You’ve been asked to deliver your Maid of Honour speech and you’ve got no idea where to start. Well, we’ve got you covered! Today we’re talking through everything you need to know. From the structure to funny tidbits you could include, questions to ask when writing different portions of your speech, and what to do if you are still completely stuck. Take a peek, you’ll thank us later!
Quick links {How to be the best Maid of Honour ever} {Follow us on Instagram}
How to structure your Maid of Honour speech
Introduction
Begin by welcoming everybody and introducing yourself. If the Best Man has done his speech already, feel free to make reference to it, if appropriate. Something like this:
“Thank you James (the best man) for your very kind -and expected- compliments on the beauty of the bride and bridesmaids. What can a woman do but agree? We are indeed exceptionally gorgeous!”
The funny stuff
Keep your speech upbeat by including some funny bits. Here are a couple of humourous tidbits you could sprinkle into your Maid of Honour speech:
“I love my husband, but no matter where we are I make him sleep closest to the door so if anything happens he gets murdered first.” – tweet by Jessica Valenti
“Your wife won’t start an argument with you if you’re cleaning.” – Anonymous
“The relationship between husband & wife is very psychological. One is psycho and the other is logical. Now please don’t try to figure out Who is Who.” – Anonymous
“Never laugh at your wife’s choices. You are one of them.” – Anonymous
Talk about the bride
She’s your bestie, so talk about her! This portion of your speech provides the context of your relationship and why you’ve been asked to be the Maid of Honour. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself as you begin to write this part of your Maid of Honour speech:
How did you meet?
What is your favourite memory of the bride?
Which three words would you use to describe the bride?
How has the bride made an impact on your life?
Talk about her partner
Sure, the bride is your bestie, but it’s always great to say something sweet about her new spouse. Here are a few questions you can ask to help craft this part of your speech:
How did you meet her partner?
What is your favourite memory of her partner?
Which three words would you use to describe her partner?
How did you know her partner was ‘the one’?
Talk about the couple
Here’s a list of questions to ask as you write this portion of the speech:
How did they get engaged?
What do you admire most about the couple?
What milestones have the couple celebrated?
Is there something that makes them unique?
Add in more funny stuff
Enough with the sappy stuff! Throw in a few more lighthearted jokes as you work towards the end of your speech. This is usually a good spot to include funny “marriage advice”:
“The most important four words for a successful marriage: ‘I’ll do the dishes’.” – Anonymous
“Marriage is just like a walk in the park. JURASSIC PARK.” – Anonymous
“Spend a few minutes a day really listening to your spouse. No matter how stupid his problems sound to you.” —Megan Mullally
“To keep your marriage brimming with love in the wedding cup, whenever you’re wrong, admit it; whenever you’re right, shut up.” – Ogden Nash
Make a toast
End your speech by inviting the guests to raise their glasses for a toast to the couple. Here are a few examples of great ways to end your Maid of Honour speech:
“May ‘for better or worse’ be far better than worse.”
“A toast to love, laughter and happily ever after.”
“May all your ups and downs come only in the bedroom.”
Do’s and don’ts for your Maid of Honour speech
Do keep it sincere and honest.
Do aim for a lighthearted and upbeat tone.
Don’t mention ex-boyfriends. Your job is to honour the bride, not humiliate her.
Do include feel-good stories about the bride.
Do share sentimental stories.
Don’t forget to rehearse your speech.
Don’t read your speech. Cue cards are there as a guide!
Do speak slower than you normally would.
Do make eye contact (in particular, when you are speaking to the couple).
Don’t be afraid to cry.
Do smile. If you’re feeling nervous, smiling will send relaxing signals to your brain.
Don’t forget to top up your glass before you begin your Maid of Honour speech.
What to do if you are completely stuck
We hope these tips have helped you craft your Maid of Honour speech. We know that there are plenty of people who are petrified by the thought of public speaking. You might feel like you need a little bit of extra help, and that’s where we’d like to step in. We’ve got two fantastic Irish wedding suppliers to recommend. They are experts in helping people to craft unique and memorable speeches.
Great Speech | View Profile
We provide a specialized service in coaching people to improve and enhance in public speaking and communications skills whatever the occasion. Our tailored approach to the needs of the people we work with, delivers on their specific speaking challenges, requirements and budget.
”I wanted to deliver a memorable speech that people would enjoy and find humorous and portray the real me. Ger worked with me very confidentially, professionally and the speech relevant and funny. I found the rehearsal in The Hudson Bay Hotel, Athlone a week before the wedding to be crucial so that there would be no surprises on the day. There wasn’t and I will never forget the laughter and applause” – Jeremy (Groom)
Instanza | View Profile
Wedding speeches can ruin the day for the speaker, some find it very hard,
The thoughts of standing up in front of a crowd, can be the cause of major alarm,
The panic starts to take over, will people like what you say?
The last thing you need is the feelings of angst on your Wedding Day.
I will create a masterpiece that your guests will not have heard,
When you deliver your speech, they will be listening to every word,
They will be interested and engaged, dying to hear more,
And do not be too surprised if you get an encore!
The Limerick Girl | View Profile
I provide bespoke, light-hearted poems for ‘all things wedding’!
I collect your details, we then have a chat in person or on video call/phone to get a real idea of who you are as a couple. From there, I create a personalised poem for whatever your need is, and you have a special memento to keep after your big day.
I provide various services, all the way from proposal poems to invitations, hen party rhymes, table favours, note to my bride/groom (for the night before the wedding), ceremony poems, vows, speeches and thank you cards.
A Speech in Rhyme | View Profile
Our focus is to develop and write creative, memorable speeches for all occasions. A Speech in Rhyme is a creativity company.
Standing in front of a large audience can be daunting, making speech writing difficult and stressful.
You don’t have to worry anymore, with our speech writing service you will be able to deliver the perfect speech to your audience. After all we are based in Blarney so we are blessed with the Gift of the Gab.
