How to Start A Maid of Honor Speech (100 Examples)
Are you a MOH who is having a hard time trying to figure out how to start a Maid of Honor speech?
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
As a wedding photographer and wedding planner, I have personally witnessed over 500 speeches given by the Maid of Honors. I have seen the “good”, the “bad”, and the “should never be allowed near a microphone again.”
Below I will give you some fantastic ways to start your Maid of Honor speech (use these as inspiration to write your own speech, or simply use them word for word if you want).
Here is what I cover in this article (feel free to use these links to jump to the section that you are looking for):
- Steps to writing the intro for your Maid of Honor speech
- How to start a Maid of Honor speech for your little sister
- How to start a Maid of Honor speech for your big sister
- How to start a Maid of Honor speech for your best friend
How To Start A Maid of Honor or Matron of Honor Speech (Steps To Follow For The Best Toast)
When sitting down to write your Maid of Honor/Matron of Honor speech, you might be wondering how to get started.
Here are the steps to follow when writing the first part of your Maid of Honor speech:
- Welcome everyone: Start with a simple “Hello friends and family” or “Good evening everyone”
- Introduce yourself: Tell everyone your name and your relationship to the bride (not everyone will know who you are).
- Say thank you: Thank the couple for including you in their special day and thank the parents, family, and guests for being a part of the celebration.
- Set the tone: Start with a light anecdote or a heartwarming memory about the bride or the couple.
- Be relatable: Talk about your friendship/relationship with the bride and why it is meaningful to you. This will help engage the audience and make your speech more personal.
- Compliment the couple: Share a few words about the couple’s love story or why they make a great team. This will set the stage for the rest of your speech.
- Keep it tight: Keep your introduction short and sweet. You will have more time to elaborate on stories during the rest of your speech.
Remember, the most important thing when giving a Maid of Honor speech is to be genuine and speak from the heart.
How To Start A Maid of Honor Speech For Your Little Sister
Whether you want to keep it simple and cute or add a little humor, here are some great ideas for ways that you can start a Maid of Honor speech to your little sister:
How To Start A Maid Of Honor Speech (Sweet and Sentimental Ideas For Your Little Sister)
Below are some sweet and touching ways to begin your Maid of Honor toast to your little sister:
“Good evening, everyone! I’d like to begin by expressing my gratitude to both families for creating such a magical event for us to celebrate today. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m (Your Name), the proud maid of honor and (Bride’s Name)’s older sister. I am so honored to be up here congratulating our wonderful couple, (Bride’s Name) and (Groom’s Name), who are not only two of the most amazing people you will ever meet, but they are absolutely perfect for each other…”
“Hello, everyone! First I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to both families for organizing such a beautiful celebration. My name is (Your Name), and I’m (Bride’s Name)’s maid of honor and older sister. As we gather here today to witness the love between (Bride’s Name) and (Groom’s Name), I can’t help but think of the many ways their love has blossomed and grown over time. They truly bring out the best in each other, and their journey is one we can all admire…”
As I stand here today, I can’t help but think of all the precious memories we’ve shared, from giggles and pillow fights to late-night heart-to-hearts. Today, my little sister has blossomed into a stunning bride, and I couldn’t be more proud to be her maid of honor.”
“Growing up together, I always knew there was something special about my little sister. Today, as she stands here in that gorgeous dress, I am reminded of the pure love and strength that have always been her essence.”
“Friends and family, welcome to this beautiful wedding! I’d like to take a moment to thank the amazing families of (Bride’s Name) and (Groom’s Name) for making this day unforgettable. I’m (Your Name), the honored maid of honor and (Bride’s Name)’s sister. Today, we’re not just celebrating the union of two people, but the joining of two hearts, two souls, and two families. (Bride’s Name) and (Groom’s Name), your love story inspires us all…”
“My little sister, my confidante, my partner in crime. As we’ve grown and changed through the years, our bond has only grown stronger. I am deeply grateful to be by your side on this magical day as you marry your soulmate.”
“From the moment you were born, I knew we were destined to be the best of friends. Today, I am filled with so much joy as I watch you become a radiant bride, and I am honored to be a part of this unforgettable moment.”
“It seems like just yesterday we were playing dress-up and dreaming of our own fairy tale weddings. Now, as I stand here next to my little sister, I am in awe of the beautiful bride she has become and the wonderful love story she is about to begin.”
“Good evening everyone! First and foremost, I’d like to welcome you all to this beautiful celebration. I’m (Your Name), the Maid of Honor and (Bride’s name)’s big sister. I’m going to keep this short and sweet, just like (Bride’s name). I just want to express our gratitude to the families for planning such an amazing event. Now let’s get to the main event…our lovely couple, who are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.”
“Standing here next to my little sister, I am overwhelmed by the love that surrounds us. Our journey as sisters has been filled with laughter, tears, and endless memories. Today, as your Maid of Honor, I feel so lucky to be a witness to this new, beautiful chapter in your life.”
