How To Write A Good Maid of Honor Speech.

There are a few things to do (and not to do) to ensure your Bridesmaid speeches is a roaring success. These are easily overlooked in the excitement of the build up to the wedding.

There are several areas you need to cover. The most important thing is to be clear in your own mind how you are going to play it. What are these areas?

What are these areas? Humor?, Length?, Relationship to other speeches? and Delivery?

One of the big challenges facing a maid of honor is out of your control. It's the running order of the speeches. You are well down the pecking order and much of what you wanted to say may well have been said already. Make sure it "fits" in with the rest of the speeches.

1/. What About trying to make people laugh. Is that a good idea?

There are a couple of problems with trying to be funny. The most obvious one is that you think you are funny but no-one else does (remember that scene in "Good Morning Vietnam" where the stuffy guy takes over Robin Williams' radio show and tries to tell jokes?). The next is that you really are funny but the speeches beforehand have ruled out a humorous speech. Previous speakers may have upset or embarrassed people, which means that the last thing the room needs is another comic. It's not your fault but you will get the blame.

The other thing to think about is that you probably know the bride and groom (particularly the bride). Much better than their parents. What you think is a mildly embarrassing story could be mortifying to the family (I don't have to go into too much detail here do I?). It's also possible that a previous speech has stirred things up a bit and yours will only fan the flames.

2/ How Much Time should I Take?

You may have to follow several other speakers who have overrun time wise. The other speeches may have been boring and overlong. The wedding guests may be thinking "Oh no. Not another speech. I wonder how long THIS one is going to be?" It's best to keep it short and sweet. Remember, this is the Bride and Groom's day, not your audition for a talent show!

3/ Your speech has to dovetail with the others.

Sticking like glue to your original speech may be a disaster waiting to happen.

I don't mean say the same things. I mean keep in tone with the rest (except when all the others have bored the pants off everyone)

4/ The Moment of truth. Now's your moment.

Whatever you do, make sure you stay sober up until this point at least. Try to resist the need for "Dutch courage". If not, you will almost certainly see your drunken attempts at a humorous speech doing the rounds on the internet. You may even find yourself as a Youtube sensation.

Oft quoted "wisdom" is to have a couple of drinks before you make your speech (to calm your nerves). That's OK but don't go too far. I've often told a story of a Maid of Honor who was "totally lubricated" by the time it came to deliver her speech. She tried to make the speech without notes and basically, froze (literally). Whilst all the guests thought she was pausing for effect and waited for something very poignant, she had forgotten her lines (and most likely, where she actually was!). After the best part of a minute, the Bride's father realised what was happening and put her out of her misery.

Don't forget that the wedding speeches are almost certainly going to be recorded. That means any drunken ramblings will be recorded for posterity! If you are going to make a successful Bridesmaid speeches , keep it short, from the heart and stay sober until after you've made it.