10 Best Maid Of Honor Speech Examples (+15 Pro Tips)
Are you having trouble writing a perfect MOH speech and looking for some maid of honor speech examples instead? You’re not alone because every matron of honor has dealt with the same problem.
Many say that coming up with a great maid of honor speech idea is probably the hardest part of being a bridesmaid.
It’s your maid of honor duty to throw the perfect bridal shower, help the bride with her wedding vows, plan the wedding ceremony with her, etc. Basically, it’s your job to be there for her every step of the way.
When all of that is done, and the wedding reception has been planned in detail, it’s time for you to write your speech. Well, this is where we jump in with these awesome maid of honor speech examples.
Not only that: you’ll get all the do’s and don’ts of writing the speech as well.
5 Inspiring Maid Of Honor Speech Examples
Each one of these examples of maid of honor speeches tells a story. It’s up to you to choose the right one for yourself!
#1 The One For When The Newlyweds Haven’t Been Dating For So Long
Many of you already know me, but for those who don’t: I’m the best friend of the bride and one of the bridesmaids.
Actually, the two of us haven’t known each other for so long, but we clicked right away from the start.
Nevertheless, sometimes I feel like I’ve known her since forever. You see, she is like that: when she walks into your life, she leaves an unerasable mark there.
The trick is that she lightens your darkness and chases all of your sadness away.
That is exactly why the groom is the happiest man alive. Many of you know that the two of them hadn’t been dating very long when he popped the question.
But hey, who could blame him? No man in his right mind could afford to lose a woman like this.
And you know what they say in When Harry Met Sally: “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
Well, I want you two *locks eyes with the newlyweds* to spend the rest of your lives as happy as you are today. Thank you for bringing back my faith in love.
And for the rest of you guys: thank you so much for coming. I really do hope that we all end up meeting our soulmates, as well.
#2 The One For When You’re Not The Best Speaker In The World
Even though I’m widely known as a good speaker, I have to admit that it took me two weeks to write this speech.
You see, the bride is one of the most important people in my life, so I had to make sure I would deliver it in the best way possible.
Of course, it has nothing to do with the fact that she would probably kill me if I didn’t take this maid of honor duty seriously. *laughs*
On a more serious note, William Lyon Phelps once said, “The highest happiness on Earth is the happiness of marriage.”
So, *looks at the happy couple* now that you two have achieved it, I’m here to tell the groom just one thing: keep making the bride happy.
You know what they say, “if you have a happy wife, you’ll have a happy life.” Of course, it has nothing to do with the fact that she’ll probably kill you if you don’t do it right. *laughs*
I can guarantee you one thing: this girl over here will definitely give you all the happiness in the world. Everyone who knows her is also familiar with her ability to be the silver lining to every cloud.
Well, I wish you a life filled with loads of silver linings and no clouds at all and a life with loads of laughter and no tears at all.
I wish you a lifetime of love–I think that will be enough.
And for the rest of you guys *looks at the guests*, I wish you loads of fun tonight. Enjoy the champagne!
#3 The One For When The Bride Is Like Your Sister
The bride and I are not blood-related. But you know that famous quote that says, “family is not always blood.
It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs. The ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you, no matter what.”
Well, this quote sums up our relationship perfectly. To be honest, I’m not sure who said these wise words, but I couldn’t agree more.
Not that anyone here cares, but I am an only child. So, I spent most of my years in loneliness. That is until she came along.
Yes, that’s right *talking to the groom*. You’re not the only one around here whose life she’s changed forever.
I don’t mean to flatter the bride, but when she walked into my life, it was like I met my guardian angel. Just like that, she made everything right.
I remember that one time when I was at my lowest. Well, if it hadn’t been for her, I would have probably stayed at the bottom forever.
She is the one who picked me up and glued my pieces back together, and that is something I can never forget.
She is just like that–she fixes people. Not that the groom needed any fixing *laughs*.
No, really, this guy was perfect from the very start. In fact, I thought he was too good to be true. So, I warned the bride about him–because I simply couldn’t believe that a man like him could be real.
If it were up to me, we would have never gathered here today. Luckily, the bride’s instincts are way better than mine, so she didn’t listen to me, the same way she never listens to anyone *laughs*.
