The Ins and Outs of Writing a Wedding Speech for Your Sister

It might be hard to believe, but your sister is finally tying the knot. You've watched her grow in her relationship and navigate engagement, and now it's your turn to step up to the plate as you write a wedding speech for your sister. During the task, you'll have to walk the fine line of humorous and heartfelt, kind and real, all while keeping the audience engaged.

To pull this off, we have step-by-step instructions for how to write a speech for your sister's wedding, as well as many examples. Just plug in the necessary names, rework the stories to match up with your lives, and make sure to raise your glass at the end. Before you know it, the wedding will be behind you, and plenty of guests will have thanked you for sharing your words with the crowd.

In this article:

• How to Write a Speech for Your Sister's Wedding
• Example Wedding Speeches for Your Sister's Wedding

How to Write a Speech for Your Sister's Wedding

As you sit down to write a wedding speech, there are a few points you need to hit. Make sure to compliment both your sister and her partner so neither feels left out, and shy away from any topics to avoid, such as ex-partners. Here's a simple list of how to get the speech underway.

1. Start With a Catchy Introduction

Most likely, you only have between two and five minutes to wow the guests with your stories and words, so make the most of them. Skip the expected opening of "If you don't know me…" and opt for something a little more out there. Choose a joke to tee up a funny wedding speech or jump right into an anecdote that highlights your sister's strengths.

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2. Share a Story About the Bride

It's very likely that half the room you're speaking to hasn't met your sister. Share a story to highlight her personality. This allows the friends and family of her partner to get to know her through you.

3. Highlight Her Partner's Good Qualities

Don't let your sister's partner feel left out. Make sure to give them some of the spotlight, sharing how their unique characteristics contribute to the marriage, or choose a story that involves both of them. Either way, it's important to acknowledge them too.

4. Keep the Humor Classy

While the bachelorette party likely did not involve much G-rated humor, keep your wedding speech kid (and grandma) friendly. Avoid any alcohol or ex talk, as giving a wedding speech is not the time to air out your sister's dirty laundry.

5. Wrap It Up With a Toast

The easiest way to know when a wedding speech wraps up is by actually making a toast. Ask guests to raise their glasses to the happy couple with you. Feel free to share your well wishes and grab a hug—and a photo—with the newlyweds too.

Example Wedding Speeches for Your Sister's Wedding

When you're brainstorming wedding wishes for your sister, there are so many routes you could take. Some people opt for funny speeches, while others are more heartfelt. Whichever route you take, here are a few examples for inspiration.

The Best Wedding Speech for Your Sister

If you're having trouble figuring out how to start a wedding speech for your sister, beginning with a string of compliments is always a sweet, safe way to go. That's how we kicked off this tried-and-true example wedding speech for a sister.

If you know [Sister's Name], you know kindness, loyalty, grace and an incredible sense of style. If you know me, well, I'm the blessed recipient of those things for the past 25 years.

As [Sister's Name]'s sibling, I have seen firsthand all her ups and downs throughout life. From the literal ones—like bungee jumping in Puerto Rico and hiking to the top of Mount Whitney—to the emotional ones, like graduating from the University of Colorado with a master's last spring, to standing by her side when her dog passed away. But through it all, she has shown herself to be one of the finest human beings I know.

So when [Partner's Name] walked into the picture, you better believe I wanted to dig deep to make sure the two of them would work well together. And after countless dinners, game nights and volleyball matches, do you know what I found? These two couldn't be more perfect for each other. Their humor, beliefs and passions all align.

For decades, [Sister's Name] has been my number one friend, confidant and supporter. Now, there is someone else who has come to take my place, and I am ecstatic about that. [Partner's Name], you're the one we've been waiting for, and we're so happy to have you join our family.

Cheers to the happy couple! May their life together be full of adventure, joy and kindness.

Funny Wedding Speech for Your Sister

If you're trying to make your audience laugh, it's essential to prepare jokes—and practice them—ahead of time. Here's a great example of a humorous speech that doesn't cross any lines.

Good evening, everyone! Can we all take a minute to appreciate how absolutely beautiful [Sister's Name] looks today?

Okay—I was legally obligated to call out how stunning she looks—she has been blackmailing me with pictures from a few decades ago that involve crimped hair, braces, and a very fuzzy shirt that I would rather nobody see…

But in all seriousness, I am honored to be standing here to share all the dirt I have on my sister. And by that, all the stories that show, time and time again, how phenomenal she is. From our days lounging by the pool where she taught me how to swim to working as beach lifeguards together every summer in college, [Sister's Name] proved herself to be incredibly sweet, ridiculously patient, and able to conquer any obstacle with grace and poise.

But even with all this, we were never quite sure what [Sister's Name]'s other half would be like, but [Partner's Name] fit in just right. Your spunk, sweetness, and ability to get my sister to show up on time for things are unmatched. We are so thankful you are in her life—and now ours. So, welcome to the family. There's no turning back now as we've already made the new family group chat.

Here's to [Sister's Name] and [Partner's Name], may they have a marriage filled with joy, comfort, grace and plenty of laughter. Cheers!

Emotional Wedding Speech for Your Sister

Humor is not for everyone, which is why some of the best wedding speeches for a sister come from the heart.

Hello everyone. Tonight I have the honor of sharing a little bit about [Sister's Name]. And if I get a little emotional up here, please just blame the champagne... or the pollen... or the fact that I still can't believe my sister is married.

