Writing a maid of honor speech is hard enough. Writing one for your sister? That's a whole different level of pressure. Because this isn't just a speech — it's a public declaration of everything she means to you.
The good news: you know her better than almost anyone. The hard part is fitting a lifetime of memories into 3-4 minutes.
Let's make it happen.
The Perfect Structure for a Sister Speech
- Introduce Yourself (Briefly) — Everyone knows you're the sister, but a quick intro sets the tone.
- A Childhood Memory — Something specific that captures who she was — and who she's become.
- Your Relationship — The fights, the laughter, the secrets. Sisters have a unique bond. Use it.
- When She Met Her Partner — How did you know this one was different?
- What You See in Them Together — The real, specific things. Not clichés.
- The Toast — A wish, a promise, a raised glass.
Maid of Honor Speech Example: Sister to Sister (Heartfelt)
Hi everyone. I'm Emma, and I'm the incredibly biased older sister of the bride.
Growing up, Sarah was the kind of kid who adopted every stray cat in the neighborhood, gave away her lunch to whoever forgot theirs, and once tried to organize a neighborhood talent show where she was the only performer. [pause] She sang three songs.
As sisters, we've been through everything together — the matching Halloween costumes, the fights over the bathroom, the 2 AM phone calls when one of us needed the other. And no matter what, Sarah always picked up.
When she told me about David, I knew it was serious because she called me three times in one day. She never calls me three times in one day. The third time, she said, "Emma, he makes me feel like the most interesting person in the room." And if you know Sarah — she kind of already is.
David, thank you for loving my sister the way she deserves to be loved. For making her laugh until she snorts. For being the person she calls when she doesn't call me. [pause] I'm mostly okay with that.
Sarah, you've been my best friend since before I had a choice — and I'd choose you every time. Here's to you and David. [raise glass]
Maid of Honor Speech Example: Sister to Sister (Funny)
Good evening! I'm Rachel, the maid of honor and — more importantly — the sister who taught the bride everything she knows. You're welcome, Chris.
People always ask me, "What was it like growing up with Megan?" And the honest answer is: terrifying. She's three years younger, but she's been bossing me around since she could talk. [wait for laughter]
But here's what I've learned from my little sister — when Megan decides she wants something, it's already done. That goes for her career, her apartment renovation that she definitely didn't ask Dad before starting, and apparently, Chris.
Chris, I have to be honest — when Megan first told me about you, I was skeptical. She said you were "really nice." That's never been enough for my sister. But then I met you, and I realized she meant something different — she meant you were really kind. And there's a difference.
To Megan and Chris — may you always argue about where to eat, and may Chris always let Megan win. [raise glass]
If she's your best friend rather than your sister, we have a separate guide on maid of honor speeches for your best friend — the approach is a little different. And for more general examples, see our maid of honor speech examples.
Tips for the Sister Speech
- It's okay to cry. But practice enough that you can get through it.
- Be specific. "She's always been there for me" is nice. "She drove three hours in a snowstorm to bring me soup when I had the flu" is a speech.
- Don't try to cover everything. Pick 1-2 stories. That's enough.
- Talk to her, not just about her. Switch to addressing your sister directly for the emotional part.
- Keep it to 3-4 minutes. After that, people start checking their phones.
Write Your Speech the Easy Way
Our speech builder asks you about your sister, your favorite memories, and what you admire about the couple — then generates 3 personalized versions with delivery notes like [pause] and [look at your sister].
Free preview. You only pay if it feels right.