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Wedding Welcome Speech: Tips for Expressing Gratitude and Joy

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Being mandated with the duty to give wedding welcoming speeches is an honor. It means you share a stronger bond with the couple than many others present. But the anxiety and subtle confusion that comes with giving a welcome speech almost take out the fun.

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To help calm your nerves and slay to perfection in this important event of your life, we’ve brought tips. In this post, you’ll find guides on how to start and give speeches to inspire you.

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Wedding Welcome Speeches Examples

There are different kinds of wedding ceremony speech samples. This is because although the bride’s father is traditionally the host, things are changing. The maid of honor, the best man, the groom himself, very close buddies, and anyone, can give the introduction to wedding welcoming speeches. And you’ll find beautifully crafted speech samples online.

“Hi, I’m (name) and it’s time for me to do this speech I scribbled down about an hour before the ceremony started.”

“My name is (name) and it’s an honour to be here today as (groom)’s best man.”

“Thank you for joining us today on such a wonderful occasion.”

“Welcome to _____ & _____ wedding reception! I am (name). Please take your seats so we can officially welcome our guests of honor.”

“Friends and Family of the _____ and _____, welcome and thank you for being here on this important day. We are gathered together to celebrate the very special love between _____ and _____, by joining them in marriage.”

“Good evening, welcome to this most important moment in the lives of this couple. We invite you to leave behind the worries and concerns of every day life and join us in the celebration of their marriage.”

“Today is a celebration. A celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it for forever.”

“We have been invited here today to witness and celebrate the uniting in marriage of _____ and _____. They are taking the first step of their new beginning; their new life together.”

“Hello and welcome! May your hearts be glad and your spirits be light. For every thing there is a season and a time for every purpose under Heaven. Now is the time for a wedding.”

“Hello everyone and welcome. Thank you for joining us on this day of gladness and good fortune. _____ and _____ are coming together to publicly proclaim their undying love through the celebration of their marriage. So we are all here to learn about loving and being loved, and to watch the miracle of love exchanged enriches every one of us.”

“Hi! My name is _____. We have come together – families and friends – to witness _____ and _____ as they exchange their vows of marriage. “We share with them their delight in finding love with each other, and support their decision to be together from now until the end of time.

Done! You’ve got the best wedding welcome speech! But wait, there’s more!

Wedding Reception Welcome Speech

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us on this magical day. Your presence makes this celebration truly special. Here’s to love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Let the festivities begin! Cheers!

Friends and family, your smiles light up the room. Thank you for sharing in our joy. Today is a celebration of love, laughter, and cherished moments. Let’s make memories that last a lifetime. Cheers to all of you!

To our dear guests, your presence fills our hearts with happiness. Thank you for being part of our love story. As we gather for this reception, let’s savor the joy, create memories, and dance the night away. Cheers to love and togetherness!

Wedding Welcome Speech Tips

Wedding introduction speeches can make even the boldest person nervous. So nervous that you either forget your lines or don’t know how to start. Below are a few tips to help you start great wedding welcoming speeches.

• Introduce yourself

Don’t step on stage with the false pride that everyone knows you. Because there are lots of guests who need a fresh reminder of who you are. Always introduce yourself and keep it short. Don’t go on and on, it could get boring. You may also start with witty one-liners. They are ice breakers.

Crafting warm and inviting opening lines to engage the audience. Importance of expressing gratitude and acknowledging the guests’ presence.

As we gather on this joyous occasion, let the warmth of our shared smiles illuminate the room. In the embrace of love, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each one of you, dear guests, for gracing us with your presence today. Your smiles are the most beautiful decorations, and your presence adds a unique melody to this celebration of love. Let us embark on this journey of joy and togetherness, united by the bonds of love and friendship. Welcome, and thank you for being a part of this extraordinary moment.

• Make eye contact

Making eye contact signifies confidence. Don’t look to the ground when giving a welcome speech. Look in the audience instead as it helps you comment. Roam around with your eyes and keep contact with specific persons for a few seconds. It makes everyone feel included.

• Go with notes or cue cards

At the time of giving the speech, you may be quite stressed out or have your mind on other things. While it’s beautiful to say your speech off heart, the brains could play a trick on you. So always have a paper on hand. If you don’t want to write it out flat, then go with cue cards that act as reminders for your next line or paragraph.

• Skip drinks

If possible, skip the drinks until after the welcome speech is over. You have enough time to celebrate. In other cases, it could be some Dutch courage you’re seeking. Still, skip the drink and use a mock audience backstage instead. Filling your head with drinks just before a speech will mess everything up for you. From incoherence to uncoordinated acts and possible misbehavior.

You could say all the funny jokes and witty one-liners. But if you’re not genuine, there’s no way of hiding it. Put some heart in your speech. Don’t give the welcome speech like an obligation. Do it as something you’re delighted at doing for someone who means the world to you.

• Keep it short

Remember you’re giving the first speech out of many. There are still other activities on the program which must fly. So keep it short, straight the point and informative. It should last 10 minutes at the maximum. This sums up to about 1,000 words when written.

• Mention the spouse

Don’t focus only on your half of the couple. Mention their spouse and praise them.

• Closing Remark

Encouraging other speakers to follow with their toasts or speeches.Emphasizing the importance of creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.

As we conclude this welcome speech, let us extend a warm invitation to other speakers to share their toasts and speeches. Each word spoken contributes to the tapestry of this celebration. Remember, the key is to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, where every expression of love and joy finds a place. Let us build on the warmth and camaraderie, making this wedding a truly memorable and inclusive experience for all. Cheers to love, laughter, and beautiful moments ahead!

Crafting the Perfect Wedding Welcome Speech Guide

Welcome to our guide on crafting an exceptional wedding welcome speech! In this guide, we’ll explore the importance of a welcome speech, who traditionally delivers it, and the ideal moment to present this warm introduction.

Is a Wedding Welcome Speech Necessary?

A wedding welcome speech is more than just a formality—it sets the tone for the entire celebration. It expresses gratitude to guests, creating a warm atmosphere and enhancing the overall experience. It’s a thoughtful touch that makes everyone feel valued.

Who Does the Wedding Welcome Speech?

Typically, the honor of delivering the welcome speech falls to a key figure such as the bride’s or groom’s parents, the master of ceremonies, or a close friend or family member. Whoever takes the stage should be someone who can convey warmth, gratitude, and excitement.

When Should You Give a Wedding Welcome Speech?

The wedding welcome speech is ideally delivered at the beginning of the reception, just before the festivities kick off. It ensures that everyone feels welcomed and sets a positive vibe for the rest of the celebration. This opportune moment allows guests to settle in, creating a seamless transition into the joyous occasion.

How To Deliver A Wedding Welcome Speech?

There’s really no ‘one size fits all’ to delivering welcome wedding speeches. But there are some “holy grails” that must never be quite neglected. Follow these tips and you’d deliver a welcome wedding speech no one will forget.

• Start with something funny

The truth is weddings are solemn and the guests may not be over the ceremony yet. It might take an effort for them to listen to you. Their ears were not made for you after all. So if you want to get them interested, start with something funny.

• Harvest the good memories

Do you have some personal experience with the couple? Then narrate it. If you’re closer to one of them, share sweet memories. The guests will be well delighted to know a little more about the couple they’ve come to celebrate.

• Give well wishes and advice

The good memories are in the past and they’re about building a future together. So why not give them some bricks in the form of advice? Also, encourage and cheer them up.

• Say thank you

Best Welcome Speech for Wedding

“Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, welcome to this beautiful celebration of love. Your presence here makes this day even more special, and we’re thrilled to share these joyous moments with you.”

What to Say to Welcome at a Wedding

“Good [morning/afternoon/evening], everyone! On behalf of [Couple’s Names], I extend a warm welcome to each of you. Thank you for gracing us with your presence on this joyous occasion.”

Best Opening Line for a Wedding Speech

“As we gather here today to celebrate the union of two incredible souls, let us embark on a journey of love, laughter, and cherished memories. Welcome, and let the festivities begin!”

Wedding speeches are as interesting as you make them. These are wedding welcoming speeches that could make guests howl with laughter or shed a tear. Regardless of who gives the wedding welcome speeches, there are guides to help you pull it off. Thus, we’ve rounded off tips and samples to keep you inspired as you prepare your wedding welcome speech .

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How to Begin a Wedding Speech: 20 Speech Introductions

Got to give a speech but don't know where to begin? Our wedding speech introduction examples will help you get started

Love them or hate them, the speeches are central to any wedding reception, but it can be nerve-wracking if you're the one standing up to say a few words. Whether you're the bride , groom , father of the bride , best man or maid of honour , we've got you covered with tips to help you begin your wedding speech , including some introduction examples, so you can start strong and feel confident. 

"Getting the introduction right is key because it sets the tone for the whole speech," explains wedding wordsmith and professional speechwriter Amerdeep Sanghera of Lovingly Penned . "You don't want guests thinking, 'Oh no, not another speech'. Instead, you want to see those smiles spread. So the introduction is pretty much the most important part of the whole thing."

Sounds stressful, right? Well, don't panic. From funny opening lines to general tips on how to get started, scroll on to make sure your speech is talked about for all the right reasons… 

How to Start Your Wedding Speech

Knowing how to start your wedding speech - whether it's a traditional wedding speech or if you're going for a more modern take - can be challenging, but we've asked the experts for tips and ideas on how to beginning a wedding speech. 

1. Introduce Yourself

It doesn't matter if you're the father of the bride, the maid of honour, the best man – even the groom – it’s always polite to introduce yourself. Smile as you do so and make a bit of a joke if you feel tense, or reference how important the day is if you don’t feel like joking:

• “Hi, I’m [BRIDE/GROOM’S NAME] – you should probably all know who I am, and if you don’t, well done for sneaking in unnoticed.”
• “Hi, I’m [BEST MAN’S NAME], but you can call me by my full name: [BEST-MAN’S-NAME-WOULD-YOU-LIKE-A-DRINK].”
• “Hello, I’m [FATHER OF THE BRIDE’S NAME] and I’m so delighted to welcome you all here on this beautiful day.”

Don’t go overboard with a long-winded introduction about yourself – a line or two about who you are and your role in the day will be enough.

To grab the audience's attention, be confident and keep it simple. If in doubt, start with the thank-yous. If you’re the best man, it’s fine to start with a joke (check out some of our  tried and tested best man jokes to inspire you) but remember, this isn't a stand-up routine and you should always add how honoured you are to be part of the day. 

2. Make Eye Contact

Pick a few reassuring faces in the crowd and pitch your speech to them – but don’t focus just on one person. Aim for a couple of different locations around the room so the whole audience feels engaged. "A simple way to do this early on is to ask people to give the couple a round of applause," adds Amerdeep. 

If the idea of making eye contact is too much, pick inanimate objects to focus on but mix them up.

3. Have Notes to Hand

Don’t think you need to know your whole speech off by heart – you’ll feel more confident if you have your notes to hand and no one will judge you for it. If you don’t want it to feel too scripted, simply give yourself cue cards to work from.

4. Don’t Drink Too Much

Don’t try and drown your nerves before you stand up. You might not remember your performance, but everyone else will (for a long time). Consider a one-drink limit before you begin your speech and save the celebratory fizz for after you’ve completed it – slur free!

5. Consider Hiring a Pro

If you're really stumped on how to begin your wedding speech, a professional speechwriter will help you gather your thoughts and anecdotes and put them into a coherent structure to get you started.

Speech Introduction Examples

Here are a few more ways to introduce your speech, no matter what role you’re playing in the wedding day – just tweak it to suit you and your speech.

Bride and/or Groom or Newlyweds 

• “We would like to welcome all of you here today to celebrate and thank you for choosing to spend the day with us."
• "Hello everyone! I hope you're having a wonderful day so far."
• "On behalf of me and my new [WIFE/HUSBAND/SPOUSE], I'd like to thank you all for coming today!"
• "Hi everyone - hopefully you all know who I am, otherwise you might be at the wrong wedding..."
• "If you don't know me, allow me to introduce myself - I'm the luckiest person in the world!"

Father of the Bride or Groom

• “Friends and family of [NAME] and [NAME], thank you for being here today to celebrate their marriage.”
• “The highest happiness on earth is the happiness of marriage.”
• “Today, promises have become permanent and friends have become family.”
• “Thank you for joining us today on such a wonderful occasion.”
• "What an honour I have, to give a speech today on my child's wedding day."

Maid of Honour or Bridesmaid Speech Introduction Examples

Mark Horton Photos

• “Welcome to the most important day in the lives of [NAME] and [NAME].”
• “Today is a celebration and we are here to celebrate with [NAME] and [NAME].”
• “Love has brought [NAME] and [NAME] and everyone in this room together today.”

Amerdeep also recommends: "Hello, beautiful people! I can't help but feel like I'm on stage at the Oscars, standing here. Sadly, there's no red carpet or golden statue for me, but I do have the privilege of celebrating two incredible people and their love story tonight."

Hitched Editor Zoe Burke chose to go for humour when it came to starting her maid of honour speech. "I was the first one speaking and I knew I needed a laugh quickly to help with my nerves, so I said 'Well, I've had the chance to wear a beautiful dress, carry a gorgeous bouquet and walk down the aisle without any of the financial pressure or stress of planning a wedding, so thank you!'

"It can be trickier figuring out how to start a wedding speech if you're not one of the traditional speech givers, but adding in some humour always helps!"

You can see more maid of honour speech examples  here.

• “My name is [BEST MAN] and it’s an honour to be here today as [GROOM]’s best man.”
• “Hi, I’m [NAME] and it’s time for me to do this speech I scribbled down about an hour before the ceremony started.”
• “I must admit, I’m not accustomed to public speaking. Up until I was asked to give this speech I thought a toastmaster was a kind of kitchen appliance!”
• “Before I begin, I must admit that [NAME] and [NAME] have asked that I remove anything resembling innuendo from this speech – I’ve promised if I come across anything even slightly risqué, I’ll whip it out immediately.”

"Another favourite of mine is, 'Alright, let's kick off this party! But before we hit the dance floor, let me share a few stories about our fearless groom and his journey to this moment…'" adds Amerdeep.

If you’re still worrying about your wedding speech, don’t miss our guide on how to deal with wedding speech nerves .

Related Hitched articles

Opening Words and Introduction

The Opening Words and Introduction of the wedding ceremony   sets the tone for the wedding. It’s a statement about the occasion, its importance, the significance to the world as well as the couple getting married.

Opening Words and Introduction 1

Friends and Family of the BRIDE and GROOM, welcome and thank you for being here on this important day.

We are gathered together to celebrate the very special love between BRIDE and GROOM, by joining them in marriage.

All of us need and desire to love and to be loved.

And the highest form of love between two people is within a monogamous, committed relationship.

BRIDE and GROOM, your marriage today is the public and legal joining of your souls that have already been united as one in your hearts.

Marriage will allow you a new environment to share your lives together, standing together to face life and the world, hand-in-hand.

Marriage is going to expand you as individuals, define you as a couple, and deepen your love for one another.

To be successful, you will need strength, courage, patience and a really good sense of humor.

So, let your marriage be a time of waking each morning and falling in love with each other all over again.

Opening Words and Introduction 2

Good evening, welcome to this most important moment in the lives of this couple.

We invite you to leave behind the worries and concerns of every day life and join us in the celebration of their marriage.

This is an opportunity for us to share not only in the joy of BRIDE and GROOM’s love but also to reaffirm and appreciate the love and the friendship we experience in our own lives.

May we all celebrate by being fully present during our short time together.

BRIDE and GROOM have chosen this setting in which to be married because it provides an appropriate backdrop for the public affirmation of their love.

BRIDE and GROOM view marriage as a coming together at all levels of being — mind, body, and spirit.

A marital commitment includes the willingness to be open and vulnerable, and the courage to take risks.

Marriage is a conscious act of will.

To remain in marriage we must continually renew our will to be married.

Marital partners accept the challenges that living together in love offer.

They decide that they will face the fears that are a necessary part of establishing and nurturing an intimate relationship.

And you, BRIDE and GROOM have made the commitment to create and recreate this conscious partnership.

Those of us who are married or in relationships may take this moment to consciously reaffirm our commitment to our partners and ourselves.

Marriage consists of entrusting our deepest selves into the loving care of another.

It is a public and legal act to be sure.

It is also an emotional and spiritual act.

The spiritual aspect of marriage must be embraced openly, seriously, and completely for the marriage to endure.

BRIDE and GROOM commit themselves today to each other in sacred trust.

They promise to embrace conflict as well as peace; to work as well as play; to struggle as well as coast; to give as well as receive; and to be with, stay with, and move toward one another.

Opening Words and Introduction  3

Today there will be no dearly beloved, no betrothed, and no ancient rhyme of the married.

Today there are no dead languages to solemnize vows that are very much alive and will remain so for a lifetime.

Today promises become permanent and friends become family.

However, this day is not about the words spoken or the rings exchanged, nor is it about grand pronouncements and recessional marches.

This day — the day of BRIDE and GROOM’s wedding — is about love.

One of my favorite authors once wrote ,  If love is not all, then it is nothing: this principle, and its opposite, collide down all the years of my breathless tale.”

BRIDE and GROOM, your breathless tale is about to begin.

If love is not all, then it is nothing.

Its opposite — If love is all, then it is everything — is going to be the basis for every aspect of your relationship.

All you have to do is simply love one another and that love shows through in everything you do for one another, how you treat each other, in good times and bad.

Love isn’t just a word; it’s an action.

Love isn’t something you say, it’s something you do.

Love is genuine, honest, and open, compassionate and kind, passionate and blind, love doesn’t know space or time, nor look through jealous eyes, and in the modified words of Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Love never dies.”

There are many different kinds of love, almost if not all of which are represented here today.

There is romantic love, the love of parents and children, of brothers and sisters and family, and love among friends.

Not only do BRIDE and GROOM love one another romantically — and they do, you can see it in every look, every touch, every moment they’re together — they also love one another as friends.

In fact, they’re best friends, constantly giggling and taunting and teasing and very plainly and obviously having fun together.

That love and enjoyment of each other as best friends will sustain them through this marriage.

In addition, the love collectively in this room, from friends and family, will help sustain and support the promises they make today.

All of us here will help solidify this bond, as these two individuals are joined as husband and wife.

This new journey will be at times richly rewarding and extremely difficult, but, most importantly, it will be a journey you take together.

Marriage is much more than your signatures on a legal contract.

You are promising, in front of all these people you love, that you want to be with each other and only each other for the rest of your lives, and that you will do everything in your power to honor the promises you are making here today.

For their part, the people who love you will also do everything in their power to try to help you hold up your end of the bargain.

Opening Words and Introduction 4

Today is a celebration.

A celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it for forever.

You don’t have to have a ceremony to have a marriage.

And when you think about it, the whole thing is kind of weird, right?

You’re standing on in front of a lot of people, looking fancy, holding flowers, and being stared at by pretty much everyone who has meant anything to you.

So why do we do it?

The marriage ceremony has been an important feature across nearly every culture, religion, generation, and society.

We have thousands of important moments that happen throughout our lives, but this one is regarded as one so critical, we acknowledge its special status by sharing it with others.

Why this moment?

Because despite all of our differences, love is what we all share.

It’s the great unifier – our one universal truth.

That no matter who we are, where we’ve come from, what we believe, we know this one thing: love is what we’re doing right.

That’s why you are both standing here.

And that’s why you all are here to watch them stand up here.

We have all loved in our lifetimes, and in this moment, we’re reminded that the ability to love is the very best part of our humanity.

All of us here today have our own love stories.

Some are short, others long.

Some are yet unwritten, while others are just getting to the good part.

There are chapters in all of our stories that are sad or disappointing – and others that are exciting and full of adventure.

[Insert love story here]

And that brings them here, a time to pause, look back, and smile at all the moments that brought them here.

And a time to look ahead to all the moments that are still to come.

I’m here – we’re all here – because we want those moments for you.

We’re here to hope with you, to support you, to be proud of you, and to remind you that love isn’t happily ever after, love is the experience of writing your story.

It’s not one moment – not even this moment. It’s every moment.

Big ones like saying “I love you,” moving in together, getting engaged – but mostly a million little ones that come in between the big moments.

Falling asleep next to one another, making dinner together, spending holidays with your families, getting a big hug when you get home from work…

These everyday moments fuse together into one big experience.

And even though this experience is so incredible, words fail us when we try and explain it.

That’s just the way it is with love – it’s meant to be felt, not described.

But trying to describe love is one of our favorite pastimes.

We use the words we have to write stories, and poems, and songs about love.

And even though we describe love in different ways – and even though love can look different from one person to the next – we all know it when we see it.

And we see it here.

Opening Words and Introduction 5

We have been invited here today to witness and celebrate the uniting in marriage of BRIDE and GROOM.

They are taking the first step of their new beginning; their new life together.

The ability and desire for one human being to love another is perhaps the most precious and fulfilling gift that has been entrusted to us.

It is an all-consuming task, a lifelong endeavor — the journey we’ve been preparing for all of our lives.

Loving someone is a reason to stretch beyond our limits, to become more for the sake of the other.

It is to look into the soul of your beloved and accept what you see.

Loving is the ultimate commitment which challenges humans to become all that we are meant to be.

As they join in marriage today, BRIDE and GROOM are announcing to the world that they are welcoming that challenge.

Opening Words and Introduction 6

Hello and welcome!  May your hearts be glad and your spirits be light.

For every thing there is a season and a time for every purpose under Heaven.  Now is the time for a wedding.

BRIDE and GROOM have asked you all here today to bear witness to the forming of their covenant.

In honor of this event, they will say heartfelt words, perform age-old rituals and validate this event in your presence, their family and friends.

They will laugh and cry, dance and sing, and above all, celebrate their love with the blessings of the people who matter most to them.

To this day BRIDE and GROOM bring the joy in their hearts as a gift to one another.

They bring their shared dreams, which tie them together.

And they bring the seeds for their future, out of which will grow their life together.

You have been invited to share in their joy because of your bonds to the bride and groom and their families.

Again, they welcome you and thank you for coming.

Opening Words and Introduction 7

Hello everyone and welcome.

Thank you for joining us on this day of gladness and good fortune.

BRIDE and GROOM are coming together to publicly proclaim their undying love through the celebration of their marriage.

We are all here to learn about loving and being loved, and to watch the miracle of love exchanged enriches every one of us.

Therefore, we appreciate the opportunity to witness the shared love of this beautiful couple.

Their enthusiasm is contagious, their certainty of their destiny together is inspiring and their great expectations give us all a glimpse of the heights love can reach.

Marriage is a very special place.

It’s an oasis, a haven, and a sanctuary where we can safely learn about ourselves in the presence of another.

Like the harmony with the melody, marriage weaves two lives together, creating a deeper and richer song.

We are honored that BRIDE and GROOM are sharing some of their beautiful music with us on this day.

We ask that the vision they have of one another always reflect the electric attraction that first brought them together.

And we pray that, as they enter into the lifelong bond that is marriage, they may always see one another in the light of all light; the light of love.

Opening Words and Introduction 8

We have come together – families and friends – to witness BRIDE and GROOM as they exchange their vows of marriage.

We share with them their delight in finding love with each other, and support their decision to be together from now until the end of time.

As this couple enters into marriage, they do so with thought and reverence.

They give thanks for the past, which brought them to this place, and look forward with hope to what the future will bring.

Marriage is like a great umbrella that shelters love from the elements.

Corinthians One says that love is patient and kind.

It is not jealous or boastful, not irritable or resentful, not arrogant or rude.

Love does not insist on its’ own way.

It does not rejoice in the wrong, but rejoices in the right.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes in all things and endures all things.

Love never ends.

This marriage is a symbol of BRIDE and GROOM’s commitment to that love.

Opening Words and Introduction 9

We are here on this magnificent and beautiful day to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments – we are all present to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love – and to publicly witness the creation of an outward marriage bond that BRIDE and GROOM have already been creating inwardly.

Their love and intention has created this marriage and we are gathered here today to join in the celebration and acknowledgment of that bonding.

Opening Words and Introduction 10

We would like to welcome all of you, honored guests, and thank you for being with us today.

We are gathered here this evening, in the presence of God and of His company, to join BRIDE and GROOM in Holy Union, and bear witness to the miraculous power of love.

Love is our purpose in being here; it is the essence of who we are.

With Love as their foundation, marriage offers BRIDE and GROOM the opportunity to become their essence with one another.

Marriage is an art form that brings profound joy and demands great responsibility, awareness, and commitment.

We who partake of this occasion bind ourselves as witnesses to the journey of love that they are undertaking here.

Opening Words and Introduction 11

Love has brought BRIDE and GROOM together.

But what do we mean by love?

When we love, we see things other people do not.

We see beneath the surface to the qualities, which make our beloved special and unique.

To see with loving eyes, is to know inner beauty. And to be loved is to be known, as we are known to no other.

We who love, can look at each other’s life and say, “I touched his life,” or, “I touched her life,” just as an artist might say, “I touched this canvas.”

“Those brushstrokes in the comer of this magnificent mural, those are mine. I was a part of this life, and it is a part of me.”

Marriage is to belong to each other through a unique and diverse collaboration, like two threads crossing in different directions, yet weaving one tapestry together.

The secret of love and marriage is to be in love and in trust, to know in your hearts that you want only the best for each other.

It takes dedication, to stay open to one another, to learn and grow, even when it is difficult to do so.

And it takes faith, to go forward together without knowing what the future holds for you both.

The true art of married life is an inner spiritual journey.

It is a mutual enrichment, a give and take between two personalities, a mingling of two endowments, which diminishes neither, but enhances both.

It is, ultimately, the emergence of the Highest Selves of each person.

Opening Words and Introduction 12

You have come here today, BRIDE and GROOM because you believe that by being together your lives will be better and more productive than they would be apart.

In marriage, a new perspective is created with the joining of male and female views of life.

Through this partnership, each partner becomes stronger, each becomes wiser and each becomes more loving.

But marriage is a garden, which needs to be tended every day:  the benefits we receive through marriage are not free.

If we don’t make time to tell our partner how much we value what we have together, we will begin to take each other for granted and lost the very special quality that we originally united to enjoy.

The importance of marriage to humans is so great, that it is the oldest rite or ritual of any kind recorded in history; it’s scope so great that it is virtually the only custom recognized by every human government and religion.

It is into this dynamic and wonderful state of partnership that you two come, today, to be joined.

Opening Words and Introduction 13

We are gathered here in this beautiful place to join together this man, GROOM, and this woman, BRIDE, in marriage — a state instituted in love, occasioned by joy.

Honored and renewed by each person who pledges themselves to each other.

It is therefore, not to be entered into lightly, or, unadvisedly. It is to be entered into with praise and delight for it’s inexpressible gifts.

Let us be honest enough with ourselves to know that there is no true marriage, except the inward bond of trust and love that dwells in the hearts of BRIDE and GROOM.

Only the two of you will know what marriage exists between you — the outer forms are only signs and covers over the love of your hearts.

We wish that you will find together, a richness beyond the wealth of money — a depth of soul that will make beautiful everything you do in life,  both separately and together.

Opening Words and Introduction 14

The stream had flowed through the center of the forest for as long as anyone could remember.

It began as a cold, clear fountain in a fractured hillside, then tumbled down over mossy stones and last year’s autumn leaves.

At the foot of the hill the stream took a course running southeast through tall stands of beeches, maples, and oaks, and by the time it left the forest five miles later it carried a river’s ambitions.

But in the center of the forest it was a watery dream, about ten feet wide and ten inches deep. Fallen logs made bridges for chipmunks, foxes, and children looking for secrets.

Occasional shafts of sunlight revealed freshwater muscles in the silt, crayfish picking over pebbles, water beetles dancing on the surface, and young trout darting among roots, branches, and softly bubbling falls.

The stream was full of life, and full of lessons for those who knew how to see them.

And regarding it silently on the bank stood the master and the student.

The master and the student had arrived at the stream after walking the forest path for nearly two hours.

Every step of the way, the student spoke anxiously of the impending choices that filled his mind with confusion.

Should he travel?

If so, where?

Should he continue his studies?

If so, in what field of knowledge?

Should he learn a new trade, or perhaps join the family business?

Should he save his money, or spend freely and enjoy life to its fullest?

And on, and on, and on. And every step of the way the master only listened.

When they reached the stream the student fell silent.

They stood side by side, watching the water.

Then, pointing to a fallen twig, the master asked, If you throw that stick into the stream, where will it go?”

The student answered, It will go downstream, of course.”

But the master shook his head. No,” he said, I want you to tell me exactly where it will go.”

The student crouched down on the bank and observed the water carefully.

He noted the paths of leaves, the surge of bubbles, and the sway and drift of weeds growing on the bottom, until he was sure.

Well,” he said, If I throw the stick to land at that spot there, it will follow the current between those two rocks, rush over that fall, then swirl in that eddy for a moment, then pass under this branch, and then move off under that fallen log over there.”

The student smiled, supremely confident.

All right,” the master said. Throw the stick.”

And the student did.

And it traveled on a course entirely different from the one he had predicted.

They watched the stick drift out of sight. The student shuffled his feet and looked at the ground, but finally met the master’s eyes.

The important thing,” said the master,” is to throw the stick!”

We are here today because  BRIDE and GROOM have decided to throw the stick.

In a world of endless choices, unpredictable outcomes, and no guarantees, they are doing the finest thing two people can do: making a commitment before friends and family to devote their lives to each other.

We call this a wedding.

It comes from an old Germanic word meaning a pledge.”

And this is worth remembering as we consider what this day is all about.

We make few pledges in our modern lives.

But today we celebrate with BRIDE and GROOM as they make theirs: a pledge to and for each other, not as individuals, but as two that are choosing to become one.

Opening Words and Introduction 15

Hello and welcome.

Today we are here to witness the act of love.

Love is the magic that has brought BRIDE and GROOM together and through that magic, we are joining them today.

When we love, we see things other people do not see.

We see beneath the surface, to the qualities, which make our beloved special and unique.

To see with loving eyes, is to know inner beauty. And to be loved is to be seen, and known, as we are known to no other.

One who loves us, gives us a unique gift: a piece of ourselves, but a piece that only they could give us.

“Those brushstrokes in the corner of this magnificent mural, those are mine.

I was a part of this life, and it is a part of me.”

Marriage is a supreme sharing of experience, and an adventure in the most intimate of human relationships.

It is the joyous union of two people whose comradeship and mutual understanding have flowered in romance.

Today BRIDE and GROOM proclaim their love and commitment to the world, and we gather here to rejoice, with and for them, in the new life they now undertake together.

Opening Words and Introduction 16

Hello & welcome.

We are here to witness the creation of a marriage.

Marriage is the most intimate of all relationships.

It is the ultimate commitment to love, share, trust and grow with another person.

It is the beginning of a whole new life.

By entering into this marriage BRIDE and GROOM are stating publicly, the feelings and commitments they have held privately between them.

They are proclaiming their love for, their trust in and their loyalty to the one they cherish above all others.

Marriage has been described as living in love with your best friend.

Love is one of the few constants in the universe.

It is reality, affinity and communication.

Only love is capable of joining living beings by their deepest essence, uniting, completing and fulfilling them.

Marriage is a symbol of the commitment to create a lifelong partnership based on love.

Opening Words and Introduction 17

Today, before this company, BRIDE and GROOM will declare their intention to join their lives together, to intertwine them in the partnership of marriage for all of the seasons of their lives.

This is the beginning of the journey they now undertake together for their mutual growth in character, in mind, and in spirit.

Marriage doesn’t stay still.

Tomorrow will be different from today, and so marriages too change from day to day, year to year.

Marriage is an ever changing, ever-growing relationship moving the couple toward greater contentment within themselves, with each other, and all those whose lives they touch.

A good marriage makes room for the participants to spread their wings and soar toward their own self-realization.

Marital love is like the seasons of our hearts. BRIDE and GROOM are in the springtime of their love.

It is as tender as the green shoots that in the springtime push their heads through the earth and take nourishment from the morning sun.

With tending and care their love will grow dramatically; it will flower and bear fruit and grow ever stronger in the heat of summer.

Together they will harvest the mature fruit of their union in the warm days of autumn and enjoy the contentment of their labors.

And with the onset of the quiet days of winter when words are no longer necessary, the love that they have cultivated and harvested with such care will sustain them for always.

Someone once said to me — Man plans, and God laughs.”

I think about life that way.

We make plans and they don’t necessarily turn out the way we envisioned, but somehow life happens, and shapes and molds us to be better than we are.

Marriage is the single most important relationship that challenges us to be always better.

It molds and strengthens our character.

Opening Words and Introduction 18

We are here on this magnificent and beautiful day to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments–we are all present to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love–and to publicly witness the marriage bond that BRIDE and GROOM have been creating inwardly.

Aware that there is one Presence and Power, and that we are each part of that Divine unity, we join in blessing BRIDE and GROOM as they bring their hands together in Namaste.

Namaste is a beautiful greeting used widely in the East.

As BRIDE and GROOM join their hands in Namaste, and gaze into each other’s eyes, they will repeat after me, the meaning of this greeting as a symbol of their love and commitment to each other:

I honor the place in you,

Where the entire universe resides,

of love, of light, of peace.

I honor the place within you, where

If you are in that place in you,

And I am in that place in me,

There is only one of us.

Opening Words and Introduction 19

Welcome to all of you, who have come to share in this important moment in the lives of  BRIDE and GROOM.

I ask you to join together in celebrating, acknowledging, and honoring this day and the vows that they will be making.

By your presence, you witness and affirm the truth of their love and commitment to each other.

No one gets married in a vacuum.

Each person lives in the context of their culture and community, and most importantly, within a special network of family members and close friends who make up what we might call their tribe.”

For BRIDE and GROOM, you are these people.

By birth or good fortune, you have had a significant place in sharing, affirming and shaping their lives, and they yours.

Your cherished connections endure, despite the distances that separate you, your busy lives, and all the changes that life takes you through.

Their wedding has brought all of you to one place — an event in itself — and has made the tribes suddenly visible.

Today the two tribes are about to become one.

The Bride’s tribe will take the Groom into their hearts and the Groom’s tribe will take the Bride into theirs.

Through the joining of the couple, so are their tribes joined.

This is a wonderful thing for you, since you may never have a better opportunity to develop connections with so many good people.

You’ll be sharing the evening with some of the best people around, hand picked by the happy couple.

This occasion also provides an opportunity to stop and appreciate the love and friendship you experience in your own lives.

Take a moment to recall the special people who make up your tribe. Think of them with appreciation and gratitude.

Opening Words and Introduction 20

We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, the joining of two hearts.

In this ceremony today we will witness the joining of BRIDE and GROOM in marriage.

Today we have come together to witness the joining of these two lives.

For them, out of the routine of ordinary life, the extraordinary has happened.

They met each other, fell in love and are finalizing it with their wedding today.

Opening Words and Introduction 21

Out of affection and honor for BRIDE and GROOM, we are here today, before God, to witness their vows, which will unite them in marriage.

To this moment they bring the fullness of their hearts as a treasure to share with one another.

They bring the spark and spirit which is uniquely their own, and out of which has grown for some time, and will continue to grow, deepen, and strengthen, the precious reality of their life together.

We share joy with them this special day in their lives.

This day they affirm and declare each other as life partners in a celebration of love, which will bring empowerment to their life’s path together.

Let us all give our blessing and love to  BRIDE and GROOM during this ceremony as they pledge their love to one another.

May the wisdom and spirit of all-giving and all-understanding love pervade the words spoken and the love given here today, that these vows offered will remain strong and true in the presence of love all the days of their lives.

May all of us present feel the strength and depth BRIDE and GROOM’s love and experience a rebirth of the power of love in our own lives.

Opening Words and Introduction 22

Good evening.

It is truly a blessing from heaven for two people to find one another and to love so deeply that they embrace the holy bond of marriage.

That is why we are all here today, to witness and celebrate Bride and Groom’s commitment to their union.

On behalf of them, I welcome you all.

Opening Words and Introduction 23

Good afternoon.

We gather here today to witness and celebrate an act of deep love.

Bride and Groom, in their devotion, respect, and love for each other wish to unite in the holy bond of marriage, and to dedicate themselves to each other’s happiness and well-being as life mates and partners.

Opening Words and Introduction 24

Although this is their day, it is also a tribute to all of you.

For knowing you and interacting with you has helped to make our Bride and Groom who they needed to be to find each other.

They would like to thank you all for that.

All of you are the threads of which have woven the tapestry of their lives.

Each one of you is an important piece in the story it tells.

It is the fabric that they wrap around themselves and take comfort in when the world seems cold.

And on days like today when everything is right in their world, that tapestry is proudly spread out and displayed for everyone to see, with all the glorious colors and textures that your diversity adds.

You all hold a place in their hearts reserved for those that they have chosen to call ‘Family’ and Friends” and they are deeply grateful for each and every one of you here today

Opening Words and Introduction 25

Let us all give our blessing and love to BRIDE and GROOM during this ceremony as they pledge their love to one another.

May the wisdom and spirit of all-giving and all-understanding Love pervade the words spoken and the love given here today, that these vows offered will remain strong and true in the presence of love all the days of their lives.

