Being chosen as maid of honor is one of life’s greatest privileges – and yes that includes delivering the speech. We know that moment when you realize you’ll need to stand up in front of everyone and share heartfelt words about your best friend can feel both exciting and terrifying.
The good news? We’ve helped countless maids of honor transform their jumbled thoughts and cherished memories into unforgettable speeches that leave everyone laughing crying and celebrating. Whether you’re naturally comfortable with public speaking or you’d rather hide behind the wedding cake we’ll guide you through every step of creating a speech that’s authentically you.
From opening lines that grab attention to closing words that bring down the house we’ll show you exactly how to create a maid of honor speech that honors your friendship while keeping guests engaged. Let’s turn those pre-wedding jitters into confidence so you can deliver words that’ll be remembered long after the last dance.
Understanding Your Role as Maid of Honor
Understanding the maid of honor position means recognizing you serve as the bride’s primary support system throughout the wedding planning process and ceremony. You act as the main point person for coordinating bridal party activities, managing pre-wedding events, and ensuring the bride’s needs are met on her special day.
Your responsibilities extend far beyond delivering a speech and cover multiple areas of wedding coordination. Pre-wedding duties include organizing the bridal shower, planning the bachelorette party, and assisting with dress shopping appointments. During the ceremony, you hold the bride’s bouquet, arrange her train, and serve as a witness to the marriage.
The speech component represents one of your most visible public duties as maid of honor. This moment allows you to share your unique perspective on the bride’s journey and celebrate her relationship with the groom. Your words carry special weight because of your close relationship with the bride and your insider knowledge of her character.
Your role differs from other bridal party members in terms of leadership and responsibility level. Bridesmaids look to you for guidance on gift coordination, timeline management, and event participation. You communicate between the bride and other wedding party members to ensure everyone stays informed about important details.
Emotional support forms the foundation of your maid of honor duties throughout the entire wedding process. Brides often experience stress, overwhelm, or decision fatigue during planning phases. Your presence provides stability and reassurance during these challenging moments.
Your speech preparation connects directly to your overall role as the person who knows the bride best among the wedding party. This intimate knowledge gives you access to meaningful stories, personal growth moments, and relationship insights that create compelling speech content. Your words should reflect the depth of your friendship and your genuine excitement for her future happiness.
Getting Started: Planning Your Speech

Planning a maid of honor speech requires dedicated preparation time and thoughtful consideration. We recommend allocating 1-2 hours in a quiet environment to develop your speech properly.
Setting Aside Time to Write
Allocate 1-2 hours in a quiet environment to brainstorm and organize your thoughts effectively. Choose a time when distractions are minimal and your energy levels are high. Morning hours often work best for creative writing tasks since your mind remains fresh and focused.
Block this time in your calendar just as you would any important appointment. Turn off notifications on your phone and computer to maintain concentration. Find a comfortable space where you can spread out notes, photos, or other memory triggers that might inspire your speech content.
Gathering Your Thoughts and Memories
Reflect on your relationship with the bride and important experiences you’ve shared together. Think about moments that demonstrate your bond and showcase her character traits that make her special.
Consider these memory categories:
- Childhood or early friendship moments that reveal her personality
- Challenges she overcame that demonstrate her strength
- Funny situations you experienced together (appropriate for all audiences)
- Times she supported you during difficult periods
- Her relationship growth with her partner that you witnessed
Document these memories in a notebook or digital file. Include exact details like dates, locations, or exact quotes when possible. These concrete elements make your speech more vivid and captivating for guests.
Determining the Right Tone and Style
Balance sincerity, humor, and warmth to create the most effective maid of honor speech. Consider your audience carefully since guests expect a heartfelt message that celebrates the couple’s love while remaining appropriate for all attendees.
Keep the tone light and positive throughout your speech. Avoid inside jokes that might isolate listeners who don’t share your history with the bride. Focus on universal themes like friendship, love, and personal growth that resonate with everyone present.
Match your speaking style to the wedding’s overall atmosphere. Formal venues call for more polished language while casual celebrations allow for relaxed, conversational delivery. Test different approaches during practice sessions to find what feels most natural for your personality and speaking style.
Essential Elements Every Maid of Honor Speech Should Include

Five essential components form the foundation of every memorable maid of honor speech. Understanding these elements helps you create a speech that resonates with both the couple and wedding guests.
