples and Ideas

Now, it’s time to start pulling everything together! Use these maid of honor speech templates and examples below to be inspired:

Maid of Honor Speech Example For Sister:

“Hi everyone. I wanted to start by thanking you all for being here today to celebrate this amazing couple. As most of you know, I’m (Bride’s) little sister, (Name).

I think we can all agree that (Bride) has a personality like no other. She’s outspoken, feisty, and stubborn – but also the most caring, loyal, and funniest person I’ve ever known. Growing up, we were like two peas in a pod. We were always getting into trouble and causing mischief together – and truthfully, not much has changed! I’ll never forget the time we (insert relevant anecdote), or the time we (insert relevant anecdote). It’s memories like these that make me so thankful to have (Bride) as a sister.

I used to wonder if there would ever be a guy brave enough to handle (Bride). Well, my sister has just tied the knot, and I think she’s found her perfect match in (Partner). (Partner), I couldn’t have chosen anyone better for my big sister. You’re kind, patient, and just the right amount of crazy to fit into our family – as demonstrated by the time you (insert relevant anecdote). Most importantly, you love my sister for who she is – stubbornness and all.

Your commitment to each other inspires me every day, and watching your relationship grow over the years has been so special to witness. I wish you both nothing but the best for the future, and I know you’re going to have some unforgettable adventures together. So, with that, I’d like to invite everyone to raise their glasses for a toast. Here’s to the happy couple!”

Maid of Honor Speech Example for Best Friend:

“Hi everyone. For those who haven’t yet had the chance to meet me, I’m (Name). (Bride) and I have been best friends since college, where we quickly bonded over our shared love for (insert hobbies/interests). 10 years later, and I couldn’t be happier to be standing here today to celebrate the amazing person (Bride) is, and the amazing life she and (Partner) have created together.

There are so many traits that I love about (Bride). First, her wacky sense of humour and ability to find the funny moment in any situation – like the time she (insert relevant anecdote). Secondly, her thoughtfulness and generosity, especially when she (insert relevant anecdote). And finally, her ability to light up any room she walks into. (Bride), you look so beautiful tonight.

Now, onto (Partner). My first impression of (Partner) was that he was incredibly kind, friendly, and humble. All of these things are still true, but as I’ve gotten to know him better, I’ve also seen how hilariously goofy he can be. I’ll never forget when he (insert relevant anecdote). It was then I knew that he was “the one” for my best friend.

(Bride) and (Partner), you complement each other perfectly, and it’s easy to see how crazy you are about each other. I’m so honoured to call you my friends, and I can’t wait to see how you navigate this exciting next chapter together. I’ll leave with you a quote to take with you through marriage: (insert relevant quote). Here’s to (Bride) and (Partner)!”

Nailing Your Wedding Speech

Finally, don’t forget that practice makes perfect. Once you’ve crafted your maid of honor speech, spend some time rehearsing it before the day until you’re comfortable with your delivery. The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel when the big moment comes!

And while the thought of writing a maid of honor speech can definitely be daunting, try not to put too much pressure on yourself. Simply speak authentically from the heart, and you can’t go wrong.

Want to be the best maid of honor ever? Read these 13 important maid of honor duties you can’t forget to do !

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How To Write The Perfect Maid Of Honor Speech

Cheat sheet included

S o the time has come, and you’re getting ready to write your maid of honor speech! We get it. You’ve been mentally writing your toast since the day you and your BFF met in second grade, or since you became roommates in college, or since she was the only person at your new job who welcomed you. Or you have more to say than you can possibly boil down into one maid of honor speech because this is your sister . She’s been with you through thick and thin.

When the time comes to write something that feels so darn special, it’s easy to find yourself with more questions than answers. Just how many inside jokes can you include? (Not that many.) How long should your toast be? (Not that long.) What should the maid of honor speech say? (We’ve got a formula for you.) How should you end the maid of honor toast? (Go out strong.) We get how overwhelming it can be, and we are here to turn all of that love into the perfect three-minute speech, that will bring down the house.

How do you write a wedding speech? Let’s break it down: In its simplest form, the maid of honor speech is one to four minutes wherein you will wax poetic about how much you love this person, how you can’t believe that she and her partner found each other because they are so perfect together, and how you can’t wait to see what kind of life they will build together. You’ll throw in a few anecdotes (tales from summer camp or college, erring on the side of caution and eschewing details that no one except the two of you needs to know). You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll toast the couple, and it will be brilliant. But if any part of you is worried about how that might come together, We’ve got some very specific tips on how to write the perfect maid of honor toast:

How to write a maid of honor speech.

Start early . Don’t leave writing your Maid of Honor toast for the night before, or even that week. You’ll be busy supporting your friend and I promise it’ll feel less stressful if you get ahead of it.
Brainstorm . Before you start writing, maybe even weeks before, do some brainstorming. Have a note started on your phone from the moment you know you’ll have a speech to write, spend an evening going through old photos, do whatever it takes to help yourself remember some old stories and anecdotes that will help you make your speech that much more personal.
Write drunk, edit sober . Or, write fast, edit slow. Just know that your first draft isn’t the end-all. You’ll undoubtedly have a hard time deciding which story to tell, maybe you’ll include a few too many jokes or loving jabs… either way, give yourself the time and space to really edit. And ask a friend for feedback, too.
Cut it down . Take Raymond Carver’s advice: “Get in, get out. Don’t linger. Go on.” It can sometimes be so much easier to write or say a lot of words, but narrowing it down to the core feelings and message are what will make it powerful.
Practice, practice, practice . Please don’t let the day of the wedding be the first time you read your toast out loud. Thank me later.

Download our “how to write a maid of honor speech” workbook:

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How long should the maid of honor speech be?

You should set a goal of two to three minutes for your Maid of Honor toast. Can it be a bit longer? Sure. But avoid surpassing five minutes. Katelyn Peterson, a wedding speech and vow writer from Wedding Words, gives the following advice, “Written, your speech should be 300 – 700 words. This comes out to roughly 2 – 5 minutes. Any longer and you’ll lose impact while guests lose interest. Plus, there’s nothing that needs to be said in 10 minutes that you can’t say in 5 minutes. Brevity is key to making a positive impact through your speech.”

What should the maid of honor speech say?

Katelyn Peterson has this great thought on what you should include in your toast: “Great speeches include great storytelling. What does every story have? A relatable character, a compelling event, and an internal shift.”

Her example: Tell the story about that time the bride (relatable character) helped you break into your own apartment after you locked yourself out (compelling event) and you ended up laughing so hard, you weren’t upset anymore because she made a challenging moment fun (internal shift). This story also SHOWS something about the bride (which every story should accomplish in a MOH speech). She has the ability to take stressful situations and make them fun. This is your theme. Now come up with two more short stories that SHOW this theme in action using these same storytelling elements.

How should you end the maid of honor speech?

While it’s a speech, it is also meant to be a toast. So, consider ending your time at the mic with a clear closing remark, and asking folks to raise their glasses and toast to the couple. Katelyn also suggests that you “close with a callback. Callbacks are instant crowd-pleasers.” So if you can circle back to one of your stories or anecdotes in your closing toast, you will really win at this whole maid of honor thing.

Bride and three bridesmaids stand in front of a window with drinks in hand

Photo by Leah and Mark & Co.

Tips For Writing Your Toast

Get personal. Obviously, this is not the time to use every awful person your friend has dated as evidence for how excellent her chosen life-mate is, but it is the time to share a few personal stories. You’ll want to talk about how happy you are for the couple, how much as you knew your BFF was your BFF the second she traded shoelaces with you, you knew that her chosen partner was perfection when they showed up to her house wearing bacon-themed socks. After that, wrap it up nicely and sweetly, toast the couple, and have a seat.
Don’t worry about the Best Man. Best men have a rep for sometimes being uncool during their speeches ( let’s avoid that ). And if you’re worried, just ignore whatever the best man might get up to, and do you. You don’t have to bring out the waterworks as a counterpoint to a counterpoint to potentially awkward jokes if that’s not your style. If you want to be funny, be funny! Steal the best man’s thunder. It’s fine.
Don’t turn it into stand-up. That said, your toast is not the time to try out your future career as a stand-up comedian (unless you literally are a stand-up comedian, in which case, you’ve got this). No one is expecting Maya Angelou to suddenly appear and speak through you, but they probably are expecting something heartfelt and sincere. So really consider the speech and take it seriously, even if humor is your vehicle of delivery.
Consider your audience . If you were writing this maid of honor toast for the bachelorette party, I’d say, ‘go wild.’ You’re not though. There will be your friend’s new in-laws, grandparents, and siblings around… so keep it appropriate and, ideally, not at all embarrassing. (Hot tip: Avoid talking about exes.)
Don’t wait too long to start writing. Try to start writing your speech the month before the wedding so that you can practice on a friend (not the one who is getting married) or partner, and adjust as needed.

Wedding couple holding champagne flutes during wedding toasts

Photo by Vivian Chen

A Made of Honor Speech Template

Part 1: Introduction, Congratulations, & “I love you both so much.”
Part 2: A lovely anecdote about the couple’s relationship and how awesome they are. (Try to stay away from something about just one of them, but about them as a couple. Talking about primarily one person within the context of their relationship and their love can be lovely, too, if that’s your relationship to the couple.) This should be the bulk of your speech.
Part 3: I hope you are always as happy, joyous, and in love as that moment. OR This proves how madly in love you two are. May you continue to be an inspiration to us all. Etc.
Part 4: (Actually make the toast.) Everyone drinks!

