Guest Post by My Sister: Speech Writing 101

This post is especially for the people in your wedding party that have to give a speech, generally the Best Man and Maid of Honor. I have yet to serve that position but the thought of not only writing a speech but also giving it, gives me anxiety. I imagine some of you are in that boat so I asked my sister to write up a little post about what she went through while trying to write the speech for my wedding. Enjoy! Below is the only picture I have of my sister giving her speech. My apologies for my face and for the fact that Kyle looks frightened.

The day my sister got engaged and asked me to be her maid of honor I immediately started thinking back on  our 25 year relationship. At this point the parties, dress fittings and registries didn’t cross my mind. No, at this point, day one, my first thought was, “what am I going to say about my only sister on the most important day of her life?” For me the speech is the daunting part of being the moh, I can throw parties and shop for shoes, dresses and flowers like a professional. However, public speaking isn’t my favorite past time.  Luckily for me this would be my second speech as a MOH so I’d had some practice. However this one was more nerve wracking for me as it was not only for my only sister but it would be in front of all of our immediate family and the closest of friends.
I definitely over think most things in my life and my speech was not an exception. I started looking at wedding and love quotes for inspiration. I continually wrote down my own thoughts on my phone for months. But it wasn’t until a month or so before the wedding that I started to put all of these thoughts into a solid speech. And this is how I came to my final draft. The first part of my speech was easy, thanks to Facebook where I had posted something about writing my speech and Alicia instructed me to “start with how awesome she is.” I knew that line had to come back in my speech. Luckily not only was this line cute but it’s true. All of you reading my sister’s blog all these months know this. I think in every good wedding speech especially as MOH, you must mention plenty of sweet things about the bride. The next part is a bit more tricky. I wanted to add a cute, somewhat humorous anecdote from our lives together. This part is hard because you don’t want to be embarrassing or insulting in anyway. Alicia’s personality is very different from my own and even Kyle’s. He and I tend to be more quiet, and laid back with Alicia usually holding the reins. This has been our relationship for as long as I can remember. My family appreciated this addition and even talked with me about memories of it’s truth after the speech. A wedding of course is about the couple so don’t forget the GROOM! Lucky for me I have the greatest brother in law, it was easy for me to welcome Kyle into my family. This was nearing the end of my speech as well so I tried to tie in what I said about Alicia and relate her awesomeness to Kyle’s. I finished my speech with a wedding quote that made me cry every time I read it.
The speeches are a very memorable and important part of your loved one’s wedding day. The most important advice I can give is keep it personal, buy not too personal. Grandma does not want to hear about your crazy Mexico trip! And give it some thought before the spot lights hit. You may not over think as much as I do but having a game plan is important. Lastly, have fun with it the Bride & Groom will appreciate your efforts!

My speech to Alicia and Kyle: Enjoy!

About a month before the wedding I really started to think about what I would say when the time came to make my speech. Alicia told me I should start with how awesome she is. So I guess I will. My sister puts herself out into a world of selfish people everyday and comes out wanting to make it a better place. She sees the world in a different way than most people, in a beautiful way. This is so much a part of her that she made it the theme for her wedding. If you knew Alicia and I growing up you would know that we are very opposite people and that we may not have always gotten along. Alicia has always been the one telling me what I should and should not do. Pretty much the boss of me since she was able to talk. I have learned to embrace this. I love her for this part of her  personality albeit sometimes I love it under protest but I know Her convictions are strong and her heart is big. She’s always there to lend a helping hand, be a support or provide a witty comment when I need a laugh. Alicia is awesome and i am lucky to call her my sister.
In life we are constantly trying to find happiness, trying to find those that make us better people, people that complete us and make our lives worth living. Alicia and Kyle do this for each other. They complement each other and anyone can see they make each other happy. Kyle is the same type of loving person that Alicia is. His love for people, just like Alicia’s is outstanding. And like myself Kyle has come to embrace my sister’s strength, he takes it calmly, he silently smiles, and protests less than I do. He completes her. He’s her perfect partner. I am lucky to call him my brother in law.  I am looking forward to sharing in their happiness tonight and forever.  And cant wait to see what else they accomplish together.

I dreamed of a wedding of elaborate elegance,
A church filled with family and friends.
I asked him what kind of a wedding he wished for,
He said one that would make me his wife.
-Author unknown

Let’s raise a glass to Alicia and Kyle! To a lifetime of love & happiness!