What a sincere compliment to be asked to fill the role of maid/matron of honor. In essence, it is an expression of a bride's gratitude for your friendship and loyalty over the years. What a joy to experience all the glory that comes along with such an esteemed place next to the bride's side. Oh yea, and one other reward...you get to give a speech.

For those that are comfortable in front of crowds this is a cinch but, if you are perhaps the shy type and tend to have a little stage freight then this may pose a real challenge. Injecting quotes and saying, always giving credit to the creator of course, is a great way to add class to a maid/matron of honor speech and toast. Additionally, quotes can provide great inspiration for writing the rest of the speech. Remember the speech doesn't have to be lengthy so if your nerves tend to get the best of you, keep it simple and concise and write it down. It's better to read from note cards with comfort and confidence then to stammer around. Besides, in writing it down you can give it to the bride afterward to put in her wedding scrapbook as a great memory of the wedding day.

Here are some quotes and saying you can add throughout your speech to ensure it will be a real hit.

• Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. Anais Nin

• A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words. Author Unknown

• A Friend is someone who knows all about you and loves you anyway. Author Unknown

• Friends are God's way of taking care of us. Author Unknown

• My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me. Henry Ford

• In a friend you find a second self. Isabelle Norton

• Never shall I forget the days I spent with you. Continue to be my friend, as you will always find me yours. Ludwig van Beethoven

• Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things. Author Unknown

• A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they're not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they're not so bad. Arnold H. Glasgow

• A good friend is a connection to life - a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world. Lois Wyse

• Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You, too? Thought I was the only one. C.S. Lewis

• May there always be work for your hands to do, may your purse always hold a coin or two. May the sun always shine on your windowpane, may a rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the hand of a friend always be near you, may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you. Irish Blessing

• You don't marry someone you can live with - you marry the person who you cannot live without. Author unknown

• Soul-mates are people who bring out the best in you. They are not perfect but are always perfect for you. Author Unknown

You might also consider reading a poem as part of your speech. Just remember to keep it tasteful, thoughtful, respectful, and heart-felt. Keeping these things in mind will ensure you give a speech that the bride, groom, and everyone in attendance will cherish and remember.

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