Photo by Betty Clicker

maid of honor speech EXAMPLEs

Here’s a sample maid of honor toast that follows the formula perfectly:

Haley and Rachel, I love you both so much . Haley, not only for you being one of my best friends, but for being there for me when being my friend didn’t just involve late night Wal-Mart runs and hours of watching ’80s movies. We’ve grown up together and I am so very grateful that we did not grow apart. And Rachel, I love you, too, for not only being such an incredible partner for my Haley, but for being a great friend to me also. I know you didn’t expect that dating Haley would include helping her flaky friend after she locked her keys in the car three times in one month, but you are a doll for doing so with a smile and only laughing at me a little. However, what I love most about the two of you is how you are together. I’ve never seen two people that fit so well in each other’s lives; it’s hard to imagine a time when you weren’t “Haley and Rachel.” It may seem to some like you two were just meant to be and that fate put you together, but I think to look at it that way diminishes how amazing your relationship really is. Having been there from the beginning, I know that what appeared to be seamless was the effort of two people who truly loved one another and were determined to make their relationship work. They didn’t just magically fit into each other’s lives; they rearranged their lives to make room. They changed priorities, made time for one another and learned to love each other’s little quirks… like Rachel’s not-so-secret love of R&B vocalists. But nothing shows this as much as Haley, Rachel, and the hockey debacle. You see, when they started dating, Rachel noticed that Haley had a framed Gretsky jersey in her living room. And, deciding to play it cool, Rachel started asking Haley if she wanted to go to local hockey games and watching the latest game on TV just so she’d have something to talk about to Haley the next time they chatted. Haley, oblivious to all of this, thought Rachel really liked hockey so she enlisted my brother to teach her more about the game. Because, you see, Haley never watched hockey. The jersey belonged to her Uncle Mike, and Aunt Laura gave it to her as a reminder of him after he passed away. Meanwhile, both my brother and Rachel are pretending to know more about hockey than they actually do and were starring in their own sports-themed comedy of errors. Eventually, they figured it out… and by eventually I mean seven months later. However, once these two worked on their communication skills, they had a new favorite hobby to do together… and further proof that Uncle Mike really is watching over Haley. AND, he’s bound and determined that she marry a hockey lover! And it only goes to show not only how goofy these two are for each other, but how much they truly are committed to being in each other’s lives. Your love makes us smile, makes us tear up with joy and makes us believe in the kind of love cynics would make you feel is impossible. Thank you for being an inspiration and my friends. To Haley and Rachel! (everybody drinks)

Woman holding microphone and small booklet giving maid of honor speech

Here’s another great example. There’s a reason this YouTube video has over a million views. The speaker in this video follows a pretty simple maid of honor toast template, one that might help you.

“Good evening, everyone.”
Short joke or anecdote from the day.
A bit about how you know the couple. (Katelyn from Wedding Words suggests that you “don’t add fluff to your intro. “For those of you who don’t know me…” is an unnecessary line. Instead, jump right in by simply stating your name, role, and relationship to the couple.”
Storytime. This might be one long story or a few short stories. Tell about the couple’s love story, about when you met the partner or when you knew this was going to be your friend or sister’s spouse. Throw in a few small laughs.
Offer advice or well-wishes for the couple’s future.
“I love you.”

One more heartfelt example. Her outline is similar, do we see a pattern?

Hello / introduction (if you’re going to make it funny, make yourself the ‘butt of the joke.’)
Storytime. The maid of honor stretched her story out to create the entire speech while peppering in mini-stories about different times she and her family spent time with the groom. She got some good laughs without any embarrassment to the couple.
She didn’t feel like she had advice to give, so she offered “Three things I know,” where she highlighted different wonderful things about the couple’s love.
She did a call back to the beginning of her story.

Have you ever written or heard a truly great maid of honor toast? What works—and what doesn’t?

Founder & Editor-In-Chief

Meg is the Founder of APW, and has been the sites EIC for the past twelve years. She has written two best selling wedding books: A Practical Wedding and A Practical Wedding Planner . Meg’s work has been referenced in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, Jezebel, and Refinery29 . She’s also written hugely viral wedding articles for Buzzfeed. She lives in Oakland, CA with her husband and two children. For more than you ever wanted to know about Meg, you can visit MegKeene.com .

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How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech

A flawless maid of honor speech can't be hastily written on your phone at the reception—it takes time and a lot of practice. Here's how to write a maid of honor speech that will garner a standing ovation.

In His Image Photography

As a maid of honor in your BFF’s upcoming wedding, you're likely pretty thrilled about all that's in store for you, from the awesome maid of honor duties , to the epic events to plan ( hey bachelorette party !) to that maid of honor speech — but it's also normal to be a bit nervous, too. As we said, the maid of honor has lots of responsibilities, which include writing and delivering the maid of honor speech. The maid of honor speech usually occurs during the wedding reception, but you might be asked to deliver it at the rehearsal dinner instead. If you’re comfortable speaking in front of a crowd or have a background in acting or performing, the maid of honor speech should be a breeze . But, considering that public speaking is a very common fear, you might be anxious . And even if giving the maid of honor speech doesn’t worry you, figuring out exactly how to write a maid of honor speech likely does. It’s an important moment for both you and the bride, and of course you want to make it special.

How do you prepare the most amazing maid of honor speech she’s ever heard and alleviate some of your anxieties? We’re here to help.

When to start writing a maid of honor speech.

Presuming you haven’t procrastinated too long, you should give yourself as much time as possible to prepare — start at least three weeks to a month before the wedding. This may seem like a lot of time to write a short maid of honor speech, but the longer you wait to write, the more stressed you’ll become.

Choose a time when you’re feeling inspired by your friendship with the bride and/or couple. If you’re feeling extra sentimental after the bachelorette party brought up a plethora of stories you had forgotten about, write them down. Don’t underestimate the power of free writing, during which you unleash all of the thoughts and anecdotes about your bestie that cross your mind onto the page. That way, you’ll be able to see all of your feelings and memories all together at once. From there, who knows? More likely than not, you’ll discover some sort of inspiration within these reflections.

The maid of honor speech outline.

1. how to start the maid of honor speech..

First off, introduce yourself and mention your relationship with the bride, and the couple. Next, be sure you thank whomever you feel is important enough to mention, depending on the circumstances and who paid for or planned the wedding — parents, other family members, wedding party members, etc. Congrats! You have two lines of your speech out of the way.

2. Talk about the bride.

Now things start to get more personal. If you were just going to express gratitude, it would be a toast, not a maid of honor speech. One crowd-pleasing story you might consider including is how you met the bride. If it’s not a particularly appealing or appropriate story, you might also consider a story about the two of you the really exemplifies your friendship, or a time when you knew you were going to be friends forever. If the two of you share a bond over food, maybe you could talk about that time the two of you tried (and failed) to make your own recipe from scratch. Maybe you were really frustrated at first when you were assigned to be partners in class because you didn’t think you were going to get along, but as fate would have it, you became inseparable. Get creative and get sentimental. And don’t be afraid to be funny .

3. Talk about her partner.

After talking about you and the bride, it might be a good idea to include how you first met her almost-spouse in the maid of honor speech. I once witnessed a maid of honor that had been friends with the bride for many years, and during her speech she recalled that the bride actually had set her and the groom up on a blind date at first. The maid of honor and the future groom talked about their common friend for the entire date—and the rest was history. You’re the bride’s right hand woman, but a wedding is all about celebrating the couple, so it’s a nice transition from talking about you and the bride into talking about the bride and her partner. It also shows your solidarity and support for their relationship. No matter how you truly feel about her partner, keep a happy face on.

4. Talk about them as a couple.

Speaking of which, after you explain how you met the bride’s new spouse, talk about the two of them as a couple. This works even better if you’ve known both of them for a long time. Maybe you were the bride’s roommate when they had their first date, and you witnessed her giddy nerves beforehand. Maybe you witnessed the very prolonged will-they-or-won’t-they period of their relationship. What did she tell you after they said "I love you," for the first time? At one wedding, the groom’s sister told a story that took place about three months before the groom and bride had gotten together. The sister was teasing her brother about his love life, when he said, “I’m in love with my best friend, but it will never happen, she’s not interested.” Her brother wouldn’t give any names — but three months later, she figured it out for herself when they started dating.

5. Keep it short and sweet.

In thinking about how to write a maid of honor speech, remember that it should only be about two to three minutes long. That’s just long enough to tell a few stories about the beloved couple and toast to a happy future. Everyone will probably be anxious to start dancing (or eating!) at this point, so there’s no need to drag on. We tend to talk more quickly when we’re nervous, so be extra aware to speak slowly.

6. Practice.

Be sure to practice your speech in advance — whether it’s in front of a mirror, your cat, or a family member or friend. You can even time yourself to make sure the speech is an appropriate length.

7. End with a toast.

Don't forget to toast to the happy couple at the end! Raising your glass is a great natural finisher to your maid of honor speech, and a guaranteed crowd pleaser. You can add a few words, like "Now, let's all raise a glass to the newlyweds!" or something similarly concise and to the point.

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What to NOT say in a maid of honor speech

Here's what to avoid when writing your maid of honor speech.

1. Exes, drunken nights or anything else remotely inappropriate.

It should go without saying, but exes or drunken debauchery should not be included in a maid of honor speech. A wedding is a family event, after all. Don’t talk about anything the bride wouldn’t mind her grandmother hearing.

2. Anything that could even potentially cause tension.

Don’t mention the high divorce rate — even jokingly. It will not be received well.

3. Don’t feel pressured to be anything but yourself.

If humor isn’t your strong suit, it doesn’t have to be a hilarious maid of honor speech. You can be nostalgic, sweet, or sentimental — but not drunk. Wait to drink until after your maid of honor speech .

Whatever you write in your maid of honor speech, the most important thing is that your words come from the heart. Even if you’re not a natural-born performer , speak with feeling and emotion — not like you’re reading a classroom assignment—and talk directly to the couple, rather than focusing on the many other faces in the crowd. Your bestie may not remember the exact words you said during your maid of honor speech, but she’ll remember the care and love behind it.

Maid of Honor Speech Examples

January 3, 2017 By Kate

When it comes to giving a Maid of Honor speech, there are a few things that you will want to keep in mind. Even if you are using a speech example below, you will want to make sure that you add personal details. In this article, we have listed numerous Maid of Honor speech examples to help you with the writing process.

How To Write a Maid of Honor Speech

When you start your speech, make it a point to let the crowd know who you are and what your relationship to the bride is. How do you know her? Where did you meet? You can just mention these facts briefly before you begin to delve into your speech.

Another thing that you can do in your speech is tell a story about a bride. You can even tell a story about the first time that you met the groom. Most of the best Maid of Honor speeches start with the bride and end with the couple.

Some details worth including are what the bride was like before she met the groom, and what she is like now that the groom is in her life. From seeing her laugh a lot more to noticing how much more she smiles now, these are details that the guests will love to hear.

While it might be common sense for some, you will want to make sure that you know what not to say in a wedding speech. Avoid talking about ex boyfriends or embarrassing stories where the bride got too drunk.

As for preparing for the actual event, make sure that you rehearse the speech. Practice it in front of at least one person. Rehearsing a speech in a room alone is just not the same.

It is even better to practice the speech in front of one of the bridesmaids. Keep practicing the speech. You do not need to memorize the speech, but the words in it should feel like second nature.

If you are worried about your nerves during the actual wedding speech, you can try to focus your eyes on the bride. Seeing a familiar face as you speak can help to ease your nerves.

Make sure that it is clear when the speech is over. Some phrases that will indicate this include, “let us toast to the bride and groom, “congratulations to the happy couple, and so on.

These are just some tips when it comes to preparing a great speech. Read the sample speeches below for more inspiration.

1. Once in a while, in the middle of an otherwise ordinary life, love bestows on us a fairy-tale, a romance that is true and pure. I have never seen another couple as in love as these two people here who have been married today and I am so honored to know and love them. Congratulations to you both and to the beautiful future that lays ahead of you.

