How to Write a Maid of Honor Speech for a Sister
Start with a friendly opening and introduction to your speech. Welcome guests and express gratitude to them for being a part of your sister’s special day. Then, introduce yourself and your relationship to the bride. Keep in mind that this part of the speech will set the tone for the rest, so make sure it’s true to you and engages the attendees in a fun or heartfelt way. Example: “Hi, everyone! Thank you so much for being here this evening, I’ve had the best time celebrating this special day with all of you. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m [bride’s name]’s younger sister, and I’m so excited to tell you all about my big sis and how happy I am for her.”
Talk about childhood memories and anecdotes. This section of your speech can be more sentimental or nostalgic, talking about all of your special moments with your sister and all she’s done for you, or you can tell a funny story from your time growing up together. Consider including ways you looked up to your sister, special nicknames you called each other, or secret things you used to keep from your parents. However, try to avoid really embarrassing stories. Even if you think they’re funny, you don’t want to run the risk of humiliating your sister in front of her friends and family, not all of whom she may feel close to. Similarly, remember to stay positive. While you might privately reflect on how happy you are that your sister has gone through so much heartbreak to find her true love, mulling over toxic exes or other life hardships may not be appropriate for a maid of honor speech. Example: “One of the most defining memories that comes to mind when I think of my sister is my first time I visited her while she was living abroad in Tangier. In a classic older-sister move, [bride’s name] insisted on doing all the navigation herself as we road-tripped along the Moroccan coastline and obviously…we got lost. That’s how we found ourselves stumbling into an invite to a random local family’s dinner table where we experienced an evening of laughter, broken French, and an impromptu visit to their family holiday the following week. With [bride’s name], you can always expect even the most nerve wracking of mishaps to turn into a heartwarming and memorable adventure.”
Tie your memories to the present with an overview of the bride’s journey. Transition from your childhood memories to talk about how your sister has grown and changed over time. Talk about your sister’s personal growth, her achievements, and how proud you are of how far she has come in life. Example: “And adventure is really the name of the game when you’re lucky enough to share a life with [bride’s name]. She turns every day into something fun and exciting, even when you’re just sitting around the house. She makes a bad day better, and a good day unforgettable. I’m so grateful to have a sister like that, but I’m even more grateful for the distinct honor of watching her grow into such an incredible and beautiful person who’s about to embark on what will arguably be her greatest adventure yet (besides ours in Morocco, obviously).”
Transition from talking about you and your sister to the newlywed couple. Present stories of love about your sister and her new spouse. Talk about the depth of their love, the reasons why they’re perfect for each other, and personal moments that you’ve witnessed that show the strength of their relationship. Keep this section as personal as possible—rather than cliched or overused statements about love, try sprinkling in some personal anecdotes or inside jokes about the couple. Example: “And, as ever, my sister has really turned her love story into an adventure. She and [groom or bride’s name] met on the other side of the world, despite being from the same small town here in Michigan. They fell in love doing things that would send most of us in this room (including me) into an absolute meltdown—if you don’t know, their first date was ziplining in the Alps. And despite a mutual love of spontaneity and adrenaline-pumping stunts, I’ve seen how [bride’s name] and [groom or bride’s name] love and care for each other in the quieter moments. How, when it comes to being with the person you’re meant to be with, there’s few adventures greater than just building a home together, wherever that home may be.”
Close your speech with gratitude, well wishes, and advice for the future. Wrap up your speech by welcoming your sister’s new spouse to the family and offer them well-wishes for their future together. If you have any pearls of wisdom for them as they embark on their marriage journey, this section would be the place to include it. Consider also extending appreciation to the families of the newlyweds, as well as the guests of the wedding. Example: “[Groom or bride’s name], we’re so lucky to have you as part of our family, and I’m so grateful for all the love you’ve given my sister. I’m so excited to watch how the two of you navigate this next chapter together, and please know I’ll be by your side for the ups, downs, and in-betweens. I’d also like to extend my appreciation and warmth to all of [groom or bride’s name]’s family and friends who are with us today for sharing such an incredible person with me and with my family.”
Give a final blessing and toast the newlyweds before ending your speech. End your speech with a sincere blessing for your sister and her new spouse, and raise your glass so that all of the attendees join you in a toast. For an extra-special touch, consider making a callback to an earlier story or theme in your speech to make everything tie together. Example: “And with that in mind, I’d like to ask everyone to join me in raising a glass to this beautiful, outstanding, death-defying couple. May your adventure together last a lifetime.”
