My Fair Lady reference anyone?
We made it through the bachelorette weekend and now it's time for one of my best friend's wedding! Finally! It seems like this day would never come and now that it's (almost) here, I'm wishing for just a little more time.
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| How cute is this picture!? Their dog-child made an appearance during their engagement picture session! |
As the maid of honor (and over-anxious person in general), I have a million, trillion things to do before the rehearsal dinner on Friday:
-write toast speech
-practice walking in my heels + dress
-make sure said dress still fits
-make a slideshow presentation of baby Rebecca and baby Chad
-get my tragic excuse for nails done
-pack (on top of packing up my apartment for the BIG MOVE)
-what to wear to the rehearsal dinner (nothing WHITE)
I know this is nothing compared to what the bride-to-be has going on (believe me, I've been on call everyday this week), but y'all. I'm dreaming about what my speech will be. And having nightmares of what could go wrong. Does anyone have tips on writing a speech? They would be greatly appreciated.
Do I make it funny or serious? Long or short? I don't want everyone sobbing, but what if no one laughs if I try to make it funny? The obvious answer is a happy medium, but how? This wedding professional has never had to make a speech before and may or may not be freaking out, just a tad.
Other than that small detail, I'm so, so excited! It's time to say #peaceoutpatterson and time to #lovethelessards!
Definitely need to follow this post and your future ones about this. I'm my best friend's maid of honor for her wedding in August and the speech-writing process has me stumped! I can't convey how awesome they are and how excited I am for them in a speech!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! My roommate/best friend is the maid of honor in one of her good friends weddings, and our apartment is full of wedding items! You're going to do a great job becuase of how much you love your friend!
ReplyDeletexoxo
That picture is too freaking adorable. I love wedding or engagement pictures with animals in them. They really are apart of the family!
ReplyDeleteOh, being a maid of honor must be so excited but as you said very busy! I love that picture with the puppy paw. So cute!
ReplyDeleteMikayla | A Seersucker State of Mind.
Your experiences would be an awesome, "how to be a maid of honor and/or bridesmaid" series. There's so much that i'm sure a lot of us never would've imagined goes into this role. Hope this week goes amazing!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Alexis @ alexis-reliford.com
I've give a few wedding toast/speeches so here is what I'll say about that: If you try to be funny, people WILL laugh. Everyone is in a happy mood and you can bet they'll give you the laugh. Keep it brief. If you're nervous at all, don't set yourself up for an agonizingly long time in the spotlight. Plus, people get antsy after a couple of minutes, anyway! Don't put in too many inside jokes/experiences that others won't appreciate. Try to tell a funny and/or heartwarming story about the bride that everyone can identify with. A story that illustrates WHY the two of you are such great friends, or a story that encompasses for you who your friend is/what makes her so great, or an "embarrassing" story that actually just highlights a great, unique quality in your friend, or a story about the time you knew her husband was perfect for her---those are all winners :) And then, practice it as many times as you can so you don't need to use notes (then they won't see your hands shaking ;) if you're nervous), plus it will sound natural and not rehearsed (ironically!). You'll do great, have fun with it!
ReplyDeleteThank you thank you thank you!
DeleteI love speeches that are a mix between funny and sentimental. I also think it's best to keep them a little short but engaging. You're going to be great!
ReplyDeleteWoo you've got this! As cheesy as it may sound, I say speak from the heart! Brooke has some amazing tips that I would also echo- keept it brief, don't make it all inside jokes or references no one else will understand. I would also say keep a spare copy to give to the bride in case she would like it for a keepsake!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Meghan
Southern Belle Secrets
It is so so exciting that your bestie is getting married. None of my friends are getting married yet and I am so excited for when they do. I love weddings but know they will mean so much more when people close to me are getting married. Your speech should just be genuine I say, speak from your heart and it will be perfect <3
ReplyDeleteThat is so exciting that your best friend is getting married! Make sure to have some fun at the reception...you deserve it after being maid of honor!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! I hope you have fun, you will get it all done. Don't worry, enjoy these moments!
ReplyDeletexoxo, Danielle
www.glamrme.com
So excited for you! Don't worry about the speech, you'll do just fine :) It'll be an unforgettable and fun day/night I'm sure!
ReplyDeletex Sarah
http://www.bohochiccafe.com
Considering you lost weight for that bet, I'm wondering if your dress will fit, too! Not to make you worry. I love my friends, and I definitely want to be standing with them, but I won't hate it if I'm never a bridesmaid again. SO STRESSFUL.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think you will rock your speech.
ReplyDeleteTry not to stress too hard about it and have a great time!
xoxo, Jenny || Breakfast at Lillys
I was the MOH for my sister's wedding and I always felt like I was more stressed/nervous than she was! You'll do great <3
ReplyDeleteLauren
The Fashionista's Diary
This weekend should be so exciting for you!! My best piece of advice is to try not to over stress over one little detail, things will work out one way or another!
ReplyDeletePick Your Beau
I am getting married August 1st! Yes, I am stressed, but thank you for reminding me to check in with my maid of honor and see how she is feeling! I was there for her on her big day, and remember how stressful the role can be!
ReplyDeletexo Ashley
So I would definitely keep it short! And just be you! I think you'll do great! Best of luck. :)
ReplyDeletexo // www.thematerialgirl.co
This is so exciting! Best of luck with all the wedding planning. The only advice I've ever heard for wedding speeches is don't mention any exes something like "well we all know how many guys it took before she found this one." I don't remember where I heard it but it's stuck with me for some reason! I know your speech will be beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMichaela || The Monogrammed Midwesterner
Such an exciting time! That engagement picture is really cute! I think for your speech just be yourself. If you like to be more funny than crack a few jokes, if no one laughs don't worry about it because the bride and groom know you well enough and they will most likely laugh. If you're a more serious person then be more serious! She picked you as her maid of honor for a reason, I'm sure you could probably go up there and since Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and she would still love it. Don't stress. Focus on your breathing. You got this!
ReplyDeletexx. Brittany | Southern Soul
You are going to kill it! It's obvious from reading your blog that you are a talented writer, so I have no doubt you're going to give a sweet, memorable speech! My only advice is to avoid expletives - I was at a wedding recently and the maid of honor used the "Kindness doesn't cost a damn thing... Sprinkle that shit everywhere!" quote. It was a super laid back crowd, but the whole place just kind of fell silent and got awkward.
ReplyDeleteHave sooo much fun this weekend!
XX, SS || A Little Seersucker Sass
Being Maid of Honor is HARD! I feel ya, girl! You'll make it all work, although you may grow a few gray hairs, and have the most amazing weekend-- promise!
ReplyDeletexo,
Stephanie
Diary of a Debutante
www.thediaryofadebutante.com
I'm sure you're going to be the BEST maid of honor, Allison! Can't wait to see beautiful pictures...(:
ReplyDeleteComing Up Roses
You'll do great! You just being there for her during this life moment is all she could ask for :)
ReplyDelete