How to Write a Maid of Honour Speech: Examples & Tips to Inspire You
Are you gearing up to help your bestie walk down the aisle? Maybe you’re the sister who’s been bestowed with the great honour of being the bride’s right-hand man? Well, first off, congratulations! Being chosen as the maid of honour is no small feat. It’s a role filled with joy, emotion and, yes, some rather serious maid of honour duties too. But fear not, we’ve got your back with advice for writing and delivering the perfect maid of honour speech.
Writing a wedding speech that resonates with both the bride and the audience can be tricky. It’s about striking the perfect balance of funny anecdotes and genuine emotion. That’s why we’re sharing some of our top tips on how to write and deliver a great maid of honour speech, alongside a few of our favourite maid of honour speech examples.
Move over, best man – the maid of honour is here! Let’s dive in…
What is a maid of honour speech?
A maid of honour speech is a beautiful and often heartfelt speech made by the maid of honour or chief bridesmaid during the wedding reception. It’s not traditional for the maid of honour to make a speech at the wedding – just as you don’t usually hear a bridesmaid speech – but more and more couples are choosing to have one, and that means there’s some flexibility as to where it fits into the overall wedding speech order.
How long should a maid of honour speech be?
The maid of honour speech should last between 5-7 minutes and mostly focus on the relationship between you and the bride and how wonderful they are, plus include any anecdotes about the wedding planning process or your childhood together.
What to Include in a Maid of Honour Speech
When it comes to writing your maid of honour speech, be sure to touch on the following and use our maid of honour speech template further down to guide you.
Give an intro
Looking for an easy place to start? Thank the families of the bride and groom for the day and thank the bride for choosing you as the maid of honour.
This is the perfect time to introduce yourself, too – it’s not guaranteed that everyone will know who you are and what your connection to the bride is, after all (and that’s just wrong!). Let them know who you are, how long you’ve known the bride, and how you met. Express your gratitude for being part of their special day.
Share stories and wedding planning foibles
Now it’s time for you to dive into the main body of the speech with a few stories and anecdotes. We’ve found that the best one to start with is how you know the bride; this could be funny or sentimental depending on your relationship. It’s also likely that you helped with a good portion of the wedding planning. As such, you’ll probably have one or two stories to tell about the trials and tribulations of planning such a huge event, whether it’s revealing just how many cake samples you worked your way through before deciding on a flavour, or a story about how stressful it was trying to find the perfect confetti.
Just be sure that any stories you share are appropriate for her family and acquaintances to hear – don’t turn it into a roasting and avoid any outdated ‘Bridezilla’ trope. Trust us, it’s not as funny as some might think!
Celebrate who they are
These stories and anecdotes are the perfect way to let everyone know just how wonderful and special a person the bride is. Avoid listing off generic positive qualities like ‘caring’, ‘funny’ and ‘sweet’ – though we’re sure she is all those things, try to think of words and stories that feel more personal if you can. It will make your speech feel much more genuine.
Touch on the couple’s story
As the bride’s bestie, you’ll probably remember the day the bride met her new spouse. Consider sharing a happy story from the early days of their relationship, such when she knew they were ‘the one’, their first date or when her partner told you they were going to propose. These stories are always a winner with the audience and will add a heart-warming element to your maid of honour speech.
Give their partner some love, too
Don’t forget to mention the bride’s new spouse! If you’re close, know their qualities and can inject a little teasing then great… but if not, just talk about how happy they have made the bride and how well suited they are.
Share advice and a toast to finish
Let everyone know how much you love and support your bestie’s new marriage and how you’ll continue to be there for the both of them along with some heartfelt advice about love and commitment.
Feel free to use some popular quotes about love, poetry or readings, or consider writing a few vows of your own if you feel it’s appropriate. For example, “I will support you in married life just as I have through single life!” or, “I promise to be the coolest auntie to your kids and tell them about how wild their mum used to be!”
Finish your speech with some witty or useful advice to the newlyweds and toast to them. Cheers!
Maid of Honour Speech Structure: What Should a Maid of Honour Say in their Speech?
The good thing about the maid of honour speech is that it’s untraditional which means there are fewer expectations, and you can pretty much include whatever you like. Our biggest tip would be to cross-check your speech with the best man to ensure that there’s no overlap – the last thing you want is to be telling the same stories!
However, this open-ended approach can also feel daunting to some, so try using the structure below to outline your maid of honour speech and help you feel more confident.
Best Maid of Honour Speech Examples
Looking for some ideas to inspire your speech? These four bridesmaid speech examples can be used as a template for your own maid of honour speech – simply personalise them with your own unique stories and anecdotes.
