Toasts and speeches are an important part of the wedding
ceremony. Learn what makes a good maid of honor speech and how to deliver a
memorable toast.
What Is a Maid of Honor Speech?
A maid of honor speech is a speech delivered by the maid of
honor or matron of honor at a wedding reception. The maid of honor, who is
usually the bride's best friend, sister, or a female relative, helps with
wedding planning by leading the bridal party and organizing the bridal shower
and bachelorette party. The maid of honor is also responsible for delivering a
maid of honor speech at the reception, which should be brief and celebratory.
The maid of honor's wedding speech typically includes
anecdotes about the bride, compliments on the groom, and best wishes for the
newlyweds. Only family members are sometimes chosen by couples to give speeches
at the reception.
How Long Is a Maid of Honor Speech?
A typical maid of honor speech lasts four minutes. All
wedding speeches and toasts, according to expert wedding planner Mindy Weiss,
should be brief.
What Is the Order of Wedding Speeches?
Traditionally, the speeches and toasts at a wedding
reception begin with the father of the bride or the bride's parents following
the meal. Following that, the groom's father or parents can make a wedding
toast. The maid of honor's speech is followed by the best man's speech.
Following those toasts, any other members of the wedding party, such as
bridesmaids or groomsmen, may make remarks.
Maid of Honor Speech Outline
Writing a moving maid of honor speech can be nerve-racking,
but you don't have to be a professional speechwriter to do it. To make a maid
of honor toast, use this template:
Begin with a story. Tell us about how you met the bride or
groom. Share a special memory or a funny story about the two of you. Discuss
your friendship, why you've been friends for so long, and why you love them.
Celebrate the couple. Concentrate on the happy couple and
their love story in your speech. Remember how they felt when they found out
they had met. Remember your first impression of the bride or groom and how you
knew they were meant to be. Share your thoughts on why you believe they are a
good match and what they have is true love.
Offer advice and well-wishes. Share any advice or
well-wishes you have for the happy couple. You can even share love quotes.
Toast the happy couple. Finally, ask everyone to raise their
glasses and toast the newlyweds on their special day.
6 Tips for Writing a Maid of Honor Speech
The maid of honor speech is a significant component of the
maid of honor duties. Follow these guidelines to deliver a flawless maid of
honor speech:
1. Incorporate some levity. To help engage the audience, add
a joke or one-liner to your speech. Avoid inside jokes that need to be
explained and adult humor.
2. Maintain a positive attitude. The maid of honor speech
should be upbeat and lighthearted. In your speech, avoid saying anything
negative about the couple.
3. Keep it brief. A maid of honor speech should be brief and
to the point, lasting no more than three to five minutes.
4. Rehearse your speech. Allow yourself enough time to write
and practice your maid of honor speech before the big day. Offer to say a few
words at the rehearsal dinner for extra public speaking practice.
5. Express yourself honestly. The best maid of honor speech
is one that comes from the heart. It is more important to be genuine than to
try to impress everyone.
6. Make use of note cards. You do not have to read your
entire speech word for word, but writing your speech (or at least bullet
points) on note cards can help to calm your nerves. Between glances at your
cards, make eye contact with the wedding guests and newlyweds.
