Every MC at a wedding wants to know what to say in the MC Speeches.
When one thinks about an MC Speech the “traditional” speech and toast come to mind.
This is frequently not the case though. In most speeches, the speaker – who could be a father of the bride or mother of the bride or best man, for example, gives a tribute to the bride and groom. (The exception, of course, could be when the best man is also the MC.)
In most cases the Master of Ceremonies plays a different role at the reception because he or she assumes the role of facilitator and co-ordinator.
And because of that role, MC speeches are entirely different.
Usually, they are not one short speech and toast.
Instead, they consist of announcements, introductions of guests, and transitions of events.
The First MC Speech At The Reception
The Master of Ceremonies opens the reception with a Welcome speech.
If you’re the Master of Ceremonies, this is the time when you introduce yourself, outline the events that will take place during the agenda, make any announcements – including where facilities, guest book, and gift table are located – and get the guests prepped for a celebration of the marriage they have just witnessed.
Your Welcome to the guests is the ice breaker – for them to warm up to you and get to know you. After all, you’ll be addressing them throughout the reception.
Your Welcome should be upbeat and humorous if it suits your personality.
The Welcome speech isn’t the only time the MC will address the guests.
The wedding speeches and toasts event is where the Master of Ceremonies will introduce the speakers to the guests.
These introductions are determined by the Order of Wedding Speeches and Toasts.
Each speaker is introduced with a short preamble before he or she begins his or her own tribute.
Creative and fun MC’s don’t just say “The next speaker is…”
Instead, they have done their homework.
They have a concise biography of each speaker so they can make the introduction fun, interesting, and entertaining.
MC Speeches carry over to announcements. The Master of Ceremonies is the “guide” throughout the reception and announces important events including grace, meal time, entertainment, wedding games, the bouquet toss, the garter toss, cake cutting, special events during or after the reception, and the final farewell.
Wedding Speeches Table of Contents
MC A Wedding | Order of Wedding Speeches and Toasts
Exceptions To Traditional Speeches
Two exceptions where the Master of Ceremonies would give the traditional wedding speech and toast are the absence of a speaker or by special request from the bride and groom.
Sometimes a speaker is unable to attend the reception in which case the newlyweds will ask the MC to stand in and make either a speech or a toast.
Occasionally, both the bride and groom don’t wish to make a formal speech. In this case, they will ask the MC to thank the guests on their behalf.
Standalone Toasts
As well, there may be occasions when you will be asked to make a stand alone toast instead of the traditional tribute.
The toast to absent friends and family is one you may be asked to give.
Usually this is to honor those who are deceased but were close to either the bride or groom or both of them.
Other toasts could include one to acknowledge someone who has made a major contribution to the planning of the wedding – such as the Mother of the Bride – or a toast to the Queen.
In most cases, your toast begins with a brief preamble that leads straight into the toast.
As you can see, your preparation for MC Speeches is entirely different from preparing a traditional tribute to the newlyweds.
Your focus is on introducing speakers and events. This will require preparing background information on speakers and dignitaries as well as knowing the sequence of events from the agenda.
Your MC Speeches should enhance the reception and make it fun.
In effect, your speeches are transitions – from one speaker to the next or from one event to the next.
When you do the transitions well the reception events flow smoothly.
Conversely, poor transitions interrupt the flow of events and activities and slow down the rhythm and tempo of the reception.
The success or failure of a reception often hinges on the Master of Ceremonies.
And when the bride and groom – or their families – have spent thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours preparing for this special event, it’s essential that the Master of Ceremonies be chosen with care.
Qualities of a Wedding MC
Most receptions that have an MC have someone who is known to the bride and groom rather than a professional Master of Ceremonies.
In some cases this is a budget consideration. In other cases, the bride and groom don’t feel it’s necessary – which generally is true if your MC has the right guidance.
However, it should be remembered that the success or failure of the newlywed’s special day rests primarily with how well the MC organizes the reception and its events.
That’s why it’s important to pick the right person for the job.
Here are several qualities that a Master of Ceremonies should have:
1. Outgoing personality
2. Good organizer
3. Confident
4. Cool under pressure – someone who doesn’t get flustered easily
Factors To Consider When Choosing An MC For A Wedding
1. The size and complexity of the reception
A short, afternoon reception with few events is unlikely to need a separate Master of Ceremonies. In this case, the best man might also play the dual role of MC.
A longer reception with entertainment, games, and traditional events, on the other hand, requires a Master of Ceremonies to ensure things run smoothly. The MC in this case may or may not be the best man.
2. The Length of the Reception
Shorter receptions – or those that are more intimate with fewer guests – won’t require a Master of Ceremonies.
Large receptions with hundreds of guests and that span a number of hours will require an MC.
3. The size of the Bridal Party and the number of Speakers
A wedding with a large bridal party and several speakers will usually require an MC – someone to make introductions and help transition speakers and events.
The Master of Ceremonies will not only help with introducing speakers but can also help in ensuring events move along steadily and take place on time.
4. Whether you want a Master of Ceremonies to introduce your speakers
If you have dignitaries or a large number of speakers – usually more than three – then it’s generally a good idea to have an MC to do the introductions.
Are You A Novice Wedding MC And Don’t Know How To MC A Wedding?
Being asked to MC a wedding reception is a HUGE honor.
But with that honor comes a lot of responsibility.
And if you’ve never been an MC at a wedding before, then you probably don’t know what is involved in preparing for the event.
For example:
1. How to create an agenda and timeline.
2. What to say in your MC Scripts.
3. What types of activities and entertainment to have at the reception.
4. What types of contingencies to plan for in case things go wrong.
5. How to make fun introductions at the Wedding Speeches and Toasts event.
And that’s just the beginning. There’s a lot more you need to know about your duties and responsibilities.
Fortunately, there’s a complete Guide to being a Wedding MC…
Find Out More: Click The Following Link For How To Be A FUN Wedding MC
