
When you're asked to be a maid of honor, it's an incredible ahem… honor. But it also comes with a lot of responsibility — especially if you're asked to give a speech.
So how do you go about writing a maid of honor speech that will be memorable, touch the bride & groom and hopefully bring out a few laughs? We've got you covered!
In this post, we'll give you a step-by-step guide on how to write a maid of honor speech. We'll break down the speech structure, share important do's and don'ts, dive into FAQs and of course some examples to inspire you.
Maid of Honor Speech Template & Structure

This section of the article is going to talk about what goes into a great maid of honor speech. You'll learn about the basic template and structure but we've also included some questions to help you get started with each section.
- Introductions: (20 Seconds)
- Who you are
- How you know the bride
- Necessary Thank You's: (15 Seconds)
- Thank the guests
- Thank everyone involved in wedding planning
- You and the bride: (1 – 2 Minutes)
- A story about how you met
- What she means to you
- How has she made an impact on your life?
- Favorite memory
- Her character (how would you describe her in 3 words)
- Fun Facts / Jokes
- The groom: (1 Minute)
- Share a story about first meeting the groom
- First impressions
- His character (how would you describe him in 3 words)
- Why he's right for the bride
- How you knew he was the “one” for her
- Celebrate the couple (1-2 Minutes)
- Share a story about them (maybe how they met?)
- How they are together as a couple (how would you describe the couple in 3 words)
- How do they complement each other
- What do they bring out in each other
- What do you admire most about the couple?
- What makes them unique?
- What are your hopes for their future together?
- When have you been witness to a lovely moment.
- End with a Toast (20 Seconds)
- Congratulate the bride and groom
- Say the bride's new last name.
- Announce its time to celebrate
Maid of Honor Speech Dos, Don'ts & Tips

Here are some dos and don'ts to help make your speech a success. While these are considered widely agreed upon ‘rules'; rules are meant to be broken, so you make the final call!
- Do try and include funny stories.
- Do poke fun, but don't cross the line. Don't embarrass anyone.
- Do leave room for any crowd reaction.
- Do be short and sweet.
- Don't tell your life story.
- DO talk about the couple, not just the bride
- Don't drink too much before the speech but a tipple can help!
- Don't include inside jokes.
- Don't reference any exes.
- Do practice, practice, practice.
What are the Main Components of a Great Speech
According to this Toastmaster , a great speech is formed of 3 main components:
- Structure: A great speech has a beginning, middle, and end. The beginning of a great speech should capture the audience's attention. The middle of a great speech should be where the majority of the content is delivered. The end of a great speech should neatly round the speech off and leave guests with a strong impression.
- Content: Make sure your speech is interesting, relevant, and engaging. To do this, use stories and humor; and try to stay focused on the core topic of the speech, in this case the bride and the couple.
- Delivery: Practice performing your speech so that you sound confident and natural. Work on your vocal delivery by speaking clearly and projecting your voice. Practice gestures and expressions to help you appear natural when delivering your speech. Try to relax before delivering your speech so that you don't appear nervous; easier said than done we realize! While we don't recommend drinking a lot, a tipple might help ease the nerves.
If you watch one video on public speaking, this is it.
Sample Maid of Honor Speeches
We've gathered some examples of wonderful maid-of-honor speeches to give you an idea of what you could say on the big day. We've tried to pick a range of styles and included a transcript on a few to help when it's time for you to begin writing yours.
Standard format but beautifully heartwarming
Emotional aid of Honor Speeches
Funny & Roast-Filled Maid of Honor Speeches
Unique Maid of Honor Speeches
Combo Maid of Honor Speeches
Jokes & One Liners to Include in a Maid of Honor Speech