Opening With a Strong Introduction
Introduce yourself clearly by stating your name and explaining your relationship with the bride within the first 30 seconds. This connection establishes credibility and helps guests understand your perspective throughout the speech.
Capture attention immediately with a meaningful statement about the bride or a brief anecdote that sets the tone. Examples include “I’ve known Sarah for 15 years, and she’s taught me what true friendship means” or “When people ask me to describe Emma, three words come to mind: loyal, adventurous, and hilariously stubborn.”
Acknowledge the audience briefly to create an inclusive atmosphere. Phrases like “Thank you all for being here to celebrate this beautiful couple” help guests feel connected to your message.
Sharing Personal Stories About the Bride
Focus on 2-3 exact memories that showcase the bride’s character rather than listing general qualities. These stories should highlight her kindness, strength, humor, or other defining traits through concrete examples.
Choose anecdotes that translate well to all audience members, avoiding inside jokes that exclude wedding guests. Stories about how she supported you during difficult times, her reaction to meeting her future spouse, or moments that demonstrate her values work particularly well.
Balance emotional depth with appropriate humor to keep guests engaged. A story about her terrible cooking that led to ordering pizza every Friday night can transition into how she always prioritized spending time together over perfect presentations.
Acknowledging the Groom and Their Relationship
Share your first impression of the groom and how that initial meeting revealed his character. Describe exact moments when you realized he was right for your friend, such as how he handled stress during wedding planning or supported her goals.
Highlight what makes their relationship special by referencing observable changes in the bride since they met. Examples might include her increased confidence, new interests they explore together, or how they complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Include a brief story about the couple together that demonstrates their compatibility. This could involve watching them navigate a challenge, witnessing their teamwork during a group activity, or observing their natural chemistry in everyday situations.
Expressing Your Wishes for Their Future
Offer exact hopes for their marriage rather than generic well wishes. Reference their shared dreams, goals, and values to make your sentiments personal and meaningful.
Connect your wishes to qualities you’ve observed in both individuals and their relationship. For example, “May your sense of adventure continue to lead you to new experiences together” or “May you always find reasons to laugh together like you do now.”
Express confidence in their future success based on evidence from their courtship. Mention how they’ve already overcome challenges or supported each other through important life events.
Closing With a Heartfelt Toast
Summarize your main message in one powerful sentence that encapsulates your feelings about the couple and their union. This sentence should tie together the themes from your entire speech.
Invite all guests to participate in the toast by clearly stating the action you want them to take. Use phrases like “Please join me in raising your glass” or “Everyone, please stand and raise your glasses.”
Element | Recommended Duration | Key Focus |
---|---|---|
Introduction | 30-45 seconds | Name and relationship |
Personal stories | 2-3 minutes | Character demonstration |
Groom acknowledgment | 1-2 minutes | Relationship celebration |
Future wishes | 30-60 seconds | Exact hopes |
Toast closing | 15-30 seconds | Memorable statement |
How to Structure Your Maid of Honor Speech

Building upon our foundation of essential components, we can now organize these elements into a proven framework that transforms scattered thoughts into a cohesive narrative.
The Classic Three-Part Structure
Introduction forms the foundation by establishing our connection to the bride and capturing audience attention. We begin by introducing ourselves and explaining our relationship with the bride, which helps guests understand our perspective and connection to the couple. This opening section spans approximately 1 minute and sets the tone for everything that follows.
Body contains the heart of our speech through personal anecdotes about the bride and the couple. We share exact memories that highlight their relationship and how it has grown over time. During this 3-4 minute section, we discuss the qualities that make the couple special and how they complement each other. Personal stories reveal character traits, demonstrate growth, and showcase the unique bond between bride and groom.
Conclusion delivers our final impact through heartfelt compliments to both the bride and groom. We emphasize their individual strengths and the joy they bring to each other during this closing segment. Our speech ends with a toast and well wishes for their future together, creating a memorable moment that invites all guests to participate.
Creating Smooth Transitions Between Sections
Transitional phrases connect sections smoothly and ensure the speech flows naturally from one part to the next. We use bridges like “As I reflect on their journey together” to transition from a personal anecdote to discussing their relationship dynamics.