May all of us present feel the strength and depth of BRIDE and GROOM’s love and experience a rebirth of the power of love in our own lives.

To make this relationship work, therefore, takes more than love.

It takes trust, to know in your hearts that you want only the best for each other.

While love is our natural state of being, these other qualities are not as easy to come by.

They are not a destination, but a journey.

Opening Words and Introduction 26

If it were possible to begin this ceremony by gathering together all the wishes of happiness for BRIDE and GROOM from all present here . . . if we could gather together those precious wishes of affection and our very fondest hopes and turn them into music, we would be listening now to a most inspiring anthem, composed of the most harmonious notes possible to produce.

Even though this is not possible, just speaking of it should assure BRIDE and GROOM that our hearts are attuned to theirs in these moments so meaningful to all of us.

For what greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined together to strengthen each other in all labor, to minister to each other in all sorrow, to share with each other in all gladness.

Marriage is an act of faith and a personal commitment as well as a moral and physical union between the parties.

Marriage has been described as the best and most important relationship that can exist between two human beings; the construction of their love and trust into a single growing energy of spiritual life.

It is a moral commitment that requires and deserves daily attention since no earthly happiness exceeds that of a reciprocal satisfaction in the conjugal state.

Marriage should be a life-long consecration to the ideal of loving kindness, backed with the will to make it last.

Opening Words and Introduction 27

Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony.

The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee.

It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church, and Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people.

The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity and, when it is God’s will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord.

Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, bit reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.

Into this holy union BRIDE and GROOM now come to be joined.

If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now, or else for every hold your peace.

I require and charge you both, here in the presence of God, that if either of you know any reason shy you may not be united in marriage lawfully, and in accordance with God’s Word, you do now confess it.

Opening Words and Introduction 28

Before God we have come together today, for marriage is one of the most sacred of His wishes, and now, through me, He joins you together in one of the holiest of bonds.

Opening Words and Introduction 29

Dear family and friends we have gathered here today to joyfully acknowledge the wedding of BRIDE and GROOM.

They have requested your presence on this memorable occasion in order that you might share with them the pledging of their everlasting love on this day of commitment. Let us pray in silence as we wish them all the happiness in their new life together.

Opening Words and Introduction 30

We have gathered here today, in the presence of family and friends to join BRIDE and GROOM in Matrimony.

Opening Words and Introduction 31

BRIDE, GROOM and their families extend a warm welcome to all of you.

They are elated that you could be here today for this joyous marriage celebration.

We have come together this day to uphold you, BRIDE, and you, GROOM, as you exchange your vows of marriage.

We celebrate with you the love you have discovered in each other, and we support your decision to continue your life’s journeys together as husband and wife.

BRIDE and GROOM came together from different backgrounds and experiences.

Through their marriage they do not leave those things behind, but instead form a new family that will broaden the circle of love and understanding in the world.

Whatever source of spiritual guidance you follow, I’m sure you will agree that as inhabitants of Planet Earth, we are one family.

With that in mind, BRIDE and GROOM have asked me honor you – their immediate and extended families – by combining both of their individual spiritual traditions into this ceremony.

The principles and sentiments expressed today will be very familiar to you all.

Opening Words and Introduction 32

It is the joyous union of two people whose comradeship and mutual understanding have flowered in love.

Today BRIDE and GROOM proclaim their love and commitment to the world, and we gather here to rejoice with and for them, in the new life they now undertake together.

The joy we feel now is a solemn joy, because the act of marriage has many consequences, both social and personal.

Marriage requires “love”, a word we often use with vagueness and sentimentality.

We may assume that love is some rare and mystical event, when in fact it is our natural state of being.

So what do we mean by love?

We see beneath the surface, to the qualities that make our beloved special and unique.

To see with loving eyes, is to know inner beauty.

To be loved is to be seen, and known, as we are known to no other. One, who loves us, gives us a unique gift: a piece of ourselves, but a piece that only they could give us.

We, who love, can look at each other’s life and say, “I touched his life, ” or, “I touched her life, ” just as an artist might say, “I touched this canvas.”

The secret of love and marriage is similar to that of religion itself.

It is the emergence of the larger self.

It is the finding of one’s life by losing it.

Such is the privilege of husband and wife – to be each himself, herself and yet another – to face the world strong, with the courage of two.

Opening Words and Introduction 33

We are gathered here today to unite BRIDE and GROOM in marriage.

This celebration is but an outward sign of an inward union of heart, mind and spirit.

This is a celebration of the joining of two souls already attuned to each other.

When such a true bond already exists between a man and a woman, it is fitting that an outer acknowledgment be made.

We are here to bear witness to the entry into the closer relationship as husband and wife of these beloved friends who are already one in spirit.

Opening Words and Introduction 34

Dear family and friends, we have gathered here today, together in the sight of God, to witness and celebrate the marriage of BRIDE and GROOM.

They have requested your presence on this memorable occasion in order that you might share with them the pledging of their everlasting love on this day of commitment.

Mutual love is one of the richest experiences and most precious gifts we know.

Marriage is both a threshold and a continuing process in that experience.

The relationship must continue to grow with care, nurture, and an unending awareness of each other’s needs and feelings.

It requires a solemn commitment, which is to be entered into reverently, but also with joy and celebration. In this we now share.

BRIDE and GROOM, I charge you with the responsibility to keep alive; to grow, to change, to maintain the capacity for wonder, for spontaneity, for humor; to remain pliable, warm and sensitive.

I charge you to give fully; to show your real feelings, to save time for each other, no matter what demands are made upon your day.

I charge you to see the meaning of life through the changing prism of your love; to nurture each other to fullness and wholeness, and in learning to love each other more deeply, learn to love the creation in which the mystery of your love has happened.

Opening Words and Introduction 35

We come together not to mark the start of a relationship, but to recognize a bond that already exists.

This marriage is one expression of the many varieties of love. Love is one, though its expressions are infinite.

It is fitting to speak briefly about love.

We live in a world of joy and fear and search for meaning and strength in the seeming disorder.

We discover the truest guideline to our quest when we realize love in all its magnitudes.

Love is the eternal force of life.

Love is the force that allows us to face fear and uncertainty with courage.

For the giving of our self in love is difficult, for you must learn to give of your love without total submission of yourself.

Therefore, in your giving, give your joy, your sadness, your interest, your understanding, your knowledge — all expressions that make up life.

But in this giving, remember to preserve yourself — your integrity, your individuality.

This is the challenge of love within marriage.

Although you will be sharing one life, never forget, you are two separate people.

Cherish and affirm your differences.

Love each other.

Keep your commitment primary.

Together you will laugh and cry, be sick and well, be happy and angry, share and grow.

Grow, sometimes together, sometimes separately.

But never remain stagnant. Love and life are always changing, always new.

If you will insure a healthy lasting marriage, always, always value each other.

Although you will disagree, remember to respect each other’s feelings, needs and wants.

So it is our hope for you both that in all areas of your life together you will weave a durable fabric of mutual consolation and support and of help in time of trouble.

May each of you achieve the ability to give of yourselves freely so that you will each live better life and become greater persons.

Opening Words and Introduction 36

BRIDE and GROOM, the relationship that you have nourished together stands for love that will blossom and grow with each passing day.

Before you knew love, you were friends, and it was from this seed of friendship that is now your destiny.

Marriage is the clasping of hands, the blending of hearts, the union of two lives as one.

Marriage is caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your marriage partner as your own.

It is not total absorption into each other. It is looking outward in the same direction together.

Marriage makes burdens lighter because you divide them.

It makes joys more intense because you share them.

It makes you stronger, so that you can be involved with life in ways you dare not risk alone.

To make your relationship work will take love.

This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today.

It will take trust, to know in your hearts that you truly want the best for each other.

It will take dedication, to stay open and honest with one another — and to learn and grow together.

It will take faith, to go forward together without knowing exactly what the future brings.

And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both promised today to share together.

An intimate and secure relationship is not based on promises, but rather on trust, respect, faithfulness and the ability to forgive.

A lasting marriage is based on all of these, bound together by love.

Opening Words and Introduction 37

We must give ourselves in love, but we must not give ourselves away.

As Saint Exupery said, Love does not consist in gazing into each other’s eyes, but in looking together in the same direction.”

That is why love must always say no to live in a closed world with just the perfume of the beloved and no other essences from nature or humanity.

So it is on this summer eve, let us rejoice yet know that we are here not just to observe but also to participate in this marriage ceremony.

May we all remember that the path of love is meant to be walked together with God and with all of humanity.

No persons in a love relationship can have meaning apart from their family, their friends and their community.

Who gives their blessing to this marriage, and in the giving who says an enthusiastic Yes!” to this new relationship?

Opening Words and Introduction 38

A marriage between mature people is not an escape but a commitment shared by two individuals that becomes part of their commitment to themselves and society.

Yet to love is also to accept the mystery of the loved one, and to refuse to violate that mystery.

Opening Words and Introduction 39

Dear friends, we are gathered to celebrate a historic and extraordinary event.

At the invitation of BRIDE and GROOM, we are here to see for ourselves their love and commitment, to witness their claim to their civil rights, to surround them with prayer and support, and to share in their joy.

Opening Words and Introduction 40

We welcome all of you here today as we have gathered together in the presence of God and these witnesses to join GROOM and BRIDE in holy matrimony.

Marriage is a gift, a gift from God, given to us so that we might experience the joys of unconditional love with a lifelong partner.

God designed marriage to be an intimate relationship between a man and a woman–mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Just as the two of you make vows to one another today, God also made vows to you and me that show how much He loves and cares for each one of us.

Listen to these vows God made that are recorded for us in His Word: I will betroth you to myself forever in lawful wedlock with unfailing devotion and love; I will commit myself to you, to have and to hold, and you shall know the Lord.”

GROOM and BRIDE because your deep love for each other comes from God above, this is a sacred moment, and it is with great reverence that I now ask you to declare your intent.

Renewal of Vows Opening Words and Introduction 41

Friends, we are gathered here at this hour to celebrate the marriage of these two individuals.

We are here to re-affirm BRIDE and GROOM in marriage, to rejoice with them in the making of this important commitment.

The essence of this commitment is the taking of another person in his or her entirety, as lover, companion and friend.

It is a decision which was not entered into lightly, but rather undertaken with great consideration and respect for both the other person and oneself.

Love is one of the highest experiences that we human beings can have and it can add depth of meaning to our lives.

The day-to-day companionship, the pleasure of doing things together or in exchanging individual experiences, is a continuous and central part of what two people who love each other can share.

What marriage is about is what life is about — growth.

The relationship between two people must keep growing and changing, forming a constant adventure and development which will not be without conflict.

If differences are faced openly, the possibility of learning how to convert problems into opportunities will not be lost and the marriage will prosper.

A marriage that lasts is one which is continually developing and in which each person is individually growing while growing in understanding of the others.

Deep knowledge of another is not something that can be achieved in a short time and real understanding of the other can develop fully only after years of intimacy.

This wonderful knowledge of another person grows out of caring enough to want to truly understand what the other is feeling.

Thus, it is possible to share not only joys and successes but also the burden of sorrows and failures. To be known in this way is a priceless thing.

Such understanding and acceptance makes it easier to live with our problems, failings and worries.

To give ourselves in love is not to give ourselves away.

A good and balanced relationship is one in which neither person is overpowered or absorbed by the other.

It is out of the tension between separateness and union, that love, whose incredible strength is equal only to its incredible fragility, is born and reborn.

Renewal of Vows Opening Words and Introduction 42

As these two people have come together before, pledging everlasting love, so we are gathered together today to once again join this woman and this man in holy matrimony.

But now they wish to extend that joy in a new affirmation, based not upon what they hope the future years will bring, but on what the past has already brought them and what they know of their future together.

Additionally, as they honor one another in memory of the years already shared, the family now grown, and the joys and hardships together endured, they wish to pledge their love anew.

This pledge represents not only what will be, but also honors what has already been.

When a couple first decides to marry, it is an act of faith; faith that the new spouse will be as wonderful as his or her behavior has led each of them to believe.

But we all know that sometimes married life can reveal hidden aspects to your spouse’s personality.

It then becomes a test of love and endurance to maintain a marriage.

BRIDE and GROOM have come through their challenge wiser, more mature and with their love intact.

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How to Begin a Wedding Speech: Our Favourite Opening Lines

Handy one-liners to get your speech off to an amazing start.

If you've read our feature on how to make a great wedding speech , you'll know that it's really important to start strong! Well, today, we're showing you how to do exactly that, with a list of the best wedding speech opening lines . The beauty of this list is that it works for any kind of wedding speech, whether you're the bride, groom, best man, bridesmaid, father-of-the-bride, or even the flower girl or the groom's granny! We've made sure to include lots of different options so there's something to suit every style of speech, whether you want to keep it super simple, bring the audience to tears, or wow them with a joke ! Some of our wedding speech opening lines can be customised, too, to help you make your speech even more personal. So, let's dive in!

Our Favourite Wedding Speech Opening Lines

To help you find what you're looking for, we've split our sample opening lines into three categories; simple and sincere opening lines, funny opening lines and opening lines with quotes from famous people.

Note: (name) can indicate yourself, the bride/groom, the couple as a whole, or another member of the wedding party.  

Wedding Speech Opening Lines: Simple and Sincere Opening Lines

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you (name) for the kind introduction."

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. As (name's friend/relative), I'm delighted to welcome you all here tonight."

"Thank you so much, (name), for such a wonderful introduction. I only hope I can live up to your kind words!"

"Hello everyone. I hope you're all having a great night so far."

"Hello, I'm (name) and, for those of you who don't already know me, I'm (relation to couple)."

"Hi everybody, I'm (name), and I'm here to talk a little bit about my good friend (name)."

"Hi everyone, I'm (name), and I'm going to talk a little bit about (name). When I was writing this speech, I asked myself how I could sum up (X) years of friendship, laughter and adventures in one speech, and I decided that I can't. We'd be here all night."

"Hello everybody and welcome. I think we can all agree that it's been a wonderful day so far. (Couple names), you should be really proud of the amazing day you've put together. We're all very lucky to be a part of it."

"Hello everyone. I hope you're all having a great night so far. My life changed completely on (date, year), when (name) came into my life, and it changes again today, as they embark on their latest adventure with (name)."

"Hi everybody. Thank you for the warm welcome. Mark Twain once said that 'there are only two types of speakers in the world. 1. The nervous and 2. Liars.' I'm definitely in the former category, so I hope you'll forgive me if I'm a little bit shaky this evening."

Wedding Speech Opening Lines: Funny Opening Lines to Make Guests LOL

"Hi everyone, I'm (name), and before any of you ask, yes I am single."

"Hi everyone, I'm (name), and I'll be your speaker for the next 95 minutes."

"Hi everybody. If you don't know who I am... well, you're probably at the wrong wedding! But stick around, we need extra people for the conga line."

"Hi everyone. You're probably wondering why I gathered you here today. I've got a once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunity that I know you're going to - sorry, wrong speech!"

"Hello everyone! Thank you all for being here on such an exciting night. Yes, the rumours are true, I will be debuting some new choreography on the dance floor this evening. But in the mean time, I suppose I should talk a little bit about (couple names)."

"Hello, and welcome. You may know me as (name's friend/relative), but tonight, I go by the title, (name), Lord of the Dance."

"Hi everyone. Just in case you don't already know, I'm (name) and I'm the best man. There are some really successful, good-looking, charming men in the room tonight, but now that it's written on the ceremony program in black and white, it's official - I am the best."

"Hi everyone, I'm (name), and I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from the great Seamus Heaney/Maya Angelou/Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr./Mother Teresa... but unfortunately I left my speech in my other jacket. So you'll have to make do with me!"

“Hi everyone. If I could just say a few words … I’d be a better public speaker! That gag was actually stolen from Homer Simpson, which should give you an idea of the caliber of speech you can expect from me tonight.”

"Hi everyone, and welcome. Webster's dictionary describes a wedding as, 'The process of removing weeds from one's garden'. That's a Homer Simpson quote, which should give you an idea of the caliber of speech you can expect from me tonight.”

"Hello everyone, I'm (name.) According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right?"

"Hi everyone. When I was preparing this speech, (name) gave me a list of topics that were strictly off-limits, so I'd like to start with those."

"Hi everyone. I'm (name). Anyone who knows me knows that I'm (name)'s biggest fan. So much so, that I was actually quite hurt when I learned that I wasn't going to be involved in the first dance!"

"Hi everyone. I just want to take a few minutes to talk about my good friend (name). I first met (name) when we were 13, and since then, I've always looked up to him. He was, after all, the only 6ft 2' student at (school name)!"

"Good evening everyone. To our English speakers, I'd like to say welcome, we're delighted that you could be with us today to celebrate the marriage of (couple names). To our (other language) speakers, I'd like to say (use Google Translate or ask a native speaker to translate, 'My llama is very handsome. I hope my translation is correct.')"

Wedding Speech Opening Lines: Beginning with a Quote

"Hi everyone. I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from Dr. James Dobson, who said, 'Don't marry the person you think you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can't live without.' "

"Hi everyone. I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from Franz Schubert, who said, 'Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife.' "

"Hi everyone. I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who said, 'There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion, or company than a good marriage.' "

"Hi everyone. I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from Franklin P. Jones, who said, 'Love doesn't make the world go 'round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile.' "

"Hi everyone, I'm (name.) I hope you're all having a wonderful day so far. When I got married to my partner (name), somebody told me, 'Don't just be husband and wife, be president of each other's fan clubs,' and I'd like to pass on that same advice to (couple)."

"Hello everyone. I'd like to begin with a quote from Mignon McLaughlin, who said, 'A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.' Over the past (x) years, I've had the pleasure of watching (name) fall in love with (name) over and over again."

You've found your opening line - now what? Click over to this feature  for a handy checklist of people to thank in your wedding speech.

Image credits

Adam and grace, via one fab day, see more in:.

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Master of Ceremony Opening Speech

3 step guide to writing a great master of ceremony opening speech.

Over the last 20 years I’ve had to write an Opening Speech for hundreds of large events where I have been engaged as the MC.

Some have been relatively easy, while others have required many hours of effort and thought.

Rather than reinvent the wheel each time, I now have a 3 Part Formula or Process I always follow. This both saves me time but also ensures that all the elements of a great opening speech are there.

Ingredients of a good Opening Speech

I like to cook when I’m at home and in many ways putting together a great Master of Ceremony opening speech is like cooking a great meal.

Firstly you have to understand what you are trying to make, then the ingredients you are going to use and finally, how you are going to combine them!

We are going to dive in deep into each of those areas but I hope you can see how the metaphor works.

