Master of Ceremony
- The wedding MC is the designated person to make sure all events are conducted in an orderly fashion after the wedding ceremony.
- The MC will Make sure all audio equipment (if used for speeches/toasts, etc.) is in working order.
- The MC will Direct the wedding attendants to their proper spots in the receiving line.
- The MC will Direct special guests to any reserved seating areas. Groomsmen/ushers can help with seating of general guests if they are not in the receiving line.
- The MC will Once guests are seated, announce the entrance of the bride and groom. Have the DJ or band play any music that was selected for their entrance.
- The MC will Introduce Themselves as the Master of Ceremonies, welcome the guests to this happy occassion and introduce everyone at the head table, including the flower girl and ring bearer, even if they are seated elsewhere.
- The MC will Announce the serving of dinner and introduce the person who will be saying grace, if this is to be included in the reception.
- The MC will Once the main course has been completed, but before desert, it will be time to begin the speeches. The MC will Make sure they give the head table 10 mintues warning, so that they can prepare before the speeches begin. The MC will also make sure that there is wine or champagne at each table for toasting.
- The MC will call upon the first person to begin the speeches, which is usually a good family friend/relative who knows the couple well. They will present a speech and toast to the bride and groom.
- The MC will then announce that a reply will be made by the groom (or the bride and groom both, as is often done today). The groom/bride accept the toast to themselves, and in turn thank everyone for their help in the wedding preparations and thank the guest for attending. They finish with a toast to the maid of honor and bridesmaids.
- The MC will then stand and call on the Best Man to respond to the toast. The best man accepts the toast on behalf of the bridesmaids, then usually tells a short, humorous story about the groom, followed by a toast to both sets of parents.
- The MC will then call upon the parents of the bride to speak first, followed by the parents of the groom.
- Once these formal speeches and toasts are completed, the MC then has the best man or a groomsmen read any faxes, telegrams or letters that were received from guests that couldn't attend the wedding.
- The Master of Ceremony, will propose a toast to all friends and relatives who couldn't attend the festivities.
- The MC then announces the cutting of the cake by the bride and groom. Following this, desert is served and the bride and groom walk from table to table speaking with guests and handing out the groom's cake.
- After desert is finished, the Master of Ceremony announces the first dance by the new couple.
- During the reception, the MC also announces when it's time to throw the bouquet and the garter at a time prearranged by the bride and groom. The MC will also announce any special dances or other activites that have been planned for the evening. For example, many couples now have a "bride's last dance" (with all the single men in a circle) and the goom has a "groom's last dance" with all the single women in a circle.
- At the end of the evening, when the bride and groom are ready to leave, the Master of Ceremony announces this to the guests so they can make their good-byes and give their good wishes to the bridal couple.
Keep in mind that these are just generally followed guidelines and that they can be changed to suit the wedding couple. The main thing to remember is to relax and have fun. A wedding is a celebration of joy and love between two special people, not a rigid, military procedure. Don't get so caught up in your "duties" that you forget to have fun. Go with the flow and enjoy the party! |