Picture this: You've just received one of the best wedding invitations of all time — to be your best friend's Maid of Honor! You can barely contain your excitement as you quickly skim over the gilded words, and you should be so excited because your status has officially been solidified in the bride's eyes. She likely trusts you with everything, hence why she's also asking you to prepare a Maid of Honor speech.
While you may be panicking about what to say, don't worry! I'm sure your amazing sense of humor, big heart, and impeccable way with words will ultimately shine. But there are some embarrassing things you probably shouldn't mention during your toast, especially given how stress and anxiety can make us say awkward or offensive things unintentionally.
Thankfully, Brittny Drye, Wedding Expert and Editor-in-Chief/Founder of Love Inc. Magazine, is here to help you avoid any mishaps! Here are 12 embarrassing things Drye thinks you should avoid in your maid of honor speech!
1. Singling Out The Bride
Witnessing your best friend, cousin, or sister get married is sure to make you sentimental because you've probably known them since childhood. But, this isn't the time to solely focus on the love you have for the bride.
"Make the toast about the couple as an entity … not just one person. Even if you find yourself a bit in the dark about your best friend's new spouse, or just not really knowing them on that deep of a level in general, that's okay," Drye says. This also applies if you don't like the other person. 👀
She also says you can echo things you've learned about about the new spouse "over the last several months/years" so that you can highlight the newlyweds in a positive way. "The couple is beginning this next phase in their lifelong journey together, and you should think of your toast as a loving send-off to both of them as a package deal."
2. Mentioning Embarrassing Stories
We get it. You've had a front row seat to the bride's shenanigans over the years and keep a mental photo book of every embarrassing moment she's had.
"Avoid overly embarrassing anecdotes, especially those that might make the couple or guests uncomfortable. There is a time and place for funny story-swapping, but this ain't it," Drye says.
Though you may think it's hilarious, talking about the time the bride pooped her pants during a hike isn't something everyone may want to hear. We're sure she's been trying to forget ever since it happened, so leave this between the two of you...and nature.
3. Bringing Up Exes Or Past Situations
The thought that someone might mention the bride's previous relationships — or even flings — make us turn red with second-hand embarrassment! According to Drye, it's a huge no-no during your Maid of Honor speech!
Drye says, "Stay clear of mentioning any of the couple’s past relationships or exes—it’s awkward and unnecessary. The toast should be about the couple and their life together -- not digging up past flames."
Seriously, the bride's parents don't need to know about any hot hookups, nor do they want to be reminded of the one person that continuously broke their child's heart. Let's leave those comments for your next girls' night debrief!
4. Making Inside Jokes
Inside jokes are cool! Most people develop them without even trying, which is what makes them so personal. But that's it — sometimes they're just too personal. "While inside jokes can be funny, they can alienate guests who aren’t in on them," Drye says.
That doesn't mean Drye thinks you can't have a little fun, though. You can mention "one inside joke for the couple," but save overly "cryptic" funny moments for one-on-one conversations.
5. Choosing The Wrong Time To Be A Comedian
There's a reason Drye keeps advising you to steer clear of too many hilarious moments during your Maid of Honor speech. "It's really staggering how many people think that the wedding toast has to be a comedy act! Of course, everyone loves to laugh, but if you're trying hard to be funny ... guess what? You're usually not," she says.
It may sound harsh, but I wish more people had someone to steer them away potentially embarrassing moments like this. You may be known for a being a lot of things, but it's important to also know your own limits.
Drye notes, "If on-cue humor is not your niche, don't force it. Take the opportunity to just do you." There's a reason you were chosen to be the bride's Maid of Honor, so embrace that instead of the amateur hour comedy routine no one asked for.
6. Mentioning Tense Family Dynamics
Weddings can highlight tense family dynamics on their own — that one cousin that's not invited, the overbearing mother-in-law, etc — but your job isn't to verbally point them out. "Don’t bring up family tensions, divorces, or any sensitive issues related to family or friends. This has never, ever served well in the history of wedding toasts," Drye says.