Understanding the outcome you are aiming for, the why, is important because your role as an MC is to help your client achieve their aims for the event. If you are not aware of those aims you could in fact hinder the process with ill considered comments or wrong emphasis. To go back to the planning of your meal, are you making sandwiches and finger food or designing a 5 course sit down banquet?

Secondly, while the ingredients of each opening may sometimes be very similar, often, like a good cook, you can substitute different things. You might change the spice to create a slightly different flavour or double the amount of another ingredient to add more kick or emphasis.

And lastly you can combine those ingredients in different ways. Some elements work better going in early, sometimes just a pinch near the end is all that’s required.

So for a Opening Speech, the 3 Steps are …

• Why is this Happening and What are you trying to Achieve?
• What needs to be Included
• How to put that Together

Preparing a great Master of Ceremony Opening Speech.

It’s unlikely that you are the organiser of the event itself, though this formula is just as useful if you are and are writing your own opening speech.

In most cases as an MC  you will have an organiser, who is then your client. This is the person who has asked you to be the MC. It could be a business owner, CEO, your headmaster, the President of the Association etc. They have specific reasons why this event is taking place and it is your job to ascertain what they are.

In every situation you want to have a briefing session with this person either face to face or over the phone. This Briefing of course will cover your involvement in the whole event, but in this article we will just focus on the Opening.

Pro Tip –  Check out the full list of Briefing Questions on page 102 of the Expert MC Toolkit & Resource Manual .

Part One   –   Reason for the Event

Knowing “why” the event is taking place will get you firmly on the right track to writing a great opening speech!

Is it a Celebration, an Information Night, a Product Launch, Team Building or an Awards Night?

And don’t take a simple answer like “oh, we have it every year” as an answer. Drill in a little deeper. The next question will open it up a bit more.

What are they trying to Achieve?

Building on the “why” question, I usually then ask … “how do you want the audience to Think or Act after the event?” This can be immediately after or when they get back to work etc.

Are they trying to motivate the audience to do something or get them to meet lots of new people. Are they making them more confident about their jobs or are they wanting them to sign up to buy something? Are they gearing up the audience for some hard times ahead?

Theme of the Event!

Is there an actual Theme or Slogan for the Event? We have written about this before but this will give you big clues about what to say and possibly what to wear for the event.

Part 2 –   Details of the Opening Speech

Once you have some of this Big Picture stuff sorted, it’s time to get onto the nitty gritty. Now, sometimes these finer details won’t be known at the time of the briefing, but at least they have been flagged as something you need to know.

Time Available

You obviously need to have a firm idea about the length of time that you are aiming for in an Master of Ceremonies opening speech.

Pro Tip – It’s always good to try and get a longer time allocation than you need or that you will write for. This allows some immediate flex time. If the event starts a little late, and it inevitably will, those extra couple of minutes you asked for may put you back on track.

Are there any official protocols that must be included?

In some countries and with some cultural groups, a Prayer is included at the start of formal proceedings. The National Anthem might also be sung.

Here in Australia many groups have an Acknowledgement of Country at the start of the event, a short few lines recognising the Traditional Owners of the Land.

I use this term to incorporate other things that also must be mentioned in your opening. The more formal an event the more specific you will be.

VIP Guests, Dignitaries etc will probably be mentioned by name in a specific order.

Depending on the type of event, Sponsors my also get a mention here.

Once you know what your client wants or expects, you can then start crafting the opening.

House Keeping

“Housekeeping” is a widely used term that covers all the small bits and pieces of information that may also need to be conveyed to an audience.

Examples are – Where are the Toilets, what is the Wifi Code, what time does the bus leave, etc. I also include in this group – “Please turn your Phones to Silent.”

Now, depending on the type of event it is, you may not need to go through all the House Keeping in your opening speech. I prefer to do it a bit later as I find it dilutes the impact of the opening a bit. In that situation, just mention the Phones before you introduce the first speaker and come back to the Housekeeping after them.

What happens next?

As an MC you should always keep in mind what happens next. So when you are putting together your opening speech you need to be aware of what happens immediately after you finish so you can make the appropriate link. But more importantly, know the appropriate “energy levels.”

For example you might be launching into a facilitated Teambuilding or Networking session, in which case you will be building the energy and fun. Alternatively, you might be introducing someone speaking on a sombre or serious topic that needs focus and respect.

Part 3 – Putting the Opening Speech Together

Now we have the vital information – what we are trying to achieve and what must be included. It’s time for the third part of the formula, putting it all together.

A structure I have found incredibly useful is this …

Closer  /   Link …

This works just as well if you have only 3 minutes or if you have 15. Let’s look at it in more detail.

The Grabber

Getting peoples attention and interest right from the start is vital.

You need to confident and assured in your dress and demeanour and your words need to match.

It’s not a time for chit chat or repartee. Bang, get straight into it!

I’ve attended a couple of sessions with the Patricia Fripp, the British born, now American based speaker coach. (And sister of legendary guitarist Robert Fripp.)

Her advice for speakers is to start with something bold, a phrase or sentence that grabs attention and interest. I think the advice works just as well for MC’s as it does for speakers.

For several events business events I’ve started with …

“Princeton University, 1955.  Professor Albert Einstein is handing out exam papers to his final year students …”

Did that get your attention? Did you want to know what happens next? Of course you do!

That works so much better than “Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen, my names Timothy Hyde and I will be your MC for the event..”

After the quick story, (that relates totally to the WHY they are having the meeting,) you can then move into the welcome and greeting.

Remember also the Voice of God introduction. This will also grab peoples attention and let them know your name! It also enables you to move into something more meaty at the start.

Pro Tip – The full “Einstein Opener” mentioned above is found on page 33 of your copy of The Expert MC Toolkit & Resource Manual .  The theme of Rapid Change, Innovation, Creative Solutions is perfect for many business type functions.)

Other great Opening Grabbers include

• “What if ………?”
• A statistic or fact.
• “Imagine that ……?”
• A bold statement.
• A Question.

Once you have got the attention of the audience,  you can do an official type welcome and include any Protocol type things you need to cover. VIP’s, Sponsors etc

You now move onto the Big Picture.

This will emphasis the Theme of the Event and Why are you all here.

This sets the context for everything to follow. You may mention a couple of highlights of the program coming up, the Who and the What.

I then like to move from Big Picture to the Personal.

So what I’m saying relates directly to each and every attendee.

Now, what is included here depends once again on what the client wants for the outcome of the event.

Are you motivating and enthusing them?

Are you planting seeds that they will get lots of information?

Do you need to reinforce the benefits of being here?

Are they here to – Network, Set Goals or Relax?

Pro Tip – Plant a seed of Co-operation!

In my Opening speech I always like to plant a seed of co-operation. This is a message that we need to work together to keep the event running on time. That running on time will enable all the Speakers to do their full presentations and if they do, YOU will gain maximum benefit from being here. You are busy people, it’s a packed agenda, we want you to gain a lot from being here and we want to finish on time etc.

I also reinforce this at certain times during the event by thanking them for their help.

Closer /  Link to next activity

Depending on what’s happening next, this is a good moment to either slip in any urgent Housekeeping or close up your opening and introduce the first activity or speaker.

I often would use an appropriate quote or a mention of the Theme again, taking it back to Big Picture.

This 3 Part Process will give you a good basis to start writing stronger Openings.

Part 1 gives you the WHY, the reason for the event and the outcomes you are aiming for.

Part 2 adds the details that must be incorporated.

Part 3 gives you a structure for the opening.

Timothy Hyde

Widely acknowledged as one of Australia's busiest & best MC's and a global authority on the MC Industry, Timothy Hyde shares his expertise and insights into this fascinating Professional Speaking niche via this site and a dynamic YouTube channel. His best selling book The ExpertMC Toolkit and Resource Manual has helped thousands of people worldwide improve their Emcee skills and in many cases, start earning a living by taking on the role.

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Wedding Speeches Secrets

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• Wedding Speeches and Wedding Toasts

How To Be A FUN Wedding MC

• Bride’s Guide To A FUN Reception

MC Speeches

Every MC at a wedding wants to know what to say in the MC Speeches .

This is frequently not the case though. In most speeches, the speaker – who could be a father of the bride or mother of the bride or best man, for example, gives a tribute to the bride and groom. (The exception, of course, could be when the best man is also the MC.)

In most cases the Master of Ceremonies plays a different role at the reception because he or she assumes the role of facilitator and co-ordinator.

And because of that role, MC speeches are entirely different.

Usually, they are not one short speech and toast.

Instead, they consist of announcements, introductions of guests, and transitions of events.

The First MC Speech At The Reception

The Master of Ceremonies opens the reception with a Welcome speech.

If you’re the Master of Ceremonies, this is the time when you introduce yourself, outline the events that will take place during the agenda, make any announcements – including where facilities, guest book, and gift table are located – and get the guests prepped for a celebration of the marriage they have just witnessed.

Your Welcome to the guests is the ice breaker – for them to warm up to you and get to know you. After all, you’ll be addressing them throughout the reception.

Your Welcome should be upbeat and humorous if it suits your personality.

The Welcome speech isn’t the only time the MC will address the guests.

The wedding speeches and toasts event is where the Master of Ceremonies will introduce the speakers to the guests.

These introductions are determined by the Order of Wedding Speeches and Toasts.

Each speaker is introduced with a short preamble before he or she begins his or her own tribute.

Creative and fun MC’s don’t just say “The next speaker is…”

Instead, they have done their homework.

They have a concise biography of each speaker so they can make the introduction fun, interesting, and entertaining.

MC Speeches carry over to announcements. The Master of Ceremonies is the “guide” throughout the reception and announces important events including grace, meal time, entertainment, wedding games, the bouquet toss, the garter toss, cake cutting, special events during or after the reception, and the final farewell.

Wedding Speeches Table of Contents MC A Wedding | Order of Wedding Speeches and Toasts

Exceptions To Traditional Speeches

Two exceptions where the Master of Ceremonies would give the traditional wedding speech and toast are the absence of a speaker or by special request from the bride and groom.

Sometimes a speaker is unable to attend the reception in which case the newlyweds will ask the MC to stand in and make either a speech or a toast.

Occasionally, both the bride and groom don’t wish to make a formal speech. In this case, they will ask the MC to thank the guests on their behalf.

Standalone Toasts

As well, there may be occasions when you will be asked to make a stand alone toast instead of the traditional tribute.

The toast to absent friends and family is one you may be asked to give.

Usually this is to honor those who are deceased but were close to either the bride or groom or both of them.

Other toasts could include one to acknowledge someone who has made a major contribution to the planning of the wedding – such as the Mother of the Bride – or a toast to the Queen.

In most cases, your toast begins with a brief preamble that leads straight into the toast.

As you can see, your preparation for MC Speeches is entirely different from preparing a traditional tribute to the newlyweds.

Your focus is on introducing speakers and events. This will require preparing background information on speakers and dignitaries as well as knowing the sequence of events from the agenda.

Your MC Speeches should enhance the reception and make it fun.

In effect, your speeches are transitions – from one speaker to the next or from one event to the next.

When you do the transitions well the reception events flow smoothly.

Conversely, poor transitions interrupt the flow of events and activities and slow down the rhythm and tempo of the reception.

The success or failure of a reception often hinges on the Master of Ceremonies.

And when the bride and groom – or their families – have spent thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours preparing for this special event, it’s essential that the Master of Ceremonies be chosen with care.

Qualities of a Wedding MC

Most receptions that have an MC have someone who is known to the bride and groom rather than a professional Master of Ceremonies.

In some cases this is a budget consideration. In other cases, the bride and groom don’t feel it’s necessary – which generally is true if your MC has the right guidance.

However, it should be remembered that the success or failure of the newlywed’s special day rests primarily with how well the MC organizes the reception and its events.

That’s why it’s important to pick the right person for the job.

Here are several qualities that a Master of Ceremonies should have:

1. Outgoing personality 2. Good organizer 3. Confident 4. Cool under pressure – someone who doesn’t get flustered easily

Factors To Consider When Choosing An MC For A Wedding

1. The size and complexity of the reception

A short, afternoon reception with few events is unlikely to need a separate Master of Ceremonies. In this case, the best man might also play the dual role of MC.

A longer reception with entertainment, games, and traditional events, on the other hand, requires a Master of Ceremonies to ensure things run smoothly. The MC in this case may or may not be the best man.

2. The Length of the Reception

Shorter receptions – or those that are more intimate with fewer guests – won’t require a Master of Ceremonies.

Large receptions with hundreds of guests and that span a number of hours will require an MC.

3. The size of the Bridal Party and the number of Speakers

A wedding with a large bridal party and several speakers will usually require an MC – someone to make introductions and help transition speakers and events.

The Master of Ceremonies will not only help with introducing speakers but can also help in ensuring events move along steadily and take place on time.

4. Whether you want a Master of Ceremonies to introduce your speakers

If you have dignitaries or a large number of speakers – usually more than three – then it’s generally a good idea to have an MC to do the introductions.

Are You A Novice Wedding MC And Don’t Know How To MC A Wedding?

Being asked to MC a wedding reception is a HUGE honor.

But with that honor comes a lot of responsibility.

And if you’ve never been an MC at a wedding before, then you probably don’t know what is involved in preparing for the event.

For example:

1. How to create an agenda and timeline.

2. What to say in your MC Scripts.

3. What types of activities and entertainment to have at the reception.

4. What types of contingencies to plan for in case things go wrong.

5. How to make fun introductions at the Wedding Speeches and Toasts event.

And that’s just the beginning. There’s a lot more you need to know about your duties and responsibilities.

Fortunately, there’s a complete Guide to being a Wedding MC…

Find Out More: Click The Following Link For How To Be A FUN Wedding MC

Click Here To Create A FUN and Memorable Reception For The Bride and Groom Even If You’re A Novice MC!

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Bride Speeches, Best Man Speeches, And More at Wedding Speeches Secrets To Create A Memorable Reception For The Bride and Groom.

Wedding MC? Check out How To Be A FUN Wedding MC and create a FUN and Memorable Reception!

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The Ultimate Guide to Write a Wedding Emcee Script

Do remember to contact Just Married Films for your wedding videography and wedding photography needs for your Wedding Day.

If you’re approached by the couple to be their wedding emcee, don’t fret! It might be stressful to be given such responsibilities but with this guide, you’ll be able to ace your role and give the couple and all the guests a memorable evening.

Table of Contents

Wedding Emcee Guide

Understand the couple.

The couple are the main characters for their big day. Their wedding should be centered around them. It’s important to understand what tone and theme they are going for. You should discuss the flow of the wedding to be able to plan your speech more effectively. Get to know who’s going to give a speech and the order of speakers too. 

To make the speech more personalised to the couple, get to understand any personal stories they have. Also check if they have any taboo subjects or topics that they want to avoid. When everyone is on the same page, the wedding will be able to flow more smoothly without hiccups.

Know the important names on your wedding emcee script

Ensure that you recognise important guests. These could be the couple’s parents, grandparents or significant friends. You don’t want to mispronounce the names of their loved ones in front of them and everyone. While some may laugh it off, it can lead to awkward situations. Double check with the couple while planning to prevent such situations!

Plan of the wedding

Different wedding couples may have different programs for their wedding banquet. Make sure you understand the plan and the flow of events that the couple wants. General segments you can expect are speeches by the couple and some of their loved ones, cake cutting and yum seng ceremonies. Some couples may also have games, dances or audience interactions planned. 

While there may be a fixed flow and script, you can also prepare some jokes to add spontaneity and spice up the atmosphere.

Coordinate with wedding vendors

To ensure a wedding goes smoothly through, other wedding vendors also play major roles. It’ll be good to meet with the wedding planner and coordinate some cues to use on the actual day. For instance, while preparing for the cake cutting ceremony, you can use hand signals to get each other’s attention. This allows for the cake to be set up promptly while the emcee hosts. 

Other than the wedding planner, other vendors you should also communicate with include the restaurant or hotel manager, photographer, videographer and performance band if any. Find out if there are any specific moments you should know about.

Wedding Emcee Script

When you have the details, it’s time to start writing your script. It may be easier for you to follow through and keep track of time if you separate your script into different segments. This is a sample that you can refer to and make changes accordingly. 

It will usually be done in both English and their mother tongue language. Some couples may choose to get a host each for each language. If you’re the only emcee, you will usually be required to handle both languages.

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If you’re the Wedding MC you might think you have to make a speech.

While this is a common misconception, in some cases this is true – if the bride and groom specifically ask you to make a short tribute followed by a toast.

This may be the case, for example, if you play a dual role, such as the Best Man.

In most cases, however, your MC Speeches will be entirely different.

That’s because as Master of Ceremonies you co-ordinate the reception agenda.

Instead of a traditional speech, you open the reception with a Welcome Speech.

This is a brief introduction during which you tell the guests who you are and what will be happening at the reception.

Your welcome should be upbeat.

As well, it can be humorous.

In almost all cases, its purpose is to get the guests into a party mood and prepare them to celebrate the bride and groom’s marriage.

Included in your introduction will be general comments regarding restroom facilities, smoking areas, parking, the location of the guest book and gift table, and any other announcements that need to be made before the reception gets underway.

Your main role as Master of Ceremonies at the reception is as a co-ordinator.

You will provide entertaining remarks thrown in between (or during) your announcements.

Your Wedding MC Speech, in fact, has little in similarity to a traditional one.

Instead, it becomes a series of announcements and introductions throughout the reception.

You will introduce guests who will be paying tribute to the bride and groom or other guests.

These introductions – which will be determined by the Order of Wedding Speeches and Toasts – will be preceded by a brief preamble – primarily who the guest is and their relationship to the newlyweds.

For example, the speaker might be the Father of the Groom.

Or the speaker might be a dignitary who is a close friend of the bride’s family.

Other announcements will be for grace, meal time, wedding games, entertainment, the bouquet toss, the garter toss, the cake cutting, special events, and the final farewell.

Occasionally, a guest who was asked to give a tribute to the newlyweds will be absent.

In this situation, you may be required to stand in for that guest – in which case you would give a speech.

In some cases, you will be required to give just a toast.

Examples of toasts you may be required to give are the Toast to the Queen and a toast to the Mother of the Bride or an acknowledgement to the person who was responsible for helping plan the wedding – which in many cases is the Mother of the Bride.

When giving just a toast you will usually precede it with a very short introduction.

If you are acknowledging someone’s contribution, for example, your toast would be preceded by telling the guests what the contribution was and how helpful it was in making the day such a success.

In your role as Master of Ceremonies, it’s important that you find out whether you will be required to make a traditional tribute to the bride and groom since giving an MC Speech is often much different from a tribute given by the other guests.

