When it comes to the wedding, the maid of honor and best man carry a good deal of the nuptial responsibilities. Brides and grooms generally choose their closest friend or sibling to act as the best man and maid of honor, trusting that they will help them plan the most important day of their entire life. Although their role is not as critical as the two getting married, without them the wedding would be incomplete.

It’s an honor to be chosen to act as the maid of honor or best man. Upon receiving news that you get to play such a critical role, you may even forget that this position comes with certain expectations. Least of all which is the grand wedding speech that you’ll have to present to the entire wedding party. If you have any qualms about speaking in front of a room full of people, this job may seem more difficult than fun. The bride and groom are busy worrying over so many other things – don't weigh them down with your own personal vexations. They chose you because they trust you. The main objective of your speech is to impart a meaningful and thoughtful message that the bride and groom will remember for years to come. 

A great wedding speech is just a combination of thoughtfulness and careful preparation. Plan on writing it well ahead of time so that you can have it edited by another person. Prior to sitting down and hashing out the speech, formulate a comprehensive outline. Make sure that you hit all of the key points and address every important aspect. An outline will help keep your speech succinct, and will also give it structure and direction. Keep it short but affectionate. 

Keep in mind as you devise your wedding speech that you don't want to appear over-prepared. While dry and over-rehearsed may cut it at work, its not going to fly at the wedding. If you approach the audience relying primarily on a stack of notecards, the speech will be monotonous and unforgettable. Rehearse your speech enough times so that the words and jokes roll off your tongue with ease and you don't have to refer to your notes.

First things first: introduce yourself. Begin the wedding speech by stating your name and role, as well as how long you've known the couple. Next, briefly mention your childhood history with the bride/groom by discussing some memorable stories. Talk about your first impressions of one another and the moment that you knew that you would be friends forever. Keep it as lighthearted as possible.

The whole objective of the wedding speech is to share your support and enthusiasm for the union that is taking place. If you’re friends with the bride and groom, talk about when they first met. These are things that both the bride and groom love to hear and should be touched upon. Furthermore, discuss why you believe that their marriage will last forever. Acknowledge that they complete one another, and when they’re together, they strive to be better people. These are key points that will definitely bring a tear to the bride and groom’s eyes.

If you’re still struggling for some inspiration, look to notable published authors for some direction. Check out a love quotes book from your local bookstore and insert one or two catchy sayings into the speech. This can be really effective and very heartwarming.