How to Prepare a Celebratory Toast as a Maid of Honor at a Wedding

Prepare your celebratory wedding toast in advance.

Serving as the maid of honor for a friend's wedding is a huge honor and responsibility. Prepare your maid of honor toast well in advance to relay the message you want the bride, groom and their guests to hear. Writing your speech in advance also gives you the opportunity to revise and practice the speech, which will make your toast easier to deliver publicly on the big day.

Instructions

1. Introduce yourself. You may know many of the guests, but letting them know who you are and how you know the bride will make your toast more meaningful and relevant to those who do not know you. For example, relay the story about how you met the bride in preschool when she spilled her finger paints on your new shoes.

2. Thank the bride, groom and any other hosts, such as their parents for inviting you and everyone else to the wedding. It's OK to mention how honored you are to serve as her maid of honor.

3. Tell a story or two about the bride, the couple and their courtship, such as the moment you knew they were destined to be together. Be true to yourself by injecting humor if you're comfortable with it or sticking to sentimental memories if that's more your style and personality.

   It's OK to divulge a little secret, such as what the bride told you about the groom after their first date, or share an embarrassing moment as long as it's not too over the top. Avoid anything too personal or controversial, such as sex, religion and politics.

4. Offer the couple some advice, words of wisdom or share a favorite quote or poem about love or marriage. Write a short poem yourself if you feel inclined. Express your wishes for the couple, such as your hopes for a long, happy life together.

5. Conclude the toast with a simple, "to Lauren and James," as you raise your glass. Take a sip, even if you opt for water or cider rather than alcohol.

6. Write your toast out on small index cards to help you during the wedding. Practice it a few times every day before the wedding so you feel comfortable expressing what you've prepared.

Tips & Warnings

• Read your toast to a few trusted friends before the wedding to ask for their input.

• Keep it short and sweet.

References

• "The Knot"; Tips for Maid of Honor Speeches; Amy Elliott
• Bridesmaid 101: Maid of Honor Speech
• Speech Topics Help: 17 Maid of Honor Speech Topics
• Wedding Toasts Guide: How to Prepare and Deliver Outstanding Maid of Honor Wedding Toasts