How to Write & Deliver a Great Maid of Honor Speech (with Examples!)

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This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer Raven Minyard, BA. Raven Minyard graduated from Sweet Briar College with a BA in English and Creative Writing in 2020. While in college, she served as co-editor-in-chief of Sweet Briar’s literary magazine Red Clay and has since gone on to write for publications such as The Zillennial Zine and Every Halloween night. Raven recalls reading articles from the early days of wikiHow during her childhood and is thrilled to now be writing for their content team. She enjoys learning about new interests and topics with each article she writes and hopes to help audiences of all backgrounds continue to learn new and exciting things. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of all facts cited and confirming the authority of its sources. Find out more…

Being a godmother is, as the name suggests, a great honor. Giving a bridesmaid speech can seem overwhelming, but it’s a great way to show the newlyweds how much they mean to you. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to write a birthday speech, including tips on how to deliver it. We’ll also provide speech examples and answer additional questions about girls’ speeches.

1. Introduce yourself and how you know the couple.
2. Talk about the bride and what makes her special.
3. Compliment the bride’s partner and reflect on their relationship.
4. Share a few personal anecdotes or fond memories.
5. End on a positive note with good wishes or advice.
6. End your speech by asking the audience to join you in making a toast.

1. 

   Introduce yourself and your relationship with the bride. Begin your speech by introducing yourself and how you know the bride (or couple). As a bridesmaid, you’re probably a relative or good friend of the bride, but it’s important to remember that not every guest will know who you are. Greet the room and briefly explain your relationship.[1]

   • For example, “Good evening everyone. My name is Rachel and I am the sister of a beautiful young woman.”
   • Or, “Hi everyone. My name is Penny and I have known this lovely couple since college.”

2. Highlight the bride and talk about what makes her special. Briefly pay the newlyweds a few compliments, then turn your attention to the bride. In traditional weddings, the bridesmaid’s speech is mostly directed at the bride, while the best man’s speech is directed at the groom. Share some honest feelings about the bride, highlighting what you love about her and what makes her special. Talk about who she is and what she was like before she met her spouse. There will be time to talk about them as a couple later.[2]

   • For example, “Ashley has always been an amazing big sister. She’s kind and considerate, but she’s not afraid to be stubborn when it comes to things she’s passionate about. I am so happy that she is my role model.
   • Or, “Since you’re all here at the wedding, I’m sure you already know how smart, talented, and amazing Kenzie is. She has always been there for me in thick and thin and is the best friend a person could wish for.”
   • If there is no bride or there are two brides, your main focus should be on the person who asked you to give the speech and on whose side of the aisle you stood during the ceremony, if applicable.

3. Think about a couple’s relationship. Many maiden speeches begin by focusing on the bride and then move on to how the relationship has changed her for the better. This is the time to compliment the bride’s partner and mention all the great things about their relationship. Talk about things like when they first met, when you knew they were in love, or how you knew they were meant to be.[3]

   • For example, “I knew Melissa was right for Valerie because they always matched each other’s wit. I mean, the joke was crazy! It was like watching a rom-com in real life.”
   • Or: “When Sarah brought David home for the first time, we all knew right away it was going to last forever. We had never seen anyone who could make her laugh so much, and always looked at her with so much love.”

4. Share a personal anecdote or two about the bride or the couple. It’s one thing to say that the bride is funny or that the couple is meant to be. But to give an amazing girl talk, it’s important to show it. Think of your favorite memories or stories that reflect how you want to portray the bride or couple. They can be funny or cute, but they should tie into the overall theme of your speech.[4]

   • For example, if you want to emphasize how romantic the bride is, say something like, “You all probably know that Bella is a hopeless romantic, but did you know that as a kid she used to make me play with her at weddings? I will tell you a story…”
   • Or, if you want to talk about how the couple met, say something like, “Not to brag, but I’m actually the reason these two got together. Let’s remember a small bookstore five years ago…”
   • Remember, your focus should be on the couple, not on yourself. Make sure your anecdotes are mostly about the bride or couple and reflect them in a positive light.
   • It’s okay to throw in a joke here and there, but don’t overdo it. Try to focus on jokes that the whole audience can enjoy as well, rather than including a bunch of inside jokes between you and the bride that will go over everyone else’s head.

5. End the girl’s speech with good wishes and a toast. Make sure all the elements of your speech tie together nicely at the end. Consider ending with a romantic quote and sending your best wishes to the newlyweds. Raise your glass and toast the couple to conclude your speech.[5]

   • For example, “You two are the perfect couple and I am absolutely blessed to call you my friends. Here’s to the Johnsons — may you continue to make each other laugh for many years to come.”
   • Or, “Your love is so inspiring and it’s been so special to watch it grow. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness. For the happy couple!”

Categories: How to
Source: HIS Education