2. Love is not always perfect, but when the right people are together, they will always fight to make it work. Nothing in the world can tear them apart. These two people sitting in front of me are the epitome of true love and I am so lucky to have been a part of this special day and bear witness to this proclamation of love. Let us toast to the happy newlyweds.

3. When I first met [bride’s name], we were both just young girls. Even then, I knew that she was someone special. She is one of the kindest, most generous people that I know.

And now, she is no longer a girl but a woman who has met her equal, another person in this world that is as deserving of her as she is of him. Together, they make a wonderful pair and I know that they will make each other so happy in their new life together.

4. As some of you know, I am fiercely protective of [bride’s name.] I would do anything for her and she is one of the most important people in my life. Over the years, we have laughed together, cried together, and had so many amazing memories. I am truly blessed to have someone like her in my life.

Since I am so protective of her, you can imagine how skeptical of [groom’s name] I was when he first came into the picture. I wondered what his intentions were. Was he good enough for such a unique and special person?

I soon learned that [groom] is just as amazing as [bride.] He worships her and would do anything to see her smile. They complement each other in the most perfect way. They are two twin souls that were destined to find each other. And I could not be happier for the two of them.

5. Before I begin my speech, I would just like to say that [bride’s name,] you look absolutely beautiful tonight and [groom,] you don’t look so bad yourself. It has been quite a day. An unforgettable, whirlwind of a day that celebrates the fact that two people fell in love.

Not only do I feel privileged to know these two people, I also feel lucky enough to have witnessed the love they have for each other. Their love for one another has made them even better people than they were before. Together, they are even stronger. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. _________!

6. Anyone can be passionate, but it takes a real pair of lovers to be silly. When bride and groom are together, they let their guard down. Together, they are two of the goofiest people I know, and I mean that in the best way possible.

7. They say that a successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. Many of us have been lucky to fall in love before. But real love is when you are able to fall in love with that same person over and over again.

8. You are able to surprise each other in ways that are always new. And it is not always just good times that make you fall in love. You can fall in love during the hard times as well, when you have to lean on each other and cry on each other’s shoulders.

9. With bride and groom, I see this kind of love. For all the time that they have spent getting to know each other, they still continue to fall in love as if they are still in the honeymoon stages. To never get tired of one’s smile, the little gestures of thoughtfulness that they show that they still care, even after all this time. That is real love.

10. I know I am not alone when I say that it is a joy to see bride and groom fall in love with each other, day after day. The beauty of such a love is something that words cannot fully describe.

So I end my speech by raising my glass to the bride and groom. Let us continue to witness and celebrate the remarkable love that this remarkable, beautiful couple shares.

11. Thank you all for coming here. Some of you have traveled far and wide to be here today. Some of you drove and some of you even flew to all be in the same room today, all so we could celebrate the love of these two people who are beautiful both inside and out.

It is amazing to see all the people who love bride and groom in the same room as they embark on this new adventure together.

12. When I first met [bride], I knew that there was something special about her. We were drawn to each other as friends and my life truly would not be the same without her. Over the years, we have shared some really great memories.

But little did I know that something in her life was still missing. I realized that when she met [groom’s name.]

After she met [groom], it was as if something clicked. We didn’t know it just then, but something was planted that would continue to flourish and grow.

Ever since these two met, something has changed. [Bride] is not exactly the same person she was before. She was strong before, but she is even stronger now. And while she was happy then, she is even happier with [groom] by her side.

With [groom], [bride] is the best version of herself. And I think [groom] is much better with [bride] in his life as well. Here’s a toast to the two of you.

13. These two newlyweds are a rare find in today’s world. Between the two of them, this couple has beauty, brains, and two hearts of gold. Here’s to the groom who has a bride so fair, and here’s to the bride with a groom who is so rare.

14. There can be so much sadness and loss in the world, but we also know that there is good in this world as well. With all of the things that happen that make us feel caught up in a storm, some of us are lucky enough to have something or someone to hold on to.

The best thing to hold onto in life is each other. When you have something to hold on to, then you have hope for the day and for many days to come

When I look at the bride and groom, I know that what they have will stand the test of time. Their love was made to weather the toughest of storms and their trials and tribulations will only further prove their love and devotion to one another. May the love that you have for each other continue to grow each and every year.

15. Growing up, [bride] was a little cynical. She did not really believe in true love or fairy-tale endings. I, on the other hand, was the more romantic one. I would tell her, much to her annoyance, that she only felt that way because she had not met the right one yet. And guess what? I was right.

When [bride] met [groom,] it was as if the universe had shifted. All the birds were singing and it was as if the sun had never shined brighter. That is how the world was through [bride’s] eyes when she finally fell in love with [groom.] As a romantic person, I have been lucky enough to watch this love story unfold.

Now we are all seated here, celebrating the union of two people who are very special to us. Let us toast to their health and the many happy years that they will share together.

16. As many of us know, marriage is not happy all the time. There will be disagreements and sometimes there will even be arguments. Whether To keep your marriage brimming with love in the loving cup, whenever you are wrong, admit it, and whenever you are right, shut up.

17. Whether you are a firm believer of destiny or think that happy things can just happen by accident and mere chance, there is no denying that these two amazing people are perfect for each other. Either way, these two have happened each other. It is a once in a lifetime love, and we are all so lucky to be able to be along for the ride.

18. Hello, everyone. Thank you all for coming together to celebrate the love that [bride and groom] share. Many of you know that I am [bride’s] older sister. As most older sisters are, I have always been overprotective of her, even before she was born. When she was born, she was my baby sister.

I was determined to look after her, take care of her, and protect her, though I did push her around a little bit. But if someone else messed with her, then they had to answer to me.

As we grew older, the need to protect her didn’t go away. I wanted to always have her back at school and throughout her relationships and friendships with people. I always wanted her to know that I’d be there for her, especially when things got tough.

And then one day, [bride] met [groom.] I came to realize that this person really, truly cared her. Not only did her care about her, he loved her. From the way he looks at her to the way he always tries to make sure that she is okay, there is no mistaking his love.

And I will admit, it was hard to let go of my sister a little. We have always been inseparable. But I am so happy that she found someone who cares about her so much. I know that [groom] will keep her happy. And she will keep him happy as well.

19. Helping to plan the wedding has been an absolute whirlwind full of emotions both good and stressful. Planning a wedding takes lots of work and lots of people made this beautiful day happen. [Bride] and [groom,] thank you for taking me on this journey with you. It has been a beautiful day and we all still have plenty of dancing and celebrating to do.

Maid Of Honor Speeches For Sister

20. Hi everyone, I am [bride’s] sister. As many you all know, the two of us come from a big, happy, wacky family. Through all of the years together, my many siblings and I have loved each other with everything that we had, but we would also often fight each other with all of our strength, especially when it came to sharing, taking turns, and agreeing on who got to be in charge.

Throughout the years there have been a lot of laughs and a few fights, but my brothers, sisters, and I have always maintained our shared belief that a family is life’s greatest blessing of them all.

When [bride] finally introduced all of us to [groom], I was a little worried for him. Maybe we would be too big of a family or we would scare him away. But he was brave and he ended up fitting right in, and now I can proudly say that he is one of us. He belongs to our clan now and I certainly hope he feels that way.

Welcome to the family, [groom.] To [bride] and [groom,] may they keep our family growing one day.

21. Hello, everyone. I am [bride’s] older sister. When our parents first let me know that I was going to have a little sister, I was so excited. The day that she was born, I couldn’t believe how beautiful my baby sister was.

Growing up, she was always my playmate and best friend and I made sure that she was my sidekick. Over the years, [bride] and I had many adventures together.

Of course as we grew older, we grew apart at times and began to forge our own paths. But we always found our way back to each other. I admit that when we became older, there were times that I really missed her and how we used to be.

But seeing who [bride] has become and what she has accomplished has made me feel in awe of her. I knew that whoever could win her heart would have to be someone special. And [groom] is certainly just as special as [bride.] Together they make a formidable pair.

Congratulations to my sister and to my new brother-in-law.

22. As [bride’s] older sister, I have always felt responsible for her. I wanted to protect her from everything and growing up, I always tried to keep her safe by my side. For a while she was so much small than me, after all. But then she grew, and grew, and next thing I knew it, we weren’t little girls anymore. Sometimes I can’t believe how much she has grown, how old we’re both getting.

And when I met [groom,] I was a little skeptical. I still felt like the overprotective big sister, and sometimes I still do, but I quickly learned that [groom] was the real deal. But I am glad that she found such a wonderful person to spend the rest of her life with.

I know that these two newlyweds will be happy together. And [groom,] you take good care of my baby sister.

23. Hi, everyone. Thank you all so much for being here today. Most of you know that I am [bride’s] sister. For those of you who don’t know the pair of us too well, we were peas in a pod, two wild kids always looking for trouble.

We were always running to fast, knocking things over, and laughing a little too loud. But boy were we always happy. My sister is a free spirit with a knack for adventure and as we got older I remember thinking, “good luck to the guy that’s able to tame her.”

Well, as you know, she just tied the knot with [groom.] And I realized that she never needed anyone to tame her at all. She needed someone to love her for who she is. [Groom] is just as crazy as [bride] in the best way possible. They encourage each other to be fearless and they are always strong for each other. That is true love.

Let us all raise a glass to this beautiful cowgirl and her handsome cowboy.

24. Hello everyone, I am [bride’s] sister. I don’t think I surprise anyone when I say that I love my sister. She is worthy of all the love in the world and I am beyond thrilled that she has found that in [groom.] They are so like each other and so perfectly matched. I know that [groom] will take care of her and that [bride] will take care of him.

25. I am [bride’s] sister and maid of honor. Through the years, we have been through ups and downs. No matter where life took us, love was always there through the best and worst of times.

When one of us was crying, our love for each other comforted us and when we were celebrating, our love helped us to share that happiness with one another. In that way, love is food for the soul.

It is said that where there is great love, there are always miracles. No matter where you are, no matter what you are doing, love is the thing that can sustain you and keep you going. It can give you hope and fill you with so much optimism for the future ahead.

The love that [bride] and [groom] have for each other is something that is truly magical and miraculous and I for one am grateful to be able to witness it.

26. You all know that I am [bride’s] sister. We were brought up in a home full of love and laughter by two amazing parents who are sitting right there. If you haven’t already guessed it, we are a very closely knit family. Even as adults, we all still maintain a close relationship with our parents and with each other.

So how exactly did [groom] manage to infiltrate our family? He was a great listener, always fun to talk to, and he has a great sense of humor. He is also pretty generous and thoughtful.

But none of that would not have mattered if he did not love [bride] with all of his soul. When we all saw how much he loved her, we knew that he belonged in our family. And when we see how much she loves you, it is something that is so beautiful to witness.

So, [groom], welcome to the family. We might be wacky and even crazy at times, but you are one of us now!