I guess she knew it right from the start. The groom was the one. And she wasn’t wrong, was she?
Let’s all give a round of applause to these two exceptional people. You are both truly wonderful. You deserve this happiness.
#4 The One For When The Bride Is Your Childhood Friend
For those who haven’t had the chance to meet me, I’ve been the best friend of the bride since childhood. It means that I’ve been there forever.
So naturally, I’m here today to tell you something more about this wonderful lady sitting over there.
Steve Marboli once said, “She lives her life like a flame; a dance of purposeful chaos… Her enchanting light can guide you and quell your fears…She’s hot; warming those who respect her and burning those who don’t… She is a flame with an unforgettable glow…A weak man will try to dim her luminance… but her soul mate will take pleasure in fanning the blaze.”
Well, honey, *locks eyes with the bride*, I couldn’t be happier today. You haven’t just found a perfect groom; you found a strong man who can follow your pace. And we all know how difficult that is. *laughs*
To the groom, thank you for never dimming the bride’s light.
Thank you for showing her that she doesn’t have to go through life alone, and thank you for being there for her, even when she doesn’t directly ask you to.
Dear guests, thank you for making this day even more remarkable. Thank you for creating memories with our lovely couple.
Let’s have some fun!
#5 The One For When You’ve Known The Bride Forever
Good evening, everyone. First of all, thank you all for coming and for making this day even more special and spectacular. My name is X, and I’m the bride’s maid or matron of honor.
But not to be modest, I’m much more than just that. I’m also her BFF and someone who knows literally everything about her.
So, I’m going to tell you a little secret. The groom is the kind of man she’s always dreamt of meeting.
Ever since she was a little girl, she dreamt about Prince Charming galloping into her life on his white horse.
And guess what? He looked exactly like the groom. I guess soulmates really do exist because I don’t have a logical explanation for it.
You don’t have to believe me, but this woman spent her whole life picturing the exact man she ended up with.
I guess their souls recognized each other when they finally met. Since I’m not such a great speaker, I’ve found a perfect quote describing their love story.
Lang Lev said the following: “When two souls fall in love, there is nothing else but the yearning to be close to the other. The presence that is felt through a handheld, a voice heard, or a smile seen.
Souls do not have calendars or clocks, nor do they understand the notion of time or distance. They only know it feels right to be with one another.
This is the reason why you miss someone so much when they are not there—even if they are only in the very next room. Your soul only feels their absence—it doesn’t realize the separation is temporary.”
Well, I wish you two just one thing: never to feel each other’s absence. I wish for you two never to miss one another and for your souls to remain connected forever. Cheers to our Prince and Princess!”
3 Funny Maid of Honor Speech Examples
Here are some of the funniest maid of honor speech ideas you’ll find. These maid of honor speech examples will make all the guests laugh, and you’ll be the star of the evening, next to the newlyweds.
Trust me. Nobody will remember the best man speech jokes after you’re done with your performance!
#1 The One For When You’re One Of The Bridesmaids
When I first found out that the bride and groom were getting married and that I was one of the bridesmaids, I didn’t think about their big day.
Instead, I began sweating about this exact moment since I knew what would be the hardest part for me.
It wasn’t throwing the bridal party or going through the wedding planning–it was writing the best MOH speech.
All of you who know me also know that I’m a terrible public speaker. My voice is shaking right now (something I’m sure you’ve noticed), and I want to puke (something you won’t see, I hope).
The truth is that I’ve tried saying “no” to this speech. Don’t get me wrong: I was more than happy when she asked me to be her maid of honor.
I was ready to fulfill all of my maid of honor duties except this one. But, has anyone ever succeeded in denying this girl over here something? *looks at the crowd* Yeah, I thought so.
Enough about me, let’s talk about our newlyweds. Should we talk about how in love they are? Or is that obvious?
I won’t be long: I’ll just wish you all the best in your new life. Some might say that this is a cliche, but it really is the truth.
I wish you the best of luck, the best love, and the best marriage ever because you two are the best. Keep on loving each other and rock married life together! *looks at the guests*
Thank you for coming, this wedding party wouldn’t be the same without each one of you. Let’s raise our glasses to the happy couple!
