How to Write a Great Brother of the Bride Speech: Expert Advice

Whether you're stepping up as a brother of the with something sweet and heartfelt to say, or filling some very big shoes as the brother doing the father of the bride speech, writing the perfect wedding speech for your sister can feel like a daunting task. But fear not - we’ve got you covered.

From how to start your brother of the bride speech to what to include (and avoid), we’ll walk you through every step - plus give you real speech examples, a guide to writing and delivering it, and some golden dos and don’ts to help you smash it on the big day.

And hey, there's no shame in hiring a professional speechwriter. Check out the best wedding speechwriters in the business for a little extra help if you're stuck.

• Does the Brother of the Bride Give a Speech? 
• How to Write a Brother of the Bride Speech: Top Tips
• How to Give a Brother of the Bride Speech
• Dos & Don'ts of a Brother of the Bride Speech
• Brother of the Bride Speech Examples
• How to Start a Brother of the Bride Speech

Does the Brother of the Bride Give a Speech?

Traditionally, it’s the father of the bride, the groom, and the best man who speak at weddings - but times have changed, and so have speeches. These days, it’s not uncommon for the wedding speech from the brother of the bride to be part of the line-up, especially if you share a close bond or if you're stepping in to give a father of the bride speech as the brother.

Whether you're sharing childhood memories, cracking jokes, or simply saying how proud you are, the brother of the bride speech is a brilliant way to add a personal touch to the day.

For more information on who is meant to say what and when, check out our complete guide to the order of speeches at a wedding.

How to Write a Brother of the Bride Speech: Top Tips

If you're not a natural wordsmith, don’t worry - here’s a simple structure to help you craft the best brother of the bride speech ever.

1. Start Strong

Open with a warm welcome to guests and thank anyone who deserves a special mention (parents, wedding party, etc.). You might say:

“Good evening everyone - for those who don’t know me, I’m [Your Name], and I have the absolute privilege of being the brother of the bride today.”

2. Share Personal Stories

A wedding speech from the brother of the bride should be heartfelt, with a few light and funny anecdotes. Think about:

• Childhood memories
• Her weirdest habits growing up
• Her achievements or quirks

Make sure the tone matches the day - a brother of the bride speech funny in tone is great, but avoid anything too embarrassing.

3. Talk About the Couple

Transition into talking about the groom or partner - how they met, how they’ve changed each other, and why they’re great together.

4. End with a Toast

Wrap things up with a heartfelt message and a toast to the couple’s future.

5. Tailor It to Your Relationship

Are you her older protective brother, the cheeky younger one, or the quiet sibling who’s always observed from the sidelines? Let your speech reflect the unique bond you share. The best brother of the bride speech feels personal - not generic.

Tip: If you’re not very emotional or expressive, that’s okay - your sincerity will come through in your own way.

6. Avoid Clichés

It’s tempting to lean on phrases like “She’s always been there for me” or “You’re perfect for each other,” but these can fall flat. Instead, be specific:

• What memory sums up her personality?
• When did you know her partner was the one?
• How would you sum her up in one word?

7. Use a Clear Structure

A speech with a beginning, middle and end flows better. A simple outline looks like this:

• Welcome and intro
• Memories with your sister
• Thoughts on the couple and their relationship
• Finish with the toast

Tip: Bullet point your main ideas before you write the full thing.

8. Balance Emotion and Humour

A great brother of the bride speech mixes laughter with heartfelt moments. If you go too heavy on one or the other, you risk sounding either like a stand-up act or a tearjerker. Aim for both - and read the room.

Sometimes, jokes that would work for a best man speech may work here too - check out our list of funny best man speech jokes for more inspiration. 

9. Keep Your Audience in Mind

Yes, this is for your sister, but you’re also talking to her partner’s family, elderly relatives, friends, and possibly co-workers. Keep it clean-ish, inclusive, and suitable for the setting.

10. End with Meaning

Finish on a high note with a genuine sentiment or wish for their future. It could be as simple as:

“Here’s to love, laughter, and never having to swipe right again.”

How to Give a Brother of the Bride Speech

Once your words are written, it’s all about delivery. Here’s how to ace it:

• Practice Makes Perfect: Read it out loud - a lot. You’ll spot awkward phrases and get comfortable with the flow.
• Keep It Short & Sweet: Aim for 5 minutes max. Any longer and you risk losing the room (or the free wine).
• Speak Slowly: Wedding nerves can make us rush. Take your time, breathe, and enjoy the moment.
• Use Notes: Don’t be afraid to hold a card or two. Better that than forgetting your place.

Dos & Don’ts of a Brother of the Bride Speech

Before you take the mic, here are a few golden rules to follow - and a few common slip-ups to avoid. These dos and don’ts will help you deliver a brother of the bride speech that’s heartfelt, funny, and totally unforgettable (for all the right reasons).

