how to write a wedding mc speech

MC For Wedding Scripts – Expert Tips And Examples

Picture this: you’re attending a wedding and everything is running smoothly. The atmosphere is filled with excitement, laughter, and love. Have you ever wondered what makes a wedding reception so seamless and enjoyable? One key element is the MC, also known as the Master of Ceremonies. In this article, we will delve into the world of MC for wedding scripts and provide you with expert tips and examples to help you make your wedding reception an unforgettable experience.

The Role of an MC at a Wedding

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of crafting an engaging MC script, let’s first understand the importance of the MC’s role. The MC is not just a random person with a microphone; they are the glue that holds the wedding reception together. Their responsibilities include guiding the event flow, introducing the wedding party, leading interactive activities, and ensuring a memorable experience for everyone involved. Smooth event flow is crucial to creating a relaxed and enjoyable environment for the couple and their guests.

Crafting an Engaging MC Script

Opening remarks.

When it comes to starting your MC script, a captivating opening is vital. Begin by warmly welcoming the guests and setting the tone for the event. Infuse the atmosphere with light-hearted jokes or anecdotes to break the ice and engage the audience right from the start.

Introducing the Wedding Party

The introduction of the wedding party is a significant moment in any reception. Properly introducing the bride, groom, and important family members is essential. Share some background information or fun facts about each person to help the guests connect with them on a personal level.

Guiding the Reception Flow

Welcoming speech.

Expressing gratitude to the attendees for their presence and providing information about the schedule and activities planned is the focal point of the welcoming speech. Take this opportunity to set expectations and generate excitement for the upcoming events.

Announcing the Entrance of the Newlyweds

One of the highlights of any wedding reception is the grand entrance of the newlyweds. Build anticipation by creating a vibrant atmosphere and announce their entrance in a way that reflects their unique style and personality.

Toasts and Speeches

Guide the sequence of toasts and speeches, ensuring each speaker is properly introduced and given time cues. Keep the energy high and the transitions smooth to maintain the flow of the event.

Interactive Games or Activities

Engaging guests through interactive games or activities is a fantastic way to create lasting memories. Suggest and lead fun activities that align with the couple’s preferences and the general ambiance of the wedding.

First Dance and Special Moments

Announce the couple’s first dance and other special events, ensuring that the spotlight is on these memorable moments. Create an atmosphere that is filled with joy and love, encouraging everyone to feel a part of the celebration.

Entrances and Transitions

Guide the order of entrances, such as the cutting of the cake or bouquet toss, ensuring that each transition is seamless. Smoothly navigate between different events or segments, maintaining the momentum and excitement.

Closing Remarks

As the wedding reception draws to a close, conclude with heartfelt closing remarks. Thank the guests for their presence and wishes, and offer well wishes to the couple as they embark on their journey together.

Tips for a Successful MC Performance

Mastering the art of public speaking.

To deliver a captivating MC performance, it’s crucial to master the art of public speaking. Build confidence on stage, speak clearly, and use appropriate body language and vocal variety to capture the attention of the audience.

Understanding the Couple’s Preferences

Communication with the couple is vital in understanding their vision for the reception. Personalize the script to match their style and personality, ensuring their wedding is an authentic representation of them as a couple.

Practicing and Rehearsing

Rehearsing the MC script is essential for a successful performance. Practice delivering the lines, overcome stage fright, and gain confidence through repetition. Remember, practice makes perfect!

In Conclusion

Crafting an engaging MC script is crucial for a memorable and enjoyable wedding reception. As the MC, your role is to guide the flow of the event, introduce the wedding party, and ensure a seamless experience for everyone involved. By employing our expert tips, such as creating captivating opening remarks, guiding the reception flow, and personalizing the script to the couple’s preferences, you can take your MC performance to the next level. With practice and a little bit of personality, you’ll create a wedding reception that will have everyone talking for years to come.