Our Wedding MC Speech Guide provides valuable tips and resources to help you in your Master of Ceremonies duties as well as what to include in a traditional tribute to the newlyweds.

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Wedding Party Introductions: How-To Guide With 25 Examples

• by Marisa Jenkins
• November 1, 2023

One of the most exciting parts of a wedding is the reception that follows. Although cultures worldwide vary in how they carry out the wedding reception, one aspect remains universal — it is a night filled with dancing and entertainment. The typical reception begins with the introduction of the wedding party.

As its name suggests, a wedding party introduction is the beginning of a reception wherein each member of the wedding party is presented to the guests. Their names, relationship with the couple, and other important details are summarized and shared in short segments so that the guests can get to know them better.

Wedding party introductions are discussed in detail below, immediately followed by examples of introductions for every member of the wedding party. Ideas to make the introductions more exciting are also listed. Lastly, some tips to keep in mind regarding wedding party introductions are given.

A Guide to Wedding Party Introductions

What are Wedding Party Introductions?

Wedding party introductions occur at the beginning of a wedding reception. As the name of the tradition denotes, every member of the wedding party is given time to shine. Introducing them to the guests is a memorable and effective way of honoring them at your wedding.

Once the wedding ceremony is over, guests would proceed to the reception venue. The bridal party will most likely stay at the ceremony venue to take formal portraits; if that is the case, they might arrive 30 to 60 minutes later than the guests. Before their arrival, the wedding DJ or emcee would have been entertaining the guests with music.

Once the bridal party arrives, the host will be informed. They will line up by the entrance of the venue as the host calls the attention of everyone in the room. Traditionally, they will enter in the same order as they walked down the aisle to minimize confusion among the guests:

• Parents of the groom
• Parents of the bride
• Any children in the wedding party (junior bridesmaids, flower girls, ring bearer, etc.)
• Bridesmaids and groomsmen
• Maid of honor and best man
• Bride and groom

Although this is the recommended order, couples have the freedom to edit it according to their preferences. It may not be a good idea to include children in the grand entrance if the reception is too late, as the children may be too tired. Likewise, they may feel like their parents’ entrance should come just before theirs. They can also add their grandparents, other relatives, ushers, and escorts if necessary.

Organizing Your Wedding Party Introductions

Couples must closely collaborate with the wedding DJ or emcee, as they will be doing the introductions. Give them detailed instructions, such as the order of the entrance, exact pronunciations of every person’s name, the vibe you are going for, and which songs you want to be played as people enter.

The introductions themselves could be as simple as saying the name of the person, their relationship with the couple, and their role in the wedding party. You can include additional details such as a short description of the person, their history with the couple, and so on. Regardless of which you choose, make sure to be consistent — what you do for a groomsman must be the same for a bridesmaid.

If you are unsure of what the best way to introduce your wedding party is, ask them for their input. They may want a very simple introduction, they may want to include a joke that they have thought of, or they may have a specific song in mind for their entrance.

Examples of Wedding Party Introductions

There is no right or wrong way to introduce your wedding party at your reception; simple and straightforward introductions are just as valid as fun and humorous introductions. With that said, here are examples of wedding party introductions with varying lengths, humor, and formality.

For the Parents of the Bride and Groom

• Ladies and gentlemen, let’s put our hands together for the parents of the groom! Mr. August Hugo and Mrs. Samantha Hugo have been married for 30 years and have raised four wonderful children together. They are Larry’s biggest supporters and cannot be prouder of their “Lar-bear.”
• Everyone, let’s welcome the parents of the bride, Mr. and Mrs. McNamara!
• Let us give a warm round of applause to Sherry Lee and Robert Lee, the parents of our lovely bride! Looking absolutely gorgeous in their matching navy-blue ensemble.
• Please welcome our bride’s parents, Manny Suarez and Gina Suarez!
• Coming in next is the groom’s parents, John and Jennifer Forsyth! Everyone, please give Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth a round of applause — it is their love and commitment to each other that gave us this dashing and charming groom here today.
• Next, let’s welcome to the party Mr. Reid, the ever handsome and ever-loving father of Melissa. Melissa says that she would not be who and where she is today if it wasn’t for her father’s dedication and hard work. Let’s hear it for Mr. Reid!
• Mrs. Elsa Miller, the mother of the groom, and Mr. Kyle Miller, the father of the groom.

For the Children in the Wedding Party

• Here comes our adorable flower girl and ring bearer, Julia and Mickey!
• Everyone, let’s give a warm round of applause for our diligent flower girls, Bobbie and Pippa, and ring bearer, Charlie! Without a doubt, they had the hardest role to play today, and they deserve all the cake and sweets we have.
• Let’s welcome June, Clara, and Paul, our lovely flower girls and ring bearers.

For the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

• Miss Jordyn Singh, cousin of the bride, and Mister Malcolm Dowell, brother of the groom.
• Put your hands together for Karina Lyman and Tom Spiel! They have been friends with the newlyweds since they were in high school.
• Let’s give a warm welcome to Trina Nguyen, one of the lovely bridesmaids who helped make this event possible! Her organizational skills have, according to the bride herself, “saved her life multiple times.”
• Make some noise for Spencer Diaz! One of the groom’s closest buddies, they met during recess time in kindergarten. They have been terrorizing each other’s lives ever since.
• Jimmy Kleinman, friend and amateur repairman of the couple, and Anna Feinstein, sister and full-time cool aunt of the family.

For the Maid of Honor and Best Man

• Let’s put our hands together for Leah Rose Robinson! She is the most amazing and most gorgeous maid of honor to walk the reception venue. Her planning skills made this very event possible. Give it up for Leah!
• Let’s welcome to the party, Max Castillo! He has been the groom’s best friend since diapers and has seen him at his best and worst. Let’s give a warm round of applause for Max!
• The best brother Ivan could have ever asked for and his favorite person to tease and annoy, Leo Karimov. Part-time mom blogger and full-time awesome best friend to Hanna, Alisa Orlova.
• Please welcome Casey Bellevue, Naomi’s maid of honor and ride-or-die, and Mark Anthony Trinidad, Melvin’s best man and biggest hype man.

For the Couple

• It is with immense joy and pride that I introduce to you, Mr. Jonathan Rodriguez and Mrs. Trinity Rodriguez, the newlyweds! Let’s give them a warm round of applause!
• Taking their first steps as newlyweds, please give a round of applause to Roberta and Dianne Wiley! Everyone, raise your glasses in a toast to their love, patience, and strength. To Roberta and Dianne!
• It is an honor to get to introduce the most stunning, fun, and amazing newlyweds I’ve had the pleasure to DJ for, Mr. Noel and Mr. Jonah Hamilton-Ray! A toast to the grooms!
• Ladies, gentlemen, and nonbinary guests, let us all put our hands together and cheer for our newlyweds, Trisha and Kylie!
• Taking their very first entrance as husband and wife, let us all welcome into this beautiful banquet, Angelina and Benedict! Give them your warmest, most genuine applause!
• Their adventure of a lifetime starts here and now. Let’s give it up for Sammy and Cora Fletcher-Carlson!

Make Your Wedding Party Introductions More Exciting

In a traditional grand entrance, the wedding party walks individually or by pair to their seats after being introduced. While this is ideal for formal receptions, you may want something more fun and entertaining for yours. Here are some themes or ideas you can incorporate into your reception.

Have a Themed Wedding Party Introduction

• NBA-Themed Entrance . If you or your partner is a fan of basketball, you may want to introduce your wedding party similar to how lineups are announced.
• Sports-Themed Entrance . Any sport wherein teams are put in a lineup and introduced to the crowd can work well with your wedding party introduction. This includes football, volleyball, gymnastics, and so on.
• Movie-Themed Entrance . Take an element of a well-known or well-loved film and emulate it in your wedding party introduction. Give some props to your bridal party and choose the perfect music to set the tone.
• School Spirit . If you and your partner met in high school or university, you can integrate that into your wedding party introduction. Hand out flags, pom poms, and other props in your school colors. If you have the budget, hire your school mascot as well to enliven the audience even more.

Dance, Dance, Dance

Just Let Them Do Their Thing

Outfit Switch

Have each bridesmaid and groomsmen switch attires with each other. During the wedding party introduction, the bridesmaids would enter wearing suits and tuxedos, while the groomsmen would enter wearing cocktail dresses.

Another version of this idea is to have the bridal party change their entire outfits. They can go casual, business attire, and even wear a onesie or pair of pajamas. The logistics of these ideas may prove to be challenging, but their entertainment value may make the effort worth it.

However, keep in mind that not everyone will be receptive to this idea. This is especially true if you have conservative guests that view outfits as strictly gendered or may find other outfits unsuitable for a formal event.

Piggyback Rides

Opposite to the one above, this idea is more time-consuming. However, it will allow each member of your wedding party to have the moment and attention they deserve. You can do this simply by having them walk individually instead of pairing them up, or you can literally use a spotlight that follows the person as they walk.

• Ride-on Vehicles . Get a small car for every pair of bridesmaids and groomsmen, as well as for the children who are part of your wedding party. You can buy them in toy stores or online shops and then resell them after your wedding.
• Big Head Masks . These are cardboard cutouts of their faces, though you can also opt to give them cutouts of your and your partner’s faces. They also work well for other pre-wedding parties , such as bachelor parties and bridal showers.
• Smoke or Snow Machines . These machines can elevate the ambiance of your venue and make the wedding party introduction more unforgettable. However, check with your venue if you are allowed to use such machines.
• Money Gun . Make it rain fake dollar bills with money guns. This idea works best if the grand entrance is choreographed or is a dance-off.
• Musical Instruments . Buy small and fake musical instruments and distribute them to your wedding party. They can imitate playing them as they enter the venue.

Tips to Keep in Mind for Wedding Party Introductions

Heavily Coordinate with Your Wedding Photographer and Videographer

To get breathtaking pictures from your event, your documentation team will set up equipment, such as lighting, multiple cameras, and so on. As a result, there will be areas in the room that will be better captured. With that said, coordinate with the photographers and videographers as to where the bridal party must go before they do what they want to do.

Not having detailed instructions for the wedding party will result in pictures and videos that could be a lot better. The flash might be disorienting, or the angle might be unflattering. This is why you must keep in mind the photographer’s and videographer’s directions.

Music to Play for the Wedding Party Introduction

Typically, the parents’ entrance and the couples’ entrance will be different. Songs used for those entrances are frequently emotional or sentimental. With that said, here are a few general suggestions that you can consider for your wedding reception playlist.

• “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled ft. Ludacris, Rick Ross, T-Pain, Snoop Dogg
• “Eye Of The Tiger” by Survivor
• “Feel This Moment” by Pitbull ft. Christina Aguilera
• “Fire Burning” by Sean Kingston
• “I Gotta Feeling” by The Black Eyed Peas
• “The Final Countdown” by Europe
• “Where Them Girls At” by David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj, Flo Rida
• “Who Let The Dogs Out” by Baha Men

Whatever songs you choose to include, compile them in a playlist and give them to your wedding DJ before the reception. To be safe, you may also create a list of songs the DJ must not play for the entirety of your reception.

Final Thoughts

Not only do wedding party introductions mark the start of a night-long celebration, but they also allow your guests to become familiar with the important people in your lives. This is a testament to the statement that marriage is not only between two people but two families and an entire community.

Marisa Jenkins

Marisa Jenkins is a wedding planner and event coordinator. Her main goal for WeddingFrontier.com is to simplify the wedding planning process by sharing her years of expertise in the industry.

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8 Sample Wedding Ceremony Scripts To Borrow for Your 2022 Wedding

Including writing tips to customize your wedding vows and ceremony scripts.

Cristina Montemayor is a freelance writer and makeup artist whose work has appeared on HelloGiggles, Slate, Elite Daily, and Bustle.

PHOTO BY GLORIA GOODE PHOTOGRAPHY  

The wedding ceremony is the heart of the wedding day. The dress, the flowers, the food are all icing on the cake, but the ceremony is where two people actually become married—legally, spiritually, and literally. Considering the significance, it’s surprising that many couples often leave the wedding ceremony planning to the last minute, according to wedding officiant and professional vow writing coach Tanya Pushkine. “It’s so rare that the wedding ceremony is thought of as a priority,” says Pushkine. “It’s almost like an afterthought.”

Meet the Expert

Tanya Pushkine is a professional vow writing coach, ceremony planner, and officiant based in New York City. She’s known as the “vow whisperer” for her ability to craft authentic and memorable ceremonies that reflect the unique personalities and beliefs of the couple.

Pushkine recommends that couples start thinking about the ceremony early in the wedding planning process so that they know what to ask for when they meet with their wedding planner or day-of coordinator. Religious ceremonies are typically more fixed in terms of the service, language, and traditions while secular/non-religious ceremonies give couples a lot more flexibility to personalize the ceremony to their unique tastes.

All weddings have a standard format ( processional , readings, vows, exchange of rings, pronouncement, first kiss, and recessional), but by changing up the readings, verbiage, and incorporating creative rituals into the service, you can make it completely your own and create a service that leaves your guests laughing, crying, and excited about what’s coming next. “Millennials are writing their own rules,” Pushkine says of modern wedding ceremonies . “They’re looking to create an experience, which is different than before, where couples just did what their parents did.”

Below, we’ve outlined wedding ceremony script writing tips and a few sample wedding ceremony scripts to inspire you.

Wedding Ceremony Script Writing Tips

Scripting your wedding ceremony can be a fun, joyful experience, but the pressure to do and say the right thing can interfere. Here's how to keep it from becoming overwhelming.

Start Early

Don’t leave writing your wedding ceremony until the last minute. Get ahead of it and start doing your research early on in the wedding planning process so that you have plenty of time to find inspiration and craft a ceremony that reflects you as a couple. “It’s like a puzzle,” Pushkine warns. “There are so many different variations and themes to choose from when it comes to planning a wedding ceremony, so try to find unique elements that fit your personal style.”

Work With Your Officiant

The officiant is the most important person at the ceremony—more than the newlyweds—because they’re leading the entire service, and they hold the power to actually marry the couple. If your officiant is a religious leader or experienced wedding officiant , they might already have an outline for the wedding ceremony that you can add to, if you so choose. If you’re having a friend step in as the officiant, they’ll need some direction from the couple as to what they’ll want to include in the ceremony.

Don’t Procrastinate on Writing Your Vows

If you decide to write your own vows , make sure you dedicate plenty of time to not only writing your vows but practicing your delivery as well. Your vows are a lifetime promise that you’re making to your partner in front of your closest friends and family, so they should be meaningful and personal, but without being too revealing. Choose your words carefully, and rehearse until you feel confident and comfortable saying them aloud. 

Keep It Short and Sweet

Unless your ceremony involves a religious service, try to keep the ceremony length to no more than 30 minutes. Any longer and your guests might start looking at their watches. If you want a memorable ceremony that’s fun for everyone—not just the couple—try to make your ceremony interactive. “The best thing you can do to make your ceremony unique is to get people laughing,” Pushkine says. “Wedding ceremonies can be a lot of fun without completely disregarding the serious element involved.” 

Consider Printing Programs for Your Guests

Personalized wedding ceremonies can be entertaining, but the further away you get from the traditional ceremony format, the more confused your guests might be. Wedding programs are a great addition to make your guests feel more involved and aware of where the service is going.

Programs are also great to further explain more meaningful elements of the ceremony, like why you chose to include certain readings or rituals. 

Get a Second Opinion

Make sure to have someone look over your wedding script before the big day to make sure it flows well and sounds both authentic and natural. It never hurts to have a second pair of eyes to provide feedback and edit suggestions on what is likely the most important speech you’ll ever deliver.

Sample Wedding Ceremony Scripts

Now that you’re ready to start writing your own wedding ceremony script, here are a few sample scripts to use as a jumping-off point. Prepared by American Marriage Ministries (AMM) .

Traditional Ceremony Script

PROCESSIONAL Beginning of the wedding ceremony. Guests are seated followed by the entrance of the bridal party.

INVOCATION Welcome, loved ones. We are gathered here today to join [Name] and [Name] in holy matrimony.

VOW EXCHANGE [Name], I promise to cherish you always, to honor and sustain you, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, and to be true to you in all things until death alone shall part us.

[Name] I promise to cherish you always, to honor and sustain you, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, and to be true to you in all things until death alone shall part us.

RING EXCHANGE AND DECLARATION OF INTENT With this ring I, [Name], take you, [Name], to be no other than yourself. Loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know, I will respect your integrity and have faith in your abiding love for me, through all our years, and in all that life may bring us.

With this ring I, [Name], take you, [Name], to be no other than yourself. Loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know, I will respect your integrity and have faith in your abiding love for me, through all our years, and in all that life may bring us.

PRONOUNCEMENT By the power vested in me by the state of [State], I now pronounce you [husband and wife/husband and husband/wife and wife]!

Nonreligious Ceremony Script

PROCESSIONAL Beginning of the wedding ceremony. Guests are seated.

INVOCATION Family and friends, thank you all for coming today to share in this wonderful occasion. Today we are here together to unite [Name] and [Name] in marriage.

DECLARATION OF INTENT Do you [Name], take this [woman/man/person] to be your lawfully wedded [husband/wife], to live together in matrimony, to love [her/him/them], comfort [her/him/them], honor and keep [her/him/them], in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?

Do you [Name], take this [woman/man/person] to be your lawfully wedded [husband/wife], to live together in matrimony, to love [her/him/them], comfort [her/him/them], honor and keep [her/him/them], in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?

RING EXCHANGE [Name] and [Name] have chosen rings to exchange with each other as a symbol of their unending love. As you place this ring on [Name]’s finger, please repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed and pledge you my love now and forever.

[Name], as you place this ring on [Name]’s finger, please repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed and pledge you my love now and forever.

PRONOUNCEMENT By the authority vested in me by the State of [State], I now pronounce you [husband and wife/husband and husband/wife and wife]!

RECESSIONAL End of the wedding ceremony.

Modern Ceremony Script

INVOCATION Welcome family and friends. We are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the marriage of [Name] and [Name]. This is not the beginning of a new relationship but an acknowledgment of the next chapter in their lives together. [Name] and [Name] have spent years getting to know each other, and we now bear witness to what their relationship has become. Today, they will affirm this bond formally and publicly.

[Name] and [Name] will mark their transition as a couple not only by celebrating the love between themselves, but by also celebrating the love between all of us—including the love of their parents, siblings, extended family, and best friends. Without that love, today would be far less joyous.

DECLARATION OF INTENT Do you [Name] take [Name] to be your lawfully wedded [husband/wife]? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and not so good times, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto [him/her/them] for as long as you both shall live?

Do you [Name] take [Name] to be your lawfully wedded [husband/wife]? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and not so good times, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto [him/her/them] for as long as you both shall live?