Let's avoid making people uncomfortable, please!
7. Reminiscing About Wild Party Days
TBH, we'd cry if someone brought up our past party days during our weddings. Although we probably have fond memories of them, we don't want our grandparents to know we shotgunned a beer with a stranger on the street that one time.
"Stories about wild college parties, bachelorette antics, or any instances involving excessive drinking or risky behavior might be entertaining for a small circle but can come off as cringe for a wedding crowd that includes parents, grandparents, and possibly children," Drye says.
Even if you're the Maid of Honor at a wedding that has a 'no children' policy, leave those memories buried for the time being. In the words of Drye, it's "not a good look" to mention them!
8. Picking At Negative Qualities Of The Bride And Groom
Everyone will send you to a Passive-Aggressives Anonymous meeting if you use your speech to poke at the bride or groom's negative qualities. Their wedding isn't an indicator that anyone thinks they're perfect, but it's also THEIR day. Let's not make them the butt of every joke, okay?
"It's a wedding toast, not a wedding roast. Even in jest, avoid highlighting negative traits or annoying habits of the newlyweds," says Drye. She encourages you to "keep the tone positive and uplighting" by only "highlighting the qualities that make them...incredible persons and friends."
In other words, don't make the bride regret choosing you to be her Maid of Honor.
9. Complaining About Wedding Costs
Liza Summer/Pexels
We know weddings can be pricey and have even talked about how to decline being a bridesmaid to one if you're budgeting. But if you choose to be the bride's maid of honor, you're accepting whatever comes with that. "Comments about how much things cost, who paid for what, or financial situations are tacky and should be avoided," Drye reminds.
You may want to check in with yourself before your speech so that you don't let your personal feelings or situation interfere with your toast.
10. Expressing Too Much Gratitude
There's a reason why awards shows start playing music when the winner's oh-so grateful speech is long-winded. It serves as a polite reminder for them to "wrap it up" so there's not any lags in the program.
"While it’s nice to thank people, it’s best not to go overboard — keep the focus on the couple. You'll quickly lose people's interest if you're just listing names," says Drye.
Remember, keep it short and cute!
11. Using Crude Language
We shouldn't have to mention this, but some people seem to think there's no problem with potty language in front of everyone they meet. Drye says, "Avoid crude jokes, swearing, or anything that could offend older guests or young children. Keep it classy!"
It's only for one day, so you'll survive if you're not saying your favorite curse word every other sentence.
12. Predicting The Couple's Future
This socially accepted thing is actually one of the red flags we should collectively toss to the side. It always starts with, "What are your plans after college" and ends with, "So when are you getting married or having kids?" Everyone's not always up to hear or answer these questions so don't use your speech as a time to make your own predictions about the couple.
"Making predictions, like when they’ll have kids or how their lives will unfold, can feel presumptuous and pressure-filled. (Not to mention the general fact that no one should ever comment on someone else's decision/ability to have/not to have children!)," Drye says.
What you can do is "wish them happiness and a bright future." Basically, leave out the weird specifics!
Looking for more wedding advice? Here's our take on wedding guests wearing white!
Header image via Seljan Salimova
After 2 hours worth of coffee runs, approximately 47 minutes of suffering an intense sugar rush, and a spout of indigestion I’ll certainly be regretting later, I’ve found the best PSL— and it's likely not what you think.
Pumpkin spice season started excruciatingly early this year, with chains like Starbucks, Dunkin', and Krispy Kreme popping out with their fall menus starting August 12. Now that fall is finally setting in in my neck of the woods, I don’t feel entirely out of character ordering a PSL. Hence, a taste test was born.
