There’s nothing quite like the bond you share with your sister. She’s been there through it all — every fashion fail, every heartbreak, and every quirky habit she’s learned to navigate. So when her big day comes around, it’s only natural that she’d want you to stand up and give a heartfelt speech to celebrate her.
But planning a funny wedding speech for your sister is no simple task. How do you strike the right balance between nostalgic memories and funny stories while still keeping your audience engaged? But don’t stress — we’ve got you! In this post, we explore how to write a funny wedding speech for your sister, including 5 top tips for nailing the delivery!
A wedding speech for a sister’s wedding is a speech made during your sister’s wedding reception. It can be a funny maid of honour speech, a brother to sister wedding speech, an entertaining sister-of-the-bride speech, or even a best man’s speech!
As the sister of the bride or groom, you’re in the special position of having known the bride or groom your entire life. This means you’ll have a ton of unique stories, memories, and humorous anecdotes to share with the guests. Although non-traditional, crafting a light-hearted wedding speech for your sister will be a happy and memorable part of the wedding reception, so it’s important you get it right.
The speech should last anywhere between 5-7 minutes and be a balance of well-meaning humour, nostalgia, and well-wishes for the health and happiness of the newlyweds.
If you’re looking to write a funny sister of the bride or maid of honour speech, or a speech for a brother’s wedding from a sister, we’ve got you covered. Check out the below structure for some inspiration and guidance.
Kick off your speech by welcoming the guests and introducing yourself to friends, family, and the newlyweds. As the sister of the bride or groom, most people will probably already know who you are, but a warm introduction sets the tone, adds to the occasion, and grabs everyone’s attention from the get-go.
It’s important to set the tone early with a wedding speech. Once you’ve made your introductions, open up with a joke, a short reading, quotes about love, or a light-hearted anecdote about your sister. Getting your jokes in early will not only warm up the audience but also make you feel more confident as you continue the rest of your speech.
You should then share some fun stories and anecdotes about your sister. These can be hilarious, heartwarming, and even a little embarrassing if you feel it’s appropriate! Just be careful not to embarrass her too much. This is a wedding, not a comedy show. Be sure to keep all stories and jokes in good humour, and if you’re not sure, it’s always best to run the story by the couple before sharing it with the audience.
Add some lighthearted teasing that makes people smile without going too far. Focus on endearing quirks, harmless habits, or funny moments you’ve shared. For example, you could give a friendly heads-up to your sister’s new partner about her messy ways, questionable cooking skills, or the extra time she needs to get ready — classic and crowd-friendly jokes that keep things fun.
Most people in the room will relate to the experience of growing up with a sister (or sibling). They’ll remember the late-night chats, midnight snacks, and the chaos of big family Christmases! Sharing these kinds of memories will spark laughter, nostalgia, and a sense of connection that brings everyone together.
Start wrapping up your speech by sharing how happy you are for the newlyweds, your wishes for their future, and how proud you are of your sister for taking this next step. Thank her new partner for all the love and support they’ve shown your sister over the years, and welcome them wholeheartedly into your family.
The final part of your speech should be a toast to the bride and groom. Wrap up by asking the guests to raise their glasses, share your final wishes for the new couple, and toast to their new shared name. Cheers!
Once you’ve written your speech, take a moment to step back and review it with fresh eyes. You should set your speech aside for at least a day, if not longer. This way, you can come back to it with a fresh perspective and a clear mind. When you revisit your speech after a little break, you’ll be better able to spot any areas that might need refining, whether it’s the flow, wording, or even the overall tone.
Practice your speech as much as you can to feel confident and ready. Try running through it in front of a mirror or recording yourself and watching it back. This will help you see what your audience will see on the big day and refine your delivery.
While sharing funny stories and happy memories during a wedding speech is important, be careful not to overdo it. Think of anecdotes and jokes as the spice in a delicious dish you’re cooking. You should flavour the speech with these tales, but not overwhelm it with any one spice. Make sense?
Try running your speech by a trusted friend or family member. They can give you helpful feedback on the spot, helping you fine-tune your delivery. Plus, practicing in front of someone gives you a feel for what it’s like to speak in front of a live audience, making you more confident when the big moment arrives.
Live feedback is invaluable — whether it’s a tip to adjust your pacing, a reminder to speak up, or a nudge to pause for laughter. Having someone you trust listen to your speech lets you smooth out any rough spots and make sure it lands just right.
Be mindful of body language as you practice and deliver your speech. Non-verbal cues can enhance your message and help connect you with your audience. So, stand up straight, make eye contact with your audience, take prompts from your cue card (but don’t keep your eyes glued to them), and make facial expressions as you speak. These small changes to your delivery can help colour your speech and make it feel more animated.
Writing a funny wedding speech for your sister can be tricky. It’s all about finding the right balance between humour, heartfelt memories, and a bit of playful teasing. But with a little guidance and plenty of love, you can create a speech that makes her big day even more special.
If you’re feeling nervous, following a simple structure like the one above can help you get started. Often, getting the first few words down is the hardest part, but once you have a framework, you can focus on filling it with childhood stories, personal memories, and a few lighthearted jokes about your sister’s quirks—like her famous messiness!
So, stand tall, take a deep breath, and smile. Your speech will be a highlight of the day, and there’s no doubt you’ll make your sister proud. And if you need a little extra help, there are plenty of resources out there to guide you in crafting the perfect wedding speech.