How to Write A Maid-Of-Honor Speech In 10 Easy Steps

                The moment you receive the exciting news that you have been chosen to be the Maid-Of-Honor, you are filled with so many happy emotions!  There are a lot of duties as a Maid-of-Honor that every girl looks forward to… helping choose her perfect dress, cake tastings, food tastings, helping her down the aisle and just being her emotional and supportive rock.  With this being said, there is an element of being the Maid-of-Honor that most are nervous about, and maybe even dread… The Maid-of-Honor Speech.  There is a lot of pressure that comes along with preparing and giving this speech, and I am here to make the process a lot easier!  Follow these 10 Easy Steps, and you will be writing a speech that you will be proud of, and one that might even bring a tear to the Bride & Groom!

1.       Do Not, I Repeat, Do Not Procrastinate

I know as the Maid-of-Honor you are busy with all of your fun and not-so-fun duties.  The Bride is counting on you to help her in every way possible, but she is also counting on you to write a meaningful and memorable speech.  With this being said… although you are busy, do not put off writing the speech until the week, or even the day before.  Trust me, when you have more time on your hands, the words will come together beautifully!     

2.       Know Your Audience

Knowing your Audience can be difficult, yet it is important to know the demographics of who you are speaking to.   Asking the Bride & Groom can be a great resource to review you on who will be attending the wedding, and what the best style of speech they would recommend.  Say your audience is mostly above the age of 50 and they are more of a serious group.  I would not recommend telling a lot of jokes, and I definitely wouldn’t recommend talking about those “good old college days”.  Knowing your audience will not only bring you a sense of comfort, but it will also help create a speech that the guests will appreciate.  

3.       Keep It Short & Sweet

Unfortunately, we see this mistake all of the time.  The Maid-of-Honor’s Speech is way too long, and you can tell she has lost the audience.  There is not a need to tell every moment you two had together...  You are standing there as the Maid-of-Honor, they all know how close you are.  So make it short and sweet and try to keep it at the most 2 to 3 minutes!

4.       Take This Seriously

Your Best Friend/Sister/Cousin/etc. has put you in this position because they trust you to take this speech seriously.  Be completely mature about the whole thing, and remember who is counting on you.  Although it may seem like a quick little speech, it is something the Bride is really looking forward to!

5.       Start with a Story

Starting with a quick story will set the mood for the rest of your speech.  If you would like your speech to be upbeat and funny, start with a silly (and appropriate) story of you and the Bride.  If you want the speech to be emotional, start with one that maybe brought you both together or a moment where you truly bonded.  Whatever this story may be, remember your audience, and make sure that it is one the couple will truly enjoy. 

6.       Go Down Memory Lane

Included with your initial story, also tell another story of a funny and/or touching moment you had with the Bride or with the couple.  This could be childhood memories, how you first met, when they first met, or a time you spent with both of them together.  Make it one that will touch their hearts and possibly make them laugh.  Whatever it is, make it a memory that they will appreciate reminiscing with you and their guests. 

7.       Why They’re Meant To Be

This is critical to any Maid-of-Honor Speech.  Letting them know what you see in both of them and how it makes them perfect together, can truly be a tear jerker.  This could be a story on how they met, a story on how they act together,  or maybe even the time that she came to you and told you he was the one.  Validating that they belong together is a beautiful moment for the couple and for your audience.

8.       Stay Calm, Cool & Collected 

Although you may feel a lot of pressure to deliver the perfect speech, just remember… there is no such thing as a perfect speech!  All you need to remember is to express your emotions, let them know how much they mean to you, and hey, if you’re confident in your humor, throw in a good joke or two.  Whatever your style may be, just stay calm, cool & collected, and know that the Bride has given you this position, which means she completely believes in you!

