13+ Maid of Honor Speech Examples to Captivate the Crowd: From LOLs to Sobs

You may be out of your comfort zone or this is where you shine! No matter how you feel about making a maid of honor speech, I can help you nail it! As a professional MOH, I’ve heard, given, and written more than a lifetime’s share of speeches – I know what flops and what gets a star edit in the wedding video. Before you get to my 13+ Maid of Honor Speech Examples, you should know there’s an easier way to get your hands on a speech that lands..

I’ve helped thousands of MOH’s write sweet, funny, and even jaw-dropping speeches – whatever you’re looking for I can get done in minutes.

Write a Show-Stopping MOH Speech with Our Maid Of Honor Speech Generator or get even more personalized and I’ll write it for you!

If you’re still looking for some tips to take on this speech solo, read on for my step by step formula, then find upwards of 13 examples you can use for inspo. Whether you want to go for tears, sobs, or gasps – and I’ve got something for everyone. Let’s start with the basics:

Quick Resources:

• Write the perfect toast with the Maid Of Honor Speech Generator

• Explore all our Wedding Tools for stress-free planning

• Calm your nerves with the Free 24/7 Wedding Hotline

• Toast like a pro using the AI Wedding Speech Generator

• Show your love with the AI Love Letter Generator

The Quick and Fool Proof Maid of Honor Speech Template (Step by Step)

1. The Intro (10-15 seconds)

Open strong and give the audience some context. Who you are, what your relationship is with the bride. Add in a time frame so they really get the feeling of how deep your bond is! This is the perfect step to include a thank you to the hosts like the couple and their parents.

Pro Tips:

• Command the room with a light tap on the mic: “Hi everyone, if I could steal your attention for a few choice words…”.
• Silence is powerful – don’t fully start your speech until the room is quiet.

Things to Avoid:

• Don’t start with an apology like ‘Sorry everyone, I just need your attention for a few minutes…”
• Avoid inside jokes like the plague – your audience won’t get it and you’ll lose them.
• Don’t explain how nervous you are – no matter how nervous you are!

Example:

“Hi everyone! I’m Ashleigh, Blaire’s best friend since the 3rd grade – wow, that’s almost 22 years ago! First I’d like to thank the lovely couple for such a beautiful evening. I knew it was going to be beautiful but this is absolutely grand!”

2. Who the Bride is to You (30-45 seconds)

Describe the bride and what she means to you. Use 2-3 adjectives to give a big picture about her character. Pro tip: tie those character traits to the next step to describe how she fits perfectly with her chosen groom.

Pro Tips:

• Keep it to three traits, and make them memorable.
• Use just one example for each trait if you want to.

Things to Avoid:

• Stories that need too much context.
• Any anecdote that could embarrass your bride.
• Turning this portion into a biography.

Example:
“I’ve looked up to Blaire for most of those 22+ years. For those who don’t know her well enough, she’s the creative that never fails to come up with plans that work. The empath that understands what you’re going through without you having to say a word. And the insightful one, beaming with wisdom to inspire you for greatness.

I always knew that whoever was blessed enough to win her heart was going to be the luckiest man alive – and my only worry was would he know it? Would he take it for granted? Would he be the reason that flame dims even just a little? All fair concerns. Then, one day – Blaire introduced me to Dave – Hi Dave (stop sweating, this is going somewhere good)!”

 

3. What You Know About the Groom (20-30 seconds)

If you know the groom, go into detail about how he compliments your bride. If you don’t know the groom well enough, you can focus more on how being with him affected her. The changes you saw in her, how she lit up every time she spoke his name. No need to get into detailed stories – unless you want to take on a funny anecdote! Otherwise, focus on the emotional aspect.

Pro Tips:

• Address the groom directly, saying his name creates connection and respect.
• Use one example of an action he took that supported your bride.

Things to Avoid:

• Don’t compare him to the bride’s previous relationships.
• Make sure this section doesn’t outshine what you said about the bride.
• Avoid ‘teasing’ the groom.

Example:

“He’s coming with me to mom’s house!” She said to me one day. So, of course I had to insert myself into this gathering! I had to meet him, the guy that made Blaire grin from ear to ear. The guy that convinced her to take her company to the next level – the one that secretly bought the first product she sold just to encourage her to keep going.
So that day, when I was finally going to meet him, I went in with high expectations. And David, you did not disappoint.”