Common themes link different stories and observations throughout our speech. We identify recurring elements in our memories with the bride, then weave these threads through multiple sections to create narrative continuity.
Emotional progression guides listeners through a journey that builds momentum toward our conclusion. We start with lighter memories, progress through meaningful moments, and culminate with our deepest sentiments about the couple’s future.
Maintaining Appropriate Length and Pacing
Optimal duration ranges between 4 and 6 minutes, ideally containing 700 to 1,000 words total. This timeframe allows us to share meaningful content without losing audience attention or disrupting reception flow.
Section timing follows exact allocations to maintain balance throughout our speech:
Section | Duration | Word Count |
---|---|---|
Introduction | 1 minute | 140-170 words |
Body | 3-4 minutes | 420-680 words |
Conclusion | 1-2 minutes | 140-340 words |
Practice sessions ensure we deliver our speech at the proper pace and maintain engagement throughout. We rehearse multiple times to identify sections that feel rushed or drag, then adjust our content and delivery speed accordingly. Reading our speech aloud reveals natural pause points and helps us develop comfortable rhythm for the actual presentation.
Writing Tips for a Memorable Speech

Creating compelling content requires exact storytelling techniques that transform ordinary speeches into unforgettable moments. These proven strategies help deliver speeches that resonate with every guest while honoring the bride and groom.
Using Exact Details and Anecdotes
Personal stories reveal the bride’s authentic character and create emotional connections with your audience. Focus on 2-3 memorable experiences that showcase her kindness, strength, or unique personality traits. Include exact details like locations, dates, or exact conversations to make these moments vivid for guests.
Examples of compelling personal stories include:
- Times when the bride supported you through difficult situations
- Moments that revealed her caring nature toward others
- Adventures or experiences that highlight her adventurous spirit
- Instances where she demonstrated her core values
Discussing the couple’s relationship adds depth to your speech by showing how they complement each other perfectly. Share observations about their compatibility and memorable moments you’ve witnessed together. Describe exact instances where you saw their love grow stronger or watched them support each other through challenges.
Balancing Humor and Sentiment
Light-hearted jokes and funny anecdotes engage the audience while maintaining the speech’s heartfelt nature. Incorporate humor that celebrates the bride’s quirks or amusing situations you’ve experienced together. Choose stories that make people smile rather than laugh loudly to preserve the ceremony’s respectful atmosphere.
Sincere emotions form the foundation of impactful speeches that guests remember years later. Express genuine feelings about your friendship with the bride and your hopes for her future happiness. Balance amusing stories with touching moments that showcase the depth of your relationship and the significance of this celebration.
Avoiding Embarrassing or Inappropriate Stories
Inside jokes require explanation and might offend some guests who lack context for understanding their meaning. Skip references that only close friends comprehend since wedding audiences include family members, colleagues, and acquaintances from different life stages. Choose stories that translate easily across diverse groups without lengthy background explanations.
Positive storytelling keeps the focus on celebration rather than past difficulties or relationship challenges. Avoid mentioning previous relationships, family conflicts, or personal struggles that could create awkward moments. Frame every story to highlight growth, joy, or admirable qualities rather than dwelling on negative experiences.
Making It Personal Yet Relatable
Unique perspectives into the bride’s character distinguish your speech from generic wedding remarks while maintaining universal appeal. Share insights only you possess about her dreams, values, or defining moments that shaped who she became. These personal observations create authenticity that resonates with all guests regardless of their relationship with the bride.
Relatable experiences connect your exact stories to emotions everyone understands like friendship loyalty, pursuing dreams, or finding true love. Choose anecdotes that reflect common human experiences such as overcoming fears, celebrating achievements, or supporting loved ones during important transitions. This approach makes your personal memories meaningful to the entire wedding audience.
Practice and Preparation Strategies

Once you complete your speech draft, dedicated practice transforms your written words into a confident presentation that resonates with every wedding guest.
Rehearsing Your Speech Out Loud
Reading aloud reveals areas requiring improvement that silent reading cannot identify. Practice your maid of honor speech in front of a mirror to observe your body language and facial expressions during delivery. Recording yourself captures vocal patterns, pacing issues, and timing concerns that affect audience engagement.
Rehearse with trusted friends or family members to receive constructive feedback about clarity and emotional impact. Multiple practice sessions with different audiences help you identify which sections generate the strongest reactions. Run through your speech 5-7 times before the wedding day to achieve natural delivery.