#2 The One For When You’ve Known The Bride Forever
Hi, everyone. I’m the bride’s best friend and one of the bridesmaids. We go back a long way, so it would be impossible to describe our friendship in just a few minutes.
However, I will tell you that the bride is so special to me because she helped me grow into the person I am today. And I hope and I did the same for her.
You see, she’s taught me a lot. For example, if it weren’t for her, I would have never known that there is a difference between the colors periwinkle and lavender or that there is a rose called Mr. Lincoln.
Well, the bridal shower and the wedding planning we went through taught me all of that.
Nevertheless, it was worth it, wasn’t it? In case some of you don’t know, those wedding napkins are not lavender–they’re periwinkle.
On a more serious note, the most important thing this girl gave me back was my faith in love. You see, I’m quite a skeptic, so I never really believed in soulmates or happily ever afters.
That is until I saw these two together. Just like that, they assured me that true love does exist, and it’s not just a Hollywood fabrication.
If you look at them closely, you’ll see exactly what I saw. And the world will start to make sense again.
Well, enough with the cheesy lines. Let’s get to that dinner and the booze. That’s all folks, enjoy the rest of the night!
#3 The One For When You Were “Commanded” Into Your Role
Truth to be told, at first, I wasn’t exactly asked into this role–I was commanded in it.
But since I’m here, let me tell you a few stories before we all get wasted, and before you all forget that I was ever standing here.
Jokes aside, I’m honored to be here tonight. It means that the bride sees me as I see her and that she loves me as much as I love her.
And you all know what a privilege it is to be loved by such a wonderful woman. So, to the groom, consider yourself the luckiest man on the planet.
But you’re not so bad either. *laughs* So I think you both won at life when you met each other. However, I’m the most fortunate because I have you two in my life.
Please, cherish each other not because you’re married now but because I don’t want to be put in the position where I have to choose sides. *laughs*
Don’t aspire for perfection and instead, be perfectly imperfect together.
What else can I wish for you two than to remain just the way you are? It would be enough to keep on loving each other the way you do today and to continue making one another happy the way you do today.
Thank you for giving me this role, and thank you all for coming.
Maid Of Honor Speech Examples For The Sister Of The Bride
If your sister is getting married, but you have no idea how to write a killer maid of honor speech, we’ve got your back.
Here are the best maid of honor speech templates and maid of honor speech examples for the sister of the bride.
#1 The One For When The Bride Is Your Younger Sister
The bride is my younger sister–I bet most of you know that. That means that she spent most of our childhood annoying me, and that practice will, I hope, finally end with this day.
But that also means that I’m super-protective about her and that I wouldn’t let anyone break her heart. So, it’s natural that I was suspicious of this young man over here.
Luckily, he cleared all of my doubts away the first time he came over to meet the family. When I saw that he didn’t run for his life after meeting all of us, I knew that he really loves my sister.
And I’ve known that until this day. You see *talks to the guests*, these two people share that once-in-a-lifetime kind of love. You know, the one you only see in movies.
This wasn’t just love at first sight–it’s love at every sight. I guarantee you that this kind of love will never stop.
So, let’s drink to that. To their eternity together!
#2 The One For When The Bride Is Your Big Sister
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This is the bride’s little sister talking, can I have your attention, please? For those of you who never met me in person, I’m the one she probably never stops complaining about.
Well, big sis, I want all of these people to know that you’ve always been my role model. You’re the woman I want to become when I grow up. You’re the most perfect human being I’ve ever met.
As happy as I am for you today, I must admit I’m also a bit sad. To the groom, I kind of feel like you’re stealing my big sister away from me so please, take good care of her.
Actually, take good care of each other. I once read a quote by Lao Tzu saying that being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
So, I wish both of you boundless courage and strength. Have an amazing life, and please, don’t lose that sparkle in your eyes.
For the rest of us, the only way we can get the same sparkle is with the help of this bubbling champagne right there. Let’s raise our glasses and drink to the happy couple.
8 Do’s and Don’ts Of A Killer Maid Of Honor Speech
Now that you’ve seen all of these amazing maid of honor speech examples, you’re ready to take one of them and modify it the way it suits you.
Or maybe you want to write your own perfect maid of honor speech?
