13 Poems For Your Maid Of Honor Speech

You were there during her first love and her first breakup, you did spring break all the wrong ways together and you know her hangover cures better than you know your own, you helped her move out of your first apartment when she got that “real” job and you made space in the closet six months later when she realized “real” was just so not for her — and now you’re giving the maid of honor toast at your best friend’s wedding. After all you’ve been though together, the pressure is definitely on to give the best maid of honor speech a BFF could hope for. And you’re probably wondering how on earth you’re going to be able to sum up a lifetime’s worth of feelings into a few short sentences, am I right?

Now, we all can’t be Shakespeare here, but the good news is there are tons of poems to help inspire your maid of honor speech — and I’ve gathered a bunch of them together for you. From verses to celebrate the happy couple, to poems perfect for reminding your gal’s new mate that BFFs-before-bros still stands even though she’s married, these poems will definitely get your creative maid of honor vibes flowing. Before you raise that glass of champagne, be sure to check out these 13 poems for your maid of honor speech. Your best pal will thank you.

1. To Remind Your BFF Of All Her Friendship Has Meant To You Over The Years

The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand,nor the kindly smile nor the joy of companionship;it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when[s]he discovers that someone else believes in h[er] and iswilling to trust h[er].— Ralph Waldo Emerson, Glory Of Friendship

2. For Sending Your Gal Off With Her New BFF — But Reminding Her You’ll Always Be There For Each Other

When you part from your friend, you grieve not; For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain. And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit. For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught. And let your best be for your friend.— Khalil Gibran, Friendship IXX

3. To Remind The Happy Couple That They Can Get Through Anything If They Do It Together

Now if you listen closelyI'll tell you what I knowStorm clouds are gatheringThe wind is gonna blowThe race of man is sufferingAnd I can hear the moan,'Cause nobody,But nobodyCan make it out here alone.

— Maya Angelou, Alone

4. Because You And Your Best Friend Were Each Other’s First Soul Mates

here is the deepest secret nobody knows(here is the root of the root and the bud of the budand the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which growshigher than soul can hope or mind can hide)and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars aparti carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)— e.e. cummings, [i carry your heart with me(i carry it in]

5. In Case Her New Spouse Needs More Reminding That You Were Her BFF First...

Love is like the wild rose-briar, Friendship like the holly-tree— The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms But which will bloom most constantly?— Emily Brontë, Love and Friendship

6. …And That You’ll Still Need Her, Even Though She’s All Old And Married Now…

I rely on youlike a camera needs a shutterlike a gambler needs a flutterlike a golfer needs a putterlike a buttered scone involves some butterI rely on you— Hovis Presley, I Rely on You

7. …Seriously, You’re Not Going Anywhere

wereturn to each other in waves.this is how waterloves.— Nayyirah Waheed, We

8. Because Nobody Says “In Good Times And In Bad” Quite Like Dr. Seuss

You'll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.And never mix up your right foot with your left.And will you succeed?Yes! You will, indeed!— Dr. Seuss, Oh the Places You'll Go

9. To Let Her Partner Know He Picked A Ride-Or-Die Kind Of Gal

A person who will listen and not condemnSomeone on whom you can dependThey will not flee when bad times are hereInstead they will be there to lend an earThey will think of ways to make you smileSo you can be happy for a whileWhen times are good and happy thereafter They will be there to share the laughter— Gillian Jones, A Friend

10. If You Had Major Writers Block, And A Simple “I Love You” Will Just Have To Cut It

It’s all I have to bring today—This, and my heart beside—This, and my heart, and all the fields—And all the meadows wide—Be sure you count — should I forgetSomeone the sum could tell—This, and my heart, and all the BeesWhich in the Clover dwell.— Emily Dickinson, It’s all I have to bring today

11. To Celebrate All The Lessons You’ve Shared Over The Years (And To Give Her Spouse Some Key Tips To A Happy Wife)

These are the things I learned…Share everything.Play fair.Don't hit people.Put things back where you found them.Clean up your own mess.Don't take things that aren't yours.Say sorry when you hurt somebody.Wash your hands before you eat.Flush.Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Give them to someone who feels sad.Live a balanced life.Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day.Take a nap every afternoon.Be aware of wonder.— Robert Fulgham, All I Ever Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

12. Because When Love Wins, Everyone Wins

Love? Be it man. Be it woman.It must be a wave you want to glide in on,give your body to it, give your laugh to it,give, when the gravelly sand takes you,your tears to the land. To love another is somethinglike prayer and can’t be planned, you just fallinto its arms because your belief undoes your disbelief.— Anne Sexton, Admonitions To A Special Person

13. And Finally, To Wish The Happy Couple Well

May these vows and this marriage be blessed.May it be sweet milk,this marriage, like wine and halvah.May this marriage offer fruit and shadelike the date palm.May this marriage be full of laughter,our everyday a day in paradise.May this marriage be a sign of compassion,a seal of happiness here and hereafter.May this marriage have a fair face and a good name,an omen as welcomes the moon in a clear blue sky.I am out of words to describehow spirit mingles in this marriage.— Rumi, This Marriage

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