Timing Your Delivery
Maintaining proper pacing keeps your audience engaged throughout your 4-6 minute presentation window. Speak at a comfortable pace that allows guests to process emotional moments and respond to humorous anecdotes. Pause for 2-3 seconds after meaningful statements to let your words resonate.
Adjust your tone and volume based on venue acoustics and audience size. Practice projecting your voice to reach guests in the back row without shouting. Time each section of your speech separately to ensure balanced coverage of introduction, personal stories, and closing toast.
Preparing for Nerves and Stage Fright
Deep breathing exercises calm pre-speech anxiety and center your focus before taking the microphone. Practice diaphragmatic breathing by inhaling for 4 counts, holding for 4 counts, and exhaling for 6 counts. Repeat this pattern 3-5 times before your presentation.
Visualization techniques build confidence by mentally rehearsing successful delivery scenarios. Picture yourself speaking clearly, connecting with the audience, and receiving positive reactions. Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations such as “I am prepared and my words honor the bride.”
Creating Note Cards or Cue Cards
Key phrases on note cards guide your speech flow without creating dependence on written text. Write 3-5 main talking points per card using large, readable fonts. Include transition phrases that connect different sections smoothly.
Create cue phrases for important anecdotes and emotional moments to maintain authentic delivery. Peek at your cards occasionally to stay on track while maintaining eye contact with your audience. Number your cards and secure them with a small ring or clip to prevent dropping or mixing up the order.
Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced speakers can stumble when emotions run high during wedding celebrations. Avoiding these common pitfalls protects both your relationship with the bride and the overall celebration atmosphere.
Topics That Should Stay Off-Limits
Sensitive personal issues create uncomfortable moments that guests remember for all the wrong reasons. Past relationships, family conflicts, and financial struggles belong in private conversations rather than public speeches. Mental health challenges, addiction recovery stories, and intimate details about the couple’s personal life cross boundaries that wedding guests expect speakers to respect.
Political opinions and controversial subjects divide audiences during what should be a unifying celebration. Religious differences, career setbacks, and legal troubles create tension in rooms filled with diverse family members and friends. Wedding speeches celebrate love and partnership rather than addressing complex personal histories that might embarrass the couple or their families.
Avoiding Inside Jokes That Exclude Guests
Inside jokes alienate 80% of wedding guests who lack the context to understand your shared references with the bride. College roommate stories, workplace humor, and family nicknames leave aunts, grandparents, and the groom’s friends feeling excluded from the celebration. These references create awkward silences where laughter should unite the entire audience.
Translate private memories into universal experiences that everyone can appreciate and connect with emotionally. Replace “Remember when Sarah did that thing at Jennifer’s place” with “Sarah’s loyalty shines brightest during challenging times, like when she spent an entire weekend helping a friend through a difficult situation.” This approach maintains the personal connection while including all guests in the storytelling.
Steering Clear of Negative Stories
Negative anecdotes dampen the celebratory mood that couples spend months planning and thousands of dollars creating. Stories about the bride’s dating disasters, embarrassing moments, or personal struggles shift focus from joy to discomfort. Guests attend weddings to celebrate love stories rather than hear about obstacles, failures, or challenging periods in the couple’s past.
Transform challenging experiences into growth narratives that highlight positive character traits instead of dwelling on difficulties. Rather than describing how the bride handled a breakup poorly, focus on how she demonstrates resilience and learns from experiences. This storytelling approach maintains authenticity while keeping the emotional tone uplifting and appropriate for the celebration.
Not Making It All About Yourself
Self-centered speeches frustrate audiences who came to celebrate the couple rather than hear about your personal experiences. Speeches that spend 4 minutes discussing your friendship history and only 30 seconds acknowledging the groom create imbalanced presentations that miss the wedding’s purpose. The bride and groom deserve equal attention in speeches that honor their union rather than your individual relationships.
Shift focus from “I” statements to “they” statements that highlight the couple’s journey together and individual qualities. Replace “I remember when the bride and I went to college” with “The bride’s determination became clear during her college years when she balanced academics with volunteer work.” This approach maintains personal connection while centering the couple as the speech’s primary subjects.
