How to Write a Maid of Honor Toast

A maid of honor can take photos, but she's also expected to give a speech.

One of the biggest duties of the maid of honor is the obligatory toast. This toast is usually delivered after the best man's toast at the reception. The short speech needs to reflect the positive nature of the maid of honor's relationship with the bride, and how much she hopes the bride will have a happy marriage.

Things You'll Need

• pen
• paper
• imagination

Instructions

1. Write the speech at least a few weeks before the wedding. Practice the speech in front of a mirror with a timer. Trim it if the speech runs more than two minutes. Long maid of honor speeches are uncomfortable for the audience.

2. Don't try to be funny unless it comes naturally and the entire audience can relate to the joke. Avoid inside jokes or any comment about something only you and the bride will understand.

3. Keep the talk positive. Don't embarrass the new bride with anecdotes about her awkward childhood or terrible ex-boyfriends. Keep the mood light but genuine.

4. Say something nice about the groom. If you had a moment when you "knew" he would be the one for your friend, explain that in the speech.

5. Offer a toast to the couple at the end of the speech unless another speech is scheduled. If so, offer a toast to that speaker.

Tips & Warnings

• Take a copy of the speech with you to the wedding. In case you suffer from stage fright, you won't break any etiquette rules if you just read the speech.

References

• Maid of Honor's Speech