5 Tips to Write the Perfect Wedding Speech

A wedding speech can be a complete tune-out moment, or it can be one of the guests' favorite three minutes.

I know, you thought I was done giving bridesmaid tips, and you're right, I am... but I needed to share this one story first.

Last weekend I was the maid of honor in my best friend Stevie's wedding and that means it was my job to write a speech for the reception. This wasn't the first time I had to do this, but I think it was the best time.

I use the word "perfect" loosely. I am very sure my speech was not perfect, but I did keep in mind five things that I think everyone should keep in mind while writing a wedding speech.

1. Keep it streamlined. Sure, you have hundreds of stories about and inside jokes with your best friend, that's why you're up there standing next to them and holding the microphone, but try to focus on one thing and keep that theme throughout the speech. The audience won't be able to follow if you're skipping around.
2. Practice at least twice. Some people might tell you to practice a million times, until you're almost memorized, but I think when you do that you lose something. Unless you are severely afraid of speaking in front of people, only practice a few times so when you're giving the speech if you feel like throwing an ad-lib in here or there, it's natural. Then go back to your notes.
3. Know your audience. Obviously you won't know everyone in your audience, but you should know the bride and groom pretty well. Will they laugh at your jokes or would they rather you told a story that hits their emotions. Worst case scenario, actually ask them what they'd prefer.
4. Stick to your actual personality. However, regardless of what you think they want, don't reach too hard outside of your personality. This is a biggie for me. Most maid of honor speeches I hear are gushy, I am not gushy. I can't even pretend to be, especially when I'm talking, so I have to lean toward comedy. Luckily my best friends know and appreciate that.
5. Be loud enough. This could not be more important. If you're great, if you're terrible, if you're boring, if you're hilarious. NO ONE WILL KNOW IF THEY CAN'T HEAR YOU. If you're really having an audio problem, talk to the DJ beforehand or even stop and ask for help with the mic in the middle. Seriously, if no one can hear you, everyone will start talking and then even the bride and groom will be asking, "wait, what did she just say?"