Bridesmaid Bestie's Speech: Heartfelt Words For The Bride

Being asked to be a bridesmaid is a huge honour, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. One of the most important duties is giving a speech at the wedding reception. This can be a daunting task, especially if you're not used to public speaking. However, with some preparation and practice, you can deliver a speech that will leave the newlyweds and guests touched and smiling. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you craft the perfect bridesmaid speech for your best friend.

First, it's important to start by introducing yourself and explaining your relationship with the bride. This will give context to your speech, especially for guests who may not know you well. You can also include a funny opening line to break the ice and make the audience laugh.

The main body of your speech should celebrate your friendship with the bride and her relationship with her partner. Share personal anecdotes, funny stories, and heartfelt sentiments that showcase the bride's personality and your bond with her. Avoid inside jokes or stories that might embarrass the bride or be inappropriate for the audience. Instead, focus on inclusive and relatable content.

In addition to talking about the bride, be sure to dedicate a portion of your speech to her partner. Share your first impression of them, what you love about them, and how they complement the bride. You can also talk about how the couple met and the journey of their relationship.

Towards the end of your speech, wish the couple well and offer some words of wisdom or a thoughtful quote about their future together. Finally, propose a toast to the happy couple and invite the guests to raise their glasses.

Keep your speech concise, aiming for around 2-5 minutes. Practice beforehand, and don't be afraid to show emotion—it's an honour to share your love and support for your best friend on their special day.

Introduction: Who you are and your relationship with the bride

Good afternoon everyone! I'm [name], and I'm thrilled to be here today as [name of bride]'s maid of honour. I've known [name of bride] for [amount of time], and I can honestly say she's one of my best friends. We met [how you met] and I knew straight away that she was someone special.

[Name of bride] is the most [three adjectives e.g. kind, funny, loyal] person I know. She's always been there for me through thick and thin, and I know that I can rely on her for anything. We've shared so many amazing memories over the years, like the time [share a funny anecdote]. She's always been there to support me and I hope I've done the same for her. I'm so grateful to have her in my life and I know that she feels the same.

[Name of bride] and I have always been close, but since she met [name of groom], I've seen her blossom even more. I remember the first time I met [name of groom] and I just knew that he was the one for her. He brings out the best in her and makes her happier than I've ever seen her. Their relationship is so unique and special, and I know that they will continue to support and love each other for many years to come.

I'm so honoured to be standing here today as [name of bride]'s maid of honour, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for this amazing couple.

Thank the couple and guests

Thanking the couple and the guests is an important part of a maid of honor's speech. Here are some ideas on how to do this effectively:

Start with an Introduction and Expression of Gratitude

Begin your speech by introducing yourself and explaining your relationship with the bride. This gives context to your speech and helps guests who may not know you understand your special bond. You can also take this opportunity to thank the couple for including you in their special day and express your gratitude for being chosen as the maid of honor. This sets a positive and appreciative tone for the rest of your speech.

Compliment the Couple and Wish Them Well

Share what you love about the couple and how their lives have changed for the better since they found each other. Speak from the heart and be specific with your compliments. You can also offer marriage advice or a thoughtful quote to wish them a happy future together. This part of your speech should focus on the couple's happiness and celebrate their union.

Include the Guests in Your Toast

Involve the guests in your speech by encouraging them to meet someone new or sharing a quick story about how they met the couple. You can also directly thank the guests for being a part of this special day and acknowledge the couple's families. This makes your speech more inclusive and engaging for everyone present.

End with a Sentimental Closing Line

Conclude your speech with a heartfelt message or a sentimental quote. Avoid ending abruptly or on a cheesy note. Instead, opt for a sincere expression of love and best wishes for the couple. This will leave a lasting impression on the couple and the guests.

Remember to keep your speech authentic and true to yourself. Speak from the heart, and your words will surely touch the couple and the guests.

Share fond memories

Sharing fond memories is a great way to celebrate your relationship with the bride and make your speech more personal and engaging. Here are some ideas to help you craft this section of your bridesmaid speech:

Highlight Your Special Bond

Begin your speech by complimenting the bride and talking about what makes her such a wonderful person and friend. Describe her unique qualities and share specific anecdotes or moments that showcase these qualities. For example, if you want to highlight the bride's generosity, share a story about a time when she went out of her way to help someone or surprised you with a thoughtful gift. This approach will make your compliments more impactful and memorable for the audience.