Remember, some maid of honour speech examples will refer to a bride and groom, but you can simply change the references to your bestie’s partner and the appropriate pronouns.
Example 1: Heartfelt friend maid of honour speech
Introduction: Hello, everyone. Welcome to the wedding of [Bride’s name] and [Partner’s name]. You may have seen me earlier in the church—I was the one standing next to the bride bawling my eyes out. Yes, thank you. I’m glad you all saw it! My name is [your name], and I’m the very proud maid of honour.
Stories about the bride: Now, I know a maid of honour speech isn’t very traditional, but our girl [Bride’s name] isn’t very traditional. I should know—we’ve been friends since we were 3! From the moment we met in nursery, bonding over crayons and our mutual love of ‘The Tiger Who Came To Tea’, I knew she was going to be a special person in my life. Little did I know she’d grow into one of the most special people I’ve ever met. But that’s [Bride’s name] all over—full of surprises!
[Bride’s name] has always had this way of making people feel at home, whether that’s in her childhood bedroom with those questionable boy band posters, or in her grown-up home where she’s perfected the art of a cuppa and a chat. She’s the friend who remembers the little things, who shows up no matter what, and who somehow makes even the most mundane moments—like a Tesco run—feel like an adventure.
The couple’s love story: And that’s why I know [Partner’s name] is the luckiest person in the world. Because they’ve married someone who brings magic into the everyday. When [Bride’s name] met [Partner’s name], I saw something shift in her. Now, don’t get me wrong—she’s always been the life and soul of any room, but with [Partner’s name], it was different. There was this lightness about her, a twinkle in her eye that wasn’t just from one of our late-night Prosecco-fuelled chats. It was the kind of sparkle that only comes from finding your person.
The proposal: And I’m very proud to say, I was able to play a part in the proposal! [Bride’s name] doesn’t know this, but I actually knew about the engagement 6 months before it happened. I’m the one who slipped [Partner’s name] the ring size, helped them plan the perfect moment, and decorated the house ready for them to come home to! And I managed to keep it a secret! I was this close to cracking so many times but seeing the joy and surprise on her face when [Partner’s name] finally popped the question made it all worth it.
Heartfelt advice: Now, I’m not married, and I don’t pretend to know loads about love. But what I do know is this—love is about finding someone who sees you for who you truly are, and loves you not despite your quirks, but because of them. Who still thinks you’re beautiful even when your hair needs a good wash, and you’ve fallen asleep spooning your 3am kebab (again). [Bride’s name] and [Partner’s name], somehow, you’ve found that in each other, and it’s such a joy to witness.
Toast to the couple: So, let’s raise a glass to [Bride’s name] and [Partner’s name]. Here’s to a lifetime of love, laughter, and being legally bound to your best mate forever! Cheers.
Example 2: Funny, inclusive maid of honour speech
Introduction: Welcome all! Welcome to the happiest day of my best friend’s life. I know, I know— a maid of honour speech isn’t very traditional, but if you haven’t realised already, this wedding isn’t very traditional, so I’m sure you’ll excuse me in wanting to stand up here and tell you exactly why [Bride’s name] is so incredibly fabulous.
Stories about the bride: We really have been through all sorts together—she took me to my first Pride, has picked me up countless times when I was struggling, and hosted way too many late-night Netflix marathons when we should have been doing literally anything else. She’s been the rainbow in my life when everything else felt grey, there to remind me that there is a place for everyone in this world, no matter who you love or how you identify. If that’s not proof of how amazing she is, I don’t know what is.
The couple’s love story: And then, along came [Partner’s name], and I knew they were a match made in heaven. They clicked instantly, bonding over a mutual love of bottomless brunches and the superpower of making each other feel valued and loved no matter what. Isn’t that the dream? And what made it all the more special was that [Partner’s name] not only embraced [Bride’s name] but loved all of us as part of their entourage too! I mean, how could you not? We are pretty great…
But, in the immortal words of the Spice Girls, “If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends”! And that’s exactly what [Partner’s name] did—threw themselves wholeheartedly into this brilliant, bonkers, bedazzled family of friends. They took us all on, and did so with a smile, a sparkle, and the occasional sassy comeback (which, let’s be honest, is always appreciated).
Heartfelt advice: Now, if I may be so bold as to offer a bit of wisdom on love (and really, who better than a seasoned Netflix marathoner to dispense life advice?). Love is like a good Pride march—it can be loud, unapologetic, and occasionally leave you with a mild hangover. But it’s also about showing up for each other, being unafraid to hold hands in public, and celebrating the spark in each other that the world may not always see. You two have that in spades, and I couldn’t be prouder—or more envious of—the beautiful journey you’re embarking on.
