Here at Wedding Pioneer, we love throwing the rule book out of the window for certain aspects of wedding planning. And the speeches are certainly one of them!
If you would love your sister to make a speech at your wedding – do it. It may not be traditional, but who cares? No one knows you quite like your sister! She can give a personal speech from the point of view of someone who has known you your entire life! A speech from the sister of the bride is extra special because of this intimate knowledge and lifetime of memories to choose from.
Plus, your sister is also gaining a new sibling – so there is an extra sentimental angle to play there.
Sister of the bride speeches can also be particularly light-hearted as well as heartfelt, after all, no one can tease you like a sibling!
Here we discuss everything you need to know about the sister of the bride speech.
Firstly, Is She the Right Person for the Job?
Before you decide on whether to have a sister of the bride speech, just have a quick think about whether she is the right person for the job.
Does she want to deliver a speech? Will she be comfortable making one? Whilst it’s a huge honor to be asked to write and deliver a speech, it can be a daunting task. Public speaking is not for everyone.
If the idea of standing up and talking in front of a large group is fine for your sister then great, but if the idea of it makes her uncomfortable then perhaps you should reconsider. You don’t want her to be a bag of nerves and not enjoy the wedding day – this goes for all your speakers!
What Should a Sister of the Bride Speech Include?
Here we break down the structure of a good sister of the bride speech. We hope this helps you to start thinking about your content…
Introduce Yourself
Firstly, don’t forget to introduce yourself. Most wedding guests will know who you are but it’s always worth introducing yourself as the sister of the bride at the start. Talk about whether you are older or younger than the bride, and mention any other siblings you may have.
Speak a little bit about the relationship you and your sister share; try to capture your friendship in a few short sentences.
Always try and have a light and funny line in the introduction so people know it’s not going to be a 100% serious speech.
Talk about the Couple
Next, you should of course congratulate the couple on behalf of the whole family.
Here you can talk about your first thoughts after meeting her groom, what you liked about him, and any funny anecdotes from when he was introduced to your family.
Talk about why they make a great couple, what works for them and how their relationship makes you feel. For example, you are so delighted to see your sister so happy with this person.
Share Memories
Think of some specific memories from childhood and growing up together that demonstrate how great your sister is, or that showcase your unique bond. You can certainly bring up a few fond memories that are cheeky and silly, as it’s always good to get a few laughs.
If in doubt about which memories to choose (you have a whole lifetime’s worth after all) try writing a few down and when you read them aloud you’ll soon know which ones work best for this format.
Make sure your trip down memory lane also includes the groom, so he is included in some of these shared moments.
Conclude with Sentimentality
End your heartfelt speech with a few lines on the new life your sister is about to begin as a wife.
Also, let’s not forget her partner, make sure you give him some attention too by saying how you are so happy to officially welcome your new sibling into the family.
Tell them you wish them both well on their new married adventure. Let them know how much you love them and will always be there for them, and that you want them to have a happy life.
I did hear this great closing line in a sister of the bride speech – “I can’t wait to be an auntie to your future children” – how beautiful is that? Feel free to use it – I won’t tell anyone.
Ending the speech with a toast to the happy couple also always works well.
Some Speech Inspiration:
Cute Lines
If the pen is just not flowing, then here are some cute examples of lines that you can adapt for your speech.
“When one of us was sad, the other would be there to offer comfort. When one of us was celebrating, the other would always be there to share in that joy like it was her own”
“My sister has always been my role model, my guide, and my confidant.”
“There is no one I trust more than my sister. She tells it like it is so I can always trust her to tell me if what I am about to do is a good idea or not”
Beautiful Quotes
It might also be a nice idea to include a short quote about what family means within your speech. The right quote can not only help you find inspiration, but it can bring a happy tear or two to the eye.
If you are going to use a quote, I would suggest sharing it just before you move on to any childhood memories.
Here are some quotes about sisterhood to inspire you…
“Sisters make the best friends in the world.” – Marilyn Monroe
“Having a sister is like having a best friend you can’t get rid of. You know whatever you do, they’ll still be there.” – Amy Li
“I could never love anyone as I love my sisters.” – Little Women
“You may be as different as the sun and the moon, but the same blood flows through both your hearts. You need her, as she needs you.” – George R.R. Martin
“I do not see as well without her. I do not hear as well without her. I do not feel as well without her. I would be better off without a hand or a leg than without my sister.” – Erin Morgenstern
Can the Sister of the Bride Speech Be Funny?
Hell yeah! A sister’s speech can be funny – she will surely have some good stories to pull out of the archives to entertain – let’s just hope they are not too embarrassing!
For more tips on how to write a funny speech check out our article here.
How Long Should My Wedding Speech Be?
Wedding speeches are best when they are kept fairly short. I would say try to keep it between five and seven minutes. You don’t want any guests getting bored and you don’t want to drag it out.
Make sure you have just enough sentimentality, jokes, and happy memories to keep the guests entertained.
What if We Have Other Siblings?
Don’t worry! If you have other siblings that are not doing a speech, just make sure they know in advance. You don’t want anyone to be offended, so give everyone plenty of notice of which sibling is going to be delivering the speech. Hopefully, they will support this decision.
If you are equally close to more than one sibling, you could ask them to do a joint speech, where they both share memories and anecdotes.
In What Order Should the Speeches Happen?
Well, it is really up to you but tradition dictates they should go in a certain order, always starting with the father of the bride and ending with the best man.
Here we have included a good place the sister of the bride speech would slot in, alongside the other possible speeches…
1) Father of the bride speech
2) Groom speech
3) Bride speech (if she is doing one)
4) Sister of the bride speech (or bridesmaid/maid of honor speech could go here)
Some Speech Tips
Do Not Wing It!
You may be very comfortable talking about your sister and have loads of memories in mind, but please write it down first! You want to have the right balance of light and emotional, and don’t want to forget anything.
Don’t rely solely on your memory! If I am unprepared, I always find that I forget to say something very important!
Practice, Practice, Practice
All eyes will be on you for this moment so it is worth practicing your speech in advance. You want to be comfortable with it and make sure it all flows together well.
Try Not to Drink Too Much
I know it’s tempting, but you want to have your head together and also remember it all clearly!
Take Deep Breaths
Make sure to breathe before your name is called, and maybe sip some water. Even the most confident speakers get nervous, so just try to be as calm as possible in the moments leading up to the speech.
Lastly, enjoy it!
It is an honor to be asked, so make sure you take your time with it and enjoy the lovely words you have written. Pause for laughter in the right places, and end with a toast to a happy marriage!
