The Master of Ceremonies (MC) at a wedding serves somewhat like a tour guide or cruise director—only it's for the wedding activities and events at the dinner, reception, and/or dance. He or she will make introductions and announcements, help keep guests and attendees informed of vital information and what is happening at particular times, and help each event transition smoothly into the next. He or she is the primary speaker, commanding attention at the appropriate times, but only speaking briefly at each interval, focusing the attention on the bride and groom or else the person being introduced. Usually a wedding MC will have a microphone so he or she can be easily heard throughout the room and can get the attention of guests when necessary.



Announcements

The wedding MC makes many announcements to guests throughout the day and evening. He or she will announce the arrival of the bride and groom and the bridal party when they first get to the reception area and enter. They will often come in, in a procession beneath an arch or other decorated entrance and are introduced as “The new Mr. And Mrs. Whoever.” The MC will announce this and ask guests to give them a round of applause.

The MC will also welcome all guests on behalf of the couple, announce that refreshments are available, and direct guests to where they will be served. Later, he or she will announce any requests from the photographer—such as anyone wanting to get a photograph with the bride and groom to gather in a particular area. The MC also announces the cutting of the cake, when it is time to be seated for the meal, and introduces the minister or other person who will be saying grace.

The Dinner And The Toasts

At some point at the dinner and after the prayer, the MC will thank the guests for attending, say some short but pleasant words about the newly married couple, and then introduce all the members of the bridal party by name and possibly relationship to the couple. Some brides and grooms prefer to have this happening during the actual meal and others delay this until after the dishes have been cleared when everyone is done eating and either while or directly after the coffee and cake are being served or after the champagne has been poured.

This is also when toasts are introduced and made by various members of the bridal party and the bride's and groom's families. The MC introduces each person making the toast—starting with a close friend or relative or the best man who toasts to the bride or the bride and the groom—and then smoothly transitions between the various people who are making toasts to the bride and groom. At some weddings only the best man and/or maid of honor will make toasts. At others, there may be toasts to and from the bride's parents, to and from the groom's parents, and other toasts made by family and friends. During the toasts, the MC should always be professional, polite, and appropriate. Light humor is welcome, but any jokes should be very carefully selected so as not to offend anyone or take too much attention away from the couple who should always be the center of attention on their special day.

If there are any telegrams or messages from guests who were unable to attend, the MC will also ask the best man to read these aloud to the bride and groom during the toasting time. Also, if the bride and groom specify, the MC may be asked to introduce other important or significant guests at the wedding and to ask them to stand as they are introduced.

The Dance

The MC usually announces the start of the music and dancing, the band or disk jockey, and later, the grand march processional, the couple's first dance, any special dances (such as the bride dancing with her father), and then invites the other guests to join in the dancing after the special dances are over.

At the appropriate time, the MC will also announce the throwing of the bouquet, the removal of and throwing of the garter, and any other special activities the couple has planned.

After the introduction of the band or disk jockey, at some weddings a member of the band or the disk jockey takes over as MC to announce the other activities including the special dances, bouquet toss, and garter toss.

Other Duties

Depending on the bride and groom's itinerary for the evening, an MC may also announce the opening of the gifts (if they will be opened that evening) and/or announce the departure of the bride and groom as they leave at the end of the evening or depart for their honeymoon. He may also thank all the people who helped make the wedding extra special for the couple—the caterer, the photographer, the band, etc.—and thank the guests for attending, wishing everyone a safe trip home.

Not every couple opts to have a special MC for their wedding. Sometimes the best man acts as an informal Master of Ceremonies for most announcements and the toasts with the band leader or disk jockey handling the announcements as the dance begins. At some very informal weddings, the father of the bride or groom, or even the groom himself may take on many aspects of this role.

If you are asked to act as the MC at a wedding—whether as your primary role because you are a friend of the couple or due to your involvement as the best man, brother of the bride or groom, because you are the disk jockey, or for some other reason, it's important to take your role seriously. Remember, whether you are introducing the couple, announcing the toasts, or coordinating the special dances and bouquet and garter toss, the focus should always be on the bride and groom and making their day special.