Don’t worry, because we’ve got you covered either way. Just follow these do’s and don’ts of writing your MOH speech, and before you know it, you’ll know how to write a killer maid of honor speech.
Take this seriously
I know that you’ve spent months of your life as the bride’s physical, emotional, and maybe even financial support.
During the entire wedding planning process, you were there, and you helped her through every detail of the big day.
Most importantly: you were there during all of her nervous breakdowns.
You were not just her best friend but also her sister, assistant, shoulder to cry on, delivery girl, driver, counselor, and everything she needed.
So, it’s perfectly normal for you to be tired, as much as you love this girl.
You’re looking forward to the big day, but you can’t wait to be done with it, as well. After all, you’re also just a human being who needs some rest.
I’m trying to say that this maid of honor speech is probably the last thing on your mind. You might even fall into the trap of not taking it as seriously as you should.
Well, that’s your first mistake. Trust me–this speech is something the bride will remember forever. In fact, if you do it properly, most of the guests will keep it in their memory as well.
So, I’m begging you to put effort, time, and dedication into this speech. Please, give your best. See it as significant as it really is, and don’t take this responsibility for granted.
Come prepared
Improvising when the big moment comes is also a big no-no. You probably feel like you have it all figured out in your head and that your speech will flow naturally once you start talking.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a professional TV host or an actress who’s used to public speaking–this scenario is unlikely to occur.
It’s more likely that you’ll panic and end up making a fool out of yourself. And we don’t want that to happen, do we?
That’s why one of the most important maid of honor speech tips is to come fully prepared. Go through the maid of honor speech examples before the rehearsal dinner and choose the best one for you.
Of course, if you feel that you can add something interesting to the speech of your choice, feel free to do it.
Write down some key points and plan the basic structure of your speech. Preparing bullet points has proven to be more efficient than writing the entire speech down, word for word.
You don’t have to learn all the lines by heart but don’t read it entirely either.
Trust me: it doesn’t matter if you recite the entire speech or if you read it from a piece of paper word by word. In both cases, it won’t have a natural flow.
You’ll be concentrating too hard on remembering the exact order of sentences, or your nose will be in the piece of paper instead of making eye contact with the guests.
The best possible option is option number three: write down bullet points and rehearse the speech as many times as possible. For starters, do it in front of the mirror.
Don’t only pay attention to the words you’re saying. Remember to focus on your intonation, diction, and posture as well.
When you’re ready, ask your friends or family members to serve as an imaginary audience. Perform the speech in front of them and follow their reactions.
Be relaxed
Public speaking is a skill that can be taught. However, if you’re not so good at it, delivering speeches can be a real nightmare, especially in this setting.
Don’t worry. Every single maid of honor has been through the same things you’re going through right now.
Writing a wedding speech is not easy, so it’s perfectly reasonable for you to be nervous. The mere thought of standing in front of a crowd on the most important day in your best friend’s life can be frightening.
However, if you focus on your fears and anxieties, you’ll just make things worse. You’ll end up tongue-tied, and you won’t be able to pronounce a single word of your speech.
That is why you have to do everything in your power to stay as relaxed as possible. Do whatever calms you down, and don’t forget to breathe.
Breathing in and out for a couple of minutes before delivering an important speech has proven to be a great strategy for many professionals.
While you practice, do your best to omit the filler sounds and words, such as “uh,” “basically,” “you know,” “I mean,” and so on.
Also, pay attention to your posture. Naturally, you’ll be delivering the speech while standing up, so you’ll probably get the urge to hunch over or to take an overly firm stance.
Instead, try standing as natural as possible. Imagine that you’re not delivering a speech–you’re just talking to a bunch of friends at a casual gathering.
Don’t drink too much
When you’re advised to relax and calm your nerves, the first thing you probably think of is alcohol. After all, you’re at the wedding, and what can be better for chasing your stress away and calming your nerves?
I won’t argue with you against that–a little bit of alcohol can help you out. But the focus here is on the amount.
Trust me. The worst thing you can do is get roasted at your best friend’s wedding–especially because you’re the maid of honor. She is the central figure, but whether you like it or not, all eyes are on you also.
Not only will you embarrass yourself, but you’ll also ruin the entire wedding reception. The bride will forever hold a grudge against you if you make a fool out of yourself on her big day.
