Who Speaks First: Best Man Or Maid Of Honor?

does best man or maid of honor give speech first

Wedding speeches are a key part of a wedding reception. They give guests an insight into the couple and their relationship, and they're a chance for the couple to thank their guests for attending. The best man and maid of honour speeches are the most anticipated, but the order in which they are delivered is flexible. Traditionally, the best man speaks first, followed by the maid of honour, but the order can be switched up depending on personal preference.

Characteristics Values
Order of Speeches The order of speeches at a wedding is flexible and can be decided by the couple. However, the traditional order is: the father of the bride, the father of the groom, the maid of honor, and then the best man.
Timing of Speeches Speeches should be delivered approximately 3/4 of the way through the reception meal. This allows guests to settle in and creates a narrative for the couple's journey.
Length of Speeches Each wedding speech should be around 3 to 5 minutes.
Content of Speeches Speeches should be celebratory and focus on the couple's relationship, with appropriate jokes and anecdotes.

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The best man should go first

The best man's speech is a great way to set the tone for the rest of the night. It is a good opportunity to introduce himself and explain how he knows the couple. He can then say something positive about the couple and their relationship, express gratitude for being part of their day, and wish them happiness. The best man can also share a story about the groom and mix in a tasteful joke or two.

Having the best man speak first also means that he can enjoy the rest of the evening stress-free, and it allows him to invite guests to get up and dance once the stage is set up. It is often uncomfortable for guests to be the first ones on the dance floor, so the best man can encourage them to let go of their discomfort and get the party started.

The best man's speech is also a good way to transition from the more formal parts of the reception to the lighter, more fun parts of the evening. It is a great way to create a narrative arc for the reception, starting with the best man's speech and ending with music and dancing.

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The maid of honor can follow the same structure as the best man

The maid of honour's speech is a sweet moment at the wedding reception and is usually the second-to-last speech in the lineup of toasts. While the best man's speech is often the most anticipated, the maid of honour's speech is still an important part of the celebration and a moment the bride will remember forever.

The maid of honour can follow a similar structure to the best man's speech. She can start with an introduction and a short story explaining her relationship with the couple. This can be followed by personal anecdotes, funny stories, and encouraging words. The maid of honour can also offer some nice words about the couple's relationship and share her love and raise a glass to the newlyweds at the end.

The maid of honour should keep the speech short and sweet, aiming for around three to five minutes. She should also be mindful of the content, avoiding any inside jokes or embarrassing stories that might make the bride uncomfortable. Instead, the focus should be on celebrating the couple and their journey together.

The maid of honour can also use her speech to thank those who have not been thanked yet, such as the groomsmen and ushers. She can also share her first impressions of the groom and offer anecdotes or stories that showcase the bride's personality and her relationship journey with the groom.

In terms of the order of speeches, the maid of honour typically speaks after the best man. However, some couples may choose to switch the order, with the maid of honour speaking before the best man. Ultimately, the couple can decide what works best for them and their specific situation.

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The maid of honor's speech is usually second-to-last

The order of speeches at a wedding is important as it creates a narrative, telling the story of the couple's journey and revealing a deeper level of connection for the audience. While today's weddings are flexible, and you don't have to stick to tradition, the maid of honour's speech is usually second-to-last if you do.

The maid of honour's speech doesn't get as much attention as the best man's, but it's still a sweet moment that the bride will remember forever. It typically includes an introduction and an explanation of the relationship with the couple, personal anecdotes, funny stories, and encouraging words. It's more common for the maid of honour's speech to focus on the bride, drawing on past experiences and friendship, or sharing anecdotes from wedding planning.

The maid of honour's speech should be short and sweet, and under five minutes. It should evoke emotion and convey genuine happiness for the couple. It's a good idea to follow a simple outline: introduce yourself, share a story, and conclude by raising a glass to the newlyweds.

The order of speeches at a wedding is usually as follows: the parents of the bride, the parents of the groom, the maid of honour, and then the best man. However, the best man and maid of honour often switch places, so the best man goes second-to-last. This is because the best man's speech is usually the most anticipated and is meant to kick off the party.

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The best man's speech is meant to kick off the party

  • Timing is Key: The best man's speech is traditionally placed at the end of the lineup, right after the maid of honor. This timing is crucial as it sets the tone for the rest of the night and gets the guests excited for the festivities to come.
  • Keep it Short and Sweet: A concise speech packed with punchy jokes and short stories will ensure the guests' energy remains high. The recommended length for any wedding speech is around 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Inviting Guests to the Dance Floor: As the best man, you have the important role of encouraging guests to get up and dance. Many guests feel uncomfortable being the first ones on the dance floor, so a well-timed invitation from the best man can ease their worries and get the party started.
  • Temper the Jokes: While humor is an essential part of the best man's speech, it's important to be mindful of the audience. Avoid inside jokes that only the groom will understand, and steer clear of inappropriate or insulting humor, especially with elderly guests or children present.
  • Share Stories and Congratulate the Couple: The speech should be a mix of funny anecdotes and heartfelt congratulations. Share a story or two about the groom and offer kind words about their new spouse. It's a toast to the couple's happiness and future together.
  • Be Yourself: While there is pressure to be funny, ultimately, the best man should be true to himself. If being a stand-up comedian doesn't come naturally, focus on sharing genuine sentiments and well-wishes for the newlyweds.
  • Avoid Overindulging: It's important to note that the best man should avoid overindulging in champagne or alcohol before the speech. A champagne toast is customary, but losing your motor skills and ability to speak clearly will detract from the moment.
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The best man and maid of honor often switch order

The best man's speech is usually the one that is most anticipated, thanks to its depiction in pop culture. It should be celebratory and encouraging, with a few appropriate jokes that emphasize the couple's love for each other. The best man can start by introducing himself, congratulating the couple, sharing a story about the groom, and offering kind words about their new spouse.

The maid of honor's speech, on the other hand, typically includes an introduction and a short story explaining their relationship with the couple. It can also include personal anecdotes, funny stories, and encouraging words. The maid of honor can focus on the bride, drawing from past experiences and sharing heartwarming or funny stories from their friendship.

Regardless of the order, both the best man and maid of honor should keep their speeches concise and energetic. It is recommended to keep the speeches under five minutes, with three minutes being the ideal length. This ensures that the guests remain engaged and that the timing of the reception stays on track.

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Frequently asked questions

It's entirely up to you and your preferences. There are no rules that say they have to, but if they want to, they certainly can!

The best man usually goes first, followed by the maid of honor. However, some couples opt to switch up the order.

Wedding speeches should be kept short and sweet, with the ideal length being around 3-5 minutes.

The best man and maid of honor can introduce themselves and explain how they know the couple. They can also share a story or two, offer some words of wisdom, and, of course, congratulate the newlyweds.

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