So you’ve been named your BFF’s Maid of Honor. At first you’re so excited to stand next to your bestie while she says her “I do’s,” to sit and pour over bridal magazines together, and binge watch Bridesmaids every weekend until the wedding. But then you remember, “oh yeah, I have to give an amazing speech that will make everyone cry and laugh and believe in this special love.” No pressure, right? Well lucky for you, we put together our favorite tips for crafting a meaningful MOH speech that truly highlights your love for the bride and/or groom and their blossoming marriage.
1. Start by brainstorming Jot down a list of all the things you want your Maid of Honor speech to be – funny, sentimental, filled with memories, focused on the future, etc. Consider your relationship with the bride or groom and how you interact with one another. You can take this further by noting some of your favorite memories together, or when you first met their significant other. At this stage – don’t be shy! Write down anything and everything (it won’t all make the final cut!)
2. Create an outline Now that you’ve got some ideas marinating, create an outline. A great Maid of Honor speech *typically* follows this format • Introduction – who are you and how do you know the bride/groom? • Share the love – what do you love about the bride/groom? • Cue the whole reason everyone is here – how did the couple meet? How did they/you know it would be forever? • Wrap it up – what do you wish them for the future?
3. Put it all together and add some charm The best Maid Of Honor speeches have something unique to your relationship with the bride or groom. Sometimes it’s a funny dance, sometimes it’s a serious and sentimental story, and other times it’s just the love that you can feel in the room. This is where you add those little moments. Whether it’s a subtle and tasteful joke, or something special about your bond, be sure to make your speech all about your relationship and love for the groom or bride. And keep in mind – short and sweet is best! Don’t feel like you have to write a novel to commemorate your friendship. The bride and groom, the guests, and the dance floor will appreciate something brief but special!
4. Practice, practice, practice! It’s totally unnecessary for you to memorize your speech, but you should definitely practice it multiple times. The more familiar you are with your musings, the easier it will be to deliver. (Especially when you may spend the whole wedding day on the verge of tears with happiness!) If you get especially nervous, practice doing it in front of the other bridesmaids or your parents. There’s a big difference between speaking to yourself in a mirror and having an audience!
5. Follow your heart Last but definitely not least, just go with your gut. The bride or groom chose you to be their Maid of Honor for a reason – because they love you! So just write something from the heart and they’ll continue loving you for it!