Maid of Honor Speech for Sister: Template
Use this template to write the perfect maid of honor speech for your sister. The goal of a great maid of honor speech is to take the audience on a journey of past, present, and future. You want to convey the special qualities of your sister as a person, your sisterly relationship, and the love story between the newlyweds. While the focus of your speech should mostly be on your sister, make sure to also mention her groom- or bride-to-be. To make things simple, use this template to outline your speech before filling in the personal details: INTRODUCTION Introduce yourself and your relationship to the bride Express your appreciation and excitement to be the maid of honor Give a one-sentence clue or overview as to what is to come in your speech CHILDHOOD MEMORIES Share some treasured memories from your childhood with your sister Talk about your sister’s great qualities Include any funny or silly stories that showcase your sisterly bond BRIDE’S JOURNEY Discuss your sister’s personal growth Highlight any of your sister’s achievements Express how proud or fortunate you are to have watched your sister on her journey LOVE STORY Share a brief overview of the couple’s love story from your perspective Talk about what makes their relationship so strong and special Mention how happy you are for your sister and her groom or bride THE PARTNER Speak directly to your sister’s partner and list their special qualities Express your gratitude for how happy they’ve made your sister Welcome them to the family LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Express hopes, dreams, and well-wishes for the couple’s futures Share any advice you have for the couple Remind them that you’ll always be there for them CONCLUSION & TOAST Ask attendees to join you in a toast to the newlyweds Congratulate them on their marriage Express your love to your sister and her spouse
Sample Maid of Honor Speeches for Sisters
For a little sister Hiya, party people! I told [bride’s name] that I was planning to start my speech like that and I don’t think she was very happy about it, but what else are big sisters for besides embarrassing our lesser halves? Just kidding, of course, because I really did get up here tonight to tell you all about the unbelievable fortune I’ve had to grow up alongside my sister. From the days of playing dress-up and having tea parties with our Barbie dolls to the late-night conversations about our hopes and dreams on our decked-out bunk beds, we’ve shared so many treasured memories together. [Bride’s name], when I look back at our childhood and how I’ve watched you grow, I can’t help but smile as I witness the incredible person you’ve become. Your empathy, creativity, and contagious joy have always inspired me. [Groom or bride’s name], you are getting a wife with a unique knack for making every moment magical and I know that, together, you will create a life full of love, laughter, and endless possibilities. Cheers to a lifetime of remembering the memories we share and building new ones together. I love you both!
For a big sister Hello everyone, thank you so much for being here tonight. I’m [bride’s name]’s little sister. When we were growing up, I always looked up to my big sis. She was my role model, confidante, and the one person I always knew I could go to for anything I needed—which may or may not have occasionally included breaking curfew. [Groom or bride’s name], welcome to the family. I can’t imagine anyone who could be more deserving of my sister, although I don’t know if you’re deserving of having to spend the rest of your life at our family’s crazy holiday dinners. But I know that you’ll make my sister incredibly happy, and I can’t wait to see you both navigate the highs and lows of married life together. Congratulations to the newlyweds!
For a sister who’s like a best friend Good evening, everyone! I’m [your name], [bride’s name]’s favorite sister. Growing up, we were inseparable. From the holiday gatherings to family game nights, we’ve shared so many incredible and formative memories together. [Bride’s name], you’ve always been so much more than just my sister. You’re my confidante, my partner in crime, my best friend, and my soulmate. [Groom or bride’s name], welcome to the family. You’re not only getting to marry the person who has the biggest heart and funniest jokes of anyone I know, but you’re also getting the loyalty and love of everyone in our crazy clan. I’m so happy for you both. Here’s to many, many years together!
For a sister who’s found her soulmate Hi, everybody! On behalf of me and my entire family, I’m so happy to have you all with us tonight. If you don’t know, I’m [your name], the bride’s sister, and I’ve had the unique honor of being by [bride’s name]’s side through many of the most important moments of her life. We’ve shed tears over teenage heartbreaks, we’ve laughed uncontrollably over the silliest inside jokes, and we’ve derived strength and joy from our unbreakable bond of sisterhood. [Bride’s name], I feel overwhelmed by emotion and love as I watch you find your soulmate in [groom or bride’s name]. Watching you two fall in love and turn that love into something so profoundly magical has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. [Groom or bride’s name], you have found a wife in one of the most remarkable people on this planet—and you’ve gained her cool sidekick sister, too! [Bride’s name], as you move into this new chapter of your life, know that you will always have a sister who will celebrate your triumphs, comfort you in your sorrows, and always pick up the phone whether for a good cry or a great laugh. I love you both endlessly and I can’t wait to see what your magnificent future holds. Cheers to a love that will last a lifetime!
