It’s a big role. Everyone will be looking at you. You are expected to be on form all night. You prepare months before the big day. No, you are not the Bride or the Groom or even part of the bridal party… you are the Master of Ceremonies (MC).

 

The MC is that glue that keeps the night running. They keep time, they introduce all the main elements of the evening, and they really set the tone for how the evening is going to run. And to all you future MC’s out there, I don’t mean to scare you, but you are kind of a big deal and without preparation, you could ruin the whole wedding… But AS IF I would let that happen to you! Take a few deep breaths and let’s go through this together!

 

So what is expected of the MC?

 

Your main goal is really to keep the night rolling to schedule. You welcome guests, announce housekeeping and how the night will flow, introduce the speechmakers, read out the telegrams from absent guests, plus any other requests the couple may have of you.

 

So if you achieve that, a smooth running evening, then you have succeeded. However why be ordinary when you can be extraordinary! It is a gift to your dear friends or family who have selected you so make it a good show.

 

These days, the MC often work solo or as a pair. I have some advice for you if you have been given the honour, or for you to shoot through to your chosen MC / MC’s, because to feel confident and to deliver something unforgettable for your Bridey and her Groomy, and for the guests, is the most elating feeling and incredible gift to them.

 

Do

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Be prepared. Ask the Bridey for the running of the night at least a month prior.

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The Bridey has a million things to do leading up to the wedding, so once you have been asked, shoot her a quick email – ask some questions about the bridal party (or ask for the bridal parties email addresses and send a group email) that you can use when introducing them or throughout the evening. From the bride and grooms favourite memory with them, a funny story , a fun fact, their nicknames or even their favourite song.

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If you are playing songs for the bridal party intro’s, download them prior to the wedding and if you are playing them off (we had a gorgeous sidekick cueing the songs for us, so pick someone reliable and do a run through of the cues post ceremony, pre-reception)

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If there are two of you, it’s fine to get up together every time you need to speak, however make sure you have defined roles and you know when each other is speaking. So you can also cue them or jump in if they forget something or get a little nervous!

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Tell the couple to inform all guests that cannot attend to send their ‘telegrams’ to your email address, and bring copies with you. If you have a heap of telegrams, feel free to shorten them and give the full telegram to the couple post wedding.

Do not

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Don’t be a microphone hog. Say what you have to say, get some laughs, get off your pedestal!

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Do not be so hugely planned that you are looking at a piece of paper all night. To keep it a little more conversational, try and comment on the speech that has just occurred, or tell a story from the day of the wedding.

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Don’t drag it out! keep your parts informative and short, with a touch of funny or witty thrown in there.

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Don’t be ‘Uncle George’… you know, that guest (normally a relation) that drinks too much, hits on everyone including family members, and utters totally inappropriate remarks all night, loudly. You are oncall until the bouquet has been tossed, so drink slowly!

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Do not over step the line. No go zones – the brides past ‘relationship’ history, that one time at band camp, you get the gist!

With MCing, preparation is key. Key to confidence, key to delivering a memorable performance and to achieve the ultimate goal – to keep the night running without a hitch and to keep your Bridey and Groomy happy and totally stoked that they chose you!

 

NOW, A PERSONAL TALE

 

I recently had the absolute pleasure of MCing for a beautiful bridey who happens to be one of my oldest and dearest friends. I’ve obviously attended, organised and managed a whole heap of weddings and events. 8 years of it.  I thought I’d be sweet. I thought this would be a walk in the park. I don’t lack confidence and have seen it all before. However when it settles in your mind as you are standing in front of all of those expectant faces, it can be a hugely stress-inducing experience. But with some preparation and an amazing co-host it was exhilarating, it was nerve racking, it involved a lot of prep, costume changes and being a DJ. And it was UNREAL!!

 

 

So be original, they have chosen you for a reason. Use your own sense of humour and style in your delivery. They are going to LOVE you!