27. As [bride’s] sister I am pretty used to having her all to myself. We always played together as children and sometimes we did fight. And as we grew older, we continued to hang out all the time. I got so used to having her all to myself.

When [groom] came into the picture, it took some getting used to. I never had to really share my sister before. And [groom] was someone new, I didn’t know him that well at the time.

Time passed and as I got to know [groom,] I learned that he was a pretty cool guy. I even think of him as a friend now, though now that he is married to my sister, he is my brother now too.

Over time I realized that [groom and bride] share a really special bond. I’ve seen the way they look at each other, as the rest of you have, and when I see how real their love is, it makes me hope that one day I find someone like that. I am glad that [groom] is in my life, and more importantly, I am thrilled that he and [bride] found each other.

I like to think of it this way: I have not lost a sister. Instead, I have gained a brother, and an amazing one at that. Welcome to the family, [groom.] Let us all raise a glass to the happy newlyweds.

28. As most of you know, I am [bride’s] younger sister. Growing up, I was the baby of the family. I always had a lot to learn and [bride] was my biggest example of how to be. I have to admit, being the baby sister can be really annoying. A lot of the time, you find yourself wanting to break out of your shell. At the same time, [bride] set a lot of great examples for me as an older sister.

As a sister, [bride] taught me how to share. She taught me how to be a caring sister and friend and she taught me what it means to be a good person. As much as I tried to resist it, I found myself often following in her footsteps? How could I not want to be the smart, sensitive, and successful person that she is?

Even now, [bride] has set a huge example for me by finding someone who is worthy of her love. She has found a person who is her soul mate, her better half, and her equal. I hope to one day find someone who is right for me the way that these two have found each other. I am equally lucky to have both bride and groom in my life, and I am so happy that they found each other.

You may also enjoy Mother of the Bride Speeches.

29. Hi, everyone. I am [bride’s] sister. Since we are so close in age, we would play together all the time. We had our dolls to play with and we would pretend to be princesses.

She was always looking for her Prince Charming. Prince Charming was handsome, thoughtful, generous, loving, and kind. Of course we got older and we grew up. We realized that fairytales aren’t real and yet, one day, she met [groom.]

Now, many of you know [groom.] He’s a modern man and I don’t think he would exactly describe himself as a Prince Charming. But in a way, that’s what he is to [bride.] He is thoughtful, kind, generous, loving, and he isn’t ugly to look at either.

And while he doesn’t have a coat of arms or a valiant horse to ride on, he sure swept [bride] off her feet. And no one has ever been able to do that before, not even when we were playing pretend as little girls.

Sure, we’re in the 21 st century now. But what these two have is a modern fairytale, a true romance that is one for the books. Let’s raise a glass to these two storybook lovers who have finally tied the knot.

Maid Of Honor Speech For Best Friend

30. Hello, everyone. For those who do not know me, I am a good friend of [bride.] We have known each other for [number of years] years. After all this time, I feel like I know [bride] inside and out. And after knowing [groom] for [number of years] years, I am proud to say that I can call him a good friend as well.

To be a part of this close circle of friends that has gotten to know bride and groom individually, is a blessing. But to be a part of the group that has gotten to watch them grow as a couple and become man and wife is a truly wonderful experience that has given me hope and brought tears to my eyes.

I cannot think of another couple that is more perfectly matched in their own unique way and like the rest of the people in this room, I look forward to the next chapter in their lives.

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Maid of Honor Speech [What to Say + Outline + Template]

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

Giving a maid of honor speech is an honor – and also a responsibility.

If you’re invited to be maid of honor at a family member or friend’s wedding, you have a huge role in the wedding ceremony. Writing the perfect wedding toast or speech can often seem like the hardest part.

Coming up with the perfect toast for this special day is much easier when you have sample speeches to be inspired by. We’ve compiled an essential list of maid of honor speech examples, from roast to religious.

Read on for our step-by-step guide to writing a maid of honor speech, and then watch the examples below. Now you’re ready to prepare a great speech with confidence.

In this article:

How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech

Maid of honor speech topics blueprint, maid of honor speech outline, maid of honor speech examples.

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The Maid of Honor, sometimes also called the Bridesmaid or even the Matron of Honor, speaks after the Best Man. Remember, the audience has to listen to lots of speeches before and after you.

So, my tip number one is: Keep it brief and simple; for your own utility and the convenience of the guests.

Maid of honor speeches can take many different forms. They might be funny or sweet, creative or traditional . Often, the speech will incorporate different elements, like humor and nostalgia, to hit all the right notes. Most speeches are 5 to 10 minutes long, but wedding speeches can also take many shapes, from short toasts to extended performances.

These simple tips will help you write a maid of honor speech that’s a perfect fit for the wedding day.

Begin Early

When you need to write a maid of honor speech, you’ll want to start early.

Begin the brainstorming process as soon as you’re asked to be maid of honor or bridesmaid. This might involve jotting down fun memories or an embarrassing story you’ve shared with the bride. You can also consider talking about the groom, the bride and groom’s relationship, or how they met.

Write down some ideas early on and then take a few days or weeks to let them percolate. When you come back to your ideas, the speech outline will start to become more clear.

Try a Quote

A great way to start or end your speech can be with a beautiful quote that has meaning for the wedding day. It can be funny, emotional, or poignant. Just make sure it’s something that has meaning for the newlyweds and that wedding guests can resonate with as well.

Tell Stories

The best speeches combine quotes or big ideas about love with real stories. Stories are fun for guests to listen to, and give your speech a solid foundation.

Choosing the right stories about the bride, or the bride and groom, is important. Do you want your speech to be funny, inspiring, or touching? The stories you tell will help set the tone. Think about details: the sights, sounds, or sensations you remember will keep the audience’s attention. Just don’t let it get too long – most speeches should be 10 minutes or less.

Be Prepared

Your speech will go much better if you’ve practiced ahead of time – more than once. The more you practice, the more confident you will feel when the big day comes.

Practice reading your speech, and time yourself to make sure it’s the length you want. Keep in mind that at the wedding ceremony or reception there will be pauses for laughter or applause, which will make your speech a few minutes longer.

You might want to videotape yourself practicing, or even practice in front of a friend or family member to get some feedback on your delivery. Just make sure not to give it to the bride ahead of time – your speech should come as a surprise on the wedding day.

Don’t forget to bring notes, too. Even if you never actually look at them, they will help you feel more comfortable when you take the microphone, and can save you if you draw a blank when it’s time to start.

A heartfelt speech is better than a perfect one.

Don’t be afraid that you’re going to stumble over a word or mess up somehow. If you’ve practiced ahead of time and drafted your speech early, you’ve done all the preparation you need.

Take the stage with confidence, knowing that little mistakes and imperfections can sometimes make a speech that much more meaningful because it’s genuine. If you laugh or cry, the wedding guests are probably going to laugh or cry with you. Keep your sense of humor if the mic cuts out or you stumble over a word. Enjoy the moment!

Here are our maid of honor speech tips in a sample template plus the speaking do’s and don’ts in a matrimonial ceremony based on their complimentary life styles. You are invited and do not know what to say?

Use our template for outlining thoughts, ideas and facts about the bridal couple. I will show you what you should mention and what the text should focus on. If you are not an experienced talker: relax, you do not have to say much, less is more is often said and well put!

But always: public speeches should be from the heart! Be enthusiastic and sincere, but do not exaggerate.

Maid Of Honor Speech Template

INTRODUCTION

Tell who you are for the ones who don’t know.
Thank your friend for asking you to be in this wedding.
How long have you known the bride and groom?
Why were you selected to accept the honor giving the oral?
Why did you accept the invitation?
How did the two of them met?
What did you think when you saw their friendship became more serious? Reflect on their complimentary life styles. Approach this from the female side. Be tasteful. The best man is at the grooms’ side … so his job is to cover that part, not you 🙂
Can you come up with a funny story that illustrates the personality of the wedding couple? Think about characterizing sweet, inspiring, exciting or just average daily events or moments.
Can you come up with a hilarious anecdote based on a real life situation?
Conclude this part of this special wedding address with letting them know that’s why you were so happy when they announced their wedding. As I said before: keep it short. Stick to one funny story. Ask others if they really like it, if it’s funny enough to share.

THE CEREMONY

Stress the importance of the matrimonial ceremony. Give your personal view.
Use a famous quote about marriage, love or the future.
Relate a short poem to the couple. Quotes and poems are a good starting point for inspiration.
Wish the bride and groom a long and happy life.
Express your love and best wishes for the future.
If they have had hard times, then mention it briefly in one poetic sentence. Not more. Focus on this happy day!
You can thank and toast to the bride and groom on behalf of the bride, but only if she asked you to do so.

Do’s And Don’ts

Bring notes, know what you want to say. Too much improvisation can lead to babbling, stumbling or a too long maid of honor speech.
Do not get too personal. Ask others if the stories you want to tell will not embarrass the bride and groom or the guests. Check double check is the motto.
Do not come up with negative or depressing speech topics. Kee it nice and friendly for all.
Avoid sexual tinted expressions, political engagement or religion issues and hold back your horses when you want to mention actual news or political stories.
Read a draft out loud in front of somenone else and ask for opinions. Alter with the recommendations in mind.

Although maid of honor speeches can take many forms, having a classic speech outline will help you get started. If you’re not sure what to write, follow these simple steps and you’ll be able to write a beautiful, traditional speech.

1. Introduce Yourself

You can’t count on all the wedding guests knowing who you are or how you know the bride. Make time early in your speech to mention your name, what your relationship to the bride is, and how long you’ve known each other.

2. Thank People

Weddings can be expensive, stressful, and difficult to plan. It’s good to take a moment in your speech to thank the parents and other notable guests who helped make the wedding day happen.

3. Tell Stories

Next, you can launch into a story of your choice. There are many different directions you can take this part of the speech. An embarrassing story you share with the bride can get guests laughing, while a touching anecdote about the newlywed couple’s relationship might make happy tears flow.

4. Add a Quote

You can add a meaningful quote anywhere in your speech. The quotes you choose should have meaning to both you and the bride (and maybe the groom as well), and also be relatable to the other guests in attendance. If it’s an inside joke or an obscure reference that not many people will get, you may want to leave it out.

5. Give Heartfelt Emotion

Even the funniest roasts of the bride often have a moment when the speech becomes touching. No matter what the tone of your speech is, it doesn’t hurt to take a moment and recognize the beauty of the day. The best speeches often aren’t all funny or all sentimental – they’re a mix of both.

6. Finish Strong

Your ending will be the part of the speech guests are most likely to remember. Give a strong ending, whether it’s a quote, a final story, or proposing a toast to the bride and groom.