Meredith Holser
I traveled to four of the most popular coffee chains that got ahead of the PSL game this season: Starbucks, Dunkin’, Krispy Kreme, and Dutch Bros. Not only did I set out to find the best-tasting PSL (though taste is a huge factor), I also wanted to see how they measured up in terms of price. Coffee is not always cheap these days! Scroll on to discover the best PSL you can order, according to my taste test.
Meredith Holser
Starbucks
Order: Tall hot PSL
Cost: $5.75
If there’s one thing I can count on from a Starbucks PSL, it’s comfort. Maybe it’s the nostalgia in me, but that first sip is always soothing. Starbucks’ classic PSL is perfectly sweet, but there’s not a ton of spice. I do really enjoy how creamy the pumpkin spice flavor is – likely because they use a thick pumpkin sauce as opposed to a syrup.
I ordered a hot PSL in a tall size for my taste test (because I knew my stomach couldn’t, well, stomach three more standard-sized PSLs), though I wished I had requested a grande. Larger sizes at Starbucks are crafted with more espresso, so I didn’t get a ton of coffee notes from the tall swig that only had one shot. After a solid 5-minute sip session, I have to grant Starbucks’ PSL 3.5/5 stars. The lack of a caffeinated coffee punch and a wild abundance of orange (the drink’s color is quite jarring) left me no choice but to knock off some points.
Meredith Holser
Dunkin’
Order: Small hot PSL
Cost: $5.19
Dunkin’s PSL is definitely worth skipping. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m a Dunkin’ girly through and through (their Dunkalatte is bangin’), but upon first sip of their PSL, I gagged – I can’t lie. Their PSL is way too sweet and literally just tastes like syrup. Transparently, I tasted a lot more vanilla than pumpkin flavor (and a hint of candle fragrance), which was disappointing, given the drink is literally called Pumpkin Spice Latte.
I felt like I needed to take a big breath and touch grass after drinking it. To top it off, the little espresso I detected the drink tasted very bitter and burnt. For the money I spent, I can definitively say it’s not worth it. It’s gonna be 1/5 stars for me, thanks!
Meredith Holser
Dutch Bros
Order: Small hot PSL
Cost: $4.85
Next on my taste test was Dutch Bros. I don’t often make a beeline to this coffee chain, but I was pretty loyal to them in college (for the Cocomo alone), so my hopes were fairly high. I ordered a small hot PSL – and it was definitely pumpkiny. Concerningly pumpkiny, even. Their pumpkin flavor read more savory than sweet in my opinion, which I think could offer a fun and refreshing sip when you’re tired of downing super-sweet drinks.
At this point in the taste test, I was tweaking hard from all the sugar and caffeine I had consumed, but the depth of flavor with Dutch Bros’ PSL ultimately impressed me. The best part was I wasn’t missing out on the espresso at all! The espresso was extremely prevalent even in the small-sized drink. I’m not sure I would order it again since my nearest Dutch Bros is 20 minutes from home, but it certainly earned my stamp of approval. That’s a 4/5 star rating for you, Dutch.
Meredith Holser
Krispy Kreme
Order: Small hot PSL
Cost: $2.59
I fear that Krispy Kreme is a true underdog when it comes to breakfast and coffee, especially their PSL. Krispy Kreme’s PSL tasted scarily similar to Starbucks, though it wasn’t as devilishly sweet. After sipping on it, I can confidently say I absolutely prefer this less-sweet version. I was honestly so shocked at how good it was – I sat in my car with my jaw dropped for a good moment. For only $2.59, I felt it was too good to be true. The drink was hot, fresh, and flavorful, and the low price made it all the better. Krispy Kreme’s pumpkin flavoring wasn’t extremely in my face, though I still got the pumpkiny effect that’s perfect for the season. If you’re a ride-or-die Starbucks fan, you need to make your way to Krispy Kreme. Trust me. I’m granting it 4.5/5 stars – and we have a winner, baby!Subscribe to our newsletter to read more taste tests and food reviews!