For a sister who loves books, movies, or music Good evening everyone! If we haven’t been formally introduced, I’m [your name], and tonight I’m both [bride’s name]’s maid of honor and very adoring sister. And if you know anything about my sister, you know that she’s a hopeless romantic. And if you really know anything about my sister, you know a second thing, which is that her favorite thing on earth is “Moulin Rouge.” And if you know “Moulin Rouge,” you know the quote, “the greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” Now, my sister fell in love with that quote the first time she heard it. And while I think at the time she associated it with the great Aaron Tveit as we watched him sing it on Broadway, I know that she now gets to associate it with the beautiful person that she’s marrying today. But I, on the other hand, am lucky enough to have always associated it with her. Having a sister means always feeling loved, and [bride’s name] has given me the gift of loving me unconditionally through every moment and milestone of our lives. [Bride’s name], I am so grateful for your presence in my life, and I’m so happy that today you’re opening a new chapter in yours. Here’s to a life filled with love, both given and returned.
Rehearsing & Delivering Your Maid of Honor Speech
Practice your speech as much as possible before the big day. Write your speech ahead of time and don’t leave it until the last minute. Once you have your final draft, rehearse your speech multiple times, ideally in front of friends and family members. Frequent practice will help you to become more comfortable with the content, sound more natural, and get valuable feedback to make any final edits.
Keep your body language open, confident, and expressive. Once the time comes to deliver your speech, be mindful of your posture, gestures, and facial expressions. Stand up tall and straight and make eye contact with the audience as you give your speech. Match your facial expressions to the emotions of your speech, and keep your smile wide and body language open to make everyone feel warm and engaged. If you get stage fright easily, choose a few people in the audience that you feel most at-ease with and alternate making eye contact with each of them. Or, just look at the bride!
Vary your tone and put emphasis on important parts of your speech. If you’re sharing a funny story, for example, use a boisterous and lively tone. If you’re sharing something sentimental or heartfelt, soften your voice and allow it to become more emotive. Emphasize key words and important messages by slowing down your speaking pace and articulating each carefully.
Manage nerves with breathing exercises and other calming tools. It’s completely natural to feel nervous before giving a maid of honor speech. Before standing up to start your speech, inhale deeply through your nose, hold your breath for a few seconds, then exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat as needed, or until it’s your time to speak. You can also try to use positive visualization to calm your nerves. Close your eyes and picture yourself giving a confident, moving, and engaging performance. Envision the smiles on the faces of your sister and her partner, the audience laughing and applauding, and the joy you’ll feel at the end of your speech. Additionally, try power poses or positive affirmations to feel more confident before your speech.
Tips to Give a Great Maid of Honor Speech for Your Sister
Keep your speech between 2-3 minutes. Your maid of honor speech should be moving and engaging, but you also want to keep the audience’s attention and not take up too much reception time. Write and practice your speech until it’s between two and three minutes long. If you’re having a hard time cutting out parts of your speech, consider writing it on a nice piece of stationery and giving it to your sister as a gift. Then, present the shorter version at the wedding.
Know your audience and yourself. As much as possible, tailor your speech to the attendees—but most importantly your sister. If your sister is a really sentimental person, she may appreciate more nostalgic and heartfelt touches to your speech. If most of the guests of the wedding skew more traditional, you may want to write a more formal speech or leave out any embarrassing stories. However, make sure to write a speech that fits your personality—your sister picked you as her maid of honor, so make sure that your speech sounds like you! Don’t force yourself to be funny, sentimental, or formal if that’s not your natural personality or way of speaking. If you have a special skill, such as singing, poetry, or music, consider incorporating that into your speech to make it feel more personal and more like you (but you may want to make sure this is okay with the couple first).
Balance humor and sincerity in your speech. The perfect speech should feature a balanced blend of wit and sentimentality. If your speech is overly comedic, it may come off as ingenuine and more like a stand-up routine than a maid of honor speech. If your speech is overly emotional, on the other hand, it may feel too personal and not feel light-hearted enough for the wedding. Try to strike an equal balance between these two aspects to create the perfect speech.
Avoid the open bar until you’ve given your speech. For many people, drinking is a fun part of wedding receptions that they enjoy taking part in (especially if there are signature cocktails!). However, limit yourself to one or two drinks (or zero, depending on your tolerance) until after your speech is over. You want to avoid stumbling through your speech because you’ve had a tad too much to drink beforehand.
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