It doesn’t matter how anxious you might get–a nervous maid of honor always beats a drunk one. Besides, you need a clear mind for this big moment.
Just imagine yourself too drunk to stand on your feet, let alone to deliver a speech.
Imagine yourself smashed to the point where you start talking about the bride’s ex or mention some of her embarrassing moments she wants to forget about.
Well, that is what will happen if you exaggerate with the booze.
If you know that you’re not a savvy drinker, maybe it would be better to ditch the alcohol altogether (except the maid of honor toast, of course).
Don’t make it too long
Is there a rule on how long your speech should last? Well, nobody will measure the time you talk for, but it’s always better to keep it as short as possible.
Of course, you’re not good to go after congratulating the newlyweds and introducing yourself because this is still a SPEECH, which means that it should consist of more sentences.
However, short and sweet is the way to go.
Don’t write a lengthy introduction and cut to the chase as soon as possible. You don’t want to bore the guests, so don’t go on about things that nobody is interested in.
It would be best to time yourself while performing the speech. The ideal time is three to four minutes–anything above that would be excessive, and anything less is not acceptable either.
If your speech is longer, try shortening it without missing any key points. Just find another way to tell your main story, whittle down the introduction, cut down the conclusion, or skip the quote you’ve got prepared.
As important as it is to you, remember that your speech is just one of the main events at this wedding.
Leave time for other parts of the ceremony (the wedding vows, the best man speech, the mother of the bride speech, the groom speech, or the father of the bride speech), and most importantly, leave enough time for guests to have some fun).
Show emotions
Feelings are welcome in every maid of honor speech example, so don’t repress your emotions. This is not a business meeting, so you don’t have to have a cold face to be taken seriously.
After all, your bestie, who you love so much, is starting a new stage of her life, so it’s perfectly normal for you to get all sobby. Besides, this is not the time to hide how much this girl means to you.
But don’t cry your heart out either. Otherwise, you won’t be able to end your speech the right way.
It would be best if positive emotions could prevail. Don’t focus on sadness–focus on happiness.
Don’t talk about how your friend is leaving you and that you don’t know how you’ll go on without her being always present in your life.
Concentrate on how much you love her and how happy you are that she found the man of her dreams.
Be careful with the jokes
On the other hand, the perfect maid of honor speech is never only emotional. It should always have a bit of humor.
So, how much humor is enough? What lines shouldn’t you cross?
The maid of honor is usually the bride’s bestie, so, naturally, you two have some inside jokes. Well, forget about those.
Some “you had to be there” moments are hilarious only for the two of you–nobody else will get them, nor will the rest of the guests find them amusing.
Also, don’t dare embarrass the bride in any way. Remembering some cringe-worthy events might be cute for you, but trust me–the last thing she wants is to blush in front of her guests.
Avoid inappropriate jokes that suggest that the bride tricked the groom into marrying her or that this is her final chance to walk down the aisle. As funny as this might sound to you, it makes her look pathetic.
Most importantly, leave out any vulgar or offensive jokes. You’re not at a bachelorette party–this is the wedding day, and everyone is listening to what you’ve got to say.
Remember that the bride and the groom’s family are present, as well as little kids.
Don’t make this about you
Finally, your role is significant, but please, bear in mind that you’re not the center of attention. Don’t make the entire wedding toast about yourself.
Instead, talk about the bride, the groom, and their love story as much as you can.
How To Structure The Most Brilliant Bride Speech Ever
A great maid of honor speech has its structure. It means that you won’t say whatever comes to your mind without any order.
Instead, a perfect maid of honor speech should have an introduction, the central part, and finally, a wedding toast. All of these parts complement each other and flow naturally.
Here is an ultimate guide to writing the best maid of honor speech ever.
Introduce yourself
Guess what? No matter how close the maid of honor is with the bride, many people who attend the wedding have no clue about who she is. Well, you’re no exception.
Therefore, before you start, introduce yourself. And no, don’t list your entire resume.
It’s enough to greet the guests, tell them your name, and introduce yourself as the matron of honor.
Talk about your relationship with the bride
The next step in your perfect maid of honor speech is to mention your relationship with the bride. This is also where you’ll “declare your love” for her.