9.       Practice, Practice, Practice!

You may feel confident in your speaking abilities… or you may not… either way, practice is key!  Standing in front of a mirror, or speaking to your family/friends beforehand, will help tremendously, and can only boost your confidence!  If you have gone over it many times and still don’t seem to have grasped it completely, it doesn’t hurt to make notecards.  Notecards can be there for you as an outline and help guide you throughout your speech!  Whatever your style may be, practicing will go a long way, and you’ll be glad you did

10.   Most Importantly… Be Yourself!

The Bride loves you for who you are; so remember when writing and presenting your speech to be your complete self!  This is the most important advice I can give you when writing and giving your Maid-of-Honor speech… Give it your all and have it come from your big heart!  If you at least follow this step, I promise, it will come together perfectly!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),

Olivia

Choosing the Right Transportation

How you arrive and leave your wedding can really say a lot about you and your fiancé and the tone you would like to set for your big day.  In 2013, we are seeing a variety of different ways to arrive and leave in style.  When choosing your transportation, matching your theme and who you are as a couple is very important.  If you are aiming towards a traditional and romantic vibe, then maybe choosing a limousine or a vintage car would be the best choice.  Or if your wedding is more about having a great time and is towards a modern theme, then choosing an exotic car could be the way to go.  In the year 2013, there are no boundaries.  Just make sure that the transportation you choose matches the theme and tone you are trying to set from the moment you arrive, to the moment you and your new spouse drive away to a Happily Ever After. 

The Limousine

                Traditional, romantic and convenient are all reasons to pick a limousine as your transportation to and from your wedding venue.  Even though the black and white options are still available, today they are not just the stretch limousines we have grown accustomed to.  Limousines can come in any shape, size and color you can ever imagine.  Limousines now come in the structure of just about any vehicle, including a Semi!  And not only can you choose the structure of your limo, but you can choose the color.  Have you and all of your bridesmaids pull up to your wedding in a stretch pink limousine, and have your fiancé choose his and his groomsmen’s transportation as well… maybe a black Hummer limo, or even a silver Semi.  Not only do limousines have a plethora or different exterior choices, but they have many interior choices as well.  Limousines can come with anything from having televisions, Champaign/mini bar services, and it is always nice to have your own personal Chauffeur to help with your belongings and to open and close the door for you.  When choosing a limousine, be creative, have fun with this decision, and to always remember the theme of your wedding day.

Vintage Cars

                Vintage weddings have been a major trend in 2012, and continue to be in the year 2013.  Nothing says romance and elegance more than a vintage-themed wedding.  When choosing transportation for this theme, be creative and choose a vintage car.  These gorgeous cars are an attention grabber and will be a car that everyone will want to ride in.  A perfect vintage car would be from either the 1920s or the 1930s.  Or if you are leaning towards an Old Hollywood Glamour theme, then choose a car from the 1940s.  Not only will this get you to and from your wedding venue, this car would make a magnificent prop and would capture breathtaking photographs.

Exotic Cars

                If fun, excitement and uniqueness sound like the vibe you would like to set for your big day, than an exotic car could be the perfect choice for you.  These big, bold and modern vehicles may be a fantasy vehicle for you and your fiancé, but it could become a reality to be able to drive one for your special day.  From a Bentley and a Rolls Royce, to a Lamborghini and a Mercedes Benz, these choices are the definition of luxury.  Not only will this set the mood for your wedding day, but we are sure your husband to be will be very satisfied with this decision. 

5 Advice Tips When Choosing Your Transportation

1.       Make sure to research, research and research some more.  You want a trustworthy company who will provide exactly what you ask for the day and time you ask for it.  So ask your family members, co-workers and friends if they have any advice or referrals.  Go on websites, look at newspaper ads, and read reviews and wedding blogs for any tips or references to a place near you that you can check out.

2.       Meet with many companies ahead of time to compare and contrast many different elements.  When going to these companies, ask to see the vehicle you would like to use and make sure this will be the one that you will have on your big day.  It is  very important to see what you are paying for before you sign any contract.

3.       Read over the contract very carefully. When signing a contract look for many different things.  Make sure the price is reasonable and know the time frame that that price covers.  Also see if gratuity is covered in that price or not.  Know what will be included and what will not be included in your price (mini bar for instance).  And most importantly ask if there is a contingency plan just in case something happens to your vehicle the day of your wedding.  Make sure there are back-up vehicles, and ask if there is a discount or refund if this were to happen.  

4.       Have your fiancé decide his form of transportation with his groomsmen.  The vehicle could be a decision he would like to make, so include him in the process.   Men usually know a lot about vehicles and this could be exciting for him to have his dream vehicle for a day. 

5.       Once again, make sure your vehicle correlates with your wedding theme and the tone you would like to set for your wedding.  2013 is a year of themes, and matching your vehicle to your theme is a very important detail.  

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),

Olivia