Sister Maid of Honor Speech

This sister wedding speech celebrates all of the fun of watching your family get married. The bride’s sister starts out with humor, telling family memories through a funny lens. However, she quickly gets emotional as she recounts how much her sister means to her.

“You’ve been a great mentor. You’ve been a beautiful impact on my life, and you taught me that there’s beauty in everyone no matter what they do.”

Best Friend Matron of Honor Speech

The best friend of the bride for over 10 years, this matron of honor has nothing but praise for the bride. She recounts how she approved right away upon meeting the groom, and how excited she was upon learning of their engagement.

“You have really, truly become like my sister. I knew I’d be telling you how beautiful you looked, but seeing you next to your handsome groom, you really are absolutely breathtaking.”

Short Matron of Honor Speech

This short speech starts with a funny memory of the bride talking about the groom years before their engagement. In just a minute and a half, the matron of honor brings both laughter and heartfelt emotion to her speech.

“Speaking from experience, marriage is a wild ride. But when you find that right partner, you never want the ride to end.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRniSDMhWgM

Maid of Honor Toast

In a fun, beautiful toast to the bride, this bride’s sister thanks guests for coming, and then launches into memories of growing up together. She shouts out to both the bride and the groom for being important parts of her life.

“Katie is so much more than a big sister to me – she’s my best friend, my mentor, and the unfailing reminder that sometimes being a sister is even better than being a princess.”

Matron of Honor Speech

This matron of honor gets guests laughing by pulling out a scroll to read from at the beginning of her speech. She recounts the embarrassing story of how the bride stole her spot on the varsity team when they first met. However, their friendship quickly blossomed, and the matron of honor touches on many of the fun things they did together as kids.

“I had the time of my life growing up with you.”

Funny Maid of Honor Speech

In a funny, lighthearted speech, this maid of honor recounts growing up with the bride, and even planning her wedding as little girls. The maid of honor also turns to the groom and thanks him for being the perfect partner for her friend. She fills the speech with memories, from embarrassing to sweet, and ends with a song for a truly memorable wedding moment.

“You’re all the things I hoped for my best friend and more, and I’m so grateful you found her and that you love her the way she really deserves.”

Roast Speech

This maid of honor kept guests laughing with her deadpan delivery of jokes in this short speech. Her stand-up comedy is perfect for the occasion, and she pokes fun at everyone from the bride to the groom to herself.

“When I first sat down and started thinking about what I want to say here tonight, I kept thinking to myself, ‘I can’t believe Erin’s getting married…in less than an hour. No, I’m kidding, I had it written before breakfast.”

Christian Maid of Honor Speech

A sweet speech from the bride’s best friend hits the right notes in a short amount of time. She compares the couple’s love to being like the love of Christ because it is so strong and so beautiful.

“The love that these two share is so strong, it doesn’t need a thousand stories, it doesn’t need a thousand words; it just radiates from these two.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKKwOBW_8xY

Creative Maid of Honor Speech

This fun maid of honor speech starts with the bride’s sister recalling dancing to pop songs as a kid with her mom, who was pregnant with the bride. Then, she uses a musical interlude to tell the story of the bride’s life from a sister’s perspective. In a mashup of pop music covers, the maid of honor gives a great performance that gets the wedding guests clapping in time.

“[My mom and I] danced around the house to Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. And lo and behold, 9:30 am on day 9…DeeDee arrives. Apparently she also just wanted to have fun.”

Bridesmaid Speech

In this genuine, sweet speech, the bridesmaid’s excitement about the happy couple’s new marriage is truly evident. Her fun while holding the microphone is contagious to all the guests.

“I’m just so excited to be here, to witness the true love that is so evident between Taylor and Niko.”

Touching Maid of Honor Speech

This heartfelt, emotional maid of honor speech was given by a college friend of both the bride and the groom. She recounts the story of how she first met the bride, and then tells the bride and groom’s love story as she saw it unfold.

“It was obvious there was something truly amazing between the two of them. Four months of courting and a very, very, very confused Mark later, Mara finally accepted his proposal to be boyfriend and girlfriend – and the rest is history.”

Bridesmaid Toast

These bridesmaids toast the bride in song form. They celebrate the happy couple in their own words, and then shout out to notable wedding guests, keeping everyone entertained the entire time.

“Love is the reason we’re all here – that’s what you toasted for.”

Maid of Honor Speech

The maid of honor speech can be just as hilarious and emotional as the best man speech . Amusing, creative speeches like this one might get a standing ovation. The maid of honor uses a numerical countdown to format her speech, ending with the number one which is, of course, the bride.

“At the end of the day, you’re always gonna have that one person who’s in your corner, who’s your personal cheerleader.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX9Y6OhkH1s

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Maid of Honor Speech Examples

Looking to reference some maid of honor speech examples as the friend or sister of the bride? If you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed, referencing maid of honor speech examples can be a great source of inspiration.

Why am I providing maid of honor speech examples?

I’m a professional wedding speech writer and I work with the maid of honor or the best woman to write custom wedding speeches all the time.

I understand how challenging it can be to convey how you feel about someone so special to you, in a speech that comes with the pressure of every wedding guest watching you.

Since I’m an expert in understanding the structure of a powerful MOH speech, I’ve outlined maid of honor speech examples according to the various sections of the speech.

As you reference these examples, remember to use them as inspiration.

I’m a big believer in custom wedding speeches. Copy and paste might feel like an instant stress-reliever but nothing will be quite as emotionally meaningful and special as a personalized speech.

So as you reference these maid of honor speech examples, be sure to add your own twist to these examples when you sit down to write your speech.

And remember that if you’re still struggling, I can help .

Maid of Honor Introduction Examples

Every solid maid of honor speech begins with an introduction. Be sure to state your name and how you know the bride. While it’s important to communicate these two basic facts, also be sure to inject your personality into the beginning.

Good evening, everyone. My name is Addie and I’m the bride’s sister.

Hi y’all. Welcome! My name is Megan and I’ve been best friends with the bride since we were just two-years-old.

Welcome, everyone! I’m Cassie, the maid of honor. But more importantly, the brides ride or die.

Do you see how each example accomplishes the same objective but has a slightly different tone to it? Write a first line that sounds like you.

Storytelling Examples for your Maid of Honor Speech

The key to an impressive maid of honor speech will be your stories. You must include fun, captivating, and entertaining stories if your speech is going to be memorable and meaningful.

Each story you tell should serve two purposes:

To entertain

To show something positive, fun, or interesting about the bride

I recommend having two to three concise stories within your maid of honor speech. Each story should flow into the next using an overarching theme.

To help you come up with story ideas, consider these questions:

When did you laugh the most together?

How has the bride been there for you?

When did you realize how special the bride is?

What are some of your most memorable travel adventures together?

What did you do for fun as kids or in college?

What things do you have a mutual love of?

How have you changed as a person because of the bride?

Story Example:

Back when we were in college, Amanda would always drag me to her favorite bar, The Karaoke Cave. I’d always go but under the one condition that we’d order onion rings and I wouldn’t have to sing.

Yet, every time, I’d end up on stage with Mandy, belting out the lyrics to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Like, singing at the top of my lungs!

I’d like to blame the bucket of beers we always ordered but I know that it was never the liquid courage that inspired my Cyndi Lauper impression.

It was from Amanda.

Amanda’s outgoing spirit and zesty energy have always inspired me to do things that I never thought I could.

And, karaoke duo or not, whatever we wound up doing, I have always just had fun with my girl.

This is a fun and short anecdote that shows the effect that the bride has on the people she loves.

This concept could also be a potential theme. In that case, you’d use that theme to lead into a completely different story but tie everything together with this theme so the speech flows together.

Examples for How to Talk about Her New Spouse

Every maid of honor speech talks about the bride. But the speech should also include her partner.

Here are some examples of how you can include her new spouse into the speech:

Talk about the first time you met them. What was your initial impression?

Detail out qualities you admire in them and why these characteristics will make them a good partner for the bride.

If you’re also friends with her new spouse, tell a story or two about your relationship.

If you are not the biggest fan of her spouse, focus on how they make your friend happy.

Examples for How to End Your Maid of Honor Speech

The ending of your MOH speech should include an action for guests to take and a wish for the couple.

Let’s make a toast! To the gorgeous bride and her partner for life. I love you both!

Cheers to many more happy memories and a love that only gets stronger with every passing year.

A great way to end the speech is if you can include something in the last line that points to a concept you talked about earlier in your speech.

For example, let’s say at the beginning of your speech, you told several stories about how your sister always made you laugh. Then, this could be a great ending for you:

Everyone, please raise your glass. Here’s to my sister and her new wife. May you two share a life together full of endless laughter.

Maid of Honor Speech Examples for the Sister

If you’re the bride’s sister, here are some examples you could consider customizing for your own speech.

Even though Sarah is my younger sister, the truth is, I’ve always looked up to her.

Growing up, Lisa felt like more of my shadow than my best friend. But over the years, we’ve set aside our arguments over clothes and nail polish, and have found common ground through navigating our careers, finding love, and most importantly…our unwavering love for the Backstreet Boys.

As the younger sister, I’ve always admired Beth and tried to be just like her. There was the time, I begged my mom to make me the same Halloween costume as her and the time I auditioned for the softball team, even though I hate sports. But I’ve never wanted to be more like my sister than today with how happy and deeply in love she looks.

Need more help with writing your maid of honor speech?

If these maid of honor speech examples aren’t enough to help you write your speech, let’s work together to write your custom maid of honor speech .

As a wedding vow and speech writer, I work with maids of honor to write emotionally-strong, fun, and impressive speeches.

Get in touch now to see how we can work together.

Love my vows Katelyn!!!! It’s such a relief to have this out of the way so I can focus on all the rest of the stuff I need to do! You were my very favorite part of the process!! Your experience and confidence in the process took all the stress out of writing my vows!

— Natalie, Florida

I thought the process was outstanding. You did a great job communicating, and I thought the turnaround time for editing was perfect. I also thought the video interview was great in that it was personal and meaningful!

I am a storyteller, not a speechwriter. I was incredibly intimidated about writing one.

So thankful to find Katelyn to get my thoughts all in order. Very proud of how the speech came out. Looking forward to giving it!

— Jennifer Whitley, Texas

I had such a wonderful experience working with Katelyn. She truly helped mold perfect vows that I can’t wait to tell my fiancé on our wedding day! Katelyn was friendly, sweet, and super easy to work with. I will definitely be calling her up if I have to give another speech in the near future.

— Jordanne, California

Katelyn was professional, easy to talk to, and made the interviewing process fun. She came well prepared with unexpected and thought-provoking questions to get a better understanding of our love story and who we are as a couple.

She was a pleasure to work with and made the vow writing process enjoyable.

— Kimi Kinsey, South Carolina

Working with Katelyn on my maid of honor toast was an incredible experience. She really took the time to understand my relationship with my best friend and used my responses to craft a toast that put my thoughts and feelings into words in a way that I never would have been able to do on my own.

