How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech That’s Wedding Day Ready

Step 1: The Opening

At the very beginning of your toast, the first thing you’ll want to do is introduce yourself! No need to overthink it; just some information about yourself and how you know the bride. Short, sweet, and sincere!

Example:

“Hi everyone! It’s so lovely to be with you all tonight. My name is Jane, and I’m so lucky to be the bride’s best friend and maid of honor – I’ve also dabbled as the occasional partner-in-crime since our kindergarten days.”

Step 2: The Meaningful Story

Now, it’s time for the fun part: storytime! The aim here is to go for something meaningful or funny about the bride, while still highlighting how absolutely amazing they are and keeping it appropriate for all audience members. Remember, if you wouldn’t want a certain story shared if the roles were reversed, then it’s best to skip it. 

Example: 

“Everyone knows that the bride is the random acts of kindness queen, and they will forever and always be the biggest supporter of their loved ones. Even during college, when stress was high and everyone was having their own little study breakdown, my wonderful best friend would always remember to leave little notes on the fridge to wish me well before my big exams. They’ve been my cheerleader since day one!”

Step 3: The Nod to the Partner

Let’s talk about the other half of the love story! The big day is a testament to both lovebirds, so take a moment to shout out to their partner. This section of the speech is all about showing how much you adore their significant other by sharing some fun anecdotes and shining the spotlight on why they make the perfect pair!

Example: 

“This is going to truly stun you all, but I have personally witnessed the newlyweds face the hardest hurdle of all couples. I can attest to the fact that they not only built a full IKEA furniture set together, but they did it with compassion and teamwork. I mean, if that’s not true compatibility, what is?”

Step 4: The Well Wishes

Next up is wrapping everything up in a warm, sentimental bow! Offering a sweet wish or small piece of advice for the future is a lovely way to finish up your speech. You could take a few different routes with this part: sprinkle in practical advice, romantic blessings, or funny nods. It doesn’t have to be profound or poetic; just authentically you and deeply them. 

Example: 

“It has been such an honor to get to watch you both become this gorgeous couple together. May your love continue to grow stronger every day, and may you always find joy and laughter in the small moments together.”

Step 5: The Toast

Raise those glasses, because this is your home run! You’ve not only created a moving speech filled with heart, but you’re also going to knock it out of the park with a simple, yet brilliant, finale. Take a breath, and seal the deal with a “Cheers!”

Example:

“So, here’s to the new married couple! Let’s all raise our glasses to the couple who prove soulmates exist: Cheers!”

Make It Personal… But Not Too Personal

A great speech feels genuine and reflects your own personality, but you do want to tweak your storytelling for your audience. Share your sweet memories, funny stories, and heartfelt moments with everyone – but remember that everyone will be listening: grandparents, parents, coworkers, and younger relatives! Keep it appropriate, and leave out anything too embarrassing that might have been more suited for the bachelorette weekend.

Focus on the Couple

Even though you’ll be in the spotlight for your speech, the stars of this special day are the newlyweds. Try to keep it balanced between both partners by underlining what makes their relationship so wonderful – think about how they complement each other as individuals, and what brings them together as a team! You can give time to both of them separately, but we would always recommend bringing it full circle back to them as the happy couple.

Keep It Positive and Uplifting

Wedding toasts are celebrations of love and might not be the best stage for roast sessions! Try to aim for joyful and encouraging – light humor is definitely great, but it’s best not to go overboard with it either. It’s also no problem should you get weepy (it’s a wedding after all, so a few tears are expected), but, if possible, try to balance that mixture of heart and humor to make sure your speech resonates with everyone. When in doubt, err on the side of happiness! 

Trim It Down

A fantastic speech doesn’t need to be long! In fact, unless otherwise instructed by the bride, 3-5 minutes is a good sweet spot. This gives you enough time to follow the steps above without losing your crowd. 

Write It Down

Even if you’ve read it a thousand times and memorized it, sometimes the nerves on the day can kick in. Having your speech written out clearly on flashcards, or even organizing printed-out maid of honor speech cards (because sometimes your phone can lock at the worst time), will give you something to fall back on just in case.

Rehearse Out Loud

Reading a speech in your head can feel different from saying it out loud, so we’d recommend getting some practice in before the big day! Rehearsing in front of your mirror, your friends, your partner, or even your dog, can really help to make the speech feel natural and give you a confidence boost before setting foot on stage.

Speak Slowly

Adrenaline can cause your whole body to feel like it’s running at lightning speed, and the same can go for when we talk. If you’re nervous, it might make you talk very fast. To combat this before it begins, practice consciously slowing your pace and pausing between sections. If you’re telling a joke or sharing some sweet sentiments, give the crowd some time to react! 

Keep Calm and Smile

Take a deep breath before you start! Everyone in this room wants you to succeed, and you have absolutely got this. We believe in you! A warm smile will also help you to stay calm and create an instant connection between you and the other guests.