Maid of Honor Speech

Problems Can Occur

You've seen or heard the horror stories. The maid of honor had a bit too much to drink or she simply forgets what to say. Some maids of honor simply ad lib their speeches, others don't come across as very sincere. Do you want to stand before a crowd of people after a beautiful ceremony stuttering and stammering out a speech? Wouldn't you rather give an eloquent speech that moves the entire room? Of course you would, and even if you don't think of yourself as a prolific speaker, you can give a great maid of honor speech!

Preparation

The key to giving any speech for any occasion is preparation. If you're not prepared, how can you possibly do an adequate job? How do you prepare, you ask? Actually, you'll need to begin preparing as soon as you are asked to be the bride's maid of honor.

• Collect information on maid of honor speeches from wedding books, Internet sites, and bridal consultants.
• Figure out the technique that will work best for you. Do you want humor in your speech, or are you more the sentimental type?
• Talk with the bride-to-be and the wedding coordinator about what they would prefer to hear in a speech.
• Gather your thoughts and ideas, and write them down. You'll find that if you refer back to and edit your thoughts over a period of time, your speech may almost write itself!
• Practice the speech often to build your confidence. Ask others to listen to your speech, and ask for their input.
• Don't have too much to drink before you are about to speak! One glass of wine will do. It's just enough to loosen you up and cut your nervousness a little, but you should still feel clear-headed.

Do's and Don'ts

There are actually some simple do's and don'ts of wedding speeches that can help you succeed on the big day.

• Do look at the audience and smile before beginning your speech. This technique will portray you as confident and comfortable in your role as the bride's honorary attendant.
• Do bring a few note cards, just in case you lose your train of thought. You may not ever need to look at them.
• Do eat something light, such as fruit and crackers, before you speak to quell the butterflies, but avoid chocolate and cheese.
• Do make your speech upbeat, never depressing.
• Don't get too personal with your stories. While it's ok to tell sweet stories about the bride, never embarass her!
• Don't include in your speech topics such as sex, politics, and religion.

Types of Maid of Honor Speeches

As you've probably already guessed, there is a wide variety of maid of honor speeches. Sometimes the easiest way to write a speech is to find a template online, and add your preferences to it. No matter what type of speech you give, however, keep the following points in mind.

• Introduce yourself, and tell how you are related to the bride.
• Tell how long you have known the bride and the groom.
• Be sure to thank the bride for asking you to be the maid of honor.
• Talk a little about the couple. How did they meet? What were your first impressions? When did you realize that they were meant for each other?
• Relate any humorous, but not embarrassing, stories that you might know.
• Sometimes a quote or a poem from someone famous regarding relationships is great to add at this point, so see what you can come up with.
• Finally, end the maid of honor speech on a happy and upbeat note, and express good wishes for the couple.

For a great selection of maid of honor speeches, check out the following Websites:

• Maid of Honor
• Wedding Money Saving Guide
• Bridesmaid 101
• Instant Wedding Toasts
• Great Wedding Toasts
• Forever Wed

Related Links

• Best Man Toasts
• Best Man Duty
• Bachelor Party Alternatives
• Maid of Honor Duties
• Bridal Party Roles