4. About The Couple (30-45 seconds)

This is where you speak to the bride and groom as a couple. What do you love about these two together and what do you wish for them in the future? Keep this part lighthearted and try to stay away from giving advice – focus on what makes this couple really fit together instead.

Pro Tips:

• Everything you say in this section should be ‘they’.
• Name the dynamic they have that stands out, like powerful or adventurous.
• Make an impact here, speak a little slower.

Things to Avoid:

• Don’t give marriage advice.
• Avoid predicting their timeline for things like children or money.

Example:

“So, now we have David and Blaire – no, Blaire and David? No matter whose name comes first, it’s powerful and it’s a win. Congratulations to both of you on tying the knot, of course – but it’s more than that. Congratulations on finding your forever teammate – someone who will celebrate your wins and still sit beside you during the losses..”

5. The Toast (10 seconds)

A clear and confident finish. If your couple is bilingual, or their families speak different languages – this is a great place to honor that.

Pro Tips:

• If you don’t say ‘raise your glass’, signal it by raising yours.
• Say the bride and groom names slowly.
• Keep this part super short.

Things to Avoid:

• The toast is not the right time for a joke or new story.
• Don’t trail off at the end of the sentence.

Example:

“Please raise your glass to Blaire and David – may your life be full of adventure, success, and everything that makes you happy. Congrats, felicitaciones!”

13 Maid of Honor Speech Examples

I’ve broken these up into categories so the first step is to decide what type of speech you’d like to be remembered for. Will it be full of laughs, sentimental, classic? You might want to keep it short and sweet or focus on storytelling throughout. The best tip I can give you here is to choose the type of speech that fits you best, don’t try to fit yourself into a category that’ll come out inauthentic! Here’s a quick table to help you decide:

Type of Maid of Honor Speech	Best For	Tone	Main Focus	Pro Tip
Classic & Heartfelt	Traditional weddings, mixed-age crowds	Warm, sincere	Love, character, partnership	Stick to timeless language that will age well
Funny (But Safe)	Relaxed weddings, confident speakers	Light, playful	Relatable humor, gentle teasing	Laugh with the couple, not at them
Emotional / Sentimental	Sisters, deep friendships	Vulnerable, loving	Gratitude, growth	Pause if emotions rise—silence adds impact
Short & Sweet	Nervous speakers, tight timelines	Polished, concise	One clear message	Aim for 1–2 minutes max
Storytelling-Focused	Confident speakers, intimate weddings	Narrative, engaging	One defining story	One story only—end with the meaning
Sister-Specific	Siblings	Personal, proud	Growing up together	Balance nostalgia with the present
Best Friend Speech	Long-term friendships	Familiar, warm	Loyalty, chosen family	Keep stories guest-friendly
Elegant & Formal	Black-tie or cultural weddings	Refined, composed	Respect, celebration	Avoid slang and casual jokes
Bilingual / Cultural	Multicultural weddings	Inclusive, celebratory	Honoring both families	Keep non-English lines short
Minimalist / Modern	Contemporary weddings	Clean, intentional	Few powerful lines	Confidence comes from simplicity

Classic & Heartfelt Maid of Honor Speech Example #1

This is a go to made of honor speech example – one of our most popular types hands down. More people resonate with the classic speech and aren’t looking to stand out too much. If you want something simple, smooth, and easily digestible by everyone, you can’t go wrong with a classic heart-felt.

Classic & Heartfelt Maid of Honor Speech Example #2

Funny (But Safe) Maid of Honor Speech Example #1

I recommend this type of maid of honor speech to MOH’s that want their speech to lighten the mood. The trick to staying safe is not making any risky comments or inside jokes. Also, never – and I mean never – make jabs at the happy couple, no matter how much you consider them to be ‘cool with it’. 

Funny (But Safe) Maid of Honor Speech Example #2

Emotional / Sentimental Maid of Honor Speech Example #1

Who doesn’t like a good tear-jerk maid of honor speech? If you go this route, just be sure to add an anecdote or two, while still keeping it within the recommended time limit. Make sure those anecdotes aren’t super personal and don’t embarrass your bride.

Emotional / Sentimental Maid of Honor Speech Example #2

Short & Sweet Maid of Honor Speech Example #1

Sometimes you have so many people making speeches, that you sort of decide to take one for the team and shorten your own. Or maybe you’re shy and want to toast the couple without being the center of attention for more than a couple of minutes. Either way, these maid of honor speech examples will do the trick!

