You’re the brother of the bride and you need to give a wedding speech. Where do you begin? What should you say? How long should the speech be?

As an expert wedding speech writer, I have all these answers and more for you.

Follow this brother of the bride speech writing guide and you’ll make your sister proud. 

Tip #1: Discuss Speech Logisitcs with Your Sister 

The bride will likely have details in mind as it relates to your speech. Before you start writing your brother of the bride speech, chat with your sister about her vision and any guidelines you should be aware of.

If your sister is an easy-going bride who encourages you to simply “write whatever you want,” you may want to prompt her to make sure you deliver a speech that she loves.

Here are a few key areas you should run past her:

• The length: Most brother of the bride speeches are between two to five minutes. Find out how many minutes your sister would like you to speak to be so that your speech doesn’t negatively impact the reception timeline. 

• The tone: A mix of funny and sweet is a nice balance to strike but your sister may have a preference for what tone you lean into. Is she expecting you to make her cry heartfelt tears? Or would she prefer to laugh at your funny wedding speech? 

• Any off-limit topics or jokes: Of course, I’d recommend you avoid topics like exes, finances, and any joke that may evoke more awkward silences than laughter. But check in with your sis. She may have a few specific topics of her own that she wants you to avoid. 

Tip #2: List Specific Memories 

As the bride’s brother, you’re in the new unique position to know all the details of her childhood. Use these stories to amplify your speech and give it that personal touch.

What stories should you tell?

Focus on telling stories that show something positive about the bride. And keep each story short and concise so that guests remain interested. Each story should be two to six sentences.

Tip #3: Rely on a Brother of the Bride Speech Outline 

Once you have your ideas gathered, it’s time to organize these points into a speech that will flow from one story to the next and will cover every aspect necessary. 

To simplify the task of writing your brother of the bride speech, use this outline as your guide.

Part 1: Introduce Yourself:

No need for fluff-filled intros. Briefly state your name and your relationship to the bride. 

Example: Good evening, everyone. I’m Cory, the bride’s older brother.

Feel free to inject humor into your introduction but still keep this section brief.

Example: Hi Everyone. I’m Tanner, the bride’s older, wiser, and not as good-looking sibling. 

Part 2: Talk About Your Sister:

Focus on telling one to three short stories that exemplify positive traits about your sister. 

Part 3: Talk About Her New Spouse:

Be sure to include her new spouse within the speech by telling one to two short stories about them. 

Part 4: Communicate Your Vision for their Future:

Connect these stories to a greater theme that ties into the hope you have for their marriage. 

Example: I can’t wait for you both to enjoy a lifetime of laughing at each other’s punny jokes, cooking more delicious dinners, and traveling the world together. I know that no matter how you spend your days though, each one will be filled with more love because you have chosen to spend them with each other.

Part 5: Close with a Toast:

Make the end of your speech impactful by closing with a short yet strong last line that everyone can clink their glasses to. 

Tip #4: Lean into Your Brotherly Role

What can you say in the wedding speech that only the brother of the bride could say? Rely on your unique perspective.

Childhood stories are a great place to start.

Also, consider what kind of brother you are and what the dynamic of your relationship is.

For example, have you always been the protective brother or the brother who is there with good advice or an even better joke?

Whatever your personality is and however your role has been with your sister over the years, lean into that for the speech. This way, the overall voice, tone, and style will reflect you and your relationship with your sister. 

Tip #5: Consult with a Speechwriter for Your Speech 

As a wedding speech writer, I work with brothers of the bide to ghostwrite their wedding toasts and speeches. 

Whether you have a rough draft, just a few notes, or haven’t even thought of what to include in your speech, get in touch to see how I can help you write a brother of the bride speech.

Brother of the Bride Speech Example 

Hello, everyone! I’m Tim, this beautiful bride’s younger brother. 

All of my friends with older siblings have always vented to me about how overbearing, ultra-protective, and intrusive their older siblings were.

They’d stare at me, ready for me to share my horror stories of how my older sister shielded me from fun disguised as older sibling care and concern.

But I never had stories like that to share. Instead, Sheila was the one often persuading me to get into trouble. 

Like the time, she woke me up at 2 a.m. when I was just 8 years old, and we quietly tip-toed down the stairs, past our parent’s bedroom, and into the kitchen to eat spoonfuls of Ben and Jerry’s straight from the container. 

Even during a rebellious outing like that, I was the one reminding her to brush her teeth before going back to bed. 

Now, when I see Sheila with Dave, it’s clear why she chose him to be her husband.

Like her, Dave is funny, thoughtful, and smart. But most of all, his spontaneity and thirst for fun make their life together memorable and of course… a teeny bit rebellious. 

I mean, who else goes on a first date for coffee but ends up dancing on stage at a music festival that they didn’t even have tickets to? But leave it to Sheila and Dave! That's when I knew she’d met her match.

As you two begin this marriage, it makes me happy because I know that not only will Dave mirror my sister’s up-to-no-good nature but that he’ll also be the one by her side to keep her best interests at heart too.

And maybe, if she’s really lucky … he’ll remind her every night before bed how much he loves her and to be sure to brush her teeth.

Here’s to your future as soul mates, husband and wife, and above all … partners in crime!

Cheers! I love you both!