Giving a Maid of Honor Speech? Simple Tips You Can Use Right Now!
One of the maid of honor's most important duties — if not the most important — is to offer a speech at the reception.
This speech is a big part of the wedding, and usually takes place within the reception' s first half, before people leave. You'll no doubt have a full crowd for your speech ... so you'll want to be prepared!
While the best man's speech is equally important, he'll focus more on the groom. So it's your job to delight the bride, and give her something to remember with your speech. Sound like a tall order? There are a few tips to keep in mind when giving your maid of honor speech that practically guarantee it'll be a success — and I'm going to share them with you.
Leave Them Laughing
The best speeches are usually the funny ones ... the kind where everyone in the crowd is laughing, not just the bride. A great way to start out your speech is to tell a story or two about growing up together, and the amusing things that happened to you.
When it comes to this speech, a lot of maids like to wing it — not write anything down, and hope for the best. I think they often hope this will create a natural, spontaneous effect, but I'm not always sure that's the result. At any rate, on such a big day, it makes sense to put in the extra effort and write down a few prepared remarks.
We all know that most of us don't like to speak in front of other people. We tend to get nervous when we know we have to make a speech, and we procrastinate a little. Having a few prepared notes makes life a lot easier on that front as well.
What to Cover
This is a popular way to start a speech — it lets the audience know who you are and how you know the bride. And in my opinion, it sets the right tone for the rest of it. After that, start talking about what the bride used to tell you about the groom when they first started dating — it's easy to make a funny story out of that.
Then, if you want to get into something more substantial, start talking about how terrific the bride and groom look together. Add a spiritual comment or a meaningful piece of writing that you dedicate to the bride and groom. And of course, don't forget to give them a dash of marital advice and wish them well on their journey.
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Hello. I was asked to be my twin sister’s MOH and she is having a very quick wedding, but asked me to do a speech. I am not very good with speeches that’s for sure! We are very close sisters and the best of friends, however, I am not very fond of the guy she’s marrying. Please help.
Hey I was wondering if y’all could help me. I am my best friends maid of honor and she told me the other day that she wants me to give a speech at her wedding. I have never given a speech of any kind and I have never been to a wedding where a speech was given. I have no idea what to say. I don’t want it to sound corny and I don’t want to embarrass the bride. Also she said that she is going to pass the mike around the room and shes inviting like 600 people so it probably shouldn’t be too long of a speech. Thanks for any ideas.
sarah,
i have posted some of the better links i have found along the way below. i would suggest a wedding toast. it is short, simple, and sweet. it will be everything to the the bride and yet not to long.
sarah,
*example results
*more examples
Dont 4get to check the previous posts!!
I am the maid of honor to a very dear friend that i have had since we are babies, this weekend. That doesn’t sound weird at all, right? Well she is actually marrying my first cousin…one that i did not get to know very well AT ALL until they started dating!
I did not set them up, however, because they were together, He and i became a lot closer!
Any suggestions so that i can include both of them? But still focus more on the bride?
Lindsey,
introduce yourself first, and then talk about how long you have known each other, some wonderful times you both shared, how you have been there with each other through everything. and now you were honored by standing by her side on this very special day. how you have always considered her to be family to you and now she has found a lifelong partner with your cousin( grooms name), she actually IS family now. say, ( brides name), you know we had a couple shopping trips, lunches, etc. but just wait, there is thanksgiving, christmas, birthdays, etc. its gonna be sooo much fun!! (laugh). ( say grooms name) we have been friends ( the bride and you) since we were babies and it has been a complete joy to be a part of those journeys she took. now those journeys are yours and savor each moment as you walk today, tomorrow and, forever. i love you both……cheers.
lindsey, this is just a little something i came up with. for more tips look at some of the better links i found with the posts below. good luck!