RING EXCHANGE A ring is an unbroken circle, with ends that have been joined together, and it represents your union. It is a symbol of infinity, and of your infinite love. When you look at these rings on your hands, be reminded of this moment, your commitment, and the love you now feel for each other.

[Name], place the ring on [Name]'s finger and repeat after me:

[Name], I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge: to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever.

And now...[Name], place the ring on [Name]'s finger and repeat after me:

PRONOUNCEMENT Before these witnesses, you have pledged to be joined in marriage. You have now sealed this pledge with your wedding rings. By the authority vested in me by the great State of [State], I now pronounce you married!

Christian Ceremony Script

INVOCATION We are gathered here today in the sight of God and these witnesses to join together [Name] and [Name] in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God, since the first man and the first woman walked on the earth. Therefore; it is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently and soberly. Into this holy estate, these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore, if anyone can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.

READING A reading from the Apostle Paul, The first letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 13, verses 4 through 7: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Father, as [Name] and [Name] pledge themselves to each other, help them and bless them that their love may be pure, and their vows may be true. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

DECLARATION OF INTENT [Name] and [Name], you have come together this day so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of this minister of His word and this community of family and friends and so, in the presence of this gathering, I ask you to state your intentions: Have you both come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage? If so, answer by saying 'I have.'

RING EXCHANGE [Name], please take the ring you have selected for [Name]. As you place it on [his/her] finger, repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed.

[Name], please take the ring you have selected for [Name]. As you place it on [his/her] finger, repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed.

PRAYER May Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, always be at the center of the new lives you are now starting to build together, that you may know the ways of true love and kindness. May the Lord bless you both all the days of your lives and fill you with His joy. Amen.

PRONOUNCEMENT Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder. In so much as [Name] and [Name] have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, having given and pledged their faith, each to the other, and having declared same by the giving and receiving of rings, I pronounce that you are husband and wife. I ask you now to seal the promises you have made with each other this day with a kiss.

Jewish Ceremony Script

SIGNING OF THE KETUBAH The Ketubah is an ancient document and is a marriage contract that lays out the commitment that the couple has to each other. It is signed by two Jewish witnesses, neither of whom can be blood-related family members to the couple.

BEDEKEN After the Ketubah signing, there is a short but meaningful ritual where the groom covers the bride’s face with her veil. The veiling itself is a symbol of modesty, based upon the biblical account of Rebecca meeting Isaac. Some couples put a modern spin on the tradition by having the bride place a yarmulke on the groom.

INVOCATION We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of [Name] and [Name]. A special thanks to all of you that traveled from far and wide to witness the promise these two are about to make to one another. We are here to offer our love and support, and to stand with [Name] and [Name] as they begin this new chapter of their lives.

RING EXCHANGE The couple will now exchange rings. These rings symbolize the never-ending love you feel for each other. The ring has neither a beginning nor an end, just as there is no beginning or end to what the partners give and receive. These rings will be a reminder of the vows you have taken today. By this ring, you are consecrated to me according to the law of Moses and Israel.

BLESSING OF THE HANDS [Name] and [Name], please join hands. Looks at these hands for they are of your closest friend. They are strong and full of love. As you join hands today, you make the promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

THE SEVEN BLESSINGS The Seven Blessings are now recited.

BREAKING THE GLASS The ceremony is concluded by the groom stamping on a glass and smashing it. This is the signal for the gathered people to cheer, dance, and shout “Mazal Tov!” Some couples choose to update this tradition by breaking the glass together with one swift smash in unison.

Baptist Ceremony Script

PROCESSIONAL Beginning of the wedding ceremony. Guests are seated followed by the entrance of the bridal party.

INVOCATION Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the presence of God, family, and friends to witness a joyous occasion—the union of [Name] and [Name] in holy matrimony.

PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE Who gives [Name] to be married to [Name]?

[Bride’s father or parent] I do.

DECLARATION OF INTENT [Name] and [Name], as you stand here before friends, family, and God, I ask you to declare your intentions to join in the sacred covenant of marriage.

Do you take [Name] to be your husband, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him, as long as you both shall live?

[Name], have you come here freely and without reservation to marry?

[Name], do you take [Name] to be your wife, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her, as long as you both shall live?

EXCHANGE OF VOWS AND RINGS [Name] and [Name] will now exchange rings as a symbol of their commitment and endless devotion.

 [Name], you may place the ring you’ve chosen on [Name]’s hand.

 And [Name], you may place the ring you’ve chosen on [Name]’s hand.

 [Couple exchanges rings.]

This marriage unites not just [Name] and [Name], but all of the families sitting here today. They ask now for your blessing. Do you promise to support [Name] and [Name] in their marriage, to keep them in your prayers, to hold them up with love, and to rejoice in companionship in Jesus as they walk this path together?

[Audience] We do.

Closing prayers.

PRONOUNCEMENT [Name] and [Name], having witnessed your marriage vows in the eyes of God and before all who are assembled here, by the authority invested in me by the State of [State], I pronounce you husband and wife. 

You may kiss the bride!

Protestant Ceremony Script

PROCESSION Beginning of the wedding ceremony. Guests are seated followed by the entrance of the bridal party. 

INVOCATION Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here today in the presence of God to witness and bless this union as [Name] and [Name] join together in holy matrimony. 

This holy bond is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, thoughtfully, and in accordance with those purposes for which God created it. 

INTERROGATION AND CHARGE TO THE COUPLE If anyone present knows of any reason why this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace. 

[Name] and [Name], here in the presence of God, family, and friends, if either of you know any reason why you should not marry, do now confess it. 

PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE Who presents [Name] to be married to [Name]?

DECLARATION OF INTENT Please face each other and join hands.

[Name] if it’s in your heart, please repeat after me. 

In the name of God,  I, [Name], take you, [Name],  to be my (wife/husband/spouse),  to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse,  for richer for poorer,  in sickness and in health,  to love and to cherish,  until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.

[Partner repeats this vow.]

EXCHANGE OF RINGS Lord, bless these rings as you bless this union, in your infinite wisdom, today, tomorrow and always. Amen

[Partner] I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion. With all that I am, and all that I have, I promise to honor and cherish you, in God’s name. 

[Partner repeats.]

PRONOUNCEMENT [Name] and [Name], remember to love each other faithfully, just as Christ loved the church, for marriage is a lasting promise of kindness, patience, forgiveness, and love. Trust in God with all your heart, and your path forward will be filled with joy and light for all the years to come. 

By the power vested in me by the beautiful state of [State], in the presence of God and the witness of friends and family, it is my great privilege to pronounce you husband and wife!

Catholic Wedding Ceremony Script

INVOCATION In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Opening prayer and readings.

CELEBRATION OF MATRIMONY All stand, and the couple comes to the altar flanked by their witnesses. The priest will address the couple with a celebration of matrimony:

Dearly beloved, you have come together into the house of the church so that in the presence of the church’s minister and the community, your intention to enter into marriage may be strengthened by the Lord with a sacred seal.

ADDRESS AND STATEMENT OF INTENTIONS [Name] and [Name], have you come here to enter into marriage without coercion, freely and wholeheartedly?

 [Couple] I have

Are you prepared, as you follow the path of marriage, to love and honor each other for as long as you both shall live?

[Couple] I am

 EXCHANGE OF CONSENT I, [NAME], take you, [NAME], to be my [wife/husband]. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life.

[Partner two repeats this vow.]

BLESSING AND GIVING OF RINGS Bless, O Lord, these rings which we bless in your name. So that those who wear them may remain entirely faithful to each other, abide in peace and in your will, and live always in mutual charity. Through Christ our Lord.

[Priest sprinkles wedding rings with holy water, then hands them to each partner.]

[Name], receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit.  

[Places ring on partner’s finger]

[Partner two repeats this vow and places ring on partner’s finger.]

PRAYER Priest leads congregation with the Lord’s Prayer.

COMMUNION Priest performs communion, starting with the married couple. 

PRONOUNCEMENT By the power vested in me by the state of [State], I now pronounce you husband and wife.

The best place to find ideas for your very own wedding ceremony script is, you guessed it, the internet. From wedding videography on YouTube to bridal blogs, wedding planning sites, and of course, Brides , there is certainly no shortage of inspiration.

Traditionally, a wedding script begins with the officiant seating the guests and thanking them for bearing witness to the marriage of the couple. While religious ceremonies may begin with a bible verse or another custom, a more modern approach may start the ceremony with a story of the couple.

While the format for your wedding ceremony script largely depends on how religious the occasion is, there are a variety of ways to make it personal to you as a couple. Incorporate guests who are taking witness to your marriage or include a story of how you met followed by a time where you rose above a challenge together to add a personal touch to the proceedings.

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Tips and Scripts for the Wedding Emcee and Officiant

The Art of Hosting: Master of Ceremonies Wedding Script

Being the master of ceremonies at a wedding is an honor and a big responsibility, but is made all the easier with a good master of ceremonies wedding script . As the MC, you are the host and guide for the wedding celebration, responsible for keeping things moving smoothly and on schedule. While every wedding is unique, having a   script and plan can help you feel prepared to take on this crucial role.

In this guide, we’ll cover key tips and a sample master of ceremonies wedding script to help you master the art of hosting a wedding.

Dress Well and Look the Part

As the MC, all eyes will be on you throughout the event. Be sure to dress appropriately and professionally for this great day. An idea for men is to dress in a well-fitting suit or a tuxedo is recommended. Women can go for an elegant dress, skirt, or pantsuit. Look polished from head to toe and dress for confidence. You’ll feel ready to take charge when you look at the part.

Create the Right Atmosphere and Energy with your Master of Ceremonies Wedding Script

One of your top jobs as the MC is setting the tone and energy for the celebration. Use your speaking skills and charm to get guests excited and engaged immediately. Share a few thoughtful opening remarks welcoming everyone and honoring the couple. Sprinkle in some light humor when appropriate to keep people smiling and relaxed. Your energy and enthusiasm will be contagious.

Work closely with the Photographer and Videographer

Collaborating with the wedding photographer and videographer is essential. Touch base with them before the event starts so you know their plans for capturing key moments. Make announcements alerting guests to stay clear of the main aisle during the processional so the photographer can get clear shots. Let guests know they need to remain in their seats briefly after the ceremony ends for formal photos. Working together will result in better pictures and videos.

Collaborate with the Venue and Caterers

The MC should connect with the wedding venue staff and caterers to understand the facilities and service flow. Know where the restrooms are located to point guests in the right direction. Confirm the timing for food service so you can announce when the buffet or plated dinner will begin. Good communication with the venue team will ensure things run smoothly for guests.

Facilitate Speeches and Wedding Activities in the Master of Ceremonies Wedding Script

One of your biggest responsibilities as MC is overseeing the reception events and speeches while following their master of ceremonies wedding scipt. Start by introducing the wedding party and acknowledging VIP guests. Share any special details or funny anecdotes you have about the newlyweds. Then, announce speakers like the maid of honor and best man, confirming name pronunciations first. Keep speeches on track time-wise. You may also lead or announce special activities like the first dance, cake cutting, garter toss, etc.

Work with the Band or DJ for Seamless Transitions

The music and entertainment set the mood for the celebration, so coordinate with the band, DJ, or musicians to keep things flowing smoothly. Provide them with a schedule of key events and speeches so they know the timing for music changes. Collaborate on the newlyweds’ special song selections and pronunciation of the wedding party’s names. Discuss how you’ll transition the microphone during speeches or announcements so the entertainment doesn’t stop unexpectedly. This teamwork results in flawless musical transitions.

Farewell, Wrap Up, and Guard of Honor Sendoff

As the reception winds down, take time to thank guests for coming, acknowledge anyone who helped with the wedding, and bid the newlywed’s farewell. Confirm that the couple has arranged transportation for their sendoff. Then, invite guests to form a guard of honor leading the way out amidst a sea of sparklers or flower petals. Share final instructions like reminding guests to pick up wedding favors and sign the guestbook. Your thoughtful wrap-up orchestrates a celebratory, joyful farewell.

Sample Master of Ceremonies Wedding Script

Introduction.

Good evening, everyone! My name is [your name], and I am thrilled to be your master of ceremonies for [couple’s names] special day. I want to welcome you to this beautiful celebration of love on behalf of the gorgeous bride and handsome groom. We are so grateful you could be here to share in this joyous occasion with [couple’s names] as they join their lives together in marriage.

Details for Guests

Before we begin, here are just a few housekeeping details to cover. The restrooms are located [give directions]. The full bar is now open for cocktails just across the hall. We ask that you kindly silence your mobile phones for the remainder of the ceremony. And be sure to sign the guestbook and take a wedding favor on your way out tonight.

Professional

And now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for! Please stand as we welcome the wedding party and bride.

[Introduce wedding party as they process]

Ladies and gentlemen, please stand and welcome Mr. and Mrs. [Couple’s names] as they begin their new life together as husband and wife!

Ceremony and Vows

[Acknowledge the officiant and speak briefly about the couple]

We will now have the exchange of vows.

[Couple exchanges vows]

You may kiss the bride!

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present Mr. and Mrs. [Couple’s surname] to you for the first time.

[Announce bride and groom entering]

Let’s raise a glass and toast this amazing couple! [Lead toast]

Dinner is now served. Please enjoy!

[Announce special dances, cake cutting, speeches, activities, etc.]

Master of Ceremonies Wedding Script Farewell

As this beautiful celebration ends, please join me in wishing Mr. and Mrs. [Couple’s surname] a lifetime of happiness. We love you both, and thank you for inviting us to share this special day!

[Final farewell and exit details]

Let’s give them one more round of applause!

 With some planning and practice, you can masterfully MC a wedding and keep the celebration running seamlessly. Use this master of ceremonies wedding script outline as a helpful guide, and tailor it to match the unique details of each couple’s big day. Focus on projecting enthusiasm, facilitating special moments, and bringing some of your personality and charm. You’ve succeeded as a wonderful wedding MC when you help set the stage for an unforgettable celebration filled with love and laughter.

Master of Ceremonies Wedding Script

Check out this Master of Ceremonies Wedding Script from expert wedding MC Marry Us Gary for more guidance. Gary’s MC course provides a full sample script, timeline checklist, and tips for delivering a flawless performance as the wedding host. An adaptable script helps first-time MCs feel prepared while giving experienced masters of ceremonies proven material to work from. With Gary’s templates and easy-to-follow script formats, you can customize the sequencing and speaking notes to match each unique wedding perfectly.

How to Emcee a Wedding

For more guidance on taking on this special role, see this guide on How to Emcee a Wedding from Marry Us Gary. He provides a step-by-step walkthrough of MC duties like working with vendors, making announcements, directing the flow of events, adding personal touches, and more. Plus, get tips on how to use humor appropriately, handle unexpected issues, and exude confidence as the wedding host. Gary’s expertise gives you invaluable insider tips for mastering MC success.

Hire a Wedding Master of Ceremonies

If you’re planning a wedding in Sydney, consider to hire a wedding master of ceremonies to host your celebration expertly. Gary is Australia’s most experienced wedding MC, hosting many weddings nationwide. Gary works closely with you on customizing the event script and timeline to match your wedding vision. With his polished speaking skills, friendly humor, and masterful coordination, Gary will orchestrate an unforgettable wedding from start to finish.

Being the wedding MC involves significant responsibility but ultimately provides immense rewards. You get to set the stage for a joyous celebration of love, guide guests through a meaningful event, and bring out laughter and happy tears through your master of ceremonies wedding script . Use these tips and scripts to take charge as the master of ceremonies confidently. Combining preparation, enthusiasm, and personal charm will create magic and memories that guests will cherish forever.

Special Thanks

Photographer: BY JOEY Celebrant: Marry Us Gary

The Art of Hosting: Master of Ceremonies Wedding Script Guide

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• How To Be A Wedding MC (Master of Ceremonies) and What It Takes To Be A Terrific Wedding MC

Why The Bride and Groom Should Choose An MC For Their Reception

Of all the planning that you – as bride – do, the reception is one of the most important events after the ceremony.

It’s also the event where you celebrate one of the most important days of your life.

You choose an MC because he or she will be responsible for conducting the reception at your wedding – one of the biggest days of your life.

As newlyweds being honored on your special day, you want to spend time having fun and mingling with your close friends and family.

The last thing you want to do is to be concerned about the reception details.

You already have enough to do with planning your wedding without having to worry about running the reception (although you will work closely with your MC in planning the agenda and the events).

Who The Bride and Groom Should Choose As MC

Some engaged couples ask the Best Man, a member of the bridal party, or a close friend or relative to be the MC.

One of my customers, for example, who purchased How To Be A FUN Wedding MC and was delighted with the help it provided since he was a novice MC with little public speaking experience, performed the MC duties at his nephew’s wedding. (If you’re the bride, you can see The Bride’s Guide To A FUN Reception here )

Still others ask their DJ to be the MC.

Some engaged couples choose a professional MC but most couples choose someone they know – such as a friend or a relative.

While it’s a personal preference and there is no “proper” etiquette when selecting a master of ceremonies, choosing someone you know puts a more personal touch on the event.

When it comes to planning your reception, you might end up choosing your own Reception Master of Ceremonies for one of two reasons:

1. You can save hundreds – even thousands – of dollars (or pounds) if you use your own MC instead of hiring a professional one or having a DJ perform the duties for an extra fee.

That’s not intended to disparage or undermine professional MCs or DJs. They do a terrific job and some couples prefer to have a professional MC or DJ (or both) conduct their reception for them.

Sometimes, though, you choose your own master of ceremonies because of the significance the position holds and you want to honor someone close to you with the MC duties. Again, it’s that personal touch you want to add.

Other times you’re a DIY Bride and it’s simply a matter of economics and budget planning, given the high cost of a wedding.

2. Your Master of Ceremonies – even one who is a novice and inexperienced – will be able to do a terrific job if he or she has the right resources on hand that show him/her what to do.

Wedding MC Requirements – How To Pick Your MC – Advice For The Bride and Groom

Most Emcees have never performed their duties and responsibilities before. They don’t know where to start, what to say, or how to create a FUN reception.

That’s why it’s not only important to look for certain qualities in your Master of Ceremonies but to also make sure your emcee is properly prepared.

When you’re planning your reception you’ll want to choose someone who is outgoing, personable, organized, and who likes to have fun – because having a fun personality is one of the keys to creating a fun reception.

Someone who is diplomatic and on time helps too since these are qualities which a master of ceremonies has to have to be effective.

It should go without saying that you should choose someone you can trust to not only co-ordinate and conduct the reception but someone who won’t be an embarrassment either because they drink too much or because they use inappropriate jokes.

