Best Maid of Honor Speeches

Don't worry, this is not a "get your people to call my people" scheduling problem. You will be organising the wedding with the bride and groom. There are various schedule formats that can be used for the wedding speeches and it is important that all speech makers are well informed about the decision made.

Choices

1. In some countries tradition dictates that the wedding speeches or toasts are given after the meal. If this is the choice made, please don't drink too much wine over dinner to try to calm your nerves - you will only end up slurring your words!



2. In other areas the wedding speeches are arranged for before the meal. This means the entertainment can begin directly after the meal. It also means that the wedding party can relax and enjoy their meal with no impending toast to give! If you choose this option, make sure everybody is aware of the schedule for the meal service!



3. You may want to consider that some speeches will be given in between courses. This can improve the dynamic of the evening as there is no long break for toasts or speeches after the meal.



4. The best man is considered the toastmaster and would traditionally give his speech first with the maid of honor speech following. However, you can decide the order with the best man - nothing is set in stone!

1. Know Your Audience
   
   People who are about to deliver a public speech are advised to research and get to know their audience. They need to research who will be there and what they want to hear. This is where you are already way ahead of the game. You know that you will be delivering your maid of honor speech to the bride and groom, their family and friends.
   
   You probably know most of the people who will be at the reception already. You probably know their style. I am sure you know whether therir expectation of maid of honor speeches - should be funny, formal or endearing or a little bit of everything?
   
   You definitely know what they want to hear. They want to hear about the bride. The want to hear about her relationship to the groom. They want you to wish them well.
   
   Also remember that your audience will be very supportive. They want to hear what you say. You are not trying to sell them something!



2. Practice
   
   Look into your eyes! No I haven't changed topic or entered an alternate universe. I mean stand in front of a mirror and look into your eyes, as if you are looking into the eyes of your audience as you practice.
   
   Listen to your voice and find the right volume. Watch your hand gestures. Practice until you are comfortable speaking your very best of maid of honor speeches.
   
   If you are brave enough, gather a small audience and practice in front of them. Make sure that they will be supportive and give you constructive criticism.
   
   Don't forget to smile as you practice your speech!



3. On the Day
   
   If you get five minutes when you can nip away from the crowd, have one last run through.
   
   If you are still nervous, just take a few deep breaths and "act" confident. Your audience can't see your hands shaking! If you appear confident, your audience will feel the positivity and you will hear the applause!

1. You should brainstorm ideas and write them down. Just make some notes first. Some people advise you to pick three ideas and focus on them. I advise you to go for a beginning, a middle and an end approach.
   
   Don't be afraid to be dramatic in the beginning. Apart from your greetings, include a joke or a powerful quote to grab your audience's attention. The middle will include all the nice things you want to say about the bride, your friendship, the groom and the marriage.
   
   Again don't be afraid to pack a punch at the end. You may choose - a witty one liner or a verse of a romantic poem, depending on your audience.



2. Using your notes, begin drafting your speech. Write in language you are comfortable with (don't force fancy words you are not used to!) and include phrases that you may not normally write down but that you use when you speak e.g. Okay, lets get.... (you don't normally write down okay)



3. Don't be afraid to involve your audience. Can you hear the roar when you ask them "Doesn't (the bride) look beautiful to-day?"



4. Now you've got your speech written and your feeling a little relieved? Guess what? Now you are going to begin rewriting. Don't worry not even the best authors or the most experienced Hollywood speech writers get it right the first time.



5. After you've practiced your speech and have completed the final edit, write the speech on small cue cards. They are easier to handle as you deliver your speech.

Just a little advice from a personal experience.

1. Make sure that you know all that is expected of you on the day in advance. You need to be able to relax and enjoy the day. You will be able to do this if you are confident that you know what is expected of you.



2. Don't drink too much before the speech and please, please do not hold your glass during the speech. How many slightly tipsy maid of honor speeches have you seen? This is a really bad look. Pick your favorite drink and save it (or them!) for after your dazzling, maid of honor speech!



3. Remember, your friend chose you to be her maid of honor because you are her best friend. She is not expecting a Presidential Address. Be yourself. Be the bride's best friend.


The speech is only going to last 3-5 minutes. This can be a long time if you are not prepared!


4. Prepare yourself and relax and enjoy your best friend's wedding day, safe in the knowledge that you will do her and indeed yourself very proud when it comes to making your maid of honor speech.



5. Enjoy the applause and the congratulations. Accept the compliments on the most fabulous of maid of honor speeches graciously. You deserve it!

bestweddingspeeches.info provides all the help you need with sample speeches, jokes, quotes, toasts and even a review of your final maid of honor speech.