Hi, my mothers wedding is in two days, this saturday & i’m the maid of honor. i’ve been thinking about the speech here & there but i haven’t really made a commitment to figure one out. i’ve never been one to do public speaking, i never liked speeches in school lol. but i want to make it as good as possible. seeing how i don’t have any money at this time to give them a gift..
i wanted to make it a little funny ya know, but i’m not quite sure what to even talk about..i don’t really know stories about them..i guess i’ve never really been that “in tune” to their relationship. i kindof know how they met but i’m not sure i want to mention that, i don’t really know how to, and make it funny or sound good.
they look good together & i know theyr in love & i’m very happy for them & my mom. its time she get to be happy.
but idk, i’m not sure how to word it all & whatnot! i’m not too great at the whole writing thing..lol.
please help me out!
thanks(:
Kristina,
I would talk about how she raised you as a single mother, maybe a funny or sentimental story and the things that u wanted for ur mother to find in a man that she has found in her soon t be husband…. sounds like one is happiness…. goo luck
Stacey,
You give good advice and help everyone tremendously. And I’m coming to you for help. Its a very complicated situation. I just recently got engaged after 12 yr relationship with him. He has children and I have children. 7 total.. 3 boys and 4 girls. All the girls want to give a speach. and needs help with it.
My daughter is 14 yrs old.
His 15 yr old daughter been with us for 4 yrs, off and on before that.
His 13 yr old daughter been with us for 3 yrs now, and off and on before that.
Just last yr he found his 11 yr old daughter who has been coming up for visitations, she also want to give a speach.
I have no Idea how to help them write one speach and split it among the four girls. Please help in any way possible. Would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much in adanced for any help given.
Candy
candy,
hi!! thank you!! its gonna be difficult to have one speech. what i would do is let them pick out a reading that is special to them or poem. i googled wedding readings for children then wedding or marriage poems. also they could write a small bit about what they want and make it personal then read it. it would be so heartfelt coming from them then writing it for them. there is inspiration everywhere. another thing i googled was children’s wedding vows where they are up there with you and included in the i do’s. its really a beautiful ideal!!
like here:
*wedding vows
(they might actually love this)
i would talk with them about what they might wanna do and then go from there.
Stacey,
Wow, Im lost for words, except I’m so glad I found this site, and found YOU! I knew I had asked the right person. I love the idea, and I know they will love it to. This wedding is something all the kids wanted. and you truely just made it even better. Again and I am sure this comes from everyone you have given advice to and helped. thanks so much!!!
candy,
i am so happy i could help with such a special day. i am sure it will be very beautiful and i wish you all a blessed and wonderful new journey. i have to admit i got choked up when i read you comment, it touched my heart. i cant say enough how it makes to feel to be able to help brides with their ideas or dilemmas. congratulations and i do wish you all the best!!
Next two my cus is gettin married and she wants me to say a wonderful speech for her but… i dont even know how to start. I even dont think anything funny happen to her so what do i talk about ??
can you help me PLEASE!!!!!!!!
andrea,
i would be natural. if there is nothing humorous that you know of, then i wouldnt include something funny. i would just be hearfelt and special. i have some of the better links in the below posts. i would say who i am that you are cousin and moh? to the bride, tell the couple how wonderful they look. then i would talk about how special your cousin is to you and when you knew she had found the perfect person that would make her so happy. dont mention anything bad or any exes. just talk about wonderful things. this should come from you, not cause someone thinks you should write a speech which is totally optional. it should be cause you care about her and want to express it in front of everybody. or you could do a simple but heartfelt toast. i hope this helps.
Ok, i am Tessa im 16 & also the MOH at my mother’s wedding this summer. i have no clue on what to say in the toast that i am suppose to make. i am also very nervous and i hate talking infront of a lot of people! Me and my mother are very close and tell each other just about everything. Me and the groom are also close. But of course i don’t know what to say and haven’t really had a chance to actually know how they are together as a couple. She is my mother and i want her to remember my toast forever so i want it to be the best, Any advice?!?
tessa,
here are some samples to get you started, also scroll down to some of the links i posted for others. they are some of the better links. you can have a funny ( not embarrassing) moment you two shared. or you can choose to keep it short and sweet like a toast.
*sample speeches
*Samples of Wedding Toasts
Okay, so I am almost 15 years old and I am my sisters MOH. I have to give a speech at her wedding and I don’t really know what to say! Also, I am sooooo nervous to get in front of all the people at her wedding!! Me and my sister grew up together and shared the same room. We are really close and have alot of memories. Her soon to be husband and I are somewhat close as well. Him and my sister both went to the same high school. When I knew they first started talking he was in Iraq and they talked over IM. Every time I would go to my dads I would always ask my sister if I could talk to him. lol. Now they live about 20 minutes from me and I go stay at their house sometimes. I don’t know alot about them as a couple and I need HELP! Any advice?
mariah, a speech is optional. you can also do a toast. what you stated above is a great subject to talk about. you could start with this for example…Hi, My name is Mariah, sister and maid of honor to the bride. I am so happy that she asked me to stand by her side today….. insert some of the things from the link below.