Life happens. We take new jobs, reach new goals, buy new homes, perhaps get married and have kids — all good news, but sadly sometimes that means moving away from our besties. It can be challenging to stay in touch, especially when you’re in different time zones, but with a little effort and creativity, there’s so much you can do to keep meaningful connections with your long-distance friends beyond a group text or meme share. Here are 10 tips to help you stay close.
Send a personalized card with audio or video. Moonpig lets you create unique cards with cute templates, photos, videos, audio clips, and your own handwritten copy! They’ll even mail them for you – saving you a trip to the post office.
Choose from a selection of more than 20K cards to share with your bestie no matter what is going on in her life – engagements, birthdays, babies, new job, or just because you want to say hello, make her laugh, and show how much you care for her. Moonpig cards cost less than a regular card, and you can find free e-cards as well! Want to send a birthday gift too? You can add a gift card from a bunch of popular retailers like Sephora, Nordstrom and Uber Eats to your card.
Celebrate The Milestones
Staying present in your friends’ lives, even as they change direction, can help keep you connected. Reach out to share your latest news, and congratulate them on the engagements, promotions, weddings, and other milestones. The B+C staff took a moment to share their favorite Moonpig Cards with their favorite friends. Have a reason to celebrate with a group? You can have friends and family sign by creating a Group Card.
Scroll down to get a free card yourself with B+C’s promo discount code for new customers and find more tips to help you stay close.
Schedule Virtual Coffee Dates
Find a regular time that works for both of you to share your stories over a morning cup. Maybe it’s during your morning walk for coffee, or after work on your commute home. Chatting by phone vs. via social media can help you get into deeper details about your life and theirs. Hearing a real LOL can really make your day too. With Moonpig’s cards, you can add multiple photos so you can share a glimpse into your life lately.
Host A Virtual Happy Hour
Virtual happy hours sort of came to a halt once the world opened up, but they’re a great way to stay in touch with long-distance friends. Have fun with it with new cocktail recipes that you can share beforehand, and then shake and stir while you chat!
Make Them A Playlist
Music is a great way to connect and relive the best of times. Look for songs that remind you of your bestie, from the cities you’ve shared to the concerts you’ve danced to all night together to your car karaoke favorites.
Take An Online Class Together
Whatever you have going on in your lives, finding the time to get creative and healthy together, even if it’s a one-day workshop around something you have in common, will strengthen those bonds that brought you together in the first place. This could be a great gift too – a fitness class, a cooking class, a business class to build your bestie empire, whatever it is it will remind you why you’re friends and why you’re always there to lift each other up.
Send Surprise Care Packages
If your friend could use a little self care postpartum or just needs a little TLC during this time, send over a care package of her favorite things and little mementos of your time together. Add a Moonpig card too, where you can add an audio or video message via QR code that says you’re thinking about them and wish you could be closer.
Take An Annual Trip Together
Annual trips with your besties are so good for the soul. Find a central location where you can all meet without the expense being too much for one person. Gather to celebrate a birthday or other milestone or just because. It’s a great way to feel connected to people you care about most and remind yourself what truly matters in life.
Start A Remote Book Or Recipe Club
Share your favorite books or recipes (or both!) each month and host a virtual monthly book club or dinner club to catch up and talk through some of your highlights of the experiences.
Host A Virtual Trivia Night
Get the squad back together for a silly trivia night based on a theme, such as ‘90s movies, women’s sports, or random trivia about our love lives.
Send Them A Just Because Card
Even sharing the smallest details can help you stay connected and boost your mood. Surprise your friend with a note that you’re just thinking about them. And supersize it! Moonpig has Extra Large Cards too. Nothing feels so good as to know your friend went out of their way to just say hello, in the most thoughtful way possible.
Here’s how Moonpig works:
- Click on a card that you love. You have a choice: e-card, standard card by mail, or a large card to really wow them. You can also choose a Group card or Create Your Own Card with Moonpig templates, fonts, and graphics.