Toast to the couple: So if everyone would kindly raise a glass—because, let’s be honest, we can’t have a wedding speech without a toast—here’s to [Bride’s name] and [Partner’s name]. May you continue to sing (sometimes off-key) in the shower, dance when no one’s watching, and remind the rest of us that real love is worth celebrating every single day.
Example 3: Sisters maid of honour speech
Introduction: Friends, family… people I’ve never met before, welcome. Welcome to the happiest day of my baby sister’s life. So rarely in life do you get the opportunity to be a maid of honour, and even less so do you get the chance to watch your little sister grow from a cheeky, wide-eyed toddler into the stunning, confident bride that sits before our very eyes. Yet here we are—on the day she’s dreamt about since she was prancing around in Mum’s high heels, insisting that they fitted perfectly (they really didn’t!).
Stories about the bride: Growing up with [Bride’s name] was an adventure from day one. Whether we were sneaking downstairs at 6am to watch cartoons, fighting over who got the top bunk, or competing over who could devour the last chocolate biscuit (guilty!), she was always my built-in playmate, my partner-in-crime, and best friend. She’s the one person who knows every embarrassing story from my teenage years and still wants to be seen with me in public. That’s true love if you ask me!
The couple’s love story: Or so I thought. Until I met [Partner’s name], and then I saw what true love was. When I saw the way that they looked at her—like she was the most important person in the world—I realised I’d been completely outdone in the ‘loving [Bride’s name]’ department.
[Partner’s name], you slotted right into our bonkers family as though you’d always been part of it, and for that, we’ll be forever grateful. You embrace [Bride’s name]’s quirks, celebrate her achievements – big or small – and you’ve even learned how to survive her hangry moods. (Still need tips on how you do that).
The proposal: [Partner’s name] also really proved how well he knows [Bride’s name] with that proposal. He pulled out all the stops—got the timing right, picked the perfect spot, and even managed to incorporate her favourite flowers and music. Honestly, I’m still in awe of how he pulled it all off without her cottoning on. It was like something straight out of a rom-com—only better because it was real… it was them.
And now, here we all are, witnessing a moment that’s been in the making ever since my sister was toddling around the living room insisting that she’d marry a prince one day. [Partner’s name] might not have a crown (yet), but they do have the heart of gold our girl deserves—and that’s more than good enough for me.
Toast to the couple: Now if everyone would kindly raise their glasses with me. Here’s to the happy couple: may your marriage be as full of laughter as our childhood was, as warm as the home we grew up in, and as boundless as the love that’s brought you together today.
[Partner’s name] I hope you enjoy growing old with her as much as I enjoyed growing up with her. Cheers!
Example 4: Short maid of honour speech
Introduction: Hi, everyone. My name is [your name], and I have the great honour of being the maid of honour today! I’m sure you’ll excuse me in keeping this short—I’m not usually one for speeches. But, when your bestie makes the biggest commitment of her life, you have to say a few words, right?
Stories about the bride: [Bride’s name] is my absolute rock, my partner-in-chaos, and the very reason I can’t stay quiet today. We met on the first day of year 7 in French class (seriously, who gives you French as your first lesson of year 7?). We sat next to each other, bonded, and have just been inseparable ever since. She’s the kind of friend who’ll give you her last Jaffa Cake without a second thought—and if you know her, you know that’s true devotion.
The couple’s love story: When she met [Partner’s name], I saw her face light up in a way it never had before. He matched her kindness, took her hand, and promised to make her laugh every single day. From that moment, I knew they were meant to be. [Partner’s name], I couldn’t ask for a better person for her. You’re kind, funny, devoted, and just a little mischievous—perfect for our girl. I couldn’t be prouder to be passing the baton on to you.
Heartfelt advice: I don’t pretend to be an expert on love, but I am an expert on [Bride’s name], and if I can share something with you, it’s this: her favourite flowers are tulips (especially yellow ones); her one and only vice is Jaffa Cakes; her biggest fear is being alone in the dark; and, most importantly, she thrives on laughter. So, keep the jokes coming and the light switched on, and you’ll be golden!
Toast to the couple: Right, that’s enough from me. Let’s raise our glasses to our lovely newlyweds. Cheers, you two legends! May this be the start of your greatest adventure yet.
