Your Ultimate Maid of Honor Speech Guide: 15 Tips for an Unforgettable Toast and Speech Examples

Hi, Friend! Jen Glantz here. I’m a bestselling author, the first ever bridesmaid for hire and have written over 1000 maid of honor speeches for people all around the world! Let’s dive into a guide on how to write a maid of honor speech to get you inspired for your own!

Ps. if you need help writing your speech or brainstorming what to say – try out our maid of honor speechwriting tool and generator.

1. Be You, Unapologetically!

First and foremost, just be yourself! Your genuine personality and enthusiasm will shine through and connect with everyone in the room.

Picture this: You, owning the stage, being the amazing person you are, and giving a speech that captures hearts. It’s all about embracing who you are and letting that authenticity radiate through your words.

2. Start with a Bang!

Hook your audience right from the start with a memorable opening. Whether it’s a heartfelt quote, a funny anecdote, or a personal touch, make it engaging.

Imagine their attention piqued, ready to embark on the emotional rollercoaster of your speech. A strong beginning sets the tone for an unforgettable toast.

3. Share Heartfelt Anecdotes

Memories are a treasure trove! Share sweet, funny, or touching stories that highlight the bride’s beautiful journey and the bond you both share.

Think of the best times you’ve had together, reminisce about old tales, and weave them into your speech. It’s like taking everyone on a delightful trip down memory lane.

4. Express Gratitude and Appreciation

Show some love to the people who made this special day possible. Thank the bride and groom for including you and express your gratitude to the hosts, parents, and anyone who contributed.

A little appreciation goes a long way, and it sets a positive, warm atmosphere for your speech.

5. Speak from the Heart, Not the Script

Sure, jot down your speech, but don’t read it word for word. Let it flow naturally, as if you’re having a casual chat with dear friends.

Connect with your audience by making eye contact and speaking genuinely. You’ve got this!

6. Balance Emotions and Humor

A great speech has a mix of emotions: a sprinkle of humor, a dash of sentimentality, and a pinch of excitement.

Tell a funny story to get some laughs, then follow it up with a touching moment that tugs at heartstrings. Strike the right balance and keep the crowd engaged.

7. Short and Sweet Wins the Race

Aim for a speech that’s around 3-5 minutes. Be concise and to the point, covering the important aspects without dragging it out.

Remember, brevity is the soul of wit, and your audience will appreciate you for it.

8. Practice, Practice, Practice!

Rehearse your speech multiple times to get the flow and pacing just right. Practice in front of a mirror or with a friend to gain confidence.

The more you practice, the more natural and confident you’ll feel when delivering your speech.

9. Engage with the Audience

Involve the audience by asking them rhetorical questions or encouraging them to raise their glasses for toasts.

Engagement keeps them attentive and makes your speech interactive and memorable.

10. End with a Heartfelt Toast

Wrap up your speech with a touching toast to the newlyweds. Raise your glass high and wish them a lifetime of happiness and love.

It’s the perfect way to conclude your speech on a celebratory note.

11. Breathe and Stay Calm

Feeling nervous is natural, but take deep breaths, stay calm, and smile. You’ve got this, and everyone’s cheering for you!

12. Time Your Delivery

Coordinate with the emcee or the person in charge to ensure your speech fits seamlessly into the event’s schedule.

Punctuality is key to a smooth-flowing event.

13. Speak Clearly and Audibly

Ensure everyone can hear you by speaking clearly and at a moderate pace. Project your voice and articulate your words for maximum impact.

14. Be Mindful of Your Body Language

Stand tall, maintain good posture, and use hand gestures naturally. Your body language should reflect your confidence and enthusiasm.

15. Spread the Love

Lastly, share the love! Radiate positivity, love, and happiness throughout your speech. Let your affection for the couple shine through your words.

So, gather your thoughts, put on your brightest smile, and let’s craft a toast that’ll be etched in everyone’s hearts forever. Cheers to you, the extraordinary Maid of Honor!

Need a little extra help? Try our maid of honor speech tool and generator.

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Let’s dive into examples. All of these speeches below were written using our maid of honor speech tool and generator. You’ll see speeches that are short, medium, and long. Plus, different tones! One funny speech, one that’s warm, and one that’s a combo!

Maid of Honor Speech Example: 

• Length: Medium (500 words or 5-minutes long)
• Tone: Warm

Good evening everyone,

Thank you all so much for being here tonight to celebrate the love that Adrian and Lucas share. My name is Jane, for those who might not know me, and I have the honor of being Adrian’s best friend and, on this special day, her bridesmaid.

Our story began a few years ago in a place where friendships often blossom – the dog park. While our pups were becoming fast friends, unbeknown to them, they kindled a beautiful friendship between Adrian and me. It was a trip to the pet store that really kicked off something special. A good friendship is like a good habit, and we created one together: dinners, walks with our dogs, movie nights.