Robert Akin

How To Write A Wedding Speech: The Ultimate Guide For Do’s, Don’ts, and Delivery PART 1/3: Do’s

Holiday Wedding Pros And Cons

How To Write A Wedding Speech: The Ultimate Guide For Do’s, Don’ts, and Delivery PART 2/3: Don’ts

best man speech
bridesmaid speech
how to write a wedding speech
wedding planning
wedding speech

how to write a wedding speech dos

Someone you love is getting married, and you’ve just been asked to give a speech at the wedding. What an honor! But also, if you’re not used to giving speeches, what a nightmare! Public speaking can be scary , which is why many people prefer to avoid it. But when your bestie asks you to make a speech at his or her wedding, it’s time to rally. But now you’re wondering if you even know how to write a wedding speech! What makes some wedding speeches fun and memorable, and what makes others cringy and fall flat? We’ve got you. We’ve put together the ultimate guide for how to write a wedding speech, focusing on things you definitely should do, things you definitely should NOT do, and then how to deliver your killer wedding speech like a pro.

If you’re wondering how to write a wedding speech, here are a few “Do’s” to keep in mind.

Start planning early
Introduce yourself and how you know the bride and groom
Thanks to hosts, guests, and wedding party; congratulate the couple
Make it personal
Think of 3 traits with 3 stories
Talk about the couple
Have a beginning, middle, and end
Consider your audience
Keep it short and sweet
It’s okay to be simple and meaningful

1. Start planning early

If you don’t know how to write a wedding speech but the bride just asked you to give one, this is not a time to procrastinate. Public speaking is one of the number one fears many people have, so it’s likely you’ve avoided giving too many public speeches before this. And unless you’re a performer or a veteran improv comedian, you might not do too well winging this one. If you get nervous in front of an audience (as most of us do), the best defense against freezing up when you take the mic is being prepared.

As soon as you know you’ve been asked to give a speech at the wedding, begin jotting down notes immediately. Whenever you’re inspired by a thought of the couple or remember an anecdote that might be worth retelling, make note of it. This will help to give you a pool of ideas to draw from when you start writing down the speech.

Begin gathering ideas and writing the speech a couple of weeks to a month before the wedding. You’ll need time to edit, fine-tune it, and make it concise. And as wedding showers, bachelorette parties, and other wedding festivities begin, you might find there are entertaining stories from these events you want to add as well. If you want to write it all at once, you can do that too. However, make sure to sleep on it and come back with fresh eyes. You don’t want just “okay,” you want your speech to be heartfelt and meaningful.

You will also want to begin early to give yourself time to practice and rehearse your speech plenty of times.

2. Introduce yourself and how you know the bride and groom

No matter how large or small the wedding is, it’s likely you will not be familiar with many of the guests on one or both sides. And they won’t be familiar with you either. So don’t leave them guessing!

Make sure when you start to write a wedding speech to introduce yourself and mention how you know the couple. This will help them understand the context of your speech, which will also help it to be more well-received.

3. Thank hosts, guests, and wedding party; congratulate the couple

It’s also courteous to take this time to thank the hosts and other members of the wedding party for all the hard work that went into the event, and to thank guests for being there to support the newlyweds, especially those who had to travel far.

It’s also a good time to officially congratulate the newlyweds and offer them your personal well-wishes for their future. It is imperative that you don’t forget this part, because they are the whole reason you’re there and giving a speech!

4. Make it personal

Whether you are the maid of honor, the best man, father of the bride, or just a friend, you were asked to give a speech because of your close connection and relationship with either the bride or groom (or both).

And since you know your friend as well as you do, you probably have plenty of stories to share; so the next tip for how to write a wedding speech is don’t hesitate to make it personal and share those stories! This will also help guests get to know the other half of the couple they might not know as well or are just meeting for the first time. And those guests who do know them will love hearing some entertaining stories they might not have heard yet.

5. Think of 3 traits with 3 stories

If you’re finding it difficult to come up with anything, a useful approach for how to write a wedding speech is to think of 3 positive defining traits or qualities of the bride or groom and recount three stories or examples that illuminate a time they exhibited these traits. These stories could be comedic, heartwarming, or both. Just make sure they are relevant and entertaining!

6. Talk about the couple

If you’re the maid of honor and have been chatting up the bride for the whole speech, part of how to write a wedding speech is to make sure at some point it circles around to the groom, too, and to the two of them as a couple.

