You and your best friend have been talking about your weddings since you were little kids. And it comes as no surprise that she has asked you to be her maid of honor. But as you’re well aware, the title isn’t about standing there and looking pretty, it comes with a lot of responsibility. You not only need to help her with the preparations and make her day perfect but also give a maid of honor speech.
For most maids of honors, this task can be nerve-wracking. It’s significantly more challenging for the girl who has a difficult time putting their ideas on paper because this isn’t the write my essay kind of assignment. You have to do it all and ensure it’s the perfect speech for your best friend. No pressure.
But we have good news for you. If you’re struggling to write an incredible maid of honor speech, we have some ideas that can help you write one that everyone will be talking about way after the wedding. Let’s get this show on the road.
Ditch the Clichés
When you’re writing your maid of honor speech, you need to be careful that it doesn’t sound too generic. Using phrases like “she is the best friend in the world,” and “I can’t live without her” won’t cut it. While these sentiments may be true, they seem like they were downloaded off the internet because anyone can say that.
A better way to do it is to give practical examples of what makes her a good friend. Tell the story of when she ditched school to be with you because you had broken up with your boyfriend or any other story that makes her good qualities shine through.
Don’t Steal the Spotlight
When you’re writing the speech, you also need to avoid making yourself the focus. You’re there to give the guests an idea of who the couple is and what makes them awesome. Therefore refrain from making yourself the focal point of the wedding and only mention yourself when it’s necessary.
A good approach would be to discuss how you met the bride, who you know them to be, and how the guy has changed them. With this approach, you’re telling a transformative story that paints a picture of a love that was meant to be.
Everyone Loves a Brief Speech
The longer your speech is, the more opportunities you have to ruin it and lose your audience. A good maid of honor speech should not exceed five minutes. Plan your speech in a way that leaves room to share your stories and jokes and wrap up with a toast for the couple.
Don’t Be Afraid to Steal the Best Man’s Thunder
In most weddings, the maid of honor is known to give the emotional speech that pulls at everyone’s heartstrings and sends them to tears. The best man, on the other hand, is expected to make funny jokes and break all the rules.
You don’t have to be in this bubble. If your speech doesn’t seem like the type to bring out the waterworks, that’s fine. Do it your way if you’re confident it will make your best friend smile. And if the best man pulls the same trick, at least everyone at the wedding will have a good laugh.
Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously
There’s a lot of pressure to deliver the perfect speech. And most brides’ maids let the pressure take control. When you do this, you may be tempted to try too hard to impress. A good funny speech may end up looking like an attempt at stand-up comedy, or worse, impersonal.
Remember, no one expects you to channel Martin Luther King. You’re just expected to give a sincere speech that gives the audience a clear picture of why you are the best friend and why the couple is special.
Practice Makes Perfect
Don’t wing your maid of honor speech or write it at the last minute and hope it goes well. In most cases, it doesn’t. As soon as the bride-to-be assigns you the task of being their maid of honor, start thinking of ideas for your speech and write them down. Afterward, practice reading it in front of friends and family to get feedback. It also helps to record yourself to hear how the speech sounds. This way, you’ll know which changes to make
Now Go
With this guide at hand, you can now craft a maid of honor speech, and your best friend will live to remember. Now get to work!