Maid of Honour Speech Opening Lines
Need just a few words to get you started? Check out some of our favourite maid of honour speech opening lines to kick off your speech with confidence…
“Hello, everyone! If you couldn’t already tell from looking at us, I’m the bride’s younger sister – a title at one time I wasn’t too happy about!”
“Good afternoon, everyone. My name is [your name] and I’m the maid of honour. I thought giving a speech would be the most nerve-wracking part of this role, but it turns out fixing [Bride’s name]’s broken heel just before the ceremony actually tops this!”
“Hi, everyone. I’ll start by saying that [Bride’s name] and I share the same sense of humour, so if you don’t like my jokes, you can blame her!”
“Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family, my name is [your name] and I have the absolute pleasure of being the maid of honour today.”
“I’d like to start by saying what an incredible day this has been and how lucky we all are to witness the love between two such wonderful people.”
“Hi all, my name is [your name] and I’m here to give a speech as the maid of honour. [Bride’s name], I love you so much, and I really hope you’ll feel the same about me after you hear my speech.”
“I feel so proud to stand here today as the maid of honour as [Bride’s Partner’s name] marries the love of their life – and trust me, they’ve found someone truly special in [Bride].”
*Taps on mic* “Is this thing on? I’m joking, guys. I heard all your speeches!”
“Hello, everyone. I know, I know… another speech! But I promise I’ll keep it short. Not just for your benefit, but because I’m not convinced I’ll be able to get through this without crying (again).”
“Hello friends, family, and people who are just here for the cake – welcome! Welcome to the happiest day of [Bride’s Partner’s name]’s life, because he is marrying the legend that is [Bride’s name].”
Tips For Delivering a Maid of Honour Speech
Nail that delivery and there won’t be a dry eye in the house!
Practice, practice, practice
You know the drill… it makes perfect! Rehearsing your speech will perfect your timing, hone your speech delivery and increase your confidence. Stand in front of a mirror, share your speech with a close friend or family member or even record yourself to capture your progress. Embrace each rehearsal as an opportunity to smooth out any rough edges and enhance your storytelling. You’ll be glad you did when the big day rolls around.
Be mindful of the audience
There are parents, grandparents, children and work colleagues in the room, so keep things clean. Graphic stories of misspent youths and sexual misadventures will not go down well!
Keep eye contact
By all means, make notes on your phone or use cue cards, but try not to have your head buried in them. Make eye contact with the audience where you can – practice and knowing your speech like the back of your hand will help you to feel more confident in doing this.
Don’t hold the mic too close
Rest it on or below your chin, not right up against your mouth. If you don’t have a mic, try to speak slowly and clearly so people can hear you across the room. You’ve put in the prep-work, so you’ll want them to hear every word of your masterpiece!
Be yourself
The best thing about a maid of honour speech is that there are few expectations – if any! And there is no script to follow. Use this as a chance to let your personality shine and let your unique relationship with them take centre stage. Don’t forget the audience is on your side, too – they’re quite literally willing you to do well. This allows you to craft a speech that’s as genuine and heart-warming as your relationship with the bride.
Maid of Honour Speech FAQ
Does the maid of honour always give a speech?
No, a maid of honour speech doesn’t usually appear in the traditional wedding speech line-up, but more and more couples are choosing to incorporate a maid of honour or bridesmaid speech into their day, particularly with the rise in less traditional gendered wedding party roles.
What’s a good opening line for a maid of honor speech?
The best way to begin a maid of honour speech is by introducing yourself in some way – remember, not all the guests will know who you are or what your connection to the bride is. Something along the lines of, “Hello everyone, for those who don’t know me, my name is [your name] and I have the absolute honour of being [bride’s name]’s maid of honour today.”
Remember, it’s fine to give a brief thank you to the couple’s parents for hosting and the couple for involving you but it’s not the maid of honour’s role to reel off endless thank-yous. That job lies with the groom!
Should a maid of honor speech be funny or emotional?
The maid of honour speech is a beautiful and memorable part of your bestie’s big day and ideally it should be a heart-warming combination of funny and emotional.
It can be tricky to get the balance right but if you aim to include one or two funny anecdotes about your relationship or the wedding planning period, for example, alongside lots of wonderful words about the bride and the newlyweds, your speech will be a winner with the couple and the audience.
Plan the rest of the big day on Bridebook
Speech sorted (or nearly). Now for everything else. Bridebook is the UK’s number one wedding planning app — with tools to manage your guest list, budget, suppliers, and timeline all in one place. Whether you’re a couple doing the planning or a maid of honour who wants to help, it’s free to get started.
Create your free account on Bridebook today.
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