Troubleshooting Common Speech Problems

Even experienced speakers encounter unexpected challenges during their maid of honor speech. Preparing for potential issues helps you maintain composure and deliver your message successfully regardless of what happens.
What to Do If You Get Emotional
Pause and take a deep breath when emotions overwhelm you during your speech. Showing genuine emotion adds sincerity to your words and demonstrates your authentic connection with the bride.
Continue speaking after regaining your composure. Guests understand that weddings create emotional moments, and your tears often enhance the heartfelt nature of your message. Acknowledge the emotion briefly by saying “She means so much to me” before returning to your prepared content.
Practice emotional sections beforehand to build familiarity with challenging passages. Reading through sentimental stories multiple times reduces the likelihood of being caught off guard by intense feelings during the actual speech.
Handling Forgotten Lines or Lost Train of Thought
Stay calm and improvise when you forget exact lines or lose your place in the speech. Move forward to the next section you remember rather than dwelling on the forgotten content. Your audience cannot detect missing pieces they never heard.
Reference your note cards with key phrases to redirect your thoughts back on track. These backup prompts serve as safety nets that guide you through each section without requiring you to memorize every word perfectly.
Transition smoothly by using phrases like “What I really want to say is” or “Most importantly” to bridge gaps in your memory. These connective statements buy you time to collect your thoughts while maintaining speech flow.
Dealing With Hecklers or Interruptions
Maintain your composure and politely acknowledge brief interruptions without captivating in lengthy exchanges. Wedding guests rarely create serious disruptions, but occasional comments or reactions can occur during emotional speeches.
Continue with your message after addressing the person if necessary. Focus on delivering your prepared content rather than responding to every audience interaction that might derail your speech timing.
Ask the wedding coordinator or best man for assistance if interruptions become disruptive. These support people can handle problematic situations while you concentrate on honoring the bride with your words.
Managing Technical Issues With Microphones
Test your microphone before beginning your speech to identify potential problems early. Check volume levels and positioning to ensure your voice projects clearly to all wedding guests throughout the venue.
Ask someone nearby for technical assistance when microphone issues arise during your speech. Wedding coordinators and venue staff typically monitor audio equipment and can quickly resolve common problems like dead batteries or loose connections.
Project your voice naturally without the microphone if technical problems cannot be resolved immediately. Speak slowly and clearly while facing the audience to maximize your vocal reach until equipment functions properly again.
Final Touches and Delivery Day Tips

Perfecting your maid of honor speech requires attention to final details and strategic preparation for delivery day. These essential steps ensure your heartfelt message resonates with the couple and wedding guests.
Last-Minute Review and Edits
Reading your speech aloud 24 hours before the wedding reveals awkward phrasing and timing issues. Mark sections that feel rushed or unclear with colored pens to identify exact areas needing adjustment. Practice the entire speech 3-4 times during this final review session to cement the flow in your memory.
Clarity checks involve removing filler words like “um,” “basically,” or “literally” that weaken your message. Replace vague statements with exact details about the bride and couple’s relationship. Verify that your speech duration stays within the 4-6 minute timeframe established for most wedding receptions.
Emotional balance requires evaluating whether your anecdotes maintain appropriate celebration levels. Remove stories that might embarrass the couple or create uncomfortable moments for family members. Strengthen your closing toast by adding exact wishes for their future together.
What to Bring on the Wedding Day
Physical backup copies serve as essential safety nets during unexpected moments. Print your speech on sturdy cardstock paper and create a second copy for your purse or wedding day emergency kit. Fold the papers neatly to prevent creasing during transportation.
Digital versions require fully charged devices with backup power sources available. Save your speech in multiple formats including notes apps, email drafts, and voice recordings. Bring portable chargers or power banks to maintain device functionality throughout the reception.
Essential accessories include tissues for emotional moments, breath mints for close microphone work, and a small water bottle for hydration. Pack these items in a designated wedding day bag that stays within easy reach during the reception timeline.
Coordinating With the Wedding Timeline
Schedule confirmation involves connecting with the wedding coordinator or DJ 2-3 days before the ceremony. Establish the exact timing for speeches during the reception flow and identify your cue for approaching the microphone area. Request backup signals from the coordinator if primary cues become unclear.