*sample speeches
*speech
if you have a sense of humor you could add something funny, dont try to force it though. go with whatever your personalities are.
another example,
hi everyone, my name is Mariah, i am maid of honor and sister to the bride. sis, I know you both will be happy together cause you have found someone who adores, loves, and respects you as much as i do. As your sister, I will always be there no matter what, even if we are not living in the same house anymore (oh yeah , by the way, I will be at yours (say this in a sly funny way). i wish you both all the happiness in the world and ( insert grooms name) welcome to the family! love you and congratulations!
To my dearest sister (insert sister’s name here), I am truly happy that you have found someone who loves, respects and adores you for the truly wonderful person that you are. As your sister, remember that I will always be here for you no matter what even if we’re not living in the same house anymore. May your union last a lifetime and be blessed by God. And to (groom’s name), welcome to the family. Congratulations!
mariah,
i meant to say, i modified the very bottom example, you can give a speech as short as this. for nerves, i highly recommend the toast instead of a longer speech. you can see how i took a sample( you can take any sample) and make it your own.
Mariah,
I’m 15 and my sister’s maid of honor this summer too. I started working on my speech today. Just start writing and crossing things out. Just write down everything that pops in your head. I’m focusing on making mine personal. Good Luck!
I need some advice..I am my sister maid of honor and i have to give a speech at her wedding i never knew about!! The only thing i know about them is they meet at collage during like halloween. I HATE TALKING IN FRONT OF PEOPLE…no lie i get really nervous
If any1 can help i would appreciate it. THANK YOU
OMG i am in the same boat i love attention and limelight but NOT speeches. i also like toi make people laugh though…so im playing off that. Find somthing you are somfortable doing and try to work it into your speech it will be more comfortable and easier to relax.
Hi! I know this is cutting it close but I am the MOH for my husbnads cousin. I have only known her for a little over 3 years but we aren’t that close at all. I was actually surprised when she asked me to be her MOH. Don’t get me wrong, I am very honored but I am having such a hard time coming up with a nice toast. Plus, she is been a bit unbearable. She makes it seem like I have not helped her at all and has been completely ungrateful. This is a new side of her fo me and it’s hard to swallow. Anyhow, I am the type of person that puts a lot of heart into what I do and I really want to deliver a great toast, but I am stuck. What do you talk about when you have no idea how they met, how it evolved and no stories about when she was younger? Help!
Thanks so much! Lost MOH
racheal, remember the wedding toast is optional. if you would still like to do something ….. look at the lower post, i suggested reading a poem.
here is an example:
hi, my name is ————- i am here today as (brides name) moh. it was an honor to be asked to stand by her side on this wonderful day, as she married my cousin (grooms name). wasn’t it just a beautiful ceremony? ( look around at guests and smile). today you began a new chapter in your lives; for the rest of your lives, i just know you will always be as happy as you are at this moment. as you walk through life i hope you remember 2 things: always stay young at heart and laughter is the best medicine. congratulations to the bride and groom!! raise glass.
for a couple of funny lines to add, you can look here.
*wedding toasts
Hello, i am so stuck! I am the MOH at my brothers wedding. Yup i said it, his bride to be asked me to be her MOH. I dont really know her all that well, and she gets on my nerves a lot. So how am i goin to write a speech for the wedding day? What do i say?
katie,
just keep it simple about the day you met her and when you knew she was special to your brother. keep it short, simple, and sweet. some have long speeches but it is not a have too. all speeches are optional, you could jsut stand up and give a sweet toast. you can even do a poem, i was moh in my sisters wedding, and that is what i did.
* wedding toasts
THIS is a great website, i love the samples here, heartfelt and perfect for the bride and groom.
I would start out with saying for those of you who do not know me, i am ——-, sister of the groom. it touches my heart to see two people joined together and in so much love. then begin poem here……
i would add a special touch especially if there is a band. i would pick a beautiful and sentimental song and dedicate it to them( example: my best friends wedding movie)
after poem, say. in honor of your love, i had the band play youthis song, i wish youboth a beautiful and blessed life together.
if you choose not to do a song. just end it with what i wrote previously, ending with congratualtions.
katie, oops! here is that GREAT website !!
