It’s that time again—wedding season! If you’ve been tapped to be a best man or maid of honor, congratulations! This is a huge honor…and comes with a lot of responsibility. One of the most important duties you’ll have is giving a speech at the reception.
Don’t panic! Giving a best man or maid of honor speech doesn’t have to be daunting. Just follow these simple tips and you’ll be sure to give a speech that everyone will remember.
Do: Keep it Short and Sweet
The best speeches are usually around 5 minutes long. Any longer than that and you risk losing your audience’s attention. So, try to keep your speech focused and to the point. You don’t need to tell the entire story of how you met the bride or groom—just hit the highlights.
Do: Write it Out in Advance
You might think you’re a spontaneous person who does their best work off-the-cuff, but trust us—when it comes to speeches, it’s always best to write it out in advance. This will help you stay on track and avoid any awkward pauses while you try to remember what you wanted to say. Plus, having a written version will help you edit and fine-tune your speech until it’s just right.
Don’t: Drink Too Much Beforehand
We know, we know—it’s tempting to want to take the edge off before giving a speech in front of all those people. But resist the urge to drink too much beforehand! You don’t want your speech to be slurred or hard to understand. A glass of wine or beer is fine, but anything more than that is probably not a good idea.
Do: Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse!
Once you have your speech written out, practice it as much as possible before the big day. This will help you memorize what you want to say and also help ensure that your delivery is natural and confident. If possible, do a trial run in front of friends or family so they can give you feedback on what works and what doesn’t.
Giving a best man or maid of honor speech doesn’t have to be scary! Just follow these simple tips and you’ll be sure to give a great speech that everyone will remember. Good luck!
5 Ideas for your Best Man or Maid of Honor speech
1. Thank the Bride and Groom
The first step to giving an amazing best man or maid of honor speech is to thank the bride and groom. This is their special day, after all, and you wouldn’t be up there without them! Thank them for asking you to be a part of their big day and for trusting you to give a speech.
2. Talk About YourRelationship with the Bride or Groom
Next, you’ll want to talk about your relationship with the bride or groom. How did you meet? What are some of your favorite memories together? This is a great opportunity to share a funny story or two about the happy couple.
3. Wish Them a Happy Future Together
After sharing some memories, it’s time to wish the newlyweds a happy future together. This is your chance to get sentimental and tell them how much you love them and how excited you are for their future.
4. Offer Some Advice
If you have any sage words of wisdom to offer the happy couple, now is the time to do it! Offer some advice on what it takes to have a successful marriage or relationship.
5. Thank the Guests and End on a High Note
Finally, thank the guests for being there and end on a high note. Wishing the bride and groom all the best one last time is always a nice way to end a best man or maid of honor speech.
