The Role of Your MC

The Master of Ceremonies (MC for short) is the person who presides over the entertainment. The bride and groom trust you to keep their wedding on track. MCs have the ability to keep things under control. MCs should meet with the bride, groom and the parents before the wedding to get the necessary information they will need to keep this special day running smoothly. Find out when and where the reception is taking place, how many guests are expected and what type of reception it is. The MC is responsible for keeping things flowing, making sure everyone who is speaking is prepared. Who is speaking? The best man only? Parents? The maid/matron of honour? Keep a list of everyone who is speaking and in what order handy. Find out what the bride and groom want, and make sure the MC checks the agenda with the bride and groom.

You're on! Introduce yourself to the guests and how you know the bride and groom. Thank everyone for coming. Make sure to ask everyone for their attention whenever you are speaking, don't try to speak overtop of the room. Simply wait for them to fall silent, repeating "your attention please..." as necessary. Ask the audience to stand when the wedding party proceeds to their table. The guests may sit down after the wedding party is seated. The MC should get a list of everyone the bride and groom want mentioned or thanked before the wedding. Some of the duties may include telling stores, giving special announcements, informing guests of traditions, reading letters or emails sent from guests unable to attend the wedding, announcing the bouquet and garter toss, announcing the cutting of the cake and whatever else the bride and groom assign. Your MC should always follow the line of good taste, especially in jokes or anecdotes, and smile a lot, because smiling is contagious!

Some must-knows for the MC:

• Keep to the agenda
• When the time has come to hit the microphone, introduce yourself and your relationship to the couple. Thank the guests for coming on behalf of the bride and the groom
• Ask everyone to stand as the bridal party takes their seats (if this is how the bride and the groom want to be introduced)
• Introduce the head table and any members of the wedding party that may not be sitting at the head table
• Allow time for photographs
• Introduce the parents and any special guests, including those from out of town
• Read any letters and well wishes
• Announce toasts, the cutting of the cake, and any special events, like the garter and bouquet toss
• Announce the location and time of the gift opening
• If the wedding party is in formalwear, then your MC should be as well, in complimenting colours of the wedding party
• The Master of Ceremonies shouldn't expect the bride and the groom to pay for his garments

Setting for stage

• Know the mood of the wedding, is it casual or formal?
• Adjust your style to the event
• Keep things "clean" and "general" for all ages
• Stays away from the four things you're never suppose to discuss in a room full of people having a good time: sex, politics, race or religion
• Include any inside info into the romance, for example, when the groom knew he loved the bride and wanted to marry her.
• Make sure that those speaking know how long their time is at the podium to ensure that everyone planned to speak has a chance without dragging the event on too long.

The MC should fit in with the theme of the wedding. If everyone else is wearing a tuxedo, the MC should too. Check with the bride and groom but don't expect them to pay. If you aren't wearing a tux, wear a nice suit. Make sure your colour choice complements the wedding party. If they are wearing green, don't wear purple. Be clean and presentable. This is a very important day, so make sure to reassure the bride and groom, and their confidence in you!