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Preparation
The Master of Ceremonies
This is a big job, the success of the reception often lies in your hands. If you are the person chosen for the job you should be friendly, funny, kind and be comfortable with the responsibility you have undertaken.
(There are a number of tasks that a master of ceremonies has to undertake. Should there be no MC it is customary for the Best Man to take over these responsibilities.)
As Master of Ceremonies it is important that you:
- Know how people will be greeted on arrival at the reception.
- Ensure that all gifts brought to the reception are placed in a safe place.
- Find out if grace is being said and if so, by whom. Make sure you know their correct name and how to pronounce it correctly.
- Judge when the time is right to start the speeches generally just as people are finishing their deserts.
- Make sure you know how many toasts the bride and groom want, who is going to propose the toasts, and who else is going to speak. Again make sure you know their names and the correct pronunciation. Make a point of introducing yourself to the speakers and letting them know the schedule and when you will be calling on them to speak.
- It's your job to prepare the way for the next speaker by ensuring that everyone is relaxed and in a receptive mood. Make sure that you listen to their speech, lead the laughter if they crack a joke and start the applause when they have finished.
- Be at the reception before any of the other guests arrive.
- If the bride and groom intend dancing the bridal waltz, make sure that the music has been arranged for it and work out with the musicians when it will be played.
- After checking to make sure that the sound system is working correctly, decide whether or not the speakers are to speak from their tables or if they have to come up to a microphone. Make sure they know the situation.
- Be aware of when the bride and groom expect, or wish, the celebrations to come to a close and attempt to round off the formal part of the evening by diplomatically letting people know when they are expected to leave.
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