The Art Of Wedding Mc'ing: A Guide To Mastering The Ceremony

A wedding MC, or emcee, is the master of ceremonies at a wedding. This person is responsible for speaking to guests during the reception, presenting speakers, and keeping the event moving along. They are the liaison between the couple, vendors, timeline, and guests. They are also in charge of making announcements, such as when tables should approach the buffet, where presents should be placed, and when the garter toss will commence.

The role of the wedding MC is to ensure the event runs smoothly and to take the pressure off the happy couple so they can enjoy themselves. A good MC will set the mood for the reception and keep guests informed about what is happening and when.

The role of an MC

An MC, or Master of Ceremonies, is the host of a wedding reception. They are responsible for speaking to the guests, presenting speakers, and keeping the event running smoothly. They are the liaison between the couple, vendors, timeline, and guests.

The MC will typically introduce the couple, direct people from one area to another, release tables to take turns at a buffet, announce when the bar is open and closed, and bring energy to the dance floor.

• Make announcements about housekeeping matters, meal service, dance floor opening, cake cutting, etc.
• Communicate with wedding vendors
• Get the guests warmed up
• Make a little speech about the couple
• Introduce the wedding party and the couple
• Invite guests who are making a speech, ensuring key people, the photographer, and videographer are present
• Present the first dance
• Gather guests to farewell the couple
• Keep the event flowing smoothly and ensure guests are informed about what is happening

An MC is not the entertainment, but they are expected to provide entertainment for the guests. This may include walking around to guests and asking them questions about the newlyweds, encouraging guests to dance, or making announcements in an upbeat and engaging way.

An MC should also be prepared for the unexpected. For example, what happens if the catering group is understaffed or the PA system breaks down? It is the MC's job to come up with contingency plans and keep a positive outlook to make the event stress-free for the couple.

Overall, the role of an MC is to ensure the wedding reception runs smoothly and that the couple and their guests feel relaxed and supported.

Planning and preparation

Know Your Role

The role of the wedding MC, or Master of Ceremonies, is to facilitate the event and ensure everything runs according to the schedule. You will assist with coordinating the wedding reception, introducing and managing speeches, meals, and other formalities, and ensuring they run on time. Work closely with the happy couple to create a detailed running order for the event, and familiarise yourself with this schedule. Remember, your role is to be the host, not the entertainer, so keep your introductions short and sharp.

Prepare in Advance

Do not leave your preparation to the last minute. Arrive at the reception venue early to familiarise yourself with the surroundings, staff, and suppliers. Perform a soundcheck of the microphone and PA system, and introduce yourself to the venue staff, caterers, and other vendors. It is your job to communicate with event staff and ensure everything runs smoothly, so be sure to accommodate their needs as well. Go over the schedule with the staff so that everyone is on the same page.

Know What to Announce and When

As the MC, you will need to make various announcements throughout the event. Know when to announce things like the buffet line, the order of tables, where presents should be placed, and when and where events like the garter toss will take place. Distinguish between what needs to be announced into the microphone and what can be said to guests as they arrive or by going table-to-table.

Research and Gather Information

Meet with the happy couple well in advance to discuss their expectations and gain a clear understanding of your role. Find out information about the people you will be introducing or mentioning, and stick to the script to avoid accidentally speaking out of turn or duplicating content from other speeches. Ensure you have correct names and pronunciations, and clarify any difficult names phonetically. Learn about the couple's history, including first dates, sentimental points, and funny stories. Ask about any topics that should be avoided.

Be Prepared for the Unexpected

While it is important to have a schedule and stick to it, be prepared for last-minute changes or unexpected issues. Come up with contingency plans and be willing to run errands or help with additional tasks on the night of the reception. Delegate tasks to others if needed.

Practice and Organise Your Remarks

Write down what you plan to say and keep your script with you on the day. Practise your remarks out loud to familiarise yourself with them, and ask a friend for feedback. Keep your announcements short and sincere, and remember that your role is to facilitate the event, not be the entertainment.

Communication and coordination

Before the Wedding

It is important to meet with the couple before the wedding to understand their expectations. The MC should ask the couple how they would like to be introduced to their guests, whether there are any stories that are off-limits, and if there are any topics that should not be brought up. The MC should also ask if there are any dietary requirements and whether there will be an open mic.

The MC should also obtain a detailed schedule or "run sheet" of the event, including the timeline, names of the wedding party and vendors, and any other important guests. This will help them make announcements and introductions throughout the event.

During the Wedding

The MC should arrive at the reception venue early to familiarise themselves with the surroundings, introduce themselves to the staff, vendors, and suppliers, and perform a soundcheck of the microphone.

