Having women speak at weddings is a fairly recent trend but it looks like it is here to stay. As society changes so do conventions. This is as it should be, as it gives a close friend of the bride or a family member an opportunity to express her true feelings for the bride. Quite often, she is the one person at the wedding who her knows the bride best. She can paint a picture of her for those who do not know her well.
Where to Start
In some ways where you do start could depend on whether this is a stand-alone speech - one in its own right - or is in place of the father of the bride or the best man. Whatever its status, there are some points you should cover:
· Thank the bride and groom for the opportunity to be a part of their special day
· Let people know who you are and how you came to know the bride - and the groom if it is appropriate
· Tell people why you wanted to speak - some people may not be expecting a woman to make a speech.
· If you are speaking in place of the father of the bride or if you are representing the bride's family, then you will need to cover the things they would normally cover
· Relate some funny incidents involving you and the bride but do not embarrass her
· If you are speaking in place of someone else, you will need to make the toasts that person would make, unless the bride wants to make other arrangements.
· The maid of honor generally toasts the couple and the groomsman - which is not dissimilar to the father of the bride, who toasts the couple
Prepare and Practice
Above all, write down you speech and polish it until you are happy with it. Then, practice giving it our loud, preferably in front of someone else. The more time you spend on your maid of honor speech the better it will be. This is the most important part, because if you know what you are going to say you will be confident and you will make sure you include the people you have to mention and the things you have to cover. Try to commit your speech to memory but carry notes in case of a mental block or a memory lapse.
Before you get up to speak, take a few deep breaths, calm yourself and act confidently. If you have prepared yourself well and know what you are going to say, you will be a big success.
Where to Start
In some ways where you do start could depend on whether this is a stand-alone speech - one in its own right - or is in place of the father of the bride or the best man. Whatever its status, there are some points you should cover:
· Thank the bride and groom for the opportunity to be a part of their special day
· Let people know who you are and how you came to know the bride - and the groom if it is appropriate
· Tell people why you wanted to speak - some people may not be expecting a woman to make a speech.
· If you are speaking in place of the father of the bride or if you are representing the bride's family, then you will need to cover the things they would normally cover
· Relate some funny incidents involving you and the bride but do not embarrass her
· If you are speaking in place of someone else, you will need to make the toasts that person would make, unless the bride wants to make other arrangements.
· The maid of honor generally toasts the couple and the groomsman - which is not dissimilar to the father of the bride, who toasts the couple
Prepare and Practice
Above all, write down you speech and polish it until you are happy with it. Then, practice giving it our loud, preferably in front of someone else. The more time you spend on your maid of honor speech the better it will be. This is the most important part, because if you know what you are going to say you will be confident and you will make sure you include the people you have to mention and the things you have to cover. Try to commit your speech to memory but carry notes in case of a mental block or a memory lapse.
Before you get up to speak, take a few deep breaths, calm yourself and act confidently. If you have prepared yourself well and know what you are going to say, you will be a big success.
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