How to Write a Successful Maid of Honor/Best Man Speech: A Guide to Celebrating the Couple
Being chosen to stand by your best friend’s side as their maid of honor or best man is an incredible honor—and with that honor comes the responsibility of giving a memorable speech at the wedding. Whether you’re a seasoned public speaker or feeling totally lost on where to begin, don’t worry! This guide will walk you through everything you need to create a speech that celebrates the couple and has everyone smiling (and maybe even shedding a tear).
What to Include in Your Speech
A great wedding speech includes three key parts: a warm introduction, a thoughtful middle, and a heartfelt conclusion. Here’s how you can structure it:
1. Introduction: Start by introducing yourself and explaining your relationship to the couple. This gives context for your speech and helps connect you to the audience.
How do you know the bride or groom?
How long have you been friends?
Do you have a funny or sentimental memory from your friendship to share?
2. The Middle: This is the heart of the speech, where you’ll talk about the couple. Here’s where you get personal:
- Share a meaningful story that highlights the connection between the couple (but remember to keep it appropriate and light-hearted!).
- Mention their individual qualities that you admire. What makes the bride and groom unique? What makes them so well-suited for one another?
- If you're the best man, feel free to share a funny anecdote about the groom, as long as it’s respectful.
- If you’re the maid of honor, share a special memory or trait about the bride that shows why she’s so great.
- Tip: It's perfectly fine to talk about just one person, but make sure you include a nod to the couple as a whole at some point in your speech.
3. Conclusion: Wrap up your speech with a heartfelt toast. This could be a sincere wish for their future, a meaningful quote, or simply “Here’s to a lifetime of love and happiness.” The key is to end on a positive and uplifting note.
What Not to Include
Now that we know what to include, let’s talk about what not to say during your speech to avoid any awkward moments:
1. “For Those of You Who Don’t Know Me…”
This one is overdone and can come across as stale or unnecessary. We get it—you’re introducing yourself, but chances are most people already know who you are. Skip the self-introduction and dive straight into the heart of the speech.
2. Prior or Past Partners
Avoid talking about the bride’s or groom’s exes. It’s tempting to make a joke about how lucky they are to have found “the one,” but it’s important to focus on the present and the future. Past relationships have no place in a wedding speech unless it’s in a respectful, celebratory context.
3. Inside Jokes
Inside jokes might seem fun, but they’re often confusing for the majority of the audience. Keep your speech inclusive so that everyone can enjoy it and feel connected to what you’re saying.
4. Embarrassing Stories
While it’s tempting to share funny anecdotes from the past, make sure they’re lighthearted and appropriate for all ages. Steer clear of any stories that could make the couple, or anyone in the audience, uncomfortable.
5. Negative Comments
Avoid any kind of humor that could be perceived as mean-spirited or negative. Weddings are a time for celebration, so keep things positive and kind.
How Long Should Your Speech Be?
Keep it short and sweet—aim for a 3-5 minute speech. This gives you enough time to express your thoughts and stories without losing the crowd’s attention. If your speech is a little longer, don’t be afraid to trim it down. Remember, brevity is often more impactful.
When to Write Your Speech
Don’t wait until the night before the wedding! Try to have your speech written at least a few days before the big day. This gives you time to rehearse, tweak, and feel confident. Writing it early also gives you a chance to get feedback from a trusted friend or family member, if you’d like some advice.
How to Practice
Rehearsing your speech is key to delivering it with confidence:
- Read it aloud: Practice reading your speech out loud so you get comfortable with the words and phrasing.
- Get comfortable with pauses: Pausing for emphasis or allowing the audience to react can make your speech more effective. Practice where you want to pause for maximum impact.
- Practice in front of a mirror: This helps with body language and tone.
- Practice in front of a friend or family member: A trusted friend can give feedback and help you fine-tune your delivery.
A Simple Outline for the Clueless Ones
If you’re really unsure where to begin, here’s a basic outline you can follow:
1. Introduction
Greet the guests.
Introduce yourself and explain how you know the couple.
2. Main Content
Share a personal story about the couple (keep it light and appropriate).
Talk about the couple’s relationship and why they’re a perfect match.
Mention something special about either the bride or the groom, but also make sure to include the couple as a whole.
3. Conclusion
Offer your best wishes for the couple’s future together.
End with a toast!
Final Thoughts
The key to a great wedding speech is to be genuine. You don’t need to be a professional speaker to craft something memorable. Speak from the heart, keep it positive and lighthearted, and celebrate the love between the bride and groom. So grab your pen, take a deep breath, and get ready to raise a glass to the happy couple!
Cheers to love, laughter, and a lifetime of happiness!