Reception positioning requires understanding the room layout and speaker setup before guests arrive. Walk through your path to the microphone during the rehearsal dinner or early reception setup. Identify where you’ll stand during dinner to ensure quick access when your speech time arrives.
Backup timing protocols account for schedule delays common at wedding receptions. Prepare flexibility for speeches running 15-30 minutes behind the original timeline. Communicate with other speech givers to establish a comfortable order that maintains energy levels throughout the evening.
Post-Speech Etiquette
Immediate aftermath involves gracefully returning to your seat and captivating with nearby guests who offer compliments. Thank family members and friends who approach with positive feedback about your speech content. Avoid dwelling on minor mistakes or forgotten lines that guests likely didn’t notice.
Photography coordination includes participating in formal photos with the couple after speeches conclude. Stay available for candid shots during the reception dancing and celebration activities. Many couples request special photos with their maid of honor following the speech delivery.
Celebration participation requires maintaining your supportive role throughout the remaining reception activities. Lead the bridal party in dancing, bouquet toss participation, and farewell activities. Your continued enthusiasm after the speech reinforces the celebratory atmosphere you helped create through your heartfelt words.
Conclusion
Creating a memorable maid of honor speech doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With thoughtful preparation solid structure and genuine emotion you’ll deliver words that celebrate your friendship and honor the couple’s love story.
Remember that authenticity resonates more than perfection. Your unique perspective and heartfelt stories are what make your speech truly special. The couple chose you for this honor because they trust your voice and value your relationship.
Take a deep breath practice your delivery and trust in the preparation you’ve done. Your speech will become a cherished memory that the bride and groom will treasure for years to come. You’ve got this – now go celebrate your best friend’s happiest day!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main responsibilities of a maid of honor?
The maid of honor serves as the bride’s primary support system throughout the wedding planning process and ceremony. Key responsibilities include coordinating bridal party activities, managing pre-wedding events like the bridal shower and bachelorette party, providing emotional support during stressful moments, and delivering a heartfelt speech at the reception. She also leads the bridal party in communication and organization.
How long should a maid of honor speech be?
A maid of honor speech should last between 4 to 6 minutes. This includes a one-minute introduction, 3-4 minutes for the body containing personal anecdotes about the bride and couple, and a brief conclusion with heartfelt wishes ending in a toast. This duration keeps guests engaged while allowing enough time to share meaningful stories.
What should I include in my maid of honor speech?
Every memorable maid of honor speech should include five essential components: a strong introduction stating your relationship to the bride, 2-3 personal stories showcasing her character, acknowledgment of the groom and their relationship, personal wishes for the couple’s future, and a heartfelt toast that invites all guests to participate in celebrating the newlyweds.
How should I prepare and practice my speech?
Set aside 1-2 hours in a quiet environment to brainstorm and organize your thoughts. Practice your speech out loud using mirrors and recordings to improve body language and vocal delivery. Rehearse in front of trusted friends or family for feedback, time your speech for proper pacing, and create note cards with key phrases to guide your flow.
What mistakes should I avoid in my maid of honor speech?
Avoid discussing sensitive personal issues, using inside jokes that exclude guests, sharing negative or embarrassing stories, and making the speech overly self-centered. Keep the focus on celebrating the couple, ensure your content is appropriate for all audiences, and maintain an uplifting tone that enhances the wedding’s celebratory atmosphere.
How do I handle nerves and unexpected problems during my speech?
Use deep breathing and visualization techniques to manage nerves before speaking. If you become emotional, pause to regain composure. If you forget lines, improvise naturally. For interruptions, maintain focus and continue gracefully. Test audio equipment beforehand and project your voice clearly if technical issues arise. Stay calm and remember the audience is supportive.
What tone should I use for my maid of honor speech?
Balance sincerity, humor, and warmth while considering your audience and the wedding’s atmosphere. Match your speaking style to the event’s tone, incorporating light-hearted jokes while maintaining genuine sentiment. Focus on positive storytelling that celebrates the bride and couple, ensuring your speech resonates with all guests and creates emotional connections.
How do I make my speech personal yet relatable?
Share 2-3 specific experiences that highlight the bride’s character using exact details and personal anecdotes. Discuss the couple’s relationship growth to add depth. While sharing unique insights from your friendship, connect to universal emotions like love, friendship, and celebration that all guests can understand and appreciate, making your speech both intimate and inclusive.