The Master of Ceremonies is the most important role you can play at a wedding.The MC's job is to make sure the evening goes as smoothly as possible, taking the pressure off the happy couple and allowing them to forget about the practical concerns of the event and focus on having a good time.It can be difficult to get organized, but you can learn the role and nail the tone to make their wedding a success.For more information, see Step 1.
Step 1: You should know the schedule of the event.
You are the one in charge of making it a success.As the MC, it's your job to keep the event moving forward in a timely manner, keeping to the schedule and helping as best you can.To make sure that you're aware of the order of events and the time frame in which the events need to occur, you have to be involved in the planning process.It's your job to make the night happen without any problems for the bride and groom.A "run sheet" is a detailed itinerary for the various events that the bride, groom, and other members of the wedding party will have.Don't forget to keep your schedule on you during the day.Be a militant.
Step 2: Make announcements.
The host and communications person of the wedding is the MC.When is the right time for tables to approach the buffet line?What order should they approach the table?Where should the presents be placed?When will the toss start?You will have to announce these things as the MC of the wedding.If you want to say something to everyone as they come in the door or go around table-to-table, you'll need to decide between the two.If you label the presents table, you won't have to announce it every five minutes when people come in.
Step 3: The event staff should be communicated with.
The MC is usually responsible for making sure no one from the bridal party or their family has to spend a lot of time wrangling the staff.Introduce yourself to the cooks, server, DJ, and anyone else who will be directly involved with the evening.Listen to them and accommodate their needs as well.
Step 4: Expect the unexpected.
If the group is understaffed, what happens?If Uncle Phil's beer runs out, what happens?What if the PA goes off the rails just as people are about to start dancing?Bus tables!Beer run!iPod dock!The party continues.If you can come up with a few contingency plans for last-minute fixes, the event will be stress-free for the happy couple.Extra housekeeping tasks can be done on the night of the reception if you are willing to run last-minute chores.If the groom forgot his groomsmen's gifts, don't make him drive to get them.You can make a difference if you volunteer for the little things.Don't be afraid to delegate.If there is a mess to be cleaned up, challenge your cousins to a can-crushing contest.Don't try to take it on yourself either.
Step 5: Let's chill out.
It can be difficult to coordinate everything, make announcements, and make sure everyone gets to their destinations.Try to remember that it's a party.Let people have a good time and have fun.If the groomsmen are boisterously toasting the groom in the corner when its five minutes past cake-cutting time, try to get into the swing of things.Simple things can be made simpler.A wedding MC can make the night smooth sailing, or can tax everyone's fun by being too in-your-face about the little rules.Try to keep an eye on the big picture and focus on making things simpler.
Step 6: Stay late, get there early, and help out.
The reception is for you.Save some time for fun, but you need to get there early enough to make any last minute preparations with the staff, get everything ready and in place, and prepare yourself for the job to be done.You probably can't get there too early because there are a lot of things that need to be done before the party starts.If the ceremony takes place somewhere else, try to sit close to the back so you can get out as soon as possible.
Step 7: The microphone is used before the reception.
It's kind of a bummer for everyone if you're standing in front of everyone and moving your lips so no sound comes out.You should not speak into the house mic in front of a big crowd the first time.You won't have to go through an awkward sound check if you practice holding it at the correct distance.
Step 8: Information should be announced at the beginning of the reception.
As the reception starts, your biggest job will happen.Everyone needs to be directed to their table, place their presents, and any other preliminary things that need to happen.Just before the bridal party enters, it is customary for the MC to introduce themselves, and go over the course of the evening.The biggest announcement you'll have to make is when the bridal party enters.The new Mr. and Mrs. will need to be introduced._____!Let everyone know that the bride can sit and visit for a while.
Step 9: The speakers should be introduced.
Everyone will eat dinner and you won't have anything to do for a while but eat with them.After dessert, you'll grab the mic again and introduce anyone who's prepared a speech for the evening.Before each speech, don't give preliminary speeches.You're not the entertainment and you don't need to tell long-winded jokes about each person."Next up, let's all welcome the maid-of-honor!"Wait until the dinner phase is over so you can get ready for the speeches.Don't rush people who are still waiting to be served so you can jump to the speeches if there is a set time limit, but try to stick to it as close as possible.Things should move in an orderly fashion.
Step 10: The couple has planned more than one event.
Garter tosses, bouquet tosses and other ceremonies are specific to the couple's wishes.If there is any reason to, let the couple handle the microphone and draw people's attention to these types of things.Simple is good.Walk around the tables and say hello to everyone.Hope you're having fun!If you want to make your way over there, they're going to do the garter toss on the dance floor in about five minutes.
Step 11: Let it be known that there's more to it than humor.
The most important part of being a wedding MC is that you're not entertaining.It's not your job to be funny or to tell stories, but to make sure everyone knows what is coming up next in the evening, and what they need to do.At the beginning of the reception, before the bride and groom enter, you can introduce yourself and set the tone for the evening.Don't think about starting a story about your spring break trip to Mexico with the groom because the room will be buzzing.
Step 12: It's time to get organized.
Even though you've got a naturally witty, charming, and hilarious personality--that's why the lucky couple picked you to MC, don't try to rely upon your talents and skills, hoping you will be able to improvised your way through the night.It's likely that your mind will blank after a busy day at the wedding.Keep your script handy on a mobile device or a notepad by writing down what you're going to say.You won't have to fill in the gaps at the last minute if you write it like you want to read it.
Step 13: Don't surprise the bride and groom.
Make sure they know what's coming and who will say it.The night of the wedding isn't a good time to change things up and make a best man's speech at the last minute while the father is talking to grandma.Everyone is on-point with the plan, so make sure you stick to it.If the speech-givers want to surprise the party with their speeches, try to find out what's in them and let the bride and groom know.It's good to do a little screening if you have to listen to a joke from someone at a wedding.It's not your job to tell them not to give the speech, just let the couple know so they'll be prepared and won't be embarrassed on their night.
Step 14: Get feedback from a friend.
If you want to become familiar with your remarks, read them out loud several times and make sure they're brief and articulate.Make changes if you ask for feedback.