It is exciting to be chosen as a maid of honor at a wedding, as this is an important role and one that means a lot to the bride. However, for some of us, doubt and nervousness begin to creep in when we realize we will have to speak in front of everyone at the wedding. Yes, every single person is going to be listening to you, especially the newly married couple. Therefore, you should prepare a speech that not only captivates the audience, but shows your love for both the bride and groom. 

Follow these simple Do’s & Don’ts to ensure that your maid of honor speech will be one that the happy couple will never forget! 

Do

Prepare. It’s easy to lose your train of thought when you’re nervous. Hence, writing out your speech or preparing bullet points will make you less nervous, keep you on track, and prevent you from saying something you could end up regretting. 

Don't

Share too many inside jokes or feel pressured to open with a joke. Keep it fit to your personality, not what you think is expected of the speech. After all, you are the maid of honor for a reason—the bride has complete confidence that you will deliver something that is true to you.

Do

Introduce yourself. This may seem like common sense, but nerves can get the best of us and we can completely forget to mention who we are to the bride. Are you a sister, cousin, best friend, sorority sister? It’s important that you explain how you know the bride so everyone knows who you are and why you are giving a speech.

Don't

Drag on and on. You will not be the only speech of the night, and although everyone loves to reminisce, it’s best to keep your speech between 3-5 minutes long. 

Do

Incorporate the groom. Remember, it’s not just the bride’s big day, it’s his too! His family will appreciate the stories about the two of them, not only the bride. If you don’t know the groom well or have any fitting personal stories, talk about how he fits into her “happily ever after.” 

Don't

Make inappropriate jokes about past loves, drunken outings, or their ‘ups & downs.’ 

Do

Tell a fun story! Make sure the story is structured and easy for the guests to follow. Think beginning, middle, and end. 

Don't

Procrastinate. Try and get your speech done at least three weeks before the wedding date. This “thinking in advance” approach will reduce panic attacks, slip-ups, and blanks. 

Do

Raise your glass at the end of your toast—after all, it is a toast! This shows that your speech has concluded and you’re wishing the best of luck to the happy couple! 

When writing the maid of honor speech, remember that it’s all about the happy couple and as the maid of honor, you probably know them the best. Have fun, follow these simple Do’s & Don’ts, and you’ll be sure to deliver the perfect speech!