- “I met the groom's parents earlier and they told me to cut some inappropriate stories out, so nothing about ex-girlfriends…” (drop an index card)…. “alcohol…” (drop another index card) …. “the police….” (drop another index card)…
- “Well, what can I tell you about the bride? I've known her for about 10 years, she's beautiful, intelligent, kind, caring”
squint at cards
“Wait, sorry, wrong wedding.” - “I read somewhere the perfect maid of honor speech should last as long as it takes for the bride and groom to make love. So ladies and gentlemen, please raise a glass to the happy couple!”
- “I'd like to give you and the groom relationship advice, but what do I know? I'm single and have a cat.”
- “There comes a time in everyone's life where they met their one true love, their soulmates. The person that's going to love them and cherish them for the rest of their life. And that moment came for [Bride's Name]…[dramatic effect pause] When she met me 25 years ago.”
- “The start of their relationship was fast and furious: he was fast and she was furious”
- “Everyone says this is meant to be the best day of your life, but I know it isn't. It's the best day of your life SO FAR, because I know you have so many more amazing days to come together.”
- “I know I'm not supposed to speak for more than 45 minutes, so I'm just going to apologize now for going over a little.”
- “All those among you who know the bride will know that she is a wonderful and caring person. She deserves a good husband. Thank God *insert grooms name* married her before she found one.”
- Loyal, caring, sincere, honest, a great woman… but that's enough about me, I'm here to give a speech about [Bride]!
- [Bride] and I have always loved each other like sisters. Hopefully she'll feel the same after she hears my speech.
- You know what they say: behind every great woman… is a group of other great women cheering her on.”
- “Good evening everyone! I'm [Maid of Honor]. I'm sure you all know me as [Bride] ‘s younger sister, but if you don't, well done on sneaking into the wedding unnoticed!”
- “Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to celebrate something truly magical. Something so rare and wondrous that it simply must be celebrated. I am, of course, talking about the free booze.”
- “The best thing about being in love is hearing someone say ‘I love you' for the first time…but the second best thing is hearing them say it again after they already know everything about you.”
- “I knew [bride] was meant for [groom] when I saw how well she tolerates his terrible puns.”
- “(Bride), if you would, please place your hand on the table. (Groom), I'd like to ask you place your hand on your beautiful wife's hand. Now everyone, I'd like to ask for a moment of silence. This is for you, (Groom), so enjoy it. Cherish it. Savor it. Because it's the last upper hand you're ever going to have.”
- “When (legendary aunty) decided to get married she called up the smartest friend she had, and asked her to be the maid of honor. But that young lady declined.
She then called up the most fun friend she had. Buts she too declined.
Then she decided to call up the most beautiful friend of hers and I told her…” stop calling dammit. This is the 3rd time. I'll be your maid of honor”.
- “It's strange to be giving a speech like this one, because my parents taught me that if I had nothing good to say about someone, I should say nothing at all.”
- “[Groom], thank you for loving our girl even on her worst days – including today, when she threatened to kill me if I didn't write a good Maid of Honor speech.”
- I'm [Maid of Honor], maid of honor, but I think I was picked by default since the bride doesn't like people.
- “The bride is known to be beautiful, gracious, kinda and remar….remarkca… shit… then turn to the bride and say “sorry girlfriend I cant read your handwriting”
- Each one of us gathered together in this room has something really important in common: none of us have a clue what I'm going to say next!
- [Bride] knew I was a bit nervous about giving this speech, so she gave me some great advice. She said “Don't try to be too charming, witty or intellectual — just be yourself!'”
- “[Groom] may not be perfect but he's perfect for [bride].”
- Marriage isn't for everyone—but it obviously works for them because here we are.”
- If your speech is following someone else's, you can say, (Name) gave a great speech and I agree with everything he/she said. Then sit down.
- “I asked [bride] what she loves most about [groom], and she said his ability to make her laugh – even when she doesn't want to.”
- “I'd like to start by congratulating [Bride] on her excellent taste in speech givers.”
- “I don't believe in roasting the couple on their special day. Therefore this speech won't contain anything embarrassing or controversial. Instead I'll refer only to the kind, funny side of their characters. Thank you and goodnight.”
- “I have to admit, I was a little skeptical when [bride] first told me she was dating [groom]. But then I realized, love is blind!”
- “I'm so happy that you two found each other. Because let's be honest, we all know that dating apps are a crap shoot.”
- “I used to think love was finding someone who knows all your secrets and still loves you anyway…then I met [bride] and realized love is finding someone who knows all your secrets and still puts up with you anyway.”
- “I can only say in my defense that [Bride] and I share a common sense of humor so if this speech isn't funny, blame her.”
- “Good evening everyone, today you are witness to a unique and important event in history: the first and presumably last time anyone will ever trust me to give a speech.”
Maid of Honor Final Toast Examples
- Please raise your glasses in honor of Bride and Groom.
- Let us toast the happiness of Bride with her new husband, [Groom's Name]!
- Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
- Here's to love, laughter and happily ever after.
- Here's to the health of the happy pair; may good luck follow them everywhere; And may each day of wedded bliss be always as sweet and joyous as this.
- Cheers to the happy newlyweds! May you love each other more every day you spend together!
- Let's toast to the new husband and wife!
- Best wishes and years of bliss to the new couple!
- Here's to the husband, And here's to the wife;, May they remain, Lovers for life.
- Let's drink to love, which is nothing—unless it's divided into two with someone you love.
- Join me in honoring the marriage of Bride and Groom!
- As (Groom) and (Bride) start their new life together,
- What a wonderful wedding day indeed, so let's raise our glasses to wherever their lives may lead.
- With love and happiness, here's to you, Bride and Groom!