- Click on Personalize to add your personalized text (take a photo of your handwriting to replicate in the card), photos, stickers, video, and audio, which are shared via QR code.
- Choose a gift card from your dad’s favorite retailer if you’d like to sweeten the deal.
- And voilà! Moonpig will ship off your card to the lucky recipient. Easy peasy.
Find your friendship card at Moonpig! New customers can use code BRITCOFREE to send some love to long-distance friends today!
Shop Friend Favorites!
New customers! Head to Moonpig for your free card using code BRITCOFREE!
Lead image: Moonpig Happy Birthday Bestie card
Upon scrolling through H&M's countless new arrivals, I found some of the greatest dresses that I couldn't wait to share! This season is seriously good — there are so many on-trend, good quality, affordable pieces that are ideal for every occasion this fall. So after scrolling through the hundreds of options, I narrowed it down to 13 perfect fall dresses that are sure to be your new fave outfits this autumn. Get ready to hit 'add to cart' because you won't be able to resist these flattering, trendy items!
H&M
Knit Sweater Dress
A basic, knit dress is a staple that will carry you through the fall season given all the various ways to style it! One of my favorite looks for a dress like this is to pair it with knee high boots and a thick, wool trench coat! This one will be sure to make you look like a chic, cold-weather style icon! Love this one!
H&M
Long Chiffon Dress
Bring on the boho chic fall — I'm all about it! I can't wait to buy dresses like this to live out my ethereal, fall dreams! This dress is whimsical, but it doesn't feel too out there to wear to dinner with your in-laws! I love the neutral color, paired with the flowing sleeves and cut. Definitely will be a popular pick this season!
H&M
V Neck Dress
Everything about this look screams fall to me, from the unique floral pattern to the flowy boho sleeves to the overall fit itself. I can already see it on Pinterest paired with the perfect knee high boots and socks. Definitely grab this one if you're wanting to go for that effortless, chic look!
This dress quickly sold out, so be sure to sign up for restock notifications!
H&M
Burgundy Mini Dress
This burgundy mini dress is a great example of how fall style does not have to be boring or one-note! You can play with the typical autumnal color palette through textures, prints, and interesting designs. This dress has a busy print that is super fun, and it allows you to go simple with the accessories, yet still make a statement! Not into this particular pattern? There are three others to choose from to suit your needs!
H&M
Embroidered Dress
Another gorgeous boho look, but mini style! The puff sleeves give off an airy vibe, and the embroidery add a subtle unique element to the design. If you really wanna double down on the western vibes that are so boho adjacent, I love this dress styled with some cowboy boots, similar to the above look!
H&M
Tie-Belt Dress
Nothing says "fall" like a classic shirt dress! These are a great go-to when you've gotta get ready for work in a snap, or for when you're bopping from the farmer's market to brunch with the girls. A shirt dress like this is truly so versatile, and super flattering! This earthy green tone is essential for your fall wardrobe this year, so be sure to grab it ASAP!
H&M
Red Knit Dress
Red is the "it" color of the season — specifically, this bright, ruby red color. So, if you're looking to make a statement, then opt for this striking red knit dress, and make sure to accessorize with some chunky jewelry as shown above! Already adding this one to cart as we speak!
H&M
Tie-Belt Crêpe Dress
Again, I just love an autumnal floral pattern! This dusty blue color paired with the lovely flowers on the flowy maxi silhouette are stylish and airy and exactly what you need for the boho chic fall look! Plus, the tie waist is so flattering, giving a nice shape to this loose style.
H&M
Boucle Jacket Dress
Did someone say, "Tom Ford-era Gucci" — because this is definitely it! This kind of boucle dress that gives off a jacket vibe is just the style I'm going for this fall! Plus, the burgundy bag shown above is a great cheaper alternative to a lot of Gucci's newest arrivals! I plan styling this one with some heeled slingbacks for a sophisticated look this season!