It's hard to put into words everything that this day means—not just to my sister and her amazing partner, but to all of us who've watched their story unfold. Because this isn't just the beginning of a marriage—it's the next chapter in their love story that is already full of love, joy, and, if we're honest, a lot of dog hair.

My sister has always been the kind of person who walks into a room and somehow makes everyone feel like they belong. She can sense your needs and fulfil them before you even realize what they are. Her heart is so big and so generous, it could honestly be its own ZIP code.

She also has this uncanny ability to take the messiest, most complicated things in life and shape them into something beautiful. My broken arm in 6th grade? A chance to wear a gorgeous art canvas everywhere I went. My prom date stood me up? A chance to binge nearly a full season of Gilmore Girls in one night. When I got laid off from work a few years ago? A chance to see who could find the coolest free item in our local Buy Nothing group.

With how willing [Sister's Name] is to share her love, I have always wondered who she would end up with…and [Partner's Name] is the perfect match. [Partner's Name], I have no doubt you will be well taken care of in the years to come, but I also take comfort that [Sister's Name] will be well taken care of by you, too.

We got to watch two incredible people promise to spend their lives together today. That is no easy feat. There will be ups and downs, highs and lows, fights and makeups. But that's what love is, isn't it? Not just the romance and the big gestures, but the quiet, everyday decision to choose each other. Over and over again.

To my sister—thank you for showing me what it means to love fully, to live bravely, and to never settle for anything less than magic.

To her partner—thank you for seeing her, really seeing her. For loving her exactly as she is—and for letting all of us love you, too.

So here's to this beautiful couple—may you know how to mend, how to laugh, and how to hold onto each other even when the world gets noisy. I love you both more than words can say. Cheers.

Short and Sweet Wedding Speech for Your Sister

For those who shy away from public speaking or are just one of many wedding speeches, here's a short speech for your sister's wedding that should take less than two minutes but still checks all the boxes.

Hi everyone, I'm [Your Name], and I have the absolute joy of being the sibling of today's gorgeous bride. I'll keep this short because, let's be honest, no one came here to hear me talk—we're all here for the cake and the love.

[Sister's Name] is one of the most vibrant, kind and brilliantly funny people I know. She has this way of lighting up a room—usually with a pun—and making everyone feel like they're part of something special.

And then she met [Partner's Name], and suddenly, we all got to witness a different kind of light—the kind that happens when two people share a love of life, challenge each other and love each other exactly as they are.

[Sister's Name] and [Partner's Name], you two balance each other beautifully, and I hope that never stops. On rainy days, I hope you bring each other sunshine. On blustery days, be each other's anchor, and on beautiful days, remind one another to soak it all in.

So here's to a life full of love, endless games of pickleball, and pottery that may or may not survive the kiln—but a love that absolutely will. Cheers to the happy couple!

Wedding Speech for Your Older Sister

She took care of you for ages, now it's time to return the favor. This wedding speech is for that older sister who was always worth looking up to.

I'm [Your Name], the younger sibling of today's beautiful bride. And before you ask—yes, I've spent my entire life looking up to her. Sometimes literally, sometimes just in awe. Today was one of those days I did both.

[Sister's Name] has always had a grace, elegance and poise I was jealous of, although I'm sure none of you are surprised. Yet, no matter how many clothes I stole from her, I couldn't seem to steal that.

[Sister's Name] can give her love away like no one else. It started with sharing her sandwiches at school lunch when I didn't like mine. But that turned into teaching me how to play field hockey, studying with me for AP tests, and sorting clothes at the local women's shelter to make sure everyone had what they needed.

Then there is her ability to create. When she does pottery, she molds a stunning bowl, vase or mug out of a hunk of wet dirt—or at least that's what it looks like to me!

Do you know what you get when you put all of this together, along with a special ingredient—also known as [Partner's Name]? The recipe for an incredible marriage.

[Partner's Name], you bring the salty spice to this relationship. You make [Sister's Name] a better [Sister's Name], and your humor and kindness bring a lightness to our family we simply adore. Together, you two are unstoppable, and we can't wait to see how you change the world together.

Here's to the happy couple, may your lives overflow with love, joy, kindness and adventure. Cheers!

Wedding Speech for Your Younger Sister

If your younger sister asked you to give a speech at her wedding, she trusts you immensely. Now is the time to let her know you are proud of her.

There comes a time in most older siblings' lives when you must admit, "Shoot, [Sister's Name] really is old enough to get married." And today was that day for me.

While it may be hard for me to fathom that my baby sis just said "I do," if I take a second to really think about it, it is truly perfect. She's always shown us her perseverance. When we endlessly picked on her for being the littlest, she fought back twice as hard. She's always shown us loyalty, like when we wouldn't fess up to Mom who broke the picture frame, she stepped up to take the blame.

[Sister's Name] has also always shown us loving kindness—from baking the big siblings cookies during a breakup or trading us some extra cards in Catan so we could beat Dad, even if it meant she might lose.

But you know what each of these qualities shows? She is going to be an incredible partner to you, [Partner's Name]. We are so happy to welcome you into this family. Your steadfast spirit, playful attitude and strength complement everything [Sister's Name] brings to the table. You two are truly an incredible team, and one that I'm not sure we can win against on family game night.

So, here's to little siblings growing up and becoming beautiful brides. Let's raise a glass to the happy couple. May their lives be filled with love, laughter and plenty of game nights. Cheers!