Recount the time you met him, or how you remember talking about him with the bride in the beginning stages of their relationship. If you don’t know the groom all that well, talk about how good they are as a couple and about how happy he makes her.

And If you’re not a fan of the groom, this is not the time to air your grievances. Always keep it positive.

7. Have a beginning, middle, and end

All good speeches have a good flow and take the audience along with it.

Don’t let your speech fall flat or jumble together in a haphazard confusion of disconnected anecdotes. Give it the structure of an overarching theme, with a beginning, a middle, and an end.

We are not talking about a novel here, just make sure there is a direction to where the speech is going, and that the destination, end, or sentiment is achieved. It doesn’t need to be Charlie Chaplin in The Great Dictator, but a three-act structure does help keep you grounded. Most people also follow a story easier when there is a clear direction for a story or speech.

8. Consider your audience

The next thing to keep in mind when considering how to write a wedding speech is to make sure you consider who your audience is.

This is not the bachelor or bachelorette party. There will be a wide range of people present from children to the elderly, and from close friends of the bride and groom to casual acquaintances and coworkers. Make sure your speech is free of any crudeness that might not be fit for such a varied audience. Also, this isn’t the time to take a shot at any of the religious cermonies.

Be considerate and keep it positive and use language everyone can relate to.

9. Keep it short and sweet

You want your speech to be meaningful and memorable; but the wedding is not about you, and yours is not the only speech.

No one ever complains about a speech being too short, but they do begin to grumble if it runs on too long. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind when figuring out how to write a wedding speech is to keep your speech between 2-5 minutes long. Any longer than 5 minutes and you’ll lose everyone to thoughts of cake and whether or not to Cupid Shuffle later.

10. Add humor

Don’t be afraid to be funny! Another tip for how to write a wedding speech is that if you’ve got a lighthearted, creative, joking side, use it and add humor to your speech! Everyone likes to be entertained.

This doesn’t mean you should scour the internet for generic wedding-themed jokes, but if you’ve got some good original material to use that helps relate a story about the bride or groom in a comedic way, do it. As long as you’re not making fun of the couple but having fun with them, jokes are great. Or you can even poke fun at yourself to illuminate a higher quality in your bestie. It’s all about making the newlyweds shine.

If you’re creative and have other talents, use them! If you are musical, bust out your instrument and/or vocal cords and make the speech in the form of a song! Use props, and get the other guests involved! The newlyweds will feel special because you created something for them, and the guests will love joining in the fun.

11. It’s okay to be simple and meaningful

If entertaining isn’t your thing, that’s okay! Don’t force it – just be yourself. It’s okay to be simple and meaningful with your speech. Always keep in mind when you go to write a wedding speech that what’s important is that you are genuine and speak from the heart.

Hopefully, you found these tips for how to write a wedding speech helpful, and can start writing today! And stay tuned to our blog for the next part in this ultimate guide for how to write a wedding speech where we highlight a few things you should definitely avoid.

Love this content and want more? Read more about weddings on our blog ! Involved in the wedding planning process and the bride is still looking for a venue ? Give us a call today and we’ll help you find the perfect place!

Jennings Trace

Saying “I Do” Under the Texas Sun: Dos and Don’ts for Your Summer Wedding

Crafting Your Dream with DIY Wedding Decor

Beyond the Slice: Exploring Wedding Dessert Alternatives

I need an example of a good wedding speec for the bride.Its my first time.

[…] infusing genuine emotion into your wedding speech is essential for creating a heartfelt connection with the audience. Expressing warmth, sincerity, […]

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.

Check out these popular articles

Closing Speech

Step by Step guide to writing a great Closing Speech. This is aimed at MC's and Event Hosts writing an Emcee Script. However many of the Tips and Insights are applicable to Speakers doing the Closing...

Great Opening Lines for Emcee

Prefer to watch a Video? Here's one on the same Topic! https://youtu.be/wbl7TgacF04 An Insiders Guide to Great Opening Lines for any MC or Speech. A great Opening Line should aim to...

Wedding Speeches Secrets

My WordPress Blog

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!

