Tips For An Amazing Maid Of Honor Wedding Speech

You have been chosen as maid of honor for your close friend's wedding, and even though the event is still weeks away, you are already fretting about what you are going to say in your maid of honor wedding speech. The maid of honor wedding speech is one of the most important duties of the maid of honor. The words spoken to the bride and groom, and their wedding guests, should convey the importance of the day and connect the guests with the couple on a more meaningful level. Even though the maid of honor wedding speech seems a little overwhelming, with a bit of early preparation and creativity, your speech can easily become one of the highlights of the bride and groom's special day.

Having the crowd hang on your every word is as easy as following a few simple tips.

1. Don't forget the basics! It's easy to forget the basic information when you start your speech, but do remember to introduce yourself and tell how long you have known the couple, as well as what your connection to the bride is. Many of the wedding guests may not know you, so this information is important.
2. Remember to thank the bride and groom for allowing you to be a part of their special day. The bride and groom could have chosen anyone, but instead, they chose you to play such a pivotal role in their day. By acknowledging this in your speech, it shows the couple, and the wedding guests that you appreciate them placing you in such a special role. It also shows you are honored by their trust in you, that they could depend on you to carry out the necessary duties in being maid of honor.
3. Use your history with the bride as a foundation for your speech. Whether you have known the bride since childhood, or only for a few months, sharing a special memory between the two of you shows the significance of your bond. It also highlights the positive aspects of the bride's personality that may have been a factor in drawing the bride and groom together. Remember, however, not to embarrass the bride with overly personal stories.
4. Infuse a bit of humor. While adding a joke or a one liner to the speech can break the ice and loosen up the crowd a bit, use caution as to not go too far. The last thing you want to do is offend the bride or groom, or any of the wedding guests. Keep the joke simple, for example, "I'm told that the best speech givers follow three simple rules: Stand up, speak up, and then very quickly, shut up. I'll try to stick to that advice." By keeping the joke clean and simple, you avoid the risk of losing your audience.
5. Don't be afraid to use a quote. There are thousands of wedding appropriate quotes out there. The most important thing to remember is to choose a quote that is appropriate for the couple. If you want to play it safe, a sentimental quote that speaks about everlasting love is always a good choice.
6. Get creative! If you don't want to go the typical route, consider doing something a bit different to honor the couple. Maybe a song or dance or even a slideshow could add a new dimension to the usual maid of honor wedding speech. If you opt to add a creative touch, remember to choose something that is in line with the couple's taste. A poem is also a nice touch to a maid of honor wedding speech.
7. Always end on a positive note. Wind your speech up with positive words for the couple. Wish them a long and happy life together and remember to offer your support.

Prepare your speech well in advance of the day and practice it over and over again to avoid stammers and jitters. Don't be afraid to take a few note cards to help you stay on track in the event you lose your place. Above all, have fun and remember you are honoring the couple on their special day. After all, your speech is a very important extension of their wedding ceremony.

A New Trend in Bachelor Parties

Bachelor parties are about guys getting together, sharing old stories, and maybe creating some new ones. They are a chance for the best man to send the groom off in style, in appreciation for years of friendship. Traditionally, this has involved drinking one's fair share of alcohol, heading off to a gentleman's club, and waking up the next morning in a strange place with a new tattoo. Recently, a new trend has emerged. Guys are now spending weekends immersed in outdoor adventures: leaping out of airplanes, roping cattle, reeling in trophy fish, and riding wild whitewater.

Picture it: 10 buddies sitting in a rubber raft, getting tossed back and forth, and paddling like crazy through a menacing drop-off the guides call, "The Meat Grinder." Besides whitewater rafting, parties can perform airborne ballets after leaping from planes at 10,000 feet, reel in fish ranging from 30 lb king salmon to 300 lb sharks, or drive hundreds of cattle alongside real-life cowboys. As an added bonus, guys return from the adventure, with pictures, mementoes, and memories that will always remain special.