* sample wedding toasts
hello, iam the MOH in my sisters wedding next year and iam only 15 and i have no idea what to say. we always were close and done stuff together but were never close when it came to guys and such. Pease help…any tips?
allie,
that’s ok cause i wouldnt mention noone except her new husband, the first time you knew they were meant for each other. i would talk about special times like:
*moh speech sample
*moh speech
these 2 above speeches have subtle yet “real” humorous lines in them. about getting in trouble together. if you want to look at more just google search maid of honor sample speech or maid of honor speech ( you will find a lot of links)
let me know if you need any more help and i will do whatever i can to help. this will be the perfect chance to let your sister know how much you love her.
I need speech help as well. I’m the MOH in my sister’s wedding coming up on May 17th. My sister and I grew up together, but we were never really close and she has expressed numerous times that she doesn’t like me (blames me for our father’s fatal heart attack, calls me a burden on my mom, etc.). She has mentioned several times that I am only MOH because our mom threatened to not attend if this wasn’t so. Needless to say, I’m lost when it comes to this speech. I’m also nervous about speaking in front of crowds as well (I have Social Anxiety Disorder and am unable to even speak in front of a class of 12 without stuttering horribly and sometimes fainting
), so I don’t want anything too long. I was advised by our mother that I’m not expected to give a speech due to our tumultuous relationship, but I feel that it would be a nice gesture, especially as MOH. Neither of them are the schmaltzy type, so maybe something on a little more of the humorous side? As children, we never really did much together and I honestly don’t know that much about her. Everything that I found when searching on Google involved cheesy sayings or anecdotes about the bride, both of which I’m trying to shy away from due to aforementioned reasons. If it’s any help, his name is Jesse and hers is Jessie; he was also born Nov 26, 1980 and she was born Nov 27, 1981. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.
ash, i am sorry about your situation; though i know nothing about it i just feel led to say ( hope it is ok) that noone is to blame for those things.
in this situation a simple toast instead of a speech is fine. keep it short and sweet. google search funny maid of honor toast sample. remember dont try to force it just take your time and be yourself!!
*sample speech
just reading this, i feel very bad for you…. its hard to deal with siblings ,the best advice is to just wish them the best of luck maybe mention that the relationship with your sister was never very close but you can see that he has made her a better person (( even if its not true )) If your sincere & come from the heart then who knows maybe your sister will turn a new leaf and second guess her actions through the years. … dont be sarcastic or funny, she will only think that you are mocking her.
Hello! i’m from russia. english language is not my favorite, because i can not speak well :) and i’m going to be MOH of wedding of my friend in may, family of groom speak on your language :) can you imaging how is terrible will be my speech :)? and for me it was big surprise that speech of MOH must be sooo long! ya, i could speak about my friend for so long time in russian, but in english -
don’t know what to do :) any advices? 
kate,
you can put together a beautiful and heartfelt montage to play and say in lieu of a wedding speech i wanted to dedicate this to the bride and groom. or you can have an interpreter. the moh speech doesnt haev to be very long. google search moh sample speeches and it will give some ideas. another idea is practice alot on your speech and out of that your words may flow. hope this helps!!
Kate, why don’t you use share a russian saying or tradition? I bet wishing them a happy long marriage sounds GREAT in russian!
Hello I’m Heidi & im 19 years old. My sister (who is five years older then me) is getting married in June to her high school sweetheart. They had there ups and downs like most couples but i’ve always found them to be the perfect couple. My sister has done so much for me in my life and I really want to make this day perfect for her. There is going to be so many people there and Im having a hard time getting the speech just right!! I’ve written so many and i just can’t get it right.I have the tear-jerker part down i want something funny to grab everyones attention… Any Ideas pleaseeee help.
heidi, i hope these help you in writing the perfect speech!!
*Sample Maid of Honor Speeches
*Funny Maid of Honor Speech Examples ( the garbage line is very cute, not the horse one)
*wedding speech (just dont mention other guys at all, this is a really cute speech)
*this one is has tips and is sooo cute!
hello I just was asked to be the maid of honer for my freinds wedding. her and i did not grow up together we just went to school together. I really do not know much about her child hood just about her and her fiance journy to where they are at now can i have a speech on that there journey or no? and i want to know when i should start thinking about the speech and doing all the wonderfull planning like the bachlorette party and all that.
please help its in 6 months.
thank you
Amber
amber,
*Sample Maid of Honor Speeches
*Maid of Honor Speech
*Help me write my Maid of Honor Speech?