Three years of this regular bonding, and we became much more than just dog park pals, we became the best of friends. In our friendship, Adrian and I often joke that we share the same personalities as our dogs. Adrian, much like her dog, is shy and tends to go with the flow. You’ll often find me and my dog being the playful, rule-breaking duo.

Adrian, always the steadfast friend, can be counted on to lend a listening ear, offering a comforting space whenever needed. Then, along came Lucas, who we perfectly describe as an adorable mix of both our dogs – kind and sweet, but always ready to be the life of the party. A man who perfectly complements both of our quirkiness and has seamlessly fit into our dynamic.

A love for trying new sushi spots across New York City was one bond that Adrian and Lucas shared, even marking their love at the sushi spot where they had their first date. I, for one, can’t think of anything that epitomizes their relationship better. Adrian, you have shown me time and again how loyal, kind, and caring you are. It is an honor to be able to call you my friend.

And as we stand here today, my wish for you and Lucas is that you continue to enjoy each other’s company, exploring sushi spots, and sharing your endless love for one another. So here’s to Adrian and Lucas, may your life continue to be a journey filled with shared adventures and everlasting love. Cheers!

Maid of Honor Speech Example: 

• Length: Long (1,000 words or 7-minutes long)
• Tone: Funny

Good evening everyone, Thank you all so much for being here tonight to celebrate the love that Adrian and Lucas share. My name is Jane, for those unfamiliar faces here, and I have the honor of being Adrian’s best friend and, on this special day, her bridesmaid.

We met at a spot not meant for humans – the dog park. Our fun-loving dogs became instant friends, kindling a beautiful friendship between Adrian and me during our pet store runs, dinners, dog-walks, and movie nights. Often we laugh, saying we mirror our dogs’ personalities. Adrian, like hers, is shy and goes with the flow. My dog and I, on the other hand, are the playful rule-breakers!

Along came Lucas, who we can best describe as a perfect blend of our canine companions – kind, sweet and the perfect stirrer at a party. He’s smoothly fit our quirky dynamic. The first time Lucas and I met, he was so nervous he managed to spill his soup on me. But standing there, doused in soup, I just laughed and thought to myself, ‘This will make a great story at their wedding one day.’ Adrian and Lucas share an uncanny love for exploring sushi spots across New York City, a bond fueling their romance so significantly that Lucas proposed at the sushi spot of their first date. Adrian, your loyal, kind, and caring nature, make you a person that anyone would be lucky to call a friend.

My heart brims with wishes for you and Lucas. May you continue on your path of shared adventures and exploration, bound by an endless love for each other. Now, I’d love to end on a note of deep advice about relationships, but who am I kidding? I’m single and my life revolves around coaxing my cat into Instagram-worthy outfits.

So instead, here’s something Adrian once shared with me about love. Love isn’t just a feeling. It’s a million little actions stacked on top of each other. When it crumbles, it’s these actions, repeated, that rebuild it. So, Adrian and Lucas, here’s some top-tier advice. Keep doing those good things for one another, over and over again. A toast to consistency in love and a future steeped in joy. To Adrian and Lucas!

Maid of Honor Speech Example: 

• Length: Short (250 words or 3-minutes long)
• Tone: Enthusiastic

Good evening everyone,

My name is Jane and I have the honor of being Adrian’s best friend and Maid of Honor. Our friendship began in an unlikely place – the dog park, where our pups sparked a bond that paved the way for the wonderful friendship we share today. We are consistently compared to our dogs, Adrian being the shy and go-with-the-flow kind, while my pup and I tend to be a bit more on the playful and rule-breaking side.

Enter, Lucas, the perfect blend of both our pooches, kind and sweet, yet the life of the party. When we first met, he was so nervous, he accidentally spilled soup over me. The mishap turned into a hearty laughter and a precognitive thought for me: ‘Wow, I can’t wait to share this story at their wedding one day,’ and little did

I know how true that thought would turn out to be. Adrian and Lucas’s bond over their shared love for exploring new sushi spots across NYC led Lucas’s to a perfect, sushi-themed proposal. Adrian, with her unwavering loyalty, kindness, and care, marked Lucas as the one. As we are gathered here today, my wish for the two of them is a life marked with shared explorations and boundless love for each other.

Now, I’d normally close a speech with some relationship advice, but let’s be honest, I’m as single as a dollar bill and most of my efforts go into convincing my cat she looks good in tiny outfits for Instagram. So instead, allow me to share some wisdom from Adrian herself who once told me that love isn’t just a feeling, but a plethora of little actions stacked upon one another.

So dear Adrian and Lucas, keep loving and caring for each other, day in and day out. Here’s to a life filled with love, laughter, and endless sushi trips! To Adrian and Lucas.

Let’s get started with your maid of honor speech! Try out our maid of honor speech tool and generator for a fully custom maid of honor speech in just minutes.