Wedding Speech Tips: Dos and Don’ts for Bridesmaids and Other Speakers
Giving a speech at a wedding can be both an exciting and nerve-wracking experience. Whether you’re the maid of honor, best man, or a close family member, your words will be remembered by the happy couple for years to come. To help you deliver a heartfelt and memorable speech, here are some essential dos and don’ts to keep in mind.
Dos:
Prepare Ahead of Time Don’t leave your speech to the last minute. Write down your thoughts well in advance, and rehearse your speech multiple times. This will help you stay calm and confident on the big day.
Keep It Personal Share meaningful stories that highlight your relationship with the couple or the bride/groom. Whether it's how you met or a funny memory, making the speech personal adds warmth and sincerity.
Express Gratitude Thank the couple for inviting you to be part of their special day, and acknowledge the families or other key people who have contributed to making the day possible. A touch of gratitude shows your appreciation for the moment.
Speak Clearly and Confidently Remember to slow down and project your voice. It’s important that everyone can hear you, especially if you’re speaking in a large venue or outdoors. Practice speaking in front of a mirror or with friends for feedback.
Stay Positive Focus on the positive aspects of the couple’s relationship. Celebrate their love and happiness, and avoid any negativity or humor that could be seen as inappropriate.
Time Your Speech Aim to keep your speech between 3-5 minutes. A well-structured speech with an introduction, a story or two, and a heartfelt conclusion will engage the audience without overstaying your welcome.
Don’ts:
Avoid Inside Jokes While inside jokes might make the couple laugh, they can leave the rest of the audience feeling excluded or confused. Stick to stories and anecdotes that everyone can appreciate.
Don’t Make It About You Remember, the speech is about celebrating the couple, not you. Avoid going into too much detail about your personal experiences, and keep the focus on the bride, groom, or the couple.
Steer Clear of Embarrassing Stories Avoid sharing stories that could embarrass the couple or make them uncomfortable in front of their guests. Skip any mention of exes, wild nights out, or anything too personal.
Don’t Overindulge in Alcohol While a drink might help calm your nerves, make sure you don’t have too many before your speech. You want to be clear-headed and composed while speaking, so save the celebrations for after.
Avoid Rambling Long-winded speeches can lose the audience’s attention. Stick to a clear structure with a beginning, middle, and end. If you feel yourself going off track, reel it back in and stick to your main points.
Don’t Read Word-for-Word While it’s fine to have notes or an outline, reading directly from a sheet of paper can feel impersonal. Practice enough so that you can speak naturally and make eye contact with the couple and guests.
Whether you’re the maid of honor or the best man, giving a wedding speech is an opportunity to share your love and support for the newlyweds. Follow these dos and don’ts to ensure your speech is heartfelt, memorable, and fitting for the occasion.