Return to top of page Terms of Use · Privacy Policy · Disclosure Notice · Video Disclaimer · Sitemap

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!

wedding reception activities ideas, games, MC scripts, jokes tips, ideas, duties, checklists, run sheets, agendas, and much more!

Emceeing A Wedding Reception: A Guide

Table of Contents:

A master of ceremonies or wedding emcee makes sure everything goes according to plan and sets the right mood. A good emcee balances the formalities, introduces each segment of the wedding, and injects humor with relatable jokes and stories in between. For their wedding, some couples might decide to hire a qualified and skilled emcee. However, they may also pick a close relative or relative to act in place of one.

Remember to get in touch with Just Married Films for your wedding photography and articlegraphy needs on your big day.

It may be stressful to be given such responsibilities, but with the help of this guide, you’ll be able to ace your role and give the couple and all of the guests a memorable evening if you’re asked to be the couple’s wedding emcee.

What line should you use to introduce yourself at a wedding reception?

Welcome to the most significant day in the lives of (NAME) and (NAME). Promises have taken on a life of their own today, and friends have turned into family. “Today is a holiday, and (NAME) and (NAME) and I are here to celebrate. “We appreciate you being here with us on this special day.”.

Our wedding speech introduction examples will help you get started if you have to give a speech but are unsure of where to start.

To assist you in navigating and enjoying life’s most important moments, we have included products from third parties. Links on this page may lead to purchases for which we receive a commission.

Standing up and speaking at a wedding, whether it’s the groom’s speech, the father of the bride speech, or the eagerly anticipated best man speech, can be quite nerve-wracking. We provide examples of wedding speech introductions as well as instructions on how to start your speech so you can feel confident and get off to a strong start.

When MC-ing a wedding, what should they say?

The function. Declare the arrival of the married couple. Identify the speakers. Tell everyone when the cake will be cut. Declare the wedding waltz. When it’s time for the bridal couple to depart, let the guests know.

A Master of Ceremonies (MC) is crucial in tying everything together and ensuring that your celebration goes off without a hitch. If you’re fortunate, one of your friends or members of your family will know someone who is suitable. The stage is set for a very private reception with an MC who is familiar to you and your guests. It’s possible to share the MC role. It’s a great idea to have a friend and a family member host the event together because it gives everyone in your circle someone to relate to. You should be aware of their responsibilities before selecting your master of ceremonies.

The reception will go smoothly if the master of ceremonies can tie everything together. The emcee will do the following:

In order to ensure that everyone is ready for the next activity—for instance, that the champagne has been poured before the toasts—the Master of Ceremonies, or MC, as it is commonly abbreviated, must communicate with the function coordinator and the reception venue.

Sample emcee script for wedding reception

What should the wedding emcee say first?

Know and comprehend the wedding couple. Here are nine tips on how to be a memorable wedding emcee. Be aware of the wedding’s schedule. Go over the wedding emcee script again. dot. Do some research on famous names. Work with the wedding vendors to plan and dot. Before the event, try out the microphone(s). adding a unique touch to the speakers’ introduction.

Update: Recently, I’ve been inundated with emails from people asking for suggestions on how to emcee wedding events. After sharing with so many people, I’ve decided to put my ten years of emcee experience into an ebook. You can learn more about it here.

If you’re looking for an experienced wedding emcee in Singapore, you can get in touch with me.

So, a friend or a member of your family has asked you to emcee their wedding. You feel honored that they would approach you, and you begin to question your suitability for the job. Emceeing a wedding for a close friend or relative is a great honor and should not be taken lightly.

What would a typical wedding MC script look like?

“Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the (venue name). My name is ____, and I will serve as your emcee for the reception for the couple will serve as your emcee for the reception for the couple. It would be great if you could please take your seats in the interim while the wedding party arrives, as I’ve been informed. Within a few minutes, I will reply to you.”.

What would be the ideal emcee introduction?

The introduction should immediately engage the audience and pique their interest in your topic by outlining your credentials as a speaker on the subject. less than 150 words, keep it concise and to the point. The presentation shouldn’t go beyond a minute.

