By: M. Sterling
Making a maid of honor sister speech can be very stressful, which is why concientious preparation is very important. This article suggests a few hints to assist you in making your maid of honor speech a smashing success for you, and the bride to be.
The first mistake is thinking you have to be the best speech maker that has ever been, but you don't have to: because nobody expects you to be! The main thing is that you are sincere, you manage to keep your emotions from flooding out the speech, and your speech shouldn't last for too long.
What to include in Maid of Honor Speeches
- Your friendship with the bride - how you came to know each other, how long you have been friends etc, bright spots in your friendship …
- Its always a good idea to wish the bride and groom the best, and best wishes for their future life together. Its always entertaining to offer a few lighthearted tips on how to have a long and happy marriage.
- Your approval of the groom - some sincere compliments on why he is the right man for your sister. Note: Never imply that your friend has had lots of boyfriends! This would be a very grave error.
- A couple of short stories about experiences you have shared with the bride. If you can make these funny - excellent. However, don’t try to be something you are not. If you aren’t naturally funny, don’t try to be - it will only make you more nervous, and your speech will probably fall flat.
- If you are creative, a lighthearted poem is always well received.
Preparing for your Maid of Honor Speech
Simply prepare one 3″ by 5″ card for each of the maid of honor sister speeches topics mentioned in the foregoing paragraphs. Each card should simply contain a list of bullet points, which will act as memory prompts for you. Don’t make the error of writing out your speech completely, because you don’t want your speech to sound as if it is a written script - the main thing is to sound natural.
You will most likely find that you won’t refer to these cards at all while delivering your speech. However, just having them acts as a safety net, and gives you confidence. If you stutter during your speech, or your mind goes blank, you can quickly refer to these cards to find your place, and regain your composure.
Maid of honor speeches are meant to be light, heartfelt and sincere. Focus on this and you won’t go wrong - you will enjoy yourself, and the bride will know she chose the right maid of honor. Good luck.