Short & Sweet Maid of Honor Speech Example #2

 

Storytelling-Focused Maid of Honor Speech Example #1

Got a few really good stories to share about the beautiful bride? These are some of the best maid of honor speeches with a couple caveats. First, remember your audience isn’t intimate and not all stories will go down well with everyone. Second, it can be difficult to tell a story that needs a lot of context, so be sure it can be told in the amount of time you have for your speech – and still make sense to everyone.

Storytelling-Focused Maid of Honor Speech Example #2

Sister-Specific Maid of Honor Speech Example

No matter how on the nose this sister specific maid of honor speech example is, try to add a little personal touch. If you want to share a story, make sure it’s general enough that anyone with or without a sibling would get. 

Best Friend Maid of Honor Speech Example

Of all our made of honor speech examples, the best friend is certainly up there in popularity. So many of us choose our closest confidant as our MOH. When personalizing this for your bride, share what pulled you to each other while keeping the spotlight on the bride and groom.

 

Elegant & Formal Maid of Honor Speech Example

An elegant maid of honor speech is coupled with a refined and composed tone. Remember to stand up straight, avoid slang or casual jokes, and look your audience in the eyes. I usually get this MOH speech type requested for super black-tie weddings, but you can use it in relaxed, contemporary – really any type of wedding.

 

 

Bilingual / Cultural Maid of Honor Speech Example

This choice of maid of honor speech is pretty on the nose. If your bride and groom are from different cultural backgrounds – this speech is for you. Be sure to change the congrats at the end to suit their native tongues. It’s a way to honor both traditions and families and reflect the respect each has for the other.

Minimalist / Modern Maid of Honor Speech Example

This maid of honor speech example keeps it simple, yet powerful. If you’re a person of few words, this one’s for you. Say a lot with very little while making an impact.

So, You’ve Chosen From Our Maid of Honor Speech Examples, Now What?

I know you’re busy. I know you’re planning the bachelorette, the bridal shower, making sure your bride stays cool under all that pressure, and possibly even helping her make the center pieces. It’s a lot. That’s one of the many reasons MOH’s reach out to us for help. We’re not bride-facing, we just help you manage all that maid of honor work!
Here are some of our biggest tips to help you get through it all:

1. Prepping for the speech
   

   Practice. Even if you think you know it by heart, or if you think you don’t need to practice – practice anyway. And time yourself. Make sure you don’t go over your time. Next, practice in front of a small and trusted audience, but be careful of getting too much feedback. If you’re confident and you’ve followed all our pro tips and don’ts above – go for it!

2. Remember your role
   

   You’re there to honor the bride and groom, well – mostly the bride! Don’t get lost in ‘performance’ – and that’ll take a lot of the edge off. When you realize that you’re just a few minutes of speech in an hours-long wedding, you tend to exhale a little easier.

3. Be the calm for your bride
   

   Consider yourself as the assistant to a big celeb. Your emotions will trickle over to your bride. Stay calm throughout and help her keep her nerves settled. If you experience any small (or big) fires, handle them quietly and only include others on a need to know basis.

4. Don’t forget about you
   

   It’s easy to forget to drink water, sleep right, and eat the right meals when you’re the bride’s third arm. Make sure to hydrate, eat well, and rest. If you need support, get it, we can help.

5. Sober through it
   

   Don’t head to the bar until after your speech – say no to slurring your words!

Final Thoughts

I hope these maid of honor speech examples resonated – and if you don’t know it yet – we can create a personalized speech just for you. That’s what makes Bridesmaids for Hire such a hit with MOH’s. They do so much and juggle their own personal lives along with everything the bride needs. Sometimes the MOH needs support, too.

From my experience, it’s the speech that always gets left for last – so the pressure of getting it right grows and can be so overwhelming. If the above maid of honor speech examples didn’t help, reach out and let me write it for you.
Through it all, thank you for all that you do – Maids of Honor are really the engine that keep everything moving. If there’s anything more I can share with you about your speech – it’s this: Remember your MOH speech will be recorded, likely shared on social media – if you wouldn’t want that replayed in 5 or 10 years, it’s not ready!

So think ahead, make the bride feel supported, celebrated, and seen! Stop overthinking it. Tell her why she’s amazing, welcome her new person to the family, and raise your glass. You’ve got this.

For additional guidance on crafting something special, check out this maid of honor speech guide that can provide the foundation you need for your bride’s big day.