As the “Big Day” comes closer, the anxiety of writing the perfect Maid of Honor speech gets heavier – even more so than choosing your lace bridesmaid dress – and for good reason. Despite how easy writing a wedding speech may sound when you actually get down to it, you will be taunted with thoughts such as “where do I start?”, “What do I say in my wedding toast?” and “what if I become an object of ridicule?”
Don’t get in a fluster, though. It’s very natural to think that way. The good news is that you can absolutely write an unforgettable Maid of Honor speech with some planning ahead of time. Here are six ways to write the perfect Maid of Honor speech.
Table of Contents
1. Play to your strengths
When writing your speech, don’t be under the impression that the pressure is going to be on you to be something you’re not. If you’re funny then great! Let the audience crack up. If you’re not, you don’t have to pass yourself off as one. If you think your strength is the emotional stuff, aim to tug at the audience’s heartstrings instead. Remember, you don’t have to keep it simple. You have to keep it real.
2. Start with a story
Did you write a long introduction for yourself? Toss it aside. No one in the audience wants to listen to your rambling introduction. Alternatively, start the speech off with a fun anecdote. Not only does it draw the audience and keeps them absorbed but it also sounds more genuine. The story could be a funny memory you have shared with the bride or her struggle to choose her perfect vintage wedding dress. The thing with recounting heartfelt stories is that you won’t have to rehearse the speech; all you have to do is tell it.
Styles ( from left to right ): #COZK16005 & #LD3932; Image Credit: M. G. Norris Photography
3. Use a quote for each story
Take a trip down memory lane one more time and use an actual, interesting quote the bride said during a situation. This makes the speech easier to deliver because it’s far more natural. Not to mention it’s much more interesting to your audience than if you were only sharing stories. Real quotes lend more weight to each of your stories and give the speech a sense of progression. If you can’t think of any anecdotes to work with, ask other friends or her parents – they will definitely have a few.
4. Compliment the couple
What are the best characteristics of the bride and groom? The best wedding speeches generally only have a couple of key points, and as soon as you’ve chosen yours, the filling in the rest of your speech is much easier. If you’re writing your speech as the maid of honor, you’ll certainly want to choose a couple more for the bride than the groom. But make sure they are real things you and others love about her- if you’re saying the bride has a motherly heart and every person knows she dislikes kids; people will know you’re faking it. If you’re not very familiar with your friend’s new spouse, then emphasize the speech towards the friend who you know and love.
Style: #LD4534; Image Credit: Godoys Photography
5. Compliment their match
Now is the time to pull it all together into the perfect Maid of Honor speech! You can do this by using the things you’ve just said you love about them, and saying why they’re a perfect match. He’s funny, she’s smart? Perfect. Are they both kinds to other people? Awesome! How she looks so gorgeous in her wedding gown and he looks so handsome in his tux. Your flattering remarks can be serious or funny – the main thing is taking time to say why they make such a lovely couple.
6. Raise the toast
In the end, raise the toast and wish the happy couple an amazing future together, and thank them for the incredible wedding. You can then go sit down and pat yourself on the back. You’ve just given the greatest maid of honor speech of all time.
If you’re having writer’s block on writing your big speech, simply start by jotting down little points that you want to mention. Brainstorm how you know the happy couple and funny and cute moments they have had together or perhaps funny stories about you and the bride. You do not have to be a skillful author, just make it personal and it will be great.