Throughout the event, the MC should keep to the schedule and liaise with the venue and catering staff to ensure that meals are served on time. They should also coordinate with the catering staff, photographers, and videographers, and ensure that key people are present for speeches and other important moments.

The MC should make announcements and introductions, including introducing the wedding party and couple, inviting guests who are making speeches, and announcing the cake-cutting and first dance. They may also need to direct guests from one area to another, such as from the ceremony to the cocktail hour to the reception.

It is important for the MC to be flexible and expect the unexpected. They should be prepared to make last-minute fixes and keep a positive outlook to ensure the couple has a stress-free day.

Tone and Style

When speaking, the MC should keep things short and sweet, and focus on sincerity rather than humour. They should avoid trying to be the entertainment and instead provide simple and clear announcements and introductions.

The MC should also be mindful of their alcohol consumption, as it can affect their performance and understanding of the event's progress.

After the Wedding

The MC may be asked to gather guests to farewell the wedding couple at the end of the event. They should also be prepared to stay late to help with any last-minute tasks or clean-up.

Setting the tone

The role of a wedding MC is to be the 'host' of the wedding reception. They are responsible for speaking to the guests, presenting speakers, and keeping the event moving along. They are the first person that guests hear from once they've sat down at their tables, so they play a big role in setting the mood for the reception.

The MC is the voice of the wedding and the primary source of communication to all wedding attendees. They convey the personality of the wedding, which is usually a reflection of the couple. While they bring their own unique charisma to the table, it's important that they accurately represent the couple, their vision, and their guests.

The MC is not the entertainment, but they should provide an element of entertainment to the guests. They are not expected to be the funniest person, but they should be comfortable speaking in front of people and have a charismatic and engaging presence.

• Let sincerity trump humour. While it's good to be engaging and entertaining, remember that your main role is to make sure everyone knows what's coming up next and what they need to do.
• Be organised. Write down what you're going to say and keep your script handy.
• Don't surprise the bride and groom. Make sure they know what's coming and stick to the plan.
• Get feedback from a friend. Practise your remarks out loud and ask for feedback to make any necessary changes.
• Focus on humour, not humiliation. You are the 'host', so don't speak for long periods. Short, sharp, and entertaining introductions are perfect.
• Avoid consuming too much alcohol, as it can affect your performance and understanding of the event.
• Practice the pronunciation of names, places, and key points. Ensure you have the correct names and pronunciation in your notes.
• Before making an important announcement, make sure that the VIPs or speakers are in the room and ready.
• Be prepared to improvise and fill in gaps. For example, if the groomsmen are toasting the groom when it's time for cake-cutting, try to go with the flow and let loose a bit.

Overall, as an MC, your role is to ensure the wedding runs smoothly and that the couple and their guests feel relaxed and supported. By following these tips and staying organised, you can set the right tone and make the wedding a success.

The MC's duties

The Master of Ceremonies, or MC, is the official host of a wedding. They are the liaison between the couple, vendors, timeline, and guests. They are responsible for speaking to the guests during the reception, presenting speakers, and keeping the event moving along.

• Keeping the event on schedule: The MC should be familiar with the schedule of the event and help keep things moving along in a timely manner. They should liaise with the venue and catering staff to ensure that meals are served on time and that the event stays on track.
• Making announcements: The MC will need to make important announcements throughout the event, such as directing guests from one area to another, releasing tables for a buffet, announcing when the bar is open or closed, and introducing special events such as the grand entrance, dances, and toasts.
• Communicating with vendors: The MC will be the main point of contact for any questions or issues that arise during the event. They should introduce themselves to the catering staff, DJ, and other vendors to ensure everyone is on the same page.
• Setting the tone: The MC plays a big role in setting the mood for the reception. They should be charismatic and comfortable speaking in front of people. They can also provide entertainment for guests, such as walking around and asking them questions about the newlyweds or encouraging guests to dance.
• Introducing the couple and wedding party: The MC will typically introduce the couple and wedding party to the guests at the beginning of the reception. They may also share personal anecdotes or stories about the couple.
• Introducing speakers: The MC will introduce any speakers who are giving toasts or speeches during the event. They may also provide closure after each speech and give a hint of what's coming next.
• Facilitating activities: The MC may need to facilitate certain activities or events during the reception, such as the cake cutting, first dance, or farewell for the couple.
• Providing a microphone for guests: The MC will often be in charge of the microphone and may need to pass it to guests who are giving speeches or toasts.
• Working with the couple: Before the event, the MC should meet with the couple to understand their expectations and any specific requests they have. This includes how they would like to be introduced, any topics that are off-limits, and whether they want an open mic or not.

Overall, the MC's main role is to ensure that the wedding reception runs smoothly and that the couple and guests have a positive and enjoyable experience.

Frequently asked questions