What Are The MC’s Duties – Advice For The Master of Ceremonies

You’ve been selected as the mc at a reception. now what do you do.

In a survey I conducted several years ago many novice MCs admitted to not knowing what to do or what to say at the reception.

And that’s completely understandable – there’s no formal training in duties even though weddings require a huge amount of planning and there are numerous things that require attention.

There’s nothing more exciting than being a master of ceremonies. As MC, you’ll get to meet a lot of people and have fun during the reception.

The MC’s Duties are varied depending on the reception .

In addition to preparing the reception agenda with the bride and groom, duties include:

1. Introducing the bridal party and bride and groom during the Grand Entrance 2. Making general announcements 3. Introducing the officiant for the blessing or grace before dinner (if you don’t do it yourself) 4. Directing and coordinating entertainment and games 5. Making head table introductions 6. Introducing speakers for the speeches and toasts 7. Announcing important events include cake cutting, the First Dance, the bouquet toss, the garter toss, and the final farewell

Other duties and responsibilities include:

1. Making sure the guests are entertained and having a good time 2. Knowing the order of speeches and toasts 3. Ensuring that the bride and groom are safely transported from the reception after the farewell

Wedding Reception Timeline

The reception timeline can refer to two things.

It can refer to the timeline during the reception and is part of the reception agenda.

That timeline is created after knowing how long the reception will run and how many events the bride and groom choose to include during the reception. Some receptions are very short and last just a few hours. Others are much longer and can go into the early morning hours.

The reception timeline comes after the Day Of Schedule which comprises the events – including hair, makeup, dressing, photographs, transportation – leading up to the ceremony and then the reception.

For the MC it also refers to the timeline leading up to the reception and includes the duties and responsibilities that have to be attended to.

The Reception Timeline for the emcee usually starts anywhere from four to six weeks before the reception (although it can be even shorter than that if the MC is called upon to perform duties at the last minute – which sometimes happens – in which case How To Be A FUN Wedding MC would be very helpful.)

That’s when the emcee starts preparing his or her material as well as organizing and coordinating the events which will take place at the reception.

If you’re the master of ceremonies, it’s wise to start as early as possible preparing for the reception since there’s a lot involved in your duties and you need time to organize all of the events.

Wedding Reception Agenda

The Reception Agenda is also known as the reception runsheet or run sheet. It’s extremely important because it helps ensure the reception runs smoothly.

It lists all the events that are to take place at the reception.

It can start with the cocktail hour or Grand Entrance and it ends with the final farewell to the bride and groom and closing remarks to the guests.

The Reception Agenda is one of the most important tools the Emcee has because it itemizes everything that the master of ceremonies is responsible for or oversees during the reception.

The Reception Agenda is prepared in consultation with the bride-to-be and the mother-of-the-bride and/or the  planners.

Reception Program

The reception program is different from the reception agenda.

The reception program is for the guests and can contain a number of elements including:

> A photograph of the bride-to-be and groom-to-be > A personal note to the guests from the bride and groom > An outline of the ceremony > A concise outline of the agenda > A map showing the location of the reception venue > Information about the main meal and dessert > Background about the bride and groom

The Royal Wedding Programme for the wedding of H.R.H. Prince William of Wales, K.G. and Miss Catherine Middleton on April 29, 2011 was very elaborate and also included:

> Information about Westminster Abbey > History of the Royal Weddings celebrated in Westminster Abbey > The Coats of Arms of Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton > Information about the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry > Acknowledgements

Master of Ceremonies Table of Contents MC A Wedding | Wedding MC Jokes Package | MC Resource Guide

Wedding Reception Games

Reception games are a common way to make the reception a fun time.

In most cases, the reception games will be organized by the Master of Ceremonies after consulting with the bride and groom or planners.

Games can be held while guests are waiting for the main meal or they can be held after the main meal.

Some games involve the guests and others will be specifically for the bride and groom with the guests looking on.

The more you involve the guests in the games the more they’ll enjoy the reception.

Choose games that are fun, funny, and not overly competitive. And remember that competitive games can turn into pushing or shoving matches if the participating guests have had too much to drink. (Even something as traditional as the garter toss or bouquet toss can result in participants being jostled or pushed or falling to the floor.)

A FUN selection of more than 50 Wedding Reception Games (as well as Entertainment Ideas) – whether the occasion is held in the spring, summer, fall, or winter – can be found in How To Be A FUN Wedding MC .

Wedding MC Jokes

Entertain the guests with your clean and funny wedding mc jokes and fill the room with laughter….

Wedding MC Jokes aren’t just confined to the MC Speech . They can also be part of the reception – although they’re not the only way you can make a reception a fun time.

One of your duties will be to entertain the guests. And what better way to do so than to tell funny and tasteful jokes.

There is, of course, a difference between wedding humor and jokes.

Humor is generally about weddings, the differences between men and women, or marriage advice.

Humor can also be about being engaged, grooms, bachelors, husbands, wives, love, dating, anniversaries, fathers (especially the father of the bride who’s paying for the wedding or giving away the bride), mothers, single women, and more.

As well, there could be  humorous advice to men about what women mean when they say “Whatever” or “Fine” or “That’s Okay” or “Nothing” when a man asks what’s wrong.

Another type of “advice” is marriage advice . There’s advice for the groom about marriage or about a wife and there’s advice for the bride about marriage and about a husband.

Sometimes, of course, advice comes in the form of wisdom – particularly if it’s from someone who is respected or who is a dignitary or honored guest.

But while advice might get a chuckle or two or a smile, it’s not really a joke in the way we think of jokes.

Some people have heard or come across jokes or one-liners to get ideas.

And that’s perfectly fine as long as they’re appropriate and not embarrassing. Because, let’s face it, not all jokes are appropriate for all guests. Which is important to keep in mind because you’re probably going to be with people of all age brackets up to and including grandparents.

Embarrassing jokes, for example, can be about sex or put downs about brides, wives, or mothers-in-law.

The problem with some of the jokes and one-liners you’ve heard or come across is that sometimes they’re funnier when you read them than when you tell them in front of an audience. For whatever reason, they lose their effectiveness when told out loud.

Here are a few tips on using MC Jokes:

1. Keep Your Wedding Jokes Clean and Appropriate

A reception is not the time to tell off-color jokes that you’d usually tell your best buddies in the locker room. Keep your jokes appropriate so you don’t embarrass or offend the bride and groom – and the guests.

Jokes about divorce, failed relationships, and past relationships (whether they’re about the bride and groom or about your own experience) are topics to avoid.

2. Memorize The Punch Line

This tip might seem obvious, but sometimes it happens – you mix up the punch line and your joke is ruined – no matter how funny it was.

If you forget the punch line then your joke won’t work. So be sure to memorize it so it flows smoothly.

3. Practice

Just as you should practice your MC Speech, you should also practice your jokes.

After all, even professional comedians practice their material before they take it before a live audience.

Make sure you have the timing right so you can deliver your joke flawlessly.

Don’t get caught unprepared at the reception without funny jokes and one liners.

Order Of Wedding Toasts and Speeches

Every MC needs to know certain things in preparation for – and during – the reception. Whether it’s planning a  reception from scratch with the bride and groom or making humorous and funny remarks and jokes during the reception, they’re all part of the MC’s “toolbox” or “bag of tricks.”

A highly popular and invaluable tool that will help you during the preparation of the reception agenda is the Order of Toasts and Speeches.

The Order of Wedding Toasts and Speeches is entirely flexible – unless the bride and groom want to stick with tradition.

In fact, the Best Man Speech is the only speech that has to be made at the reception. And sometimes, the bride and groom want to dispense with the speeches and toasts altogether and ask the MC to make the keynote speech.

Usually, though, you’ll find that as a minimum there will be speeches and toasts by the Father of the Bride, the Groom, and the Best Man.

And of course, you’ll usually find that the Mother of the Bride , the Father of the Groom, and the Maid or Matron of Honor will want to make a short speech, too.

Depending on the wishes of the bride and groom there may also be “open” speeches where guests give short, impromptu speeches – which has its own set of “rules” and things you have to look out for.

In How To Be A FUN Wedding MC you’ll find the complete Order of Toasts and Speeches.

You’ll also find out how to make this a fun event filled with laughter rather than a boring time with long-winded, drawn out speeches that leave the guests restless and waiting to have fun.

Wedding MC Responsibilities

Many MCs don’t realize the amount of planning that’s required to celebrate the bride and groom’s special day.

In addition to the planning the bride-to-be and the mother-of-the-bride do for the reception there are specific steps and duties the Master of Ceremonies must perform to ensure the reception suits the bride and groom’s personalities and style.

An MC’s Responsibilities will also include:

1. Checking the reception venue 2. Coordinating events with key vendors 3. Introducing the bridal party and the newlyweds during the Grand Entrance 4. Making announcements throughout the reception 5. Arranging games and entertainment 6. Creating a fun time for everyone 7. Making sure the reception flows smoothly

It’s easy to say what needs to be done. It’s much harder to know HOW to do those things.

Planning a fun reception takes time and a huge amount of attention to detail.

The reception is where the bride and groom celebrate one of the happiest days of their lives with people who are close to them.

How To Be A FUN Wedding MC is for the Emcee who doesn’t know where to start or what to do to plan a reception and make it a fun time for the newlyweds and the guests.

This comprehensive guide will take the master of ceremonies step-by-step through the reception planning process – from the MC’s perspective.

It’s also a wonderful reception planning tool for the bride-to-be and the mother-of-the-bride as they finalize their arrangements for the reception.

After all, the bride and groom and their families have invested many thousands of dollars (or pounds) and many months planning a celebration of this big event. And understandably, they don’t want anything to spoil the reception – especially an MC who is unprepared or who doesn’t know what to do.

How To Be A FUN Wedding MC includes detailed checklists, preparation forms, games, entertainment ideas, MC scripts for key events, as well as duties and responsibilities.

As Master of Ceremonies you’ll find it much easier to prepare the reception agenda if you follow a reception timeline so you know what to organize and when to begin doing so.

> You have to know how to prepare a reception agenda. Whether it’s a small reception of a few hours or a large one that carries on late into the night or early morning, you have to know what events to include and the order of events.

> You have to know what games and entertainment to include during the reception. The guests want to have fun and the best way to do that is with games and entertainment that involve them and make them laugh.

> You have to know what Scripts to prepare and when to introduce them during the reception. Some of your remarks will be “on the fly.” But, in general, you will have your scripts prepared beforehand so you know what you’ll be saying before key events – such as the welcome, the blessing, the speeches and toasts, the dancing, the bouquet toss, the garter toss, and the final farewell.

MC Tips – Practical Advice About Your Duties

Here are several important tips to help you as you prepare for the reception:

1. Keep your notes in a binder or on your laptop computer.

Organize your notes in the order of the reception agenda. And if you use a laptop computer, it’s a good idea to print out a hard copy in case the computer crashes or the battery dies at a crucial moment.

2. Avoid using cue cards.

Some people recommend cue cards. But the agenda can be extensive – especially if it’s a large reception. Cue cards could very quickly become cumbersome and unmanageable.

Instead, print out each section of the reception agenda with an appropriate timeline and keep your notes in a binder.

3. Keep your alcohol consumption to the bare minimum.

I realize you probably want to calm your nerves with a drink or two. A tipsy MC, on the other hand, who makes inappropriate remarks and tries to be funny can ruin a perfectly happy reception.

4. Know how to use the microphone.

Practice using the microphone beforehand so you’re familiar with it. If you have a cordless microphone, all the better – it will give you more freedom to move around the room, if required.

5. Sit at or near the head table.

If you’re a member of the bridal party you’ll sit at the head table with other members.

If you’re not part of the bridal party, be sure to sit in close proximity to the head table where you can confer with the newlyweds as well as having access to the podium and microphone.

6. Help the speakers with their wedding speeches .

Remind the speakers that the content of their speech should be appropriate. Tell them how long the speech should be – which should be no longer than a few minutes. And give them an idea of when they will be giving their speech during the reception.

If possible, also show them how to use the microphone before the reception gets underway.

7. Practice your introductions and speeches before the reception.

Practice not only makes you look polished and spontaneous, it will give you confidence and help settle your nerves – especially if you’re not used to public speaking or speaking before a large audience.

8. Discuss contingency plans with the bride and groom.

Weather, power outages, delays, emergencies. They can all happen at any large event.

Have a plan “B” in place in case things don’t work out as originally planned.

Keep in mind that sometimes things won’t go according to plan.

Don’t let that upset you. Simply carry on and follow your agenda.

There might be delays. For example, the newlyweds might arrive late at the reception for their Grand Entrance because the photographer took longer than expected.

Or they might get delayed in traffic.

Some of the speakers might not show up and you’re advised at the last minute as you’re getting ready to announce the speakers.

Or someone might forget to bring something that you needed for games or entertainment.

That’s why you not only need a plan “B” but you also need to have built-in flexibility with your agenda and timeline.

Otherwise you’ll find you’ll have lulls in the program and guests will get bored or restless.

As you can see, an MC’s Duties are much more than making announcements.

You’re not only an advisor but also a director – since the reception will be your “stage.”

Many MC’s lose sight of the fact that their goal is to make the reception a celebration.

In fact, one of the most important parts of the MC’s Duties and Responsibilities is to create a FUN and celebratory atmosphere at the reception so everyone has an amazing time.

And one of the best ways to create a fun atmosphere is to have a mixture of games, humor, and even romantic and touching moments that the bride and groom will fondly remember for years to come.

You’ve been chosen as MC to oversee the reception because the bride and groom trust you. In return, you want to honor them and pay tribute to them on their special day.

As the MC there’s a lot riding on your shoulders. But when you’re properly prepared you’ll be able to relax, enjoy yourself, and have fun as you celebrate the newlywed’s big day.

Take a moment right now to check out How To Be A FUN Wedding MC –  it shows the novice MC how to MC a wedding reception from start to finish.

Click on the image below to find out more about How To Be A FUN Wedding MC …

In the following video, I cover 4 key duties and responsibilities of the MC:

1. Arrive at reception venue early

2. Meet the key people involved in the reception

3. Prepare for the Grand Entrance

4. Keep key people informed

Of course, this is just a small sampling of what you’re responsible for as MC.

You’ll find these duties and responsibilities – and many more – covered in How To Be A FUN Wedding MC

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Many novice Wedding MC’s ask how to MC a wedding .

And it’s a great question because there’s a lot of planning that goes into knowing how to MC a wedding reception.

It also shows that you, as the Wedding Master of Ceremonies, want to do a professional job and make it a fun and memorable time for the bride and groom.

Here are some pointers to get you started:

1. Start Planning The Reception And The Events Early

Because the wedding reception is such an involved event, you’ll need time to prepare not only the wedding reception agenda but also the introductions, wedding games and entertainment, and checking out the venue to make sure everything is ready on the wedding day.

Each of these areas will take time to plan properly.

If you leave things to the last moment you risk missing important parts of the reception and overlooking special moments to make the wedding a lasting memory for the newlyweds.

2. Meet With The Bride and Groom and Planners To Find Out What Is Expected Of You As The Wedding Emcee

The bride and groom have given you a huge amount of responsibility. But chances are they don’t know what’s involved with your duties. They’re leaving that up to you as Master of Ceremonies.

That’s why it’s important that you find out what’s expected of you and what the bride’s vision of the reception is.

After all, she’ll have spent most of her time choosing a theme and table settings and centerpieces as well as the menu for the meal.

But she may not have put much thought into making the reception a celebration of her big day because she’s handing that responsibility over to you.

You’ll need to know what’s going on – and only the bride and groom and planners will be able to answer specific questions you have so you can be brought up to speed.

> You’ll need to know who will be in the bridal or wedding party.

> You’ll need background information on the bride and groom if you don’t know them very well as well as the members of the bridal or wedding party.

> You’ll need background on guests who will be giving speeches and toasts and information on dignitaries, if dignitaries are attending the reception.

In How To Be A FUN Wedding MC I have a detailed list of questions you can ask so you know what’s going to happen at the reception.

> When you consult with the bride and groom and wedding planners you’ll also need to know what wedding games and entertainment are planned so you can include those events in your agenda or run sheet.

> You’ll also have to meet with key people involved in the wedding planning including the planners, the event manager at the venue, members of the bridal or wedding party, and the caterer when you’re at the venue.

> You’ll need to know the layout of the venue and the layout of the head table.

> You’ll need to know the order of the bridal party for introductions.

Chances are, especially if you’ve never been a Wedding MC before, you’ll find that your Wedding MC Duties and Responsibilities will be overwhelming because you won’t know what to do or where to start.

As with anything that you’re unfamiliar with, you’re going to have many questions as you get involved in your duties.

Fortunately, there’s a terrific guide – How To Be A FUN Wedding MC – which shows you how to MC a wedding reception from start to finish and it will save you restless nights and a huge amount of time and stress.

You’ll want to make sure you have all of the bases covered before you enter the reception hall on the wedding day.

In fact, How To Be A FUN Wedding MC has extensive checklists to make sure you’ve covered just about everything.

In the following video you’ll discover several tips to help you in your duties:

Focus the attention on the bride and groom – not yourself.

As Wedding MC you’re an organizer and facilitator. You conduct the events of the reception but the spotlight is on the newlyweds.

This is the bride and groom’s special day. Remember, the wedding guests came to see them, not the Wedding Emcee.

Make sure you pronounce people’s names correctly.

This is one area where preparation can pay off because there’s nothing more embarrassing than mispronouncing someone’s name – especially if it’s the groom’s last name! So be sure to check to ensure your pronunciation is correct and make appropriate notes on your agenda or in your notebook.

Arrive at the wedding reception venue early. There’s nothing worse than people wondering where the Master of Ceremonies is – especially if things are about to get underway. When you’re late things get disorganized and it leaves a poor impression. If the venue is a long way away, make sure you leave plenty of time to get there and anticipate traffic delays.

One of the signs of a true professional is being on time and ensuring everything is in order before the wedding party and guests arrive.

Create a party atmosphere at the reception. The wedding is a celebration so it’s your responsibility to keep the tempo upbeat and fun.

Your duty as a Wedding Emcee is to successfully transition the wedding guests from the religious ceremony to a celebration of the marriage.

Don’t embarrass the bride, groom, or wedding guests. If the groom or bride doesn’t want to “say a few words” for example, don’t pursue the matter. Be gracious and understanding – especially when it comes to public speaking – because many people are terrified of public speaking.

This tips also includes using humor or jokes.

Use good judgement in what you say to get a laugh. If in doubt…leave it out.

Bonus Tip #6

Follow the bride and groom’s directions. This is where sitting down with the bride and groom beforehand and planning the reception will help you avoid embarrassing mistakes. If the newlyweds ask for something in particular, make sure you include it in the agenda so it’s not forgotten.

