How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech

Are you the maid of honor in an upcoming wedding this summer? If so, one of your responsibilities is undoubtedly the maid of honor speech. Commonly given during the wedding reception, this speech has inherently been the dread of many a maid of honor. But not to fear: follow this easy format and your speech will be a breeze.

If you wish, begin by thanking everyone for coming and introduce yourself. Tell your name, as well as your relationship to the bride. There will probably be many guests at the wedding that don't know you, such as family and friends of the groom. If they know your relationship to the bride, any stories you tell will make more sense.

Next, tell about something that includes both you and the bride. You may decide to tell about the first time you met her. This works out well if you met when you were very young (i.e. on the playground at school) or if it is part of a funny story. Include an amusing or embarrassing experience that the two of you shared. Be careful with this though--you don't want to embarrass her too badly on her special day! Be sure to be respectful of the guests and the environment, especially if the reception is held in a church.

Discuss what personality traits or characteristics the bride possesses that makes you want to be friends with her. For instance, is she outgoing, compassionate, or have a great sense of humor? Is she easy to talk to and give great advice? How do these things make her perfect for the groom?

End your speech with wishes that you have for the bride and groom's life together. For example, you may wish a long life with many babies and happy memories. What advice do you have for them? Any words of wisdom?

Remember that your speech should focus primarily on the bride. Don't worry about including stories about the groom. The best man will take care of that part of it. Just make your speech lighthearted and focus on the happy occasion of the day. Most importantly, keep it sincere. Don't exaggerate, but incorporate the emotions you feel for the bride.

Be sure to practice your speech. A little bit of improv is fine, but too much can lead to rambling. Practice in front of a third party. They may be able to provide valuable feedback to improve your speech. In the end, the bride will appreciate anything you say as long as it's from the heart. Follow the simple steps outlined above and you can be sure your speech will be fondly remembered for years to come.