How To Start A Maid Of Honor Speech (Funny Examples For Your Little Sister)
If you want to add some humor to your Maid of Honor toast, these funny ideas will get you started:
“Good evening, everyone! I’ve been told that a great maid of honor speech should be like a skirt…long enough to cover the essentials, but short enough to keep it interesting. So let’s dive into this amazing love story that has brought us all here today.”
“Hello everyone! I’m (your name), the Maid of Honor and (bride’s name)’s older sister. I would like to start by saying I can’t believe my family gave me this microphone.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, as my sister’s personal cheerleader, life coach, and occasional partner in crime, it’s an honor to stand before you and talk about the incredible journey that led her to this very moment. I promised (Bride’s name) that I’d leave the most embarrassing parts out. Sorry to disappoint all of you.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, as the person who’s always had my sister’s back…whether it was chasing away spiders or offering a shoulder to cry on…I’m truly honored to be here today as her maid of honor. Let’s kick off this speech by recognizing the beautiful love that has brought us all together.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to start by saying that as the maid of honor, I’m not just here for the free cake and fancy dress. But between you and me, they’re pretty awesome perks. The real reason that I’m here is to celebrate my amazing little sister and her new partner in life.”
“When I was asked to be the maid of honor, I knew that with great power comes great responsibility…and a microphone. So, let me begin by saying how grateful I am to be here, standing beside my little sister on her big day, and telling a few embarrassing stories without fear of retribution.”
“Welcome friends and family, I would just like to say that after the amount of crying I did during the ceremony, I cannot believe that my sister just handed me a microphone and thought this would end well. There is no way I am getting through this.”
“Growing up, my little sister and I shared everything…clothes, secrets, and even blame for broken household items…But today I’m happy to say that she’s found something that’s entirely hers…a wonderful partner for life!”
“I’ve been preparing for this maid of honor speech for years. But when I asked my little sister what she wanted me to say, she replied, ‘Just don’t embarrass me too much.’ So here’s to keeping it short and sweet, and to cheers to the happy couple!”
“When my little sister asked me to be her maid of honor, she said it was because I was her favorite sister. Now…I’d like to point out that I’m her only sister…but I’ll take it! I’d like to start by thanking both of the families for planning such an amazing day for (Bride’s name) and (Groom’s name).”
How To Start A Maid Of Honor Speech For Your Big Sister
Giving a Maid of Honor speech to your big sister is a huge moment in a little sister’s life. If you are having a hard time coming up with an intro we come up with a few ideas to get you started.
Sweet and sentimental ideas for starting your Maid of Honor Speech to your big sister
Here are some super sweet ways to start your Maid of Honor speech to your older sister:
“My name is (your name) and I’m (Bride’s name)’s little sister. First off, I’d like to thank our mom and dad and (groom’s name)’s parents for helping put this amazing day together for two of my favorite humans. It’s incredible!”
“Hello everyone, I am (Bride’s name)’s little sister and I want to start by saying how happy it makes me to have all of you here supporting (Bride’s name) and (Groom’s name). I can’t get over just how many incredible people we have in our lives that love us so much. To have all of you sitting here in one room means the world to us. We love you!”
“Hi everyone! I’m the (Bride’s name)’s little sister, and I am so honored to stand up here today. I want to start by expressing my heartfelt appreciation to both families for making this dream wedding come true. And let’s take a moment to admire how absolutely radiant my big sister looks…she’s always been beautiful but today she’s simply glowing. Witnessing her happiness and the love she shares with (Groom’s name) is heartwarming, and I couldn’t be happier for this amazing couple.”
“Growing up, I always admired my sister’s strength, grace, and kindness. Today, as we gather to celebrate, I’m proud to stand beside her as her Maid of Honor and I’m overjoyed to witness the start of her new life with (Groom’s name). They really are a living fairytale.”
“Hey everyone! I’m (Your name), the bride’s younger sister and I’m incredibly honored to be standing here as her Maid of Honor today. I want to start by thanking my parents for putting together this magical wedding. It’s been a day full of love and joy, and you help make it all possible. Can we please take a moment to talk about how stunning my big sister looks in her wedding dress today? She truly takes my breath away. I’m so happy to see her and (Groom’s name) starting their lives together…they are the perfect match.”
Funny Ideas For Starting A Maid Of Honor Speech To Your Older Sister
If you want to roast before you toast, these funny Maid of Honor speech ideas are a great way to kick things off…
“Welcome friends and family. I’m (your name), (Bride’s name)’s younger sister and Maid of Honor. This speech is going to be fun because it’s the only 5 minutes of the past year that my mom couldn’t take control of and plan.”
“I would like to thank my beautiful sister for having me as her Maid of Honor. You might not know this but she promised me this job when I was 10 years old. You sure put a lot of trust in someone who used to steal your clothes. Let’s be honest…I still steal your clothes”
“For those of that don’t know me, I’m (your name), the sister of the gorgeous bride. (Bride’s name) asked me to do a roast so (oh, you said toast? So not roast?). Well, this is about to get really awkward.”
