There’s nothing quite like the bond you share with your sister. She’s been by your side through it all — witnessing every fashion misstep, helping you through heartbreaks, and knowing exactly how to handle your quirks. So when her big day arrives, it only makes sense that she’d want you to step up and make 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 honor 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 humor, 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 honor 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.
Start 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 likely already know who you are, but a warm introduction sets the tone, adds to the occasion, and helps capture everyone’s attention right from the start.
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 humor, 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 audience will be able to relate to the experience of growing up with a sister (or sibling). They’ll remember the late-night conversations, midnight feasts, or navigating the challenges of big family Christmases! These shared memories and experiences will inspire laughter, understanding, and a sense of nostalgia that will connect everyone in the room.
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.
Rehearse your speech as much as possible to feel confident and prepared. Try practicing in front of a mirror or recording yourself and watching it back. This helps you see what your audience will see on the big day and fine-tune 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 flavor the speech with these tales, but not overwhelm it with any one spice. Make sense?
Consider testing out your speech on a trusted friend or family member. This way, they’ll be able to give you constructive criticism in the moment to help you improve your speech. Plus, practicing in front of a person will give a flavor of what it’s like to present your speech to a live audience. This will help you feel more confident and prepared when the actual time comes.
Live feedback can be incredibly valuable, whether it’s a suggestion to tweak the pacing, a reminder to project your voice, or a gentle nudge to pause for laughter. Practicing in front of someone who can provide honest, constructive criticism lets you iron out any rough edges and refine your delivery.
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 color your speech and make it feel more animated.
Writing a funny wedding speech for your sister can be a challenge. It’s all about striking the right balance between humor, heartfelt memories, and just a touch of playful teasing. But with a little guidance and plenty of love, you can create a speech that makes her special day even more unforgettable.
If you’re feeling nervous, following a simple structure like the one above can help you get started. Often, beginning is the hardest part, but once you have a framework in place, you can focus on filling it with childhood stories, personal memories, and a few lighthearted jokes about your sister’s quirks — like her legendary 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 through crafting the perfect wedding speech.