We know it’s not traditional for the Maid of Honour to make a speech, but why the hell not? We think more women should have the opportunity to speak at weddings, besides, you have all the good dirt on the Bride, and people should get to hear it!
Ask the Bride first if she’s happy with you speaking, and then get writing. We advise speeches should be no longer than 7-8 minutes, that’s about 1100-1200 words. That might seem short when you write it up, but it can seem a much longer to a crowd of people who have been drinking champagne since 11am, and are itching to get their hands on their profiteroles.
If you can think of a theme for the speech, that would be perfect. Is there something the bride is really into that could form the basis of the speech? Did she used to be obsessed with Take That, and was convinced on her wedding day she’d be standing next to Mark Owen? Maybe use the words of Mr Barlow to give the speech some structure?
Don’t mention her ex’s. Even if there is a really brilliant story involving them and a llama, which just has to be shared. Save that one for the hen do, or if you must, later on at the reception when everyone has had a few drinks.
Do use humour though. The ideal speech has people crying with laughter, then crying with emotion. We suggest you spend about 75% of the speech taking the mickey out of the Bride, and 25% reminding everyone why she chose you to be her Maid of Honour, and why she’ll be an absolutely brilliant wife. We know you love her really. Despite the itchy nylon, you’ve been forced into wearing.
Find out more fab speechwriting tips at our Maid of Honour Speech Post.
Of course, depending on the hen do hangover and your writing ability, you may want to follow the lead of many other savvy Maids of Honour and recruit the Speechy team to do the hard work for you. We’re TV comedy scriptwriters who have written for Richard Hammond, Sharon Osbourne and David Mitchell and we’re guaranteed to help you write & deliver a speech that will be remembered for all the right reasons.