First of all, start by telling the guests something more precise about your relationship. Are you her sister? Are you two work friends? Have you been friends since childhood? How come you’re her bridesmaid?
If you want, you can tell a short story about how you two met. However, only do it if it’s an interesting anecdote–nobody wants to hear the dull, everyday tale of a mutual friend introducing you to one another.
This is the part where you should talk about the bride’s significance in your life. What makes her so special? Why is she the best friend you spent forever searching for?
I bet you consider yourself lucky for having such an amazing person in your life. Why is that so? Remember something that makes this woman so worthy.
If you plan on including a funny story regarding your friendship–now is the moment to do it. Just make sure to follow the rules regarding humor in your speech.
Include both the bride and groom in your speech
You’re the bride’s matron of honor. However, this is not just her wedding reception, and it should also be about the groom. That’s exactly why you have to include him in your speech as well.
You can share an anecdote about how the two met or tell a funny story about their relationship. Once again, omit anything that might embarrass them.
A good idea is to admit that you didn’t like the groom when you first met him. Don’t list his flaws–you can just joke about how you were jealous and afraid that he’d take your BFF away from you.
But now, you love him and consider him one of your best friends as well. You think that the bride couldn’t have made a better choice than marrying him.
Remember that mentioning the bride’s exes and comparing them to the groom won’t be comfortable to hear.
It doesn’t matter if you’re using that comparison to glorify the husband-to-be; it’s tacky and completely unnecessary.
Talk about the newlywed’s future
Enough with the past; it’s time to start looking ahead. This is the part of your speech where you’ll talk about the couple’s new life.
You can start with your vision of their future. You should be the one who knows the bride the best, so I’m sure you’re familiar with their plans and ambitions.
Be concrete. Do you see them with a bunch of kids in a white picket-fenced house in the suburbs? Or can you picture them as chief executives of a big company they started together? In fact, why not both?
The next step is talking about your wishes for the new husband and wife. What values do you want them to keep forever?
What is your advice for the new couple? Don’t worry–you don’t have to be married or even in a relationship to give them some tips.
What you should wish for them is to live happily ever after. You want them to remain in love until the end of time, overcome every obstacle on their way, and spend the rest of their lives next to each other.
Include a love quote
If you don’t know what to say, but it’s clear that your great maid of honor speech is too short, include a love quote. Don’t randomly choose any quote. Instead, find something that describes their love the best.
It can be a line from the book you know the bride and the groom like or a quote from their favorite movie.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t have to be symbolic–the only important thing here is for that line to have a deeper meaning.
Please, don’t try presenting yourself as the author of whatever sentence you choose.
At least one person at the wedding ceremony will recognize the quote, and you’ll look like a fool. That’s why you must name the author after finishing the quote.
Besides, what’s wrong with using the lines from famous people who managed to put your feelings into words?
Here are some great quotes you can use in your speech:
“The real act of marriage takes place in the heart, not in the ballroom or church or synagogue. It’s a choice you make not just on your wedding day, but over and over again, and that choice is reflected in the way you treat your husband or wife.” —Barbara De Angelis.
“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” – Mignon McLaughlin.
“The secret to a happy marriage is if you can be at peace with someone within four walls, if you are content because the one you love is near to you, either upstairs or downstairs, or in the same room, and you feel that warmth that you don’t find very often, then that is what love is all about.” – Bruce Forsyth.
Thank the wedding guests for coming
Even though you’re technically not the host of this event, you’re there to represent the bride in numerous parts of the wedding ceremony.
Therefore, it’s your job to thank the wedding guests for coming and turning this special day into a beautiful experience.
Don’t make it too long. Just say something like, “Thank you for coming” or “I hope you’ll have a great time.”
End the speech with a great maid of honor toast
Your closing sentence is something that will stick in the guests’ minds. It can be a quote or a joke about the rest of the evening.
Whatever you do, don’t end your speech abruptly. Instead, try to make the ending as natural as possible.
You can use some of the usual sample toasts, such as “Here, here,” “Cheers,” or “Let’s drink to that” after raising your glass.
To Wrap Up:
These maid of honor speech examples can serve you as inspiration.
Whatever sample maid of honor speech idea you take, it’s crucial to add a personal touch to your performance. Just follow our speech tips, and you’re good to go.
