Congratulations, your dear friend or maybe your sister has asked you to be their maid of honor. What an honor, indeed! Along with standing by their side and planning a bachelorette party, you’ve also been asked to give a maid of honor speech.
Before you panic, know that we have your back. As wedding officiants, we’ve written words for thousands of weddings, coached couples through writing their vows, and helped wedding party members with their speeches and readings. We’ve got you covered!
Below you’ll find our sure-fire template for writing your speech and five maid of honor speech examples to inspire yours. Plus, some of our best tips to ensure your speech goes as smoothly as possible!
Follow this maid of honor speech template
Step 1: Introduction
Start off your maid of honor speech by introducing yourself. Who are you and how do you know the couple of the hour?
Step 2: About the bride
Next, share some sweet memories that you share with the bride. Is there a funny story about how you first met or when you knew you’d be friends for life? Or maybe a memory that perfectly encapsulates the bride’s personality?
Step 3: About their partner
While you may be BFFs or related to the bride, this wedding is about both the bride and their partner. Don’t forget to include their other half! Even if you don’t know them well, try to think of a story to share or reflect on how they’ve changed the bride’s life.
Step 4: About the couple
As you start to wrap up your speech, speak about the couple as a pair. What do you admire about them? What do you wish for their future together? If appropriate, what advice do you want to share?
Step 5: Toast
Lastly, end your MOH speech with a toast. Don’t forget to ask all of the guests to join you in raising their glasses as you celebrate the newlyweds!
5 examples of maid of honor wedding speeches
What better way to inspire your own writing and see our template in practice than by checking out some maid of honor speech examples? Read through these and you’ll be ready to pull out your pen and get to writing.
1. Maid of honor speech to your sister
Good evening! For those who don’t know me, my name is [Your Name], and I have the incredible privilege of being the maid of honor and the very proud sister of our beautiful bride, [Bride’s Name].
Growing up with [Bride’s Name] was nothing short of an adventure. I remember one summer, we decided to camp out in our backyard. [Bride’s Name], being the determined person she is, insisted we build the tent ourselves. We ended up with more of a fabric sculpture than a tent, but we laughed all night under the stars, making memories I’ll cherish forever.
When [Partner’s Name] came into the picture, I knew they were special. One particular moment stands out: we were at a family gathering, and I saw how naturally they fit in. They were playing with our younger cousins, completely at ease and making everyone laugh. That was when I realized they was not just another passing relationship; they were someone truly remarkable.
Seeing [Bride’s Name] and [Partner’s Name] together is witnessing a perfect harmony. They complement each other in the most beautiful ways. [Bride’s Name] brings spontaneity and passion, while [Partner’s Name] brings calm and thoughtfulness. Together, they create a balance that inspires all of us to believe in true love.
Please join me in raising your glasses. Here’s to [Bride’s Name] and [Partner’s Name]. May your lives together be filled with endless love, laughter, and adventure. Cheers!
2. Funny maid of honor speech
Hi everyone! I’m [Your Name], and I have the great pleasure of being [Bride’s Name]’s friend and maid of honor. I’m here to share some stories and, hopefully, a few laughs.
First, let me tell you about the time [Bride’s Name] and I decided to take up yoga. It sounded like a peaceful, zen activity. Fast forward to us tangled in poses that should come with a warning label. [Bride’s Name] managed to turn falling out of tree pose into a graceful dance move. Needless to say, our yoga career was short-lived, but the laughter we shared was worth every awkward stretch.
Now, let me tell you about [Partner’s Name]. When I first met [Partner’s Name], it was at a Halloween party. He was dressed as a giant taco, and [Bride’s Name] was a hot sauce bottle. It was clear from the start that they were a match made in culinary heaven. Anyone who can rock a taco costume with that much confidence is alright in my book!
As a couple, [Bride’s Name] and [Partner’s Name] are like a perfectly mixed cocktail – [Bride’s Name] is the fun, fizzy soda, and [Partner’s Name] is the reliable, steady whiskey. Together, they make every moment delightful, with just the right amount of buzz and warmth. Their adventures, from epic road trips to quiet movie nights, are filled with laughter and love.
So, let’s raise our glasses to [Bride’s Name] and [Partner’s Name]. May your days be as bright and bubbly as your personalities, and your nights as cozy and comforting as your love. To a lifetime of happiness and humor – cheers!
3. Maid of honor speech for your best friend
Good evening! My name is [Your Name], and I have the absolute pleasure of being [Bride’s Name]’s best friend and maid of honor. I’ve known [Bride’s Name] for [number] years, and tonight, I’m thrilled to share in this beautiful celebration of love.
From the moment I met [Bride’s Name], I knew she was someone special. She has this incredible ability to light up any room with her smile and make everyone around her feel valued and loved. We’ve shared so many wonderful memories together – late-night talks, adventures, and countless laughs. Through it all, I’ve watched her grow into the amazing person she is today.
Then along came [Partner’s Name]. From the first time I saw them together, it was clear that [Partner’s Name] was a perfect match. I saw the way [Partner’s Name] looked at [Bride’s Name], with so much love and admiration, and I knew [Bride’s Name] had found someone who truly understood and cherished her. [Partner’s Name], you complement [Bride’s Name] in the most beautiful ways, bringing out the best in each other.