Share Fun Adventures

Recall fun adventures or crazy experiences you've had together. It could be that time you both got stuck in a sudden downpour during a hike and had to run for cover, only to end up laughing hysterically in the rain. Or perhaps you both got lost in a new city and ended up making unforgettable memories as you tried to find your way back. These stories will add a touch of humour and spontaneity to your speech.

Recall Sentimental Moments

In addition to the fun times, share a sentimental moment or two that showcases the depth of your friendship. It could be a time when the bride was there for you during a difficult period in your life, or when you confided in each other and strengthened your bond. These moments will remind the audience of the enduring nature of your friendship and the special connection you share.

Include Inside Jokes (Sparingly)

While you want to avoid too many inside jokes that may exclude some guests, including one or two subtle inside jokes can be a fun way to honour your friendship. For example, you could reference a private nickname you have for the bride or a shared experience that only the two of you truly understand. Just be mindful of the audience's understanding and ensure your inside jokes are appropriate and not too exclusive.

Reflect on How the Bride Has Changed

Talk about how the bride has grown and changed since meeting her partner. Has she become calmer, more confident, or even funnier? Sharing these observations will not only celebrate the bride's journey but also highlight the positive impact her partner has had on her life. It's a wonderful way to honour both the bride and her partner in your speech.

Remember, when sharing these fond memories, speak from the heart, and don't be afraid to show your emotions. Your authenticity and sincerity will shine through and create a lasting impression on the happy couple and the guests.

Praise the couple

There are many ways to praise the couple in a bridesmaid's speech. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Talk about their relationship

Discuss what makes their relationship so special and how their lives have changed for the better. You can also talk about how their relationship has evolved over the years and any challenges they have overcome together. Highlight what you admire about them as a couple and how their commitment to each other inspires you.

Share a favourite memory

A great way to celebrate the couple is to share a favourite memory or anecdote that showcases their love and commitment. It can be a funny story or a more sincere and heartfelt moment. This will not only celebrate the couple but also add a personal touch to your speech.

Compliment their individual qualities

Speak about the couple's wonderful qualities and how they complement each other. For example, you can say something like, "You both are awesome, and I love you guys so much. I love how you always make each other laugh and how supportive you are of each other's dreams and goals."

Offer well wishes for the future

Share your hopes and wishes for their future together as a married couple. You can also offer some marriage advice or include a favourite quote about love and marriage.

Raise a toast

Finally, raise a toast to the happy couple and wish them a lifetime of love and happiness. This is a great way to conclude your speech on a positive and celebratory note.

Wish them a happy future

As the maid of honour, you'll want to wish the happy couple all the best for their future together. Here are some ideas for how to do this:

Keep it Light-Hearted

You could wish the couple a happy future in a light-hearted way. For example, "May your love shine brightly forever!" or "Here's to a lifetime of love, laughter and happily ever after". You could also offer a playful suggestion for how to keep the marriage strong, such as "Never forget the two most important replies: 'You're right, dear' and 'Okay, buy it'".

Give a Toast

Toasting the couple is a great way to wish them a happy future. You could say something like, "I'd like to invite everyone to raise their glasses to the happy couple. Here's to a lifetime of love and happiness!"

Offer Words of Wisdom

As the maid of honour, you might want to offer the couple some words of wisdom for their future together. For example, "Love isn't perfect. It isn't a fairytale or a storybook and it doesn't always come easy." Or, "May your love continue to blossom and may your journey together be filled with laughter, love and adventure."

Share a Quote

You could share a quote about love and marriage to wish the couple a happy future. For example:

> "Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, Love still stands when all else has fallen."

> "Here's to love, laughter and happily ever after. As [groom] and [bride] start their new life, let's toast the new husband and wife!"

Be Sentimental

You could also wish the couple a happy future in a more sentimental way. For example, "I know you will have challenges, as all relationships do. But you know what's great about love and relationships and marriage? It's learning to grow together."

Frequently asked questions