Speech at sister's wedding - help!

Jo_R_2

My sister is getting married soon and has asked me to do a short speech as chief bridesmaid. I was quite surprised and very touched to be asked; however two things... First I'm not sure what to say and second I am a bag of nerves when speaking publicly!

The first I am hoping people can give me tips. I'm not thinking of anything too long, or too deep and meaningful - I want to keep it quite uplifting and maybe a little funny. I'm not sure what angle to come from as her sister... I'm thinking sort of best-man-esque but a bit gentler IYSWIM?:D

The second I think I'll have to work out for myself, I'm working on the premise that when I'm listening to people's speeches at weddings and you can tell they're nervous that I'm not laughing at them or thinking they sound silly (what I worry about) but think it's nice they've made the effort.

maggie111

If you are nervous it's best to avoid any "opening gags" that the best men try and do.. It inevitably doesn't come out right and people don't laugh.

Other than that really the best thing to do is to sit down and start writing stuff, no doubt it will all change but just put pen to paper, start writing and eventually things you want to say will flow out. Quite often the most difficult thing to figure out is what you should first say - and this is the stumbling block that stops you thinking of anything to say at all! Just ignoring that first bit and writing and the writers block will fall away.

Ladies and gentleman, the bride has asked me to give a speech today and I'm so honoured to be a part of these beautiful celebrations. The bride wanted me to thank you all for coming, and no doubt she wanted yet another person to publicly announce how beautiful she looks!

Back when we were six years old *cue funny anecdote*

She first introduced me to the groom when * *

I'm so delighted that I have such a fantastic new brother in law.. blah blah

Be sentimental about how much you love her/them.

Nice quote/poem about love

Congratulations to the bride and groom!



If you're REALLY nervous - avoid all anecdotes and just give a simple, heartfelt speech about how happy you are for them both, how wonderful she is as a sister and say congrats

If you're too nervous to do that explain that you've been asked to do a speech, but that no one could write better about true love than Shakespeare, so you're reading sonnet whatever.

Here are some Maid of Honour examples of the net to get you started

http://www.presentationhelper.co.uk/maid-of-honor-speech.htm
http://www.hitched.co.uk/speeches/samples/samplespeech.aspx?Type=2&ID=35&selection=Best
http://www.hitched.co.uk/speeches/samples/samplespeech.aspx?Type=2&ID=511&selection=Best

Jo_R_2

Thanks! I shall check out those links shortly. I so want to do a good job with it!

Leylauk

Try to speak as though you are you,if you see what i mean... It will sound a lot more natural and interesting to listen to if you are speaking as you normally would.

Try searching google for other chief bridesmaid speeches, there are loads out there!

Good luck!

kirstyme

hiya

I did a speech at my sisters wedding a few years ago and was chief bridesmade too.

Heres a copy of mines below, hope it helps. I kinda just went a long the lines of best man speech but not as long etc as youll see!

Good luck! Kirsty

Before I start I would like to say that Claire you look absolutely stunning, Graeme, well you just look stunned.

For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Kirsty, the very proud big sister of our glamorous Bride

When Claire first asked me to be her bridesmaid I felt delighted but as the big day approached I was informed that I would be doing a speech and a toast.Being the shy and retiring type I was trying to think of ways of getting out of it, but have any of you tried saying no to Claire!

I just want to tell Claire it is an absolute honour for me to be your best maid today. You are a great sister, a great daughter and a great friend, a great mother and Im sure youll be a great wife too!

I’ve never seen you happier than you have been these last few years with Graeme. I hope the best for you now and always.
May you guys share everything in life together equally, including the housework!

I've decided not to tell any embarrassing stories because it would also be embarrassing to me... and our parents probably don't know about most of them.
Claire hasnt always been the shy angelic person she likes yous all to believe she is, after all,
what kinda shy quiet girl meets her husband to be at the race track! We all know Graeme has always loved cars, but who wouldve thought that the love of cars would bring them each other!

When Claire asked Jenni, Claire & myself to be her bridesmaids we decided to take the duty seriously & so I looked up what the role entailed. Apparently our
duties were - 1 to keep her clam, not to let her fluster, 3 make sure she looks perfect throughout the day & last but most important – keep her sober.
So Jeni, Claire & I would just like to thank you Claire for calming us down earlier & stopping us from downing those double vodkas!!

Joking apart we would like to thank you for letting us be apart of your special day as we were both honoured & proud to stand by your side.

Some advise from us girls to Graeme:
Whenever you’re wrong, admit it, whenever you right, shut up.
The best way to remember an anniversary is to forget it just once.
Set the ground rules first and then do everything Claire says.
Never be afraid that Claire will leave you, she has spent years training you and she won’t give you up that easy.
And
Woman do really need a pair of shoes for every outfit.

So on that note before I get into any trouble,
I now invite you all to stand and raise your glasses in a toast.
To my Sister and Brother-in-Law, may this be the beginning of a wonderful life.
To love, laughter and happily ever after!

cyclingyorkie

I hope you have a great time!

I can't help feeling slightly envious - my sister gets married for the second time this month - and this is the second time I haven't been asked to be a bridesmaid.........in fact I've never been a bridesmaid!

I have 2 teenage daughters who have promised me that they will ask each other to be bridesmaid when they get married.....

KK22_2

I would maybe steer clear of the best man type jokes, you don't want to end up using one of his jokes before he gets a chance to... poor guy would be nervous enough without that worry haha