Although these adventures bring a fresh, new idea to the bachelor party concept, groups are given many opportunities to do some old-school partying. Typically, the extreme adventure locations are located off the beaten path, requiring a couple-days excursion. Everyone usually congregates in a major city near the adventure site and spends the first night enjoying the urban nightlife. Day Two kicks off with an early morning rise, followed by a trip out into the wild for the adventure activity.

Some detailed examples of adventure-based bachelor parties paint a clear picture of exactly how extreme adventure combines with traditional fun to produce an unforgettable experience.

Whitewater Rafting
Whitewater rafting is an adventure that can take place in multiple locations across the country. As long as there is a flowing river, someone will put a boat in it. The trick is finding the rivers that will take you to the edge, without throwing you over it. Under the guidance of an adventure expert, guys paddle, dodge, and hold on through class IV and V rapids, all while taking in spectacular views of the scenic beauty and wildlife. To compliment the adventure, the group spends the first night at an upscale hotel in a bustling downtown area and the second night in more rustic accommodations surrounded by nature. This combination creates a solid mix of fun and adventure.

Cattle Wrangling
Imagine living out the movie, City Slickers. Saddle-up the crew, ride the open range like old-time cowboys, and drive longhorn cattle through rugged mountain terrain. In the morning, work alongside real cowboys to move the thundering herd to greener pastures. Enjoy the sights and sounds of rolling rivers, towering mountain ranges, and native wildlife while attempting to control the wild herd. After the drive, see if anyone lasts eight seconds on the mechanical bull before taking aim at the skeet shooting range. Recount the day's highlights during a Texas-style-barbecue dinner including steaks, potatoes, and plenty of beer. Before you dive headfirst into the cowboy lifestyle, enjoy a night with upscale hotel accommodations, fine dining, and outstanding nightlife characteristic of the adjacent downtown area.

Charter Fishing
In groups of four to six people, the guys board separate charter boats and compete in a private fishing tournament. Someone not only has the satisfaction of wrestling a trophy fish into the boat, but also the sweet taste of victory in catching the winning fish to beat the rest of the bunch in the tournament. While everybody breathes in the fresh air and takes in picturesque views, the expert captains and crew guide the team to the hot spots and teach the boys how to reel in the big one. After a full day of fishing, camaraderie, and competition, a chef "cooks the catch" at a restaurant overlooking the water. Since most fishing trips are located in beach side towns, nights will be spent at Buffet-like bars sipping Margaritas, watching the fade over the horizon.

Skydiving
What's better than jumping out of a plane, free-falling for over a minute at 120 mph, and seeing for miles in every direction? Doing it all with some of your closest friends. After some basic training, everyone flies to 13,000+ feet and prepares for the jump. Hearts pound, men begin to fade to the back of the line, and adrenaline pumps as everybody peels out of the plane into the open sky. Once everyone has returned safely to Earth, the party begins. The boys enjoy beers in the hanger, a bonfire on the grounds, a delicious catered dinner, and a viewing of the days skydive video. To enhance this exceptional skydiving experience, upscale accommodations, fine dining, and locally distinct nightlife in a lively downtown setting complete the package.

Regardless of the adventure theme you choose, it will be important to make the outing an "experience" rather than just a trip. Answer these questions when planning your weekend to remember:

1. What adventure activity is the group interested in?
2. What areas of the country offer this type of activity during the group's seasonal timeframe?
3. Is there a major city near the event where people can fly to at a reasonable price?
4. What hotels offer high-class accommodations and fit the group's price range?
5. Is there a restaurant with a private banquet facility near the hotel, where champagne toasts and words of encouragement can be uttered without upsetting the other patrons?
6. What are the best bars?
7. How will the group get from the hotel to the adventure outfitter?
8. If the adventure is outside of the city, where will the group stay the second night?

These are just some of the questions that will come up as the event planning takes shape. The most important part of the trip is making sure the groom has a great time. So, if you are the best man, make sure to have his best interests in mind at all times. If all goes as planned, you will have successfully orchestrated a weekend filled with memories to last a lifetime and maybe even overcome some fears along the way.