H&M
Fine Knit Dress
French girl fall is always in style, and I can't wait to recreate some inspired looks for the aesthetic! Starting off with this collared knit dress here, I would style it with the quintessential French shoe: heeled Mary Janes! Make sure to add some French girl beauty products for the full look!
This dress quickly sold out, so be sure to sign up for restock notifications!
H&M
Rib Knit Dress
In case you're wanting to invest in some classic, staples for the fall, this knit green dress is just for you! Knit dresses are a daily essential for me in the fall — they can take me straight from work, to a night out, or a casual dinner at a restaurant. They're extremely versatile, and very comfortable to wear; even all day!
H&M
V Neck Dress
I'm loving all things burgundy this season, and this dress caught my eye for the luxe style and shape of the dress. It has a beautiful cut that hugs the body, and gold detailing at the shoulders for a high-end look that will have people thinking it's way more expensive than it is. This is sure to be your new date night dress — and even makes for a great wedding guest dress! — for the coming months!
This dress quickly sold out, so be sure to sign up for restock notifications!
H&M
Sheer Tie Neck Dress
Obvi, we had to add another bohemian option since it's so in style right now. This dusty blue color is really love is for the season, too — perfectly breaking up the reds and clays and burnt oranges you've already stocked up on. I love this dress styled with black boots like above. I honestly can't wait to start incorporating these boho vibes into my wardrobe all season long!
This dress quickly sold out, so be sure to sign up for restock notifications!
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Think of the most quotable movies you know, and there's a good chance The Devil Wears Prada makes the list. Meryl Streep's Miranda Priestly is just that iconic. The Academy Award-winning actress perfected the movie's balance of biting edge, style, and hidden vulnerability to create a character that is one in a million — and it looks like we could see even more of her thanks to a new The Devil Wears Prada sequel in the works!
News of the sequel first broke in July 2024, right after Emily Blunt actually said the cast would be "good" without a sequel and simply cherishing the first movie. Well it looks like we need to head back into our closets for all the cerulean belts and Chanel boots we can find. Here's everything you need to know about The Devil Wears Prada 2!
Is the original cast returning for The Devil Wears Prada sequel?
MJ Kim/Getty Images
While both Emily Blunt and Anne Hathaway have agreed in the past that it makes sense for Andy's story to end with the first movie, Emily recently teased her return during the American Institute for Stuttering Gala on September 16. “It’s cool,” she tells People.
“I just wanna get some good eye makeup going again,” she continues, before joking that maybe her character Emily will come down with another stomach flu. “I’m hoping for that.”
Anne, however, isn't sure what the story would look like in the modern digital age. “I don’t know if there can be [a sequel],” she said on a 2022 episode of The View (via Deadline). “I just think that movie was in a different era. Now everything’s gone so digital and that movie is centered around the concept of producing a physical thing and it’s just, it’s just very different.”
“Sometimes things should be cherished and preserved in this bubble and it’s okay,” Emily Blunt told Josh Horowitz in February 2024 (via People).
Is there The Devil Wears Prada 2?
20th Century Fox/Disney
Yes, it looks like we're finally getting a The Devil Wears Prada sequel! The original movie came out in 2006, and fans have hoped for another installment ever since Andy ditched Miranda in Paris.
The OG movie's screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna is reportedly back for round 2, as is director David Frankel and producer Wendy Finerman, according to Deadline.
What book is the sequel to Devil Wears Prada?
Amazon
The second The Devil Wears Prada book is called Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns — and there's a good chance this will become the second The Devil Wears Prada movie! The book follows Andy, who's finally at the top of her game. She's a successful magazine editor, she's engaged, and her relationship with Emily is better than ever. But when Miranda Priestly makes a grand return, she flips Andy's life upside down...again.
Stay tuned for more news on The Devil Wears Prada sequel and read up on This Deleted Scene from The Devil Wears Prada Will Completely Change the Way You See Miranda Priestly for more.
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