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• MC A Wedding Reception

When you MC A Wedding reception there will be certain expectations by the bride and groom and the wedding planners.

Of course, you know that this list is an oversimplification of the what a Wedding MC must do.

And while it seems like a small list of things to do, in reality there’s a huge amount of preparation that must take place – and more things to do – before the wedding reception begins.

Here are 4 tips to help you prepare when you MC A Wedding reception.

MC A Wedding – Tip #1 – Prepare Your Wedding MC Scripts

When you’re in front of 100…200…300…or more wedding guests you don’t want to be tongue-tied.

By creating your Wedding MC Scripts and rehearsing them so you know what you’re going to say you’ll feel much more confident in front of a large audience until your nervousness disappears.

Your main Wedding MC Script will be the Wedding MC Opening Speech where you welcome the wedding guests to the reception.

You’ll have other Wedding MC Scripts for key events throughout the reception.

Again, make sure you rehearse your Wedding MC Scripts so they sound “natural.”

MC A Wedding – Tip #2 – Follow Your Wedding Reception Timeline

There are two Wedding Reception Timelines that you follow as Wedding MC.

The first Wedding Reception Timeline is the one you work with as you prepare the wedding reception agenda. These are the things you have to do to create a fun wedding reception.

The second Wedding Reception Timeline is included with your wedding agenda or run sheet. This lists the key events of the reception, how long they should take, and when they start and finish.

MC A Wedding – Tip #3 – Prepare A Contingency Plan

Preparing a contingency plan – in consultation with the wedding planners – is just as important as preparing the wedding agenda.

After all, things do – and can – go wrong.

Last minute changes are part of the reception, too.

A change in the weather.

A delay in the arrival of the bride and groom.

Someone falls ill during the reception.

A wedding speaker can’t make the reception and has to cancel his wedding speech.

They’re all things you have to anticipate and have a Plan “B” for if you want to make sure the reception proceeds smoothly and isn’t ruined.

MC A Wedding – Tip #4 – Choose Fun Wedding Games

The reception is all about having fun since it’s a party and a celebration of the newlywed’s big day.

Your role as Wedding MC is to choose fun wedding games that keep the guests entertained as the reception progresses.

How To MC A Wedding And Create A FUN And Memorable Reception

It’s probably not too farfetched to assume that you’re a novice or first-time Wedding MC.

And chances are you’ve never been the wedding master of ceremonies at a reception before.

If that’s the case then there are a lot of things you won’t know about.

You probably won’t know where to begin.

You’ll quickly realize that you don’t know how to create a fun wedding reception.

And you’re probably feeling a little anxious about the role you’ll be playing at the reception even though it’s a huge honor to MC A Wedding reception.

There’s no doubt that to MC A Wedding is a big responsibility and you might even feel overwhelmed at what you have to do to prepare for the reception.

That’s perfectly understandable and shows that you want to do the best job you can for the bride and groom on their happy day.

Fortunately you don’t have to feel overwhelmed or anxious when you have the proper guide at your side.

That’s why How To Be A FUN Wedding MC was created – to take you virtually step-by-step through the reception planning process and show you how to create a fun wedding reception and how to MC A Wedding reception.

• MC At A Wedding – Wedding MC Reception Tip #7

If you’re the MC At A Wedding then there’s one area that should be discussed with the wedding planners.

And that’s whether there should be “Open” wedding speeches and toasts.

This is the time during the wedding speeches segment of the reception where wedding guests are invited to stand up and make a short impromptu wedding speech or toast.

There are pros and cons to “Open” wedding speeches and toasts.

On the one hand, it can be a wonderful experience to hear spontaneous good wishes and sentiments from close friends and relatives – especially if the speaker or toaster is eloquent.

On the other hand, there is a dark side to spontaneous comments – there’s a very good possibility of inappropriate remarks being made – especially if the speaker or toaster has had too much to drink.

Sometimes a joke might seem funny to the speaker but could embarrass or humiliate the bride and groom or the guests.

As well, speeches can drag on and the event can become boring. And the last thing you want as MC at a wedding is for the reception events to drag on and have bored wedding guests.

For the most part, “open” wedding speeches and toasts are not normally part of the wedding speeches event.

But, ultimately, it’s up to the bride and groom to decide whether there will be “Open” wedding speeches and toasts.

And it’s your responsibility as Wedding MC to find out what their wishes are and to make a note on your wedding reception agenda .

• MC At A Wedding – Wedding MC Reception Tip #6

Here’s another tip if you’re an MC At A Wedding …

Practice in advance what you’re going to say at the wedding reception.

Just like you would practice a wedding speech, practice your Wedding MC Opening Speech and your introductions – especially for the Grand Entrance, the bridal party, and the wedding speakers.

Practice these out loud – preferably in front of someone so they can offer constructive criticism.

Many novice Wedding MC’s aren’t sure what to say when introducing key wedding reception events.

With the word-for-word Wedding MC Scripts in How To Be A FUN Wedding MC , you’ll have examples of what to say when you introduce yourself to the wedding guests during the Wedding MC Opening Speech.

Plus, you’ll also get examples for introducing the bridal party and wedding speakers during the wedding speeches and toasts event.

Even though you’ll have your Wedding Reception Agenda with you, you’ll still need to practice what you’ll be saying before the wedding day.

If necessary, write down what you’ll say when introducing each key event or each person if you’re the MC At A Wedding .

• MC At A Wedding – Wedding MC Reception Tip #5

As part of your Wedding MC Duties at the wedding reception you might be tempted to use notecards for your material.

They’re definitely handy to use but more appropriate for a wedding speech .

I suggest, instead, that your material for the wedding reception be printed out on letter size paper and  that you number your pages.

Then place the pages in a three ring binder or folder.

If necessary, insert tabs for separate events so you can refer to them quickly and easily.

Keep in mind that your “notebook” will contain the order of events at the reception, your Wedding MC Scripts, reception games, and more so you want to make sure you have everything readily available and easily accessible.

If you’re using a laptop computer for your material at the reception, be sure to print out the wedding reception agenda (run sheet) and other notes you’ll need in case the laptop crashes.

If that happens – and sometimes it does – and you’ve been relying solely on your computer you’ll have trouble directing the wedding reception which could spoil the reception for the bride and groom.

• MC At A Wedding – Wedding MC Reception Tip #4

As Wedding Emcee I’m sure you’ll want to take your Wedding MC Duties and Responsibilities seriously.

After all, the bride and groom chose you to be the Wedding MC at their reception for a reason.

They have confidence in you.

And because they have confidence in you, they expect big things from you.

They expect you to create a memorable wedding reception.

They expect the wedding reception to be fun.

After all, they want to enjoy their special day with people who are close to them.

What better way to honor the bride and groom than to put on a wedding reception that is FUN and memorable.

Even if you’ve never been a Wedding MC before, there is help available – in How To Be A FUN Wedding MC – that takes you step-by-step in creating a fun wedding reception.

To the bride and groom, their wedding day and the celebration at the wedding reception are going to be a lasting memory.

Make that lasting memory not just a good one…but a great one.

Click The Following Link For The Complete Wedding MC Guide On How To MC A Wedding Reception .

• Wedding MC Tips

Wedding MC Tips. How To Be A FUN Wedding MC At A Reception. Wedding Reception Timeline, Reception Games, Checklists, Sample Agendas. Get Wedding MC Tips Here!

Every Wedding MC should be well prepared for the reception with his or her notes, scripts, and fun ideas to make the reception a fun time.

Here are 5 Wedding MC Tips for the emcee at the reception.

This is just a sampling of the tips and advice available in How To Be A FUN Wedding MC .

Wedding MC Tip #1 – Start Your Reception Planning Early

Sit down with the wedding planners and plan the wedding reception agenda.

Wedding MC Tip #2 – Rehearse Your MC Scripts

Create your wedding mc scripts and then rehearse them – out loud – so you feel confident in your role as Wedding MC.

Wedding MC Tip #3 – Make The Bride and Groom The Center of Attention

It’s the bride and groom’s special day. Make sure they’re the center of attention.

Wedding MC Tip #4 – Entertain the Wedding Guests

Use Reception Games, Group Activities, and Wedding MC Jokes to keep the wedding guests entertained.

Wedding MC Tip #5 – Know How To Pronounce People’s Names

Pronounce people’s names correctly when making introductions.

Are You A First-Time or Novice Wedding MC Who Has NO IDEA What To Say or What To Do As A Wedding MC?

If you are, then you’re invited to find out more about How To Be A FUN Wedding MC

How To Be A FUN Wedding MC will show you…

How To Be A FUN Wedding MC also includes…

Click The Following Link For More Information About How To Be A FUN Wedding MC

• MC At A Wedding – Wedding MC Reception Tip #3

The Wedding Reception Program and Wedding Reception Agenda are similar but have distinct differences and uses – especially for the Wedding MC.

Think of the Wedding Reception Program as something that is given to the wedding guests for their information and as a keepsake of the wedding.

The Wedding Reception Program highlights the main events of the wedding reception and can be created from the wedding reception agenda.

It can also include such things as menu information, after-party information, as well as a personal thank you note from the bride and groom.

The wedding reception agenda (or wedding reception runsheet), on the other hand, is a detailed outline of wedding reception events and is particularly important for the Wedding MC.

It will include times, key events, games for the wedding reception, entertainment and other activities, surprises you might have in store for the bride and groom, and any special notes you need to make to ensure the reception flows smoothly.

Special notes could include names of songs, introductions, order of wedding speakers and toasters, a schedule of entertainment events, and more.

In fact, your wedding reception agenda can be as detailed or as concise as you like because it will be your personal guide throughout the reception.

Where the wedding reception program is general in nature and primarily for the wedding guests, the wedding reception agenda is much more detailed and is used by the Wedding Emcee.

Click The Following Link For The Complete Wedding MC Guide On How To MC A Wedding Reception

• MC At A Wedding – Wedding MC Reception Tip #2

The Wedding MC Run Sheet – or Wedding Reception Agenda – is an important aid for the Wedding MC both before and during the wedding reception.

The Wedding MC Run Sheet outlines the sequence of events during the wedding reception – from the beginning to the end.

The Wedding MC Run Sheet helps the Wedding MC plan what will take place during the reception and is entirely flexible.

It will start with the Grand Entrance.

And it will end with the Final Farewell.

In between the Grand Entrance and the Final Farewell, you’ll plan all the events that will take place during the reception – including the meal, the wedding speeches and toasts, the group activities, the entertainment, and the dancing.

In How To Be A FUN Wedding MC the Wedding Reception Run Sheet is completely laid out from start to finish.

Plus, you’ll get samples of the Wedding Reception Run Sheet that you can review with the bride and groom as you sit down and plan the reception with them.

Click The Following Link For The Complete Wedding MC Guide On How To Prepare The Wedding Reception Run Sheet .

• MC At A Wedding – Wedding MC Reception Tip #1

Just as the Wedding MC should know the Order of Toasts, many Wedding Emcees also need to know the Order of Events – also known as the Wedding Agenda – at a wedding reception.

The Order of Events at a wedding reception is quite flexible.

In How To Be A FUN Wedding MC you’ll get examples of the Order of Events.

These examples come in very handy as you prepare for the wedding reception.

You can sit down with the bride and groom and create a unique wedding reception that is both fun and memorable.

Wedding MC – The Key Person For A FUN Wedding Reception

The Wedding MC has many duties and responsibilities throughout the wedding reception.

And if you’ve performed your Wedding MC Duties well, the wedding reception will be a success.

What often happens, though, is that very often the Wedding MC doesn’t know what to say or what to do.

Click The Following Link For How To Be A FUN Wedding MC

And that’s entirely understandable – many wedding receptions are big events with a number of things that need attention.

If you’re a novice Wedding MC then chances are things will be missed simply because you didn’t know what to do.

And because things are missed, the wedding guests can get bored or events just won’t work out as planned.

And there will be no added touches that make the reception a very special event for the newlyweds.

On top of that, as Wedding MC you probably don’t know how to make the wedding reception a FUN celebration.

When the bride and groom spend thousands of dollars on the wedding reception, they want it to be a memorable event (even if they’re not entirely sure how to do that).

As Wedding Emcee you’ll need…

In fact, you’ll need to know the secrets to kicking things up a notch to get the wedding guests in the mood for a fun time.

A wedding reception is an event that takes considerable planning and time to prepare.

And that’s where you can rise to the occasion and show off your talent as a Wedding MC even if you’ve never been one before.

As the Wedding Emcee you owe it to the bride and groom to make sure you’re properly prepared for one of the most important days of their lives.

If you’re a Wedding MC who wants to create a memorable wedding reception for the bride and groom then check out How To Be A FUN Wedding MC .

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How To Be The Wedding Emcee Who Turns An "Ordinary" Wedding Reception Into A FUN Celebration

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Reception Planning – Bride

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How to Be an Amazing Wedding MC: Beginners Guide to MC Duties

A successful wedding MC has everything under control. They know who’s doing what and when, where they’re supposed to be, and the order of events.

You’ve been given the honor of being a Master of Ceremonies. Congratulations! It’s one of the most important roles you can play at a person’s wedding.

Sure, you’ve probably got different emotions about this. You may be thrilled that you can help make the happy couple’s big day flow smoothly… while terrified that you’ll mess everything up. One thing for certain is – if you do not feel comfortable being their wedding MC, or with public speaking say so now! Give the engaged couple the opportunity to ask someone else to be their Emcee if it’s not for you.

But, If you’re keen to perform this important role, then our Beginners Guide to MC Duties is for you! It’s a role that’s lots of fun and you will have a great time doing it.

What does a wedding MC do?

The wedding emcee is like the host of the wedding. He or she is not getting married, nor have they organized or paid for the event. Instead, they are given the job of keeping the day run on time and making sure that everyone is having a good time.

It is up to the couple to tell you exactly what they’d like you to do for them so don’t worry if you don’t feel like you’re a professional wedding mc! For this reason, it is important that you meet with them well before their wedding day. Ask for a run sheet of jobs they would like you to do. Ask for some stories you can share about them with their guests in a witty forward. Having a good sense of humor is always welcome in the role of an MC, so adding in a funny joke or two will go down well. Also, ask if there are any topics that are off-limits. The last thing you want is to mention something inappropriate in the wedding toast!

The happy couple should also explain how they want their day to run and the tone they’d like their wedding to have. It is a good idea to visit the wedding venue , attend the wedding rehearsal the day prior, and introduce yourself to the wedding vendors who will be there on the day too.

Beginners Guide to MC Duties

Exactly what sort of MC jobs can the bride or groom ask you to do? An mc’s job is to take the guests on a journey through the wedding, letting them know the flow of events as they are happening. If you’ve had plenty of public speaking experience, especially in front of a large crowd then this will come in handy! The role of MC includes –

• Help gather guests for photos
• Help guests find their seats, including if there are any important guests that have reserved seating.
• Announce the arrival of the wedding party and the grand entrance of the wedding couple at the wedding reception
• Announce the first dance of the married couple
• Introduce speakers at the reception venue
• Explain to guests how meal service will occur
• Let guests know when it is time for the main meal
• Introduce the wedding cake cutting and throwing of the bouquet
• Encourage wedding guests to sign the guestbook and use the photo booth (if these activities are available.)
• Invite the guests to join the new couple on the dance floor

Tips on being a good wedding MC

When it comes to the role of a wedding mc, there are a few things you should consider.

Obviously, your behavior will be noticed by everyone, so limiting alcohol consumption while you are ‘on duty’ is vital. Planning is key, which is why we suggest meeting with the engaged couple before the wedding.

You will also have the chance to ask questions about whether there will be a microphone for you to use or how long you need to talk for. If you are asked to do a speech, you can prepare it in advance.

If you’re not giving a speech, you will still be able to practice the necessary announcements you are expected to perform. When announcing certain guests, make sure you have the correct pronunciation of any names.

Arrive early

Arriving early at the venue or visiting beforehand lets you see where things are and can assist guests when they arrive. This is also a great opportunity to introduce yourself to key people such as the wedding DJ , bartender, housekeeping, mother, and father of the bride and groom. Even all the members of the bridal party, maid of honor , and best man if you don’t know them already.

Being asked to be an MC is an honor. While it can be nerve-wracking to know two people have asked you to make their wedding special, you will be fine. After all, they wouldn’t have asked you if they didn’t trust you to do an awesome job!

Check out our post ‘5 tips to be a fabulous MC’ for more tips too!

If you’re the happy couple looking how to choose an MC…

Here are 5 tips on how to choose a wedding master of ceremonies for your wedding

As you have seen or know already, it is a varied job and not suitable for everyone. But choosing the right one ensures your day will run beautifully! Here are our top five tips on how to choose an MC .

• Look for Confidence. You need a person who is confident speaking to large crowds using a microphone. The trick is to choose an MC who has a strong presence but will not outshine the bride and groom.
• Someone you both like and respect. You’re both trusting this person with parts of your wedding day, so you need to like them as a person. As a go-between with suppliers, guests, and even staff. They need to be able to follow your directions to the letter. Trusting that they will do this is key for you to have a relaxing and stress-free special day. This can be a family member or close friend, or anyone you feel would give your day the right vibe.
• Humorous. – Having a great sense of humor is important in a master of ceremonies. They need to be able to make guests feel comfortable, break the ice, and be someone people enjoy listening to. Be sure to let them know your boundaries when it comes to making jokes in a wedding speech. Especially crude ones!
• Be organized. If they can make a list and stick to it and have good time management then there’s a good chance they’ll be fine. An organized MC will keep your wedding day on track. They will ensure things happen just the way you wanted in a timely manner.
• Be a great communicator. Being able to chat with you both and understand what you both want is vital in an MC. On the day (or even before), they’ll talk with the photographer, guests, and the caterer. They’ll need to make quick decisions, follow directions and give instructions too.

More reading

Don’t forget to look through our other articles about Master of ceremony duties to help you with choosing the right MC too. The articles  Wedding Speeches: How Many & Who Should Speak? a nd  Wedding Day Timeline Tips  are good ones to start with. For more tips for being an awesome MC, visit our article  5 tips to be a fabulous MC .

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Married to Be was formally known as Southern Bride. Amanda was the founder and creator of Southern Bride. Though she no longer writes for us, Southern Bride grew into a website full of amazing wedding information through her years of knowledge and expertise.

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Croatian wedding traditions are a beautiful and fascinating part of the country’s culture. The wedding traditions vary greatly depending on the different regions. These wedding customs have been passed down through generations. From fake brides to apple throwing, flag bearers, marriage crucifixes, and the kolo. This article will explore some of the most popular traditions at…

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