How To Write & Deliver A Memorable Maid Of Honour Speech
Being chosen as the maid of honour is a huge privilege, but it also comes with responsibilities, and delivering a maid of honour speech might be one of them! A maid of honour speech is an opportunity to share your love and admiration for the bride, reminisce about funny and heartwarming moments, and celebrate the newlyweds’ journey. If you’re feeling a bit nervous about the task, don’t worry! In this article, we will guide you through the process of writing a memorable maid of honour speech step by step.
Does a Maid of Honour Need to Do a Speech?
While it’s not mandatory for a maid of honour to give a speech, it has become a lovely tradition in many weddings. The maid of honour’s speech adds a personal touch to the celebration, allowing you to share your special relationship with the bride and your joy for her and her partner. It’s a chance to offer support, love, and well wishes as they embark on their journey together.
A maid of honour speech is usually agreed between the bride and maid of honour – so make sure to check to see what the bride wants. Also, don’t be scared to say you don’t want to do a speech if the idea of it terrifies you and it will take the enjoyment away from the day. Your bride will understand and it will give her time to make other arrangements if you’d rather not do one.
Ideas For Your Maid of Honour Speech
If the bride is fairly relaxed and she’s happy for you to something unique and different, you could consider the following ideas for your speech.
- A Simple Speech: If you prefer a traditional approach, a well-written and heartfelt speech can be incredibly impactful. Focus on conveying your genuine emotions and capturing the essence of your relationship with the bride. Use your words to paint a vivid picture of your shared experiences and express your love and support for the couple.
- A Funny Rap or Song: If you have a knack for rhyming and enjoy entertaining the crowd, consider writing a funny rap or song to deliver your speech. This creative approach adds an element of fun and surprise to your speech. Make sure to keep it light-hearted, witty, and relevant to the couple. It’s a fantastic way to engage the audience and bring smiles to their faces.
- Presentation: For a more visually captivating speech, consider incorporating multimedia elements. Using a projector or slideshow, you can share memorable photos and videos of the bride and groom throughout their lives. This visual journey can complement your speech, allowing the audience to connect with the couple’s story on a deeper level. Ensure the visuals enhance your words and create a cohesive narrative.
- Use Props: Props can add a playful and personal touch to your speech. Consider bringing along sentimental items that symbolize the bride’s personality, interests, or shared memories. For example, if the bride is a bookworm, you could include her favourite book and talk about how it reflects her character. Use props sparingly and purposefully to enhance your storytelling.
Remember, regardless of the delivery style you choose, the key is to stay true to yourself and the couple. Ensure that your speech reflects their unique journey and your genuine feelings towards them.
When to Start Writing Your Speech
It’s important to give yourself enough time to craft a thoughtful and well-prepared speech. Ideally, you should start working on your speech at least a few weeks before the wedding. This will give you ample time to gather stories, reflect on your experiences with the bride, and organise your thoughts.
I started writing my speech 6 months in advance of the wedding, because I get extremely nervous when it comes to public speaking – so I wanted to practice as much as possible to help calm my nerves.
How to Plan Your Speech Step by Step
- Introduction: Begin your speech with a warm and engaging introduction. Grab the audience’s attention with a heartfelt quote, a funny anecdote, or a personal story that sets the tone for your speech.
- Give Thanks: Take a moment to thank the guests, the couple’s families, and everyone who has contributed to making the wedding a special occasion. Express your gratitude for being chosen as the maid of honour and share your feelings of honour and joy.
- Share Stories: One of the highlights of a maid of honour speech is sharing amusing and heartwarming stories about the bride growing up. Choose stories that reflect her personality, quirks, and achievements. Ensure these stories are lighthearted, suitable for the occasion, and won’t embarrass the bride or groom.
- Include the Husband: While your speech primarily focuses on the bride, it’s important to acknowledge the groom as well. Share a few kind words about the groom, highlighting his admirable qualities and expressing your excitement for the couple’s future together. Mention how they complement each other and make a great team.
- Offer Advice and Well Wishes: Share your wisdom and offer heartfelt advice to the couple as they embark on their marital journey. Offer words of encouragement, talk about the importance of love, compromise, and support in a successful marriage. End this section by raising a toast to the couple’s happiness and a lifetime of love.
How Long Should A Maid Of Honour Speech Be?
A maid of honour speech should ideally be between 3 to 5 minutes long. Keep in mind that shorter speeches tend to be more impactful and memorable. Practice delivering your speech beforehand to ensure you’re within the desired time frame.
Tips on delivering Your Maid Of Honour Speech
Nervousness is natural when giving a speech, so don’t worry if you feel anxious. Remember, the wedding guests will be rooting for you! To ease your nerves, you can write your speech on cue cards, have it on your phone, or have a printed copy. This will help you stay on track and ensure you don’t forget any important points.
Practice reading your speech out loud several times before the wedding day. I practiced my speech in front of family, and got constructive feedback which helped me to re-write some parts. Read out the speech to the bridesmaids to get their feedback, too!
Familiarise yourself with the flow, timing, and tone of your words. Pay attention to your voice projection, pacing, and pauses to make your speech more engaging and heartfelt.