“Good evening everyone. My name is (your name) and I’m the Maid of Honor and younger sister of the bride. I wanted to thank all of the guests for coming tonight. Isn’t it amazing to see how far people will travel for a free meal?!”
“Hi everyone! I’m (your name)…(Bride’s name) younger sister. I wanted to thank every single person in this room for coming here to celebrate these two amazing people. Aside from providing an awesome closet to borrow clothes from, (Bride’s name) has paved the way for so many things in my life and I will never be able to thank her enough for that.”
“Good evening everyone! I’ve always admired my sister for her poise, grace, and impeccable taste. So…it’s no surprise that she chose me as her maid of honor! But seriously…I couldn’t be happier to celebrate this incredible couple today.”
“Hello, everyone! As my big sister’s maid of honor, I’ve been asked to say a few words tonight. Don’t worry…I promise not to bring up that time she cut my hair and convinced me I was adopted. After all…this is her day.”
“Good evening everyone! When my sister asked me to be her Maid of Honor, I knew I’d be giving a speech. When I asked (Bride’s name) for advice she told me just to be myself. So If this speech bombs, you know who to blame!”
“Welcome friends and family! As the Maid of Honor and (Bride’s name)’s younger sister, I’ve learned so much from my big sister…like how to take the blame for things she did.”
How To Start A Maid Of Honor Speech For Your Best Friend
If you are having a hard time writing your MOH speech to your best friend, these intros will help get you started. Use them as a guide or copy them word for word
Sweet Ways To Begin Your Maid of Honor Speech To Your Best Friend
These Maid of Honor speech ideas are perfect to toast your best friend and the start of her new life…
“Hello and welcome, everyone! We’re gathered here today to celebrate something truly special…the love between [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name]. I’m [Your Name], the Maid of Honor and [Bride’s Name]’s best friend. Before I talk about this amazing couple and their love story, I’d like to extend a warm thank you to both families for making this day so memorable. you have truly outdone yourselves.”
“Hello lovely people! My name is (your name). I am (Bride’s name)’s best friend and I have the absolute pleasure of being her Maid of Honor today. I’d like to start by expressing my gratitude to both families for making this day so wonderful. Everything looks amazing! And wow…doesn’t (Bride’s name) look absolutely breathtaking? I couldn’t be more excited to be here witnessing the love story of this incredible couple unfold.”
“Hey everyone! I’m (Your name), (Bride’s name)’s best friend and maid of honor. First, I want to give a big shoutout to both families for creating this fairytale wedding that we’re all enjoying today. I don’t want this day to end. And wow! (Bride’s name) is the definition of beauty and elegance, isn’t she? And (Groom’s name)…you don’t look so bad yourself. It’s such an honor to be a part of this special day…celebrating the love and commitment of this amazing couple.”
“Good evening everyone! As we come together to celebrate the love of (Bride’s Name) and (Groom’s Name), I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of both families in making this day so magical. My name is (Your Name), and I am proud to be (Bride’s Name)’s maid of honor and best friend. The story of our lovely couple is one of strength, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to each other that we can all admire and cherish…”
Funny Ways To Start A Maid Of Honor Speech For Your Best Friend
If you have been having a hard time coming up with a start to your Maid of Honor speech, these funny ideas will help you get things started…
“(Bride’s name) asked me not to tell any embarrassing stories in my speech. Well…goodnight everybody. I got nothin’“
“For those of you who don’t know me, what a shame! I’m (your name) and I’m today’s Best Woman. I’m not (Bride’s name)’s maid (her room is a mess) and I never want that honor.”
“Before I start, I just want to give a shoutout to Google for helping me find ‘how to write a maid of honor speech,’ because let’s be honest, we all need a little help sometimes.”
“Hi everyone, I’m the Maid of Honor, and according to the bride, my official duties include making her laugh, holding her dress, and not embarrassing her too much in this speech.”
“My name is (your name) in case you didn’t know. I’m (bride’s name) older sister. I’m going to apologize right now, this is going to be a little long and will mostly be stories about me and my sister…And I’ll probably cry a lot. But I have the mic so nothing you can do!”
“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen! I’ve been told that a good Maid of Honor speech should be like a mini-skirt…short enough to keep it interesting, but long enough to cover the essentials!”
More Wedding Planning Tips
Here are a few more articles that you might find helpful:
- How to write a Maid of Honor speech
- How to end your Maid of Honor speech
- Awesome Maid of Honor Speech Examples (with video and audio)
- Maid of Honor Duties and Responsibilities
- Maid of Honor Planner (staying organized)
- Purchase our printable Maid of Honor planner for $5.
- Quotes and funny lines to use in your Maid of Honor speech
All photos in this article were personally taken by me. Feel free to use them but please credit PA Unveiled. Thank you!
