You’ve been asked to give the maid of honour speech and you haven’t the foggiest where to start. Don’t panic. Every great speech starts exactly where you are now: a blank page and a bit of pressure. Here’s how to turn that into something your best friend will remember for years.
Featured image credit: Val Zukowski
Start with a warm welcome
Open by welcoming the guests and introducing yourself, especially if some of them don’t know you. If the best man has already spoken, feel free to reference his speech to keep things flowing. A simple thank you and a nod to the room is all you need before you dive in.
Top tip: keep your opening short and sweet. You’ve got plenty of time to shine later.
Talk about your best friend
This is the heart of any maid of honour speech, so don’t rush it. Think about how you met, your favourite memory together, and how she’s shaped your life. Three words to describe her is a great little exercise if you’re stuck for structure. Guests love hearing what makes the bride, well, her.
Say something lovely about her partner
You don’t need an essay here, just a few genuine lines. How did you meet them? What’s your favourite memory of the two of you together? How did you know they were the one for your friend? A little warmth goes a long way.
Celebrate the couple
Now bring it together. How did they get engaged? What do you admire about them as a pair? Is there something quietly unique about their relationship that always makes you smile? This section is where the speech really comes alive, so let your affection for them shine through.
Add a bit of craic
A maid of honour speech should never feel like a eulogy, so throw in some light hearted humour. A cheeky line about marriage always lands well, something like “the secret to a happy marriage is agreeing to disagree, then doing the dishes anyway.” Keep it fond rather than roasting, and steer well clear of ex partners or anything too personal.
Top tip: test your jokes on a friend beforehand. If they laugh, you’re onto a winner.
Finish with a toast
Wrap things up by inviting guests to raise a glass. Something simple works best, such as “to love, laughter and happily ever after.” Short, sincere and a little bit sentimental is exactly the note to end on.
Top tips for delivering your speech
- Keep it sincere, upbeat and true to your friendship
- Rehearse out loud, more than once
- Use cue cards rather than reading word for word
- Speak slower than feels natural, nerves speed everyone up
- Make eye contact with the couple during the important bits
- Smile. It genuinely helps calm the nerves
- Top up your glass before you start, you’ve earned it
Writing a maid of honour speech doesn’t need to be daunting. Structure it with a warm welcome, some honest reflections and a touch of humour, and you’ll have guests laughing one minute and reaching for the tissues the next. That’s exactly what a great maid of honour speech should do.
Still feeling stuck? weddingsonline’s supplier directory can connect you with speech writing experts who do this for a living, so you’re never on your own.