[Bride’s Name] and [Partner’s Name]’s love is built on mutual respect, deep understanding, and unwavering support. They share a bond that is both inspiring and heartwarming, showing us all what true love really looks like. Seeing them together gives me faith in the power of love and partnership.
So, let’s raise our glasses to [Bride’s Name] and [Partner’s Name]. May your life together be filled with endless joy, unwavering love, and countless beautiful moments. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness and a love that grows stronger every day. Cheers!
4. Maid of honor speech with quotes
Hello, I’m [Your Name], and I have the absolute joy of being [Bride’s Name]’s maid of honor. Tonight, we’re gathered to celebrate the love story of [Bride’s Name] and [Partner’s Name], a story that has inspired all of us.
When I first met [Bride’s Name], I was immediately drawn to her infectious laughter and boundless kindness. One of my favorite quotes by Maya Angelou says, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” [Bride’s Name], you have always made everyone around you feel cherished and loved, and I am so grateful for your friendship.
From the very beginning, I could see the connection [Bride’s Name] and [Partner’s Name] shared. [Partner’s Name], your tenderness and care for [Bride’s Name] are evident in everything you do, and it’s clear that you two were meant to find each other.
Together, [Bride’s Name] and [Partner’s Name] create a beautiful partnership built on love, respect, and shared dreams. Their love story brings to mind another favorite quote, this one by Rumi: “The minute I heard my first love story, I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere. They’re in each other all along.” Watching the two of you together, it’s clear that you have found in each other what your hearts have always sought.
So, let’s raise our glasses to [Bride’s Name] and [Partner’s Name]. May your journey together be filled with the same love, joy, and tenderness that you share today. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness and to a love that continues to grow. Cheers!
5. Short maid of honor speech
Hello everyone! I’m [Your Name], and I have the incredible privilege of standing here today as maid of honor for [Bride’s Name] and her amazing partner, [Partner’s Name].
[Bride’s Name], from the moment we met, your kindness and spirit have always stood out. Meeting [Partner’s Name], I saw the perfect match for you— she is someone who complements your strengths and shares your dreams.
Together, you two exemplify the true meaning of love and partnership. Watching you grow and build a life together has been nothing short of inspiring.
So, let’s raise our glasses to [Bride’s Name] and [Partner’s Name]. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness, love, and endless adventures together. Cheers!
Our best maid of honor speech advice
1. Write your speech out and practice it
We are big proponents of having speeches on paper, not on your phone! Phones look tacky in photos and leave you worrying about wifi or battery life. Instead, write or type your speech onto a piece of paper.
And take time to practice! While you don’t have to memorize your speech, you should be familiar with all of the words. If you’re nervous, practice in front of the mirror or a few friends until you feel more comfortable.
2. No inside or embarrassing stories
Save the cringe jokes for the bachelorette party! Your maid of honor wedding speech is not the time to share detailed inside stories no one will understand, tell embarrassing jokes that will make any grandparents present blush, or bring up exes or illegal activities.
You can still be humorous but keep things PG. If you’re not sure if your joke goes too far, run it by a trusted friend.
3. Don’t forget the bride’s partner
Just because you’re BFFs with the bride doesn’t mean you can forget their partner. Remember this wedding is about both of them, not just a walk down memory lane for you and your bestie.
If you haven’t spent a ton of time with their partner and can’t think of any stories to tell, focus on what you do know. How do they make the bride feel? How have they influenced her life? How do they complement each other?
4. Only share thanks and advice that are appropriate
One thing we see a lot in MOH and best man speeches is the speaker thanking all of the guests for attending. While we understand this is a nice sentiment, it’s not actually appropriate. Only the hosts of the wedding should be doing this. It would be like attending someone else’s birthday party and thanking everyone for coming – not your job!
Another thing we hear is speakers giving marital advice. Again, this is a very nice gesture. However, you need to consider if it’s appropriate for you. If you haven’t been married, you don’t need to give marital advice. Instead, just offer well wishes to the couple.
5. Stick to your time limit
Typically, maid of honor speeches are 2-5 minutes long. However, double check with the couple how long they want your speech to be. Whatever length of time they give you, stick to it! No one wants to sit through a long speech and very short speeches can feel abrupt and insincere.
6. Pace your drinking
As a member of the wedding party, it’s likely you’ll be a few drinks in before it’s speech time. So we want to remind you to pace yourself. You don’t want to give a speech where you’re slurring your words, falling down or repeating yourself.
Find out exactly when your speech is happening and ensure you’re sober enough to deliver it. A little liquid courage beforehand is okay but too much could be a disaster. Save the celebratory shots until after the speeches are done.
CHECK OUT MORE OF OUR WEDDING SPEECH RESOURCES:
- 4 Mother of the Groom Wedding Speech Samples
- Father of the Groom Rehearsal Dinner Speech Samples
- How to Write Your Wedding Speech as the Mother of the Bride
- How to Write Your Wedding Speech as the Father of the Bride
- How to Write an Incredible Best Man Speech
- 5 Maid of Honor Speech Examples
- 12 Tips for Wedding Readers
- The Ultimate Wedding Toast Guide
- How to Write A Killer Bride or Groom Wedding Speech