Before working with Katelyn, I was nervous and stressed about giving (and writing) such a big, important speech. But now I’m so relieved that it’s done, and I honestly can’t wait to stand up and tell everyone exactly what my best friend means to me.

— Allyssa, New Jersey

I didn’t actually know this service existed until I discovered Katelyn! It was such a fun experience to video chat with her about my best friend who is getting married this summer.

I don’t have to stress about writing this a few weeks before my best friend’s wedding. Thank you so much and I can’t wait to read it at my best friend’s wedding!

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Use This Template for the Perfect Maid of Honor Wedding Speech

These are the points to hit during your (brief) speech to the bride and groom.

When you accepted the role of your bride's maid of honor, you likely knew that the position came with several responsibilities . While most of those duties revolve around providing support at the appropriate moments, there's one in particular that puts you front and center: the maid of honor speech.

To help you craft the perfect address to the bride and groom, we tapped three industry experts to come up with the ultimate maid of honor speech template. Hit their recommended key points, and your time with the mic will be both a delightful surprise to the couple and a highlight of the reception, guaranteed.

Start with a brief introduction

Before you hop into that hilarious anecdote, you'll want to ground your audience. That means beginning by quickly introducing yourself and explaining your connection to the bride.

We can't emphasize brevity enough, especially since "speeches should only be between two and three minutes," says Brooke Keegan of Brooke Keegan Special Events . You don't want to take up precious time outlining the minutiae of how you met the woman of the hour.

Express your gratitude

Being chosen to be your bride's maid of honor is just that—an honor. "You are the maid of honor for a reason. You are loved and important to the couple," says Gretchen Culver at Rocket Science Events . Now is the time to thank your best friend (or sister!) and her spouse for their friendship, love, and support—and for including you on one of the biggest days of their lives. Keep this short, too, and avoid making the speech all about you, says Culver.

Talk about the bride

You'll want to dedicate the majority of your time with the microphone to actually talking about the couple. Start with the bride, suggests Keegan, since you are likely the person in the room who knows her best. Outline her incredible personality traits and share a poignant or funny anecdote from before she met her partner.

Be sure to "tell a story you feel connected to," says event planner Jaclyn Journey , since you'll be more likely to speak from a place of "joy and confidence."

Don't forget the groom

Carmen Santorelli

If you don't know the groom as well as you know the bride, include him by referencing ways he and the bride bring out the best in each other. Maybe he convinced her to face her fear of roller coasters, surprised her with the puppy she always wanted, or makes her laugh harder than anyone else (except you, of course).

Be specific

A few strong details that that your listeners can connect with make a bigger impact than a general description of the couple's personality or relationship.

Instead of saying they love to travel, mention the most exotic destinations they've visited; replace a vague reference to their kindness or generosity with details of their volunteer work. Don't just say they like to run—calculate the miles they've raced together. When in doubt, trade length for specifics.

Make them laugh (or cry)

Use humor, if that's a language that you speak well, but don't force it if comedy isn't your strong suit. Share stories where the guests can laugh with the bride or groom, not at them—this isn't a roast, after all—and make sure you can tie the anecdote into an overall positive message about the couple.

If you're not sure you can nail the jokes, go the opposite direction: Let the best man leave them laughing while you bring the tears. "Be funny if it is natural, otherwise stick to sentiment and compliments," says Culver.

Don't bring up the exes

It's just as important to note what not to share: All three experts agree that inside jokes, past relationships, and incriminating stories are all on the banned list. "The speech should be focused on the happy couple," says Culver.

Talk about the couple as partners

Be sure to emphasize what makes these two great—their mutual interests, their ability to grow together in the face of hardship, their commitment to their friends and family. If you're married, you can also slip a few words of practical advice into this section, says Journey: "Giving sweet and funny examples of how to settle a fight or make up for a mistake could make the entire speech feel relatable and memorable."

Finish with a toast

After months of practice ("Maids of honor should write their speeches a few weeks in advance, so that they can practice and feel super confident," says Keegan), you've utterly nailed your short and sweet address. Conclude by raising a toast to the newlyweds and their bright future.

According to Keegan, this should only be your second drink of the night. "Drink just one cocktail or glass of wine before you speak—the last thing you need is to be nervous and drunk!" she says.

35 Maid of Honor Speech Quotes to Enhance Your Toast

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If you think writing a maid of honor speech is tough, you’re totally right. For starters, you have to come up with a captivating opener to get the audience hooked from the jump.

Then you must keep them hanging onto your every word for the next 3-4 minutes. And just when you think the hardest part is over, here comes the ending ( dun, dun, dunnnnn )!

To help you with the beginning, middle and end of your epic toast, check out our top 35 maid of honor speech quotes broken down into five categories .

Funny Maid of Honor Speech Quotes

Looking for a few laughs? Any of these should do the trick!

“ May all your ups and downs come only in the bedroom. “

“Good evening, family and friends. I’m very happy to preside over the only five minutes of the day [BRIDE] didn’t plan.”

“Loyal, caring, sincere, honest… but that’s enough about me, I’m here to give a speech about [BRIDE]!”

“[BRIDE] knows that I’m a bit nervous about this speech, and she gave me some great advice. She said ‘Don’t try to be too charming, witty or intellectual… just be yourself!'”

“If you don’t understand how a woman could both love her sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child.”

“[BRIDE] please put your left hand flat on the table. [GROOM] please place your hand on top of hers. Enjoy this moment [GROOM], because it’s the first and last time in your marriage that you’ll have the upper hand.”

“[BRIDE] and [GROOM], before I finish, I’d like you to turn to face each other. You’re now looking into the eyes of the person who is statistically most likely to murder you. To the bride and groom!”

Maid of Honor Speech Quotes for Sister

Celebrating your sister and new brother-in-law? Throw in any of these quotes for an added touch!

“There is no better friend than a sister, and there is no better sister than you.”

“A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.”

“Because there’s one thing stronger than magic: sisterhood.”

“The best thing about having a sister was that I always had a friend.”

“A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves — a special kind of double.”

“That’s the best thing about little sisters: They spend so much time wishing they were elder sisters that in the end, they’re far wiser than the elder ones could ever be.”

“Sister to sister we will always be, a couple of nuts off the family tree.”

RELATED: How Long Should a Maid of Honor Speech Be?

Speech quotes for best friend.

Tell your bestie what her friendship means to you with any of these sweet quotes!

“Good friends are hard to find and impossible to forget.”

“There are big ships and small ships. But the best ship of all is friendship.”

“Friends are the family you choose.”

“We have been friends together in sunshine and in shade.”

“There are friends, there is family, and then there are friends that become family.”

“The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.”

“They say nothing lasts forever; dreams change, trends come and go, but friendships never go out of style.”

Sentimental Maid of Honor Speech Quotes

Want to really move the audience with your speech? Try one of these heartfelt quotes.

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is to love and be loved in return.”

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”

“May you have love, health & wealth; but most importantly, may you have the time to enjoy them all.”

“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.”

“Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end.”

“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”

Closing Toasts

Need the perfect closing for your maid of honor speech? Try out one of these short and sweet toasts to the bride and groom!

“May your love be modern enough to survive the times and old-fashioned enough to last forever.”

“Here’s to the new husband and here’s to the new wife. May they remain lovers for all of life.”

“May ‘for better or worse’ be far better than worse.”

“Love is a friendship that has caught fire, so may your love burn bright for years to come. Here’s to my best friend and her new best friend.”

“A toast to love, laughter, and happily ever after.”

“May your troubles be less, your blessings be more and nothing but happiness come through your door.”

“Let’s drink to love, which is nothing—unless it’s divided by two.”

Have you checked out all our tips and still need help writing the perfect Maid of Honor speech?

Not to worry, Bridesmaid for Hire can help you craft an amazing, personal speech instantly!

Don’t believe it? Give it a try and see for yourself!

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UP NEXT: 20 Questions to Help You Write Your Maid of Honor Speech

35 Maid of Honor Speech Quotes to Enhance Your Toast

You have such a wonderful site. This page has provided me with tremendous ideas for my sister’s bridal shower.

Thank you for all you do! Wendy

Wendy, thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so happy Modern MOH could be a valuable resource for you 🙂

Love the article and advise… really helped with writing my speech for my bestie

Very helpful! Tysm!

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Great Short & Sweet Maid of Honor Speech Examples

The maid of honor is pivotal to any wedding because she undertakes all the essential roles for the bride, including taking over the colossal stress of the wedding! But when all the planning is over and the wedding day arrives, you may feel even more pressure because now, you have to present a maid of honor speech .

Longtime wedding traditions didn’t include the maid of honor giving a speech, but as couples continue to change how we do weddings today, things have changed. So, if you’re looking for some inspiration on how to write a great short & sweet maid of honor speech, we’ve put together some examples.

Maid of honor giving speech at outdoor wedding

Nervous Maid of Honor Short & Sweet Speech

It’s pretty normal to be nervous when speaking in public. But when you’re the maid of honor, you just have to get past it and get it done. Keeping is short & sweet may help. In this maid of honor speech example, she does just that.

“Hello ladies and gentlemen, I am so happy you are all here today to celebrate the wedding of my best friend, I’m the maid of honor, Suzie, and I’ll be honest, I’m kind of nervous (giggles). You know girls are always competitive, but we were never like that; I recognized she was so wonderfully exceptional in many ways and was happy to be in her shadow. So today, I am beyond delighted that she has chosen to get married and embark on this wondrous journey.

I knew Robert was the one because every time we talked, she referred to him on every topic. It was always “Yeah, Rob likes…” or “Well Rob said…” It didn’t take long for me to realize that she was madly in love and one day we’d be here.

Please join me in a toast. To Suzie & Rob, the most exceptional couple I know. I wish you a lifetime of love & happiness. And, remember, I’m only a phone call away!”

Bride’s Best Friend Delivers Simple & Short Maid Of Honor Speech

Sometimes less is more. Remember there are other speeches at the wedding and the guests will be ready to eat or get the party started. So, they will appreciate your short speech. In this example, the maid of honor reminisces about their 15 years of friendship and acknowledges the groom’s love for her best friend.

“If you haven’t gotten around to meeting me yet, my name is [Name]. [Bride’s Name] and I have been best friends for about 15 years. We met in high school gym class and didn’t really like each other at first. But as you can see, things changed for the better. And I can’t imagine not being here for this event.

When I think about our friendship, I remember all the slumber parties, girl’s night out, shopping trips, and comforting each other when something went wrong. Well, these activities were pretty frequent until her lovely groom, and the love of her life came along!

[Groom], since the day I met you, I knew you were good for [Bride’s Name]. The way that you looked at her showed me that you truly loved her. I hope that you will treasure and respect my best friend as I have over the years. And of course, you will continue to love her all your life.

