Bridesmaid Speech Guidelines

If you are the bridesmaid at a wedding, you have many responsibilities. Not only do you need to prepare the bachelorette party and be the emotional support of the bride, but you also need to give a speech at the reception. There are certain wedding bridesmaid speech guidelines that you need to follow to make your wedding toast memorable and meaningful.

The first of the bridesmaid speech guidelines is to remember that weddings can be very long. First, the party must sit through the ceremony, wait in the receiving line, and then listen to many speeches and toasts throughout the day. She must keep the speech short.

Focus on the bride. The bridesmaid speaks after her best man, who has already given his male perspective on the couple. It is her job to flatter the bride and perhaps the bride’s maids as well. The speech must be personal. Remember, she should never insult the groom in her attempt to enlighten the bride.

One of the most important bridesmaid speech guidelines applies to all speeches: be yourself. If you’re not a naturally funny person, don’t try to make the speech funny. You must be telling your experiences and feelings about the couple, so it is natural that your speech is from your perspective.

Be appropriate. I know this seems like the most obvious of the wedding bridesmaid speech guidelines, but many people forget about it. If the speech is taking place in a church, you should make sure that the topic is appropriate for the setting. Also, make sure the speech doesn’t get too personal. Check with the bride before telling her a story that would embarrass her. Avoid topics like sex, religion, and politics.

For women who are not natural public speakers, you may want to bring note cards with the key points of your toast. Also, practice your speech beforehand. She may even want to record it. However, she should never try to deliver a speech word for word. It will sound impersonal and scripted.