*Sample Speech 2( i like this one)
*How to Plan a Bachelorette Party
*bridesmaid 101
*Bachelorette Party
*How to Plan a Wedding & Bridal Shower
*Organizing a Bridal Shower
amber, also google search inexpensive bridal shower for some cost cutting tips( lots of links!) happy planning!!
This is my pickel. I am the maid of honor in my friends wedding. we met because I am dating her ex and the father of her daughter. We have gotten close over the last year and a half, so she asked me to be the maid of honor in her wedding. It’s great but I’m having trouble writing the “speach”. I haven’t know her that long(so no childhood stories),and talking about how we met would be akward. any ideas? please help!
meagan,
* Sample Maid of Honor Speeches
* Maid of Honor Wedding Toasts and Speeches
didnt find anything here? just google maid of honor speech samples.
I personally would just keep it short and sweet tell everyone how glad you are to be the maid of honor and how happy you are for the two of them and how much they both mean to you! that’s what counts ya know?
that was to: megan by the way and good Luck!
I’m really shy at giving speeches especially in large crowds. How do I over come that fear? My sisters wedding is coming up & she chose me as her maid of honor. Any advice? I want to make this special day memorable for her without being so nervous.
well best advice i can give is this….when writing your speech write it as if you are talking about them so its directed at the crowd and also write some directed at your sister and her husband. this way you can look at them both to help ease the pressure. Thats what i’m doing with my best friends speech as her maid of honor. i hate speaking in front of large crowds too. I’m only making my speech about a minute long.
I’m the maid of honor in my brothers wedding and I’ve known the bride for like 4 yrs I tryed to come up with a speech but its not funny at all and I think it might be a little depressing what should I do because I haven’t known her that long?
Melanie, don’t make the mistake of thinking you can’t do a great speech just because you haven’t known the bride forever. (But try to avoid a speech that’s depressing. Funny or romantic is better.) Just follow one of the speech “recipes” and you’ll be fine. There’s one below, I’ll repeat it:
1. Talk about how you became close with the bride. What is it about her that made you so happy to see her become part of the family? Maybe she really reached out to you, maybe you saw how she treated your brother like the prince he is. Or maybe she doesn’t take any flack from him, which he needs.
Or, talk about the bride & groom’s courtship and how excited he was, or she was. Many of a couple’s love & courtship stories don’t get told at a wedding because there isn’t time. If you can bring out a romantic anecdote, the couple will love it. Talk about how careful he was picking out his clothes for a first date or waxing his car or how he stayed up on the phone talking all night or had long-stemmed roses delivered to her office.
2. (this is repeated from below but changed since you know your brother so well) Give the bride a few brief, amusing hints about your brother’s likes and dislikes — how to keep him happy over a lifetime. Easy to make this funny.
Bring out his little quirks without embarrassing him.
3. Close by offering the couple your best wishes and a timeless piece of advice. This is a piece of cake — the web is FULL of ‘marriage advice’ material you can use. Avoid the cruder examples and choose the touching, gently funny or spiritual ones, depending on the couple and the crowd. Google for “marriage quotes.”
Remember that the audience is WAITING to laugh. You don’t have to be a comic genius to get a laugh, just say something a little amusing and they will support you. And keep things brief.
It will go great, just do your homework and all will be well! Best of luck!
I’m having 3 bridesmaids but not a MOH. They are all my BF’s from different times in my life. One that I’ve known since grade school and am still super close to, the other that I met in college and the third is my work colleague. What’s proper etiquette on having them all say a little something because they’ve each known me at a different time in my life?
Hey Erin.
I would suggest having the girls all do a speech together. Each saying a little about how they know you, and then take turns with other parts of the speech, ie. intro, how you met your partner, what he needs to know about you, and conc. etc.
HELP!!! i am the MOH in my (get this) boyfriend’s, brother’s wedding. I’ve known the bride for 3 years now. We have gotten very close but no really funny stories to talk about. Im not sure what i should say in my speech. Any advice?? THANK-YOU