I raise my glass to the happy couple.”

A Few Loving Words Is All It Takes

Just a few words from the maid of honor is all that it takes to share your love and celebrate the couple. And if you end with a good toast like this maid of honor did, your maid of honor speech will be golden.

“I would like to say today what a beautiful couple they make! People talk of fairytales, but real relationships take a lot of work. I must applaud and congratulate the bride and the groom on investing in each other and putting in the work to be the best possible versions of themselves for each other. This is true love, folks! A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” {Quote by – Mignon McLaughlin)

A toast to my best friend and her best friend.

Love you both!”

Groom wearing tuxedo holding champagne glasses with bride on his arm

A Short Yet Witty Maid Of Honor Speech

“I hope you’re all having a lovely evening. My name is [Name]; if you haven’t met me yet, you may be at the wrong wedding because I am pretty much inseparable from these two. But, seriously. I am the maid of honor, and I nervous as heck about this speech, so I promise to keep it short so that we can get to the open bar.

I never had a sister, but (Bride) has been like a sister to me for all these years. We have similar tastes; we like similar clothes… I knew (Bride) had found “the one” when (Groom) walked into her life. Well, I’m okay with that – she saw him first!

You could see that it was love at first, second, and third sight. He is her Prince Charming, and it seems to me he gives her all she needs – a strong arm, a sympathetic ear, and his credit card.

And when I see the way [Groom’s Name] looks at my best friend with such love and adoration, I can’t help but dream of the day that I too find my Prince and she will have to be anxious about presenting the speech. But until then, my advice to you is this…never go to bed mad, stay up & fight because the making up is the best part.

To the bride & groom. I love you both to the moon & back! CHEERS!!”

A Short Sister Of The Bride Maid Of Honor Speech

When you’re sister asked you to be the maid of honor, it is, of course, a huge honor. In this maid of honor speech example, she keeps everything simple, adds a little humor, and has a great toast at the end!

“So, my sister is getting married today, and I’ll admit I was a bit surprised when she asked me to be the maid of honor because she’s always telling me off! And she has tons of friends that she could’ve chosen. But I know she does it because she loves me as I love her. And I am honored to be here to celebrate these two beautiful souls.

I’ve emulated her my whole life, from prom dresses to hairstyles to favorite books. I’m sure this comes as no surprise to most of you. {giggles} So, I’ve never really been good about speaking in public; it’s pretty terrifying. But I think this is the part of the speech that I am supposed to tell some embarrassing story about [Bride’s Name}, but I realized she has a lot more dirt on me, so we’ll just skip that part.

Today, my sister & lifelong mentor looks like a fairytale princess, and I wish her all the happiness in the world.

Please raise your glasses and join me in a toast. Love is a force that’s more impressive than any other because it’s invisible, it can’t be seen, but it can transform you in a single moment, and it will offer you more joy than any material possession ever could. To the bride & groom! CHEERS!”

We hope that you enjoyed these short & sweet maid of honor speech examples. If you need more tips or advice on writing wedding speeches or wedding toast inspiration, we have you covered. If short & sweet can’t convey your message, visit our Maid of Honor Speech Guide if you want to create a longer more robust wedding speech. You’ll be writing an unforgettable wedding speech in no time.

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How to end a maid of honor speech

20 sample maid of honor speech conclusions to help you write your own

By: Susan Dugdale

Your best friend is getting married, and her wedding day is getting closer. You want to deliver on your promise to give the best maid of honor speech you can: a speech the happy couple, family members and other wedding guests will be delighted to hear.

And you know an important part of giving a memorable speech is ensuring it finishes strongly. With a bang rather than whimper!

Twenty sample endings maid of honor speeches

Here are twenty sample endings for a maid of honor speech to help you write an effective one for yourself.

Find one you like. Take the style, take the tone and, adapt the content to make it your own.

5 humorous or funny conclusions

6 religious endings highlighting values and beliefs

4 finishes using quotations
5 sincere, heartfelt, (heck, even sentimental...), endings
Other resources: speech samples, poems, readings...

Label: Twenty Maid of Honor speech endings

Caution: use with care

If you find an ending you want to use, adapt it to fit.

Please don’t try and graft it onto a speech you’ve already written without checking it for tone, or content. It needs to match!

It would be strange if the ending was completely different to what had come before it: really odd and confusing for the people listening.

5 funny Maid of Honor speech conclusions

1. don’t sweat the small stuff and other advice.

"Lastly there’s a few bits of advice all newly weds receive. They're standard issue.

Stay friends.
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Never go to bed angry.

I know you already know it. You've heard it before. So here’s some ‘not only but also’ additions to make them work for you.

If you want to remain Best-Friends-Forever, always seal promises with a pinky swear.

Buy the right deodorant and you’ll only perspire over the large things.

And if you eat healthily, exercise regularly, and keep a steady supply of coffee in the house, you should have no problem staying up late to fight.

Good luck and best wishes!"

2. She's always right, OK?

"In closing, I would just like to offer a few words of advice to the…currently… happy couple.

Remember, even if she sometimes lets you feel like you are right, you're not.

Share the blanket. Always.

Most importantly, always remember, that even when he leaves the seat up for the four billionth time that someday he will be properly trained, and you, too, can be that adorable old couple.

I wish both of you a lifetime filled with love and laughter."

3. Exchanging gifts for cash

"Everyone knows that Charlotte and Simon leave here today with armfuls of gifts and great memories.

Although memories are a good thing, nothing beats a huge pile of wedding gifts!

However, just wait until they discover they have six toasters, three blenders, four food processors and at least five sets of matching coffee mugs with hearts and flowers embossed on the front!

Oh well, the next best thing about getting all those gifts is returning them for what you really want: cash! Have fun!

Welcome to married life! We wish you every joy and happiness."

4. The naked truth

"Teresa and Bruce, now that the two of you are married, everyone will try to give you advice, unsolicited. That’s the unspecified, unwritten part of getting hitched: the social contract you’ve just agreed to.

To get you used to it, I am going to give you my words of wisdom first. Despite not being married or a relationship expert, I think it’s some of the best marriage advice I’ve ever heard.

If you're going to fight, do it... naked! You'll both be laughing in next to no time at all.

Here’s to you! May you have a lifetime of love, laughter and happiness!"

5. Welcome to the rest of your life

"I am reminded of something comedian Rita Rudner once said: “I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.”

Teri and Greg, congratulations! We love that you found each other. You're perfect together.

May you wholeheartedly and happily 'annoy' one another for the rest of your lives!"

1. Love is patience and kindness

"Love is patience and kindness. Love protects and trusts. Where there is love, there is hope, and where there is hope, love will always endure.

We are here today because you have both been blessed with love. Treasure that blessing, and remember that when you keep hope and faith close to your heart, your love is what will see you through any dark times and, lead you back into the light.

To love! To Miriam and Peter!"

2. God is the foundation of a successful marriage

"God is love. He is your rock, your shelter and the foundation on which you’ll build a successful marriage.

Walk with Him everyday and you’ll experience the greatest joys, and endure any storms, your lives may bring.

May God bless you both, always."

3. In marriage two becomes one

"I know this marriage is truly blessed and that it was the Spirit of God who brought Bella and Monty together.

While each of them were whole and complete by themselves, their wedding changes that. To quote Matthew 19:6: “... they are no longer two, but one.”

Today we honor their holy union. Bella and Monty, may God bless you and keep you, and shine His face upon you today and every day of your lives."

4. God brought you together

"Sally and Bryan, watching the two of you today and seeing how happy you look, it is clear that God had a hand in bringing you together.

He blessed this holy union. The two of you complement each other so perfectly.

I pray God continues to bless you and grant you health, happiness and a long life together."

5. Colossians 3:12-17 – The Bible

"In closing, Marta and Henry, here’s Colossians 3:12-17 from the New International Version of the Bible.

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

We wish you love, love, and more love, all the days of your lives."

6 . A Wedding Prayer by Max Lucado

"Lastly, I’d like to offer this, with my love: a beautiful poem asking for God’s blessing by Pastor Max Lucado , entitled ‘A Wedding Prayer’. It contains everything I wish for you both.

Would you take these two, of dust and bone, Born of flesh, then you, Would you make them one?

Would you speak again The words you spoke When Adam slept And Eve awoke?

Would you let your wine Replace our water. And look with grace On this son, this daughter?

Oh Lord of Eden In your majesty Create again Your tapestry

One heart Where there were two. This is the prayer We lift to you."

4 Maid of honor speech endings using quotes

1. true love stories never have endings.

"The writer Richard Bach said, “True love stories never have endings.”

It's also true that over the course of your lives together, there’ll be days when your love story doesn't feel that infinite. In fact you'll probably think a single paragraph would be better—or maybe even something as short as a sentence!

And yet there'll be other days, like this one, when chapters: page after page, with photos, will never be enough.

What’s certain is that your love story be a mix.

And like everyone here, I want to be there to watch it unfold. I believe it’s a real blockbuster: one which will have season after season, without end."

2. “Love is not a matter of counting the years, but of making the years count”

"I looked for one of those special quotes: a few wise words cleverly summing up what I wanted to leave you with at the end of my speech.

I found this: “Love is not a matter of counting the years, but of making the years count” It’s from Michelle Amand.

And the two of you personify that statement in every way. You love each other so wholeheartedly, making the most out of every moment you share.

I know in my heart, that you will have a beautiful, full life together, making every moment, every minute, every hour of every day, of every year count.

I feel lucky to be a part of your lives and can't wait to see where you go from here. Thank you for including all of us in your journey."

3. You are my husband, you are my wife

"How does one put into words the mystery of marriage? It’s such a special kind of union.

I found this: an Eskimo love song which I think expresses it beautifully.

“You are my husband, you are my wife. My feet shall run because of you. My feet dance because of you. My heart shall beat because of you. And I shall love, because of you.”

Marie and Mike, may your feet always run and dance. May your hearts always beat and be filled with joy because of the love you share."

4. "A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person."

"Now that Prue and Bill are married, the true work begins. Trust us. We married ones know.

Journalist Mignon McLaughlin says "A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person." She’s right.

And after witnessing your relationship grow over the years and seeing your happiness here today, I’m sure you too, will spend every day for the rest of your lives falling in love with each other, over and over again.

Congratulations!"

5. Heartfelt, sincere maid of honor speech endings

1.i'll cherish the memory of being your moh.

"Molly and Jim, I think I speak for everybody when I say, we love you both and wish you a lifetime of happiness together.

For myself, I know I’m a better person for knowing you both. You have an abundance of kindness, compassion and zest for living that embraces everybody lucky enough to be part of your lives. Which makes being your Maid of Honor Molly, a memory I’ll always cherish.

Thank you for sharing this special day with us all."