Do:

• Keep it personal and authentic
• Add a little humour (a brother of the bride speech funny moment always lands well!)
• Compliment your sister and her partner
• Say what she means to you

Don’t:

• Mention exes or awkward stories
• Steal the spotlight
• Get too drunk before your speech
• Rely on inside jokes that no one else gets

Still in need of support? Why not steal some tips and tricks for delivery a speech perfectly from our best groom wedding speech guide. 

Brother of the Bride Speech Examples

Whether you want to be funny, sentimental, or strike a lovely balance between the two. These can be easily personalised based on your relationship with your sibling and her partner.

Example 1: Sentimental & Heartfelt

“Growing up with [Bride’s Name] was an adventure - from tea parties with teddy bears to late-night advice sessions, she’s always been my best friend. Watching her marry [Partner] today, I’ve never seen her so happy. I know she’s found someone who loves her as fiercely as I do. Please join me in raising a glass to the new Mr and Mrs/Mr/Mx!”

Example 2: Funny & Light-hearted

“As the younger brother, I’ve always looked up to [Bride’s Name] - sometimes because she was literally holding my toys above her head so I couldn’t reach them. But seriously, she’s been my role model. And now, seeing her with [Partner], I know she’s met her match - someone who laughs with her, puts up with her love of spreadsheets, and still thinks her dance moves are cute.”

Example 3: Cute & Sweet

“Good evening, everyone. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m [Your Name], and I have the absolute honour of being [Bride’s Name]’s brother.

Growing up with [Sibling's Name] was like living with a second mother, a best friend, and occasionally, a very strict boss - all rolled into one. But in all seriousness, she’s always been someone I’ve looked up to. She’s smart, strong, compassionate, and fiercely loyal.

Seeing her with [Partner] - the way they laugh together, the way they support each other - I know she’s found someone who truly gets her.

So here’s to my sister and her new husband/wife/spouse - may your life together be filled with adventure, endless cups of tea, and love that only grows stronger.”

Example 4: Silly & Upbeat

“Hi everyone. I’m [Name], proud brother of the bride, and lifelong victim of her bossy streak. Yes, I’m still recovering from the time she made me dress as a fairy for her sixth birthday party - photos available for a small fee.

But in all seriousness, [Bride] has always been the heart of our family - the one who remembers every birthday, organises every get-together, and somehow always wins arguments.

And then along came [Partner]. The only man I’ve ever seen willingly go toe-to-toe with her over IKEA furniture instructions - and still smile about it afterwards.

Together, they’re unstoppable. So let’s raise a glass to a couple who balance each other perfectly - may your love last longer than Dad’s attempts at DIY.”

Example 5: Emotional & Personal

“Good evening, everyone. I’m [Name], [Bride’s Name]’s brother - and today, I have the great honour of speaking on behalf of our family, and in place of our dad, who I know would be incredibly proud of the woman she is today.

[Bride], you’ve always been the strong one. You took care of everyone - including me. You’ve been a constant source of strength, and watching you walk into this next chapter of your life is as joyful as it is emotional.

[Partner], thank you for loving her the way she deserves. You’re kind, steady, and you’ve brought laughter and calm to her world. And honestly, anyone who can survive Sunday lunch with our lot deserves a medal.

Let’s raise a glass to [Bride] and [Partner] - may your life together be filled with the kind of love that Dad always wanted for you, and the kind of happiness you bring to everyone else.”

Example 6: Balanced & Heartfelt

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m [Name], and as [Bride’s Name]’s brother, I’ve had the pleasure - and sometimes challenge - of knowing her my entire life.

She’s always been a force of nature. Organised, opinionated, unstoppable - and somehow still convinced she’s always right (spoiler: she usually is).

But when she met [Partner], something shifted. Suddenly she was softer, calmer... even willing to let someone else choose the restaurant. That’s love, people.

So here’s to the perfect pair - may your marriage be full of laughter, adventure, and the occasional heated debate about paint colours.”

How to Start a Brother of the Bride Speech

The hardest part is often the first line. Here are a few ways to kick off your wedding speech brother of the bride style:

“Good evening everyone. I’m [Your Name], and I have the incredible honour of being the brother of the bride today.”

“As someone who has known [Bride’s Name] longer than [Partner] has, I’d like to share a few stories… don’t worry, I’ve edited out the worst ones.”

“When my sister told me I’d be giving a speech, I thought, ‘Brilliant! My time to shine!’ Then I realised I’d have to follow that best man speech. No pressure…”

Whether you're naturally hilarious, a bit sentimental, or stepping in as the brother doing the father of the bride speech, this is your chance to say something special.

Plus, we also have plenty of wedding speech introductions to draw inspiration from, so there's no excuse to not find the perfect opener! 

Keep it personal, keep it appropriate, and most importantly - speak from the heart. A great wedding speech for a brother doesn’t need to be perfect - it just needs to be you. After some more unique ways to deliver a wedding speech? Check out our guide to alternative wedding speeches for a one-of-a-kind delivery.