2. Friendship as a foundation for marriage

"In conclusion, I am elated for the both of you. I know you were made for each other.

You have been great friends for years and that’s the best, and strongest, foundation for a marriage.

I wish you all the health, happiness, and love in the world – the very best life has to offer.

It gives me great pleasure to ask everyone to raise a glass to you: the happy couple."

3. Two halves who have found each other

"Suzi, we have known each other for many years now, through good times and bad.

You are an amazing friend to me and deserve all the happiness in the world. Which is why I am delighted to see you with someone as wonderful as Tony.

In all the time we’ve known each other, I’ve never seen you so relaxed and happy. The two of you were obviously meant to be together.

You’re like two halves who have finally found each other. And from now on you’re one: one very happy couple.

To Suzi and Tony!"

4. A relationship built to last

"Lisa, Jake, I truly believe you have a relationship built to last, just like our Grandma and Grandpa Smith had.

The way you are with each other, not just today but every day, signifies more to me than all the vows and rings in the world. And the wonderful thing is that your love, respect, and trust will only deepen as time goes by.

Let’s raise our glasses! To Lisa and Jake, we wish you every happiness."

5.Your commitment to wedded bliss

"Mary and Frank, we know today is not the beginning of your happily ever after because you’ve been actively working together on your relationship for some time.

However it is super significant. Because it is the celebration of your commitment to build a lifetime of wedded bliss out of paying attention to how you live everyday.

We love that! We see how happy it makes you both, which in turn make us happy.

To Mary and Frank! Congratulations!"

Other resources for MOH speeches

Read an example maid of honor for a sister.

Go from preparation to delivery! This sample maid of honor speech for a sister comes with step by step guidelines and a 5 part speech outline.

2 Maid of Honor speech examples for a best friend

Read a sincere heartfelt MOH speech and a light-hearted fun Maid of Honor speech. Both are written from the point of view of the bride's best friend.

You'll also find a great list of writing prompts to help you get started on your own speech as well as a list of what NOT to include.

Go to Maid of Honor speech examples

Quotations and readings for wedding speeches

Image: colorful frame of old fashioned roses. Text: Our happily ever after begins here. Wedding poems and readings.

Classic wedding poems and readings : find a segment of a poem or a quote to use

35 Wedding Blessings, Prayers, and Readings for Your Special Day

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Maid of Honour Speech Examples

Maid of honour speeches are becoming really popular. It’s the chance to say a special thank you to the couple for asking you to play an important role in their wedding, plus tell some funny stories about the bride.It should be light-hearted, fun and have just the right amount of sentiment to allow for some aaahs! You’ll find plenty of memorable maid of honour speech examples here to inspire you.

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30+ Best Maid Of Honor Speech Examples In 2023 (2022)
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Maid of Honor Speech: Expert Tips with Inspiring Examples
How to write a maid of honor speech for best friend? Introduction: Begin by introducing yourself and expressing how honored you are to be the maid of honor for your best friend. Fond Memories: Share special and cherished memories you've shared together, highlighting the bond you both share. Praise and Qualities: Speak about your best friend's wonderful qualities, accomplishments, and the ...
35 Maid Of Honor Speech Examples
Well, together, (Bride) and (Groom) are two of the goofiest people I know. ***. Hello everyone, my name is X, and by my dress you can tell that I am a Maid of Honor today. For many years, we have ...
Maid of Honor Speech: Free Template, How to Write & Fire Examples
Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family and all you lucky souls who scored an invite to the wedding of the century. My name is [Your Name], and I have the pleasure of being the maid of honor today, or as I like to call it, the 'official party planner, the emergency dress fixer and human tissue dispenser.'.
How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech
Example 1. "Good evening, everyone. I'm Cami, the maid of honor and the bride's best friend. Over the past 15 years, I've witnessed Madison prioritize everyone else's happiness, but today ...
Your Maid of Honor Speech- Ultimate Guide With Examples!
The speaker determines the type of maid of honor speech. If the maid of honor is the bride's sister, best friend, or a close relative (like a cousin). It all depends on your relationship with the bride and your personality. For example, If you are an extrovert, you may be more comfortable speaking a little longer because you are familiar with ...
Maid of honor speech examples [ + a MOH speech template]
A light hearted Maid of Honor speech example. To be successful this maid of honor speech relies heavily on its delivery. Along with stories establishing the depth and importance of the relationship between the bride and her Maid of Honor it includes a good natured, gentle 'roast' of the groom. The MOH has taken it upon herself to poll guests ...
How To Start A Maid Of Honor Speech (100 Examples)
Here are the steps to follow when writing the first part of your Maid of Honor speech: Welcome everyone: Start with a simple "Hello friends and family" or "Good evening everyone". Introduce yourself: Tell everyone your name and your relationship to the bride (not everyone will know who you are).
Here's How to Nail Your Maid of Honor Speech (Examples Included!)
Invites. Ceremony & Vows. Wedding Reception. Wedding Decor. Wedding Songs. Writing a killer maid of honor speech is no easy feat, nor is delivering one. These tips will help you write the best one ever.
How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech: The Ultimate Guide
4. Develop Your Story From Beginning to End. As we mentioned before, the key to writing a killer maid of honor speech is to tell it like a story. And just like any good story, you must develop it from beginning to middle to end (think along the lines of "once upon a time" to "they lived happily ever after").
How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech—Template Included
Use the tips below to get an idea of what to include and get an idea of the overall structure of a solid speech. 1. Introduce Yourself and Express Thanks. Begin your speech by introducing yourself and your relationship with the bride. Then, share a word of thanks for those who had a hand in planning the wedding —the bride's family, the ...
How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech: Wording Examples and Ideas
I wish you both nothing but the best for the future, and I know you're going to have some unforgettable adventures together. So, with that, I'd like to invite everyone to raise their glasses for a toast. Here's to the happy couple!". Maid of Honor Speech Example for Best Friend: "Hi everyone.
How to Nail Your Maid of Honor Speech
For Best Friend. Begin your speech by introducing yourself and sharing a brief history of your relationship with the bride. Ex: "Hi everyone. For those of you who I haven't had the chance to meet yet, I'm (Name). (Bride) and I have been best friends since (college/high school/diapers), when we bonded over (insert funny shared interest).
Maid of Honor Speech: How Write The Best Toast
A Made of Honor Speech Template. Part 1: Introduction, Congratulations, & "I love you both so much.". Part 2: A lovely anecdote about the couple's relationship and how awesome they are. (Try to stay away from something about just one of them, but about them as a couple.
How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech
7. End with a toast. Don't forget to toast to the happy couple at the end! Raising your glass is a great natural finisher to your maid of honor speech, and a guaranteed crowd pleaser. You can add a few words, like "Now, let's all raise a glass to the newlyweds!" or something similarly concise and to the point.
30 Maid of Honor Speech Examples
Nothing in the world can tear them apart. These two people sitting in front of me are the epitome of true love and I am so lucky to have been a part of this special day and bear witness to this proclamation of love. Let us toast to the happy newlyweds. 3. When I first met [bride's name], we were both just young girls.
Maid of Honor Speech [What to Say + Outline + Template]
Short Matron of Honor Speech. This short speech starts with a funny memory of the bride talking about the groom years before their engagement. In just a minute and a half, the matron of honor brings both laughter and heartfelt emotion to her speech. "Speaking from experience, marriage is a wild ride.
Maid of Honor Speech Examples
Examples: Good evening, everyone. My name is Addie and I'm the bride's sister. Hi y'all. Welcome! My name is Megan and I've been best friends with the bride since we were just two-years-old. Welcome, everyone! I'm Cassie, the maid of honor. But more importantly, the brides ride or die.
Maid of Honor Speech Template for the Perfect Wedding Toast
Express your gratitude. Being chosen to be your bride's maid of honor is just that—an honor. "You are the maid of honor for a reason. You are loved and important to the couple," says Gretchen Culver at Rocket Science Events. Now is the time to thank your best friend (or sister!) and her spouse for their friendship, love, and support—and for ...
50+ Best Maid Of Honor Speech Examples (Video Samples)
Speech 1. "Welcome family and friends! For those of you who do not know me, my name is Ally and I have the immense honor of being Kristin's best friend and Maid of Honor. First, I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone who has come here today to celebrate this amazing couple, Kristin and James.
35 Maid of Honor Speech Quotes to Enhance Your Toast
Here's to my best friend and her new best friend.". "A toast to love, laughter, and happily ever after.". "May your troubles be less, your blessings be more and nothing but happiness come through your door.". "Let's drink to love, which is nothing—unless it's divided by two.".
Great Short & Sweet Maid of Honor Speech Examples
Keeping is short & sweet may help. In this maid of honor speech example, she does just that. "Hello ladies and gentlemen, I am so happy you are all here today to celebrate the wedding of my best friend, I'm the maid of honor, Suzie, and I'll be honest, I'm kind of nervous (giggles).
How to end a maid of honor speech
Here are twenty sample endings for a maid of honor speech to help you write an effective one for yourself. Find one you like. Take the style, take the tone and, adapt the content to make it your own. 5 humorous or funny conclusions. 6 religious endings highlighting values and beliefs. 4 finishes using quotations.
Maid Of Honour / Best Woman Speech Examples
By hitched.co.uk, 04/05/2018. Maid of Honour Speech Examples. "Suzie goes on holiday so often she got a job that enables her to go abroad and be paid for it!". - Maid of Honour Speech. "Before I go any further, I just want to say, Suzie you look absolutely beautiful and Simon, you've never looked more handsome." By hitched.co.uk, 13/08/2017.

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A Step-by-Step Guide to Nailing Your Maid of Honor Speech

Printable Maid of Honor Speech Template

How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech Outline

1. Reflect on your relationship with the couple.

2. Celebrate the couple's relationship.

3. Avoid taboo topics.

4. Add jokes—but not too many.

5. Create your maid of honor speech outline.

Maid of Honor Speech Examples

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Find your kind of venue

Maid of Honor Speech for Sister

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Maid of Honor Speech Tips

Don't procrastinate.

Add stories, not adjectives.

Be true to yourself.

Remember to mention the partner.

Write it down.

Practice in front of an audience.

Stay calm, cool and collected.

Don't forget to smile.

Maid of Honor Speech Frequently Asked Questions

Does the maid of honor have to give a speech?

How long should a maid of honor speech be?

How to Start a Maid of Honor Speech

How to End a Maid of Honor Speech

When does the maid of honor give a speech?

What to do if there are multiple maids of honor?

How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech

Maid of Honor Speech Template

Start with the bride; end with the couple.

Pepper in anecdotes.

End with a positive outlook.

Maid of Honor Speech Tips

Ditch Generic Praise

Remember it isn't about you.

Do not mention exes.

Keep it short.

Don't use inside jokes.

How to Get Started

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