Before you take the stage in many speaking situations, your client or a Master of Ceremonies (MC, also written emcee) will give you an introduction. The introduction by the emcee is important because it frames your opening remarks. When handled well, it can serve as the springboard for a fantastic presentation; when handled poorly, it acts as an anchor, pulling you down and requiring you to spend valuable time fixing the emcee’s mistakes. Of course, you’ll want to keep tight reins on your introduction.

The following advice will help you increase the likelihood of success—for both of you—despite the fact that you cannot stop a determined or incompetent introducer from performing poorly.

1. A good introducer should never wing it. Your introduction must make a strong, favorable first impression. Therefore, don’t let the person introduce you unless they are a close friend who is very familiar with your work. A few careless words or improvised stories are all it takes to make you lose enthusiasm. Give a complete scripted introduction and ask that it be read verbatim. Don’t just give the emcee an outline to fill out; otherwise, she might stretch it out so much that it consumes some of your speaking time.

What do you say first as the MC?

Give a brief twenty-second introduction of yourself. Name, hometown, any family you may have, and some sort of affiliation with the crowd are some ideas I have. Tell the audience a similarity you discovered if you met someone in the crowd before the event.

The lights in the audience dim, the audience falls silent, the music slows down, and the first words spoken from the stage by the emcee are _______?

Although each emcee may approach it slightly differently, the introduction will be similar in most cases. It’s crucial to be direct, hospitable, and authentically you.

Because it is, it makes sense. Welcome. Amidst all the other things you could say, this one simple phrase might get lost. When you go to a friend’s house, imagine knocking on the door and being greeted by a friendly face who says, “Welcome.” Welcoming the guests into a story and an environment created for them to hear something and experience something is what every emcee tries to do, whether they realize it or not.

How do I begin a script for an emcee?

Give a brief (20-second) introduction of who you are. My recommendations are name, hometown, any family you may have, and some sort of affiliation with the crowd. Tell the audience something you had in common with the person you met in the crowd before the event.

Although each emcee may approach it slightly differently, the introduction will be similar in most cases. It’s crucial to be straightforward, hospitable, and authentically you.

It is intuitive because it seems to be. Welcome. Despite being so straightforward, it might get lost in the sea of other things you could say. When you go to a friend’s house, imagine knocking on the door and being greeted by a friendly face who says, “Welcome.” Welcoming the guests into a story and an environment created for them to hear something and experience something is what every emcee tries to do, whether they realize it or not.

Wedding reception script for emcee philippines

What does the emcee do at the reception?

The master of ceremonies at a wedding is known as an MC or emcee. This person is in charge of interacting with your guests during the reception, introducing speakers, and generally managing the flow of the occasion.

The master of ceremonies is an emcee or wedding MC. This person is in charge of addressing your guests throughout the reception, introducing speakers, and generally keeping the event on schedule. They are frequently the first person guests hear from after they have settled down at their tables, which plays a big part in establishing the mood for the reception.

This may seem like a difficult task, but the right person can find enjoyment and fun in it. Additionally, if you’re working with a wedding planner or coordinator, you’ll have assistance from them on the big day.

A wedding reception MC can be a great asset.

What are some good wedding speech examples?

All of you are invited to join in on this significant occasion in the lives of the bride and the groom. I implore you to join me in recognizing and celebrating this day and the vows they will be making. Their love and dedication to one another are witnessed and validated by your presence.

The wedding ceremony’s opening words and introduction set the mood for the celebration. It makes a declaration about the event, its significance to the world, and the engaged couple.

We are honored to have you here on this special day, friends and family of the bride and groom.

We are here to marry the bride and groom in order to celebrate their incredibly special love.

How do you craft a cordial welcome speech?

Good morning to everyone! Express your gratitude to the guests for coming by saying something like, “It’s wonderful to see you all here on this sunny day. More casual language might be appropriate for a gathering of close friends and family.

If you have to deliver a welcome speech at a program or event, don’t worry; with the right structure and tone, it’s very simple to write and deliver a welcome speech for just about any occasion. Everything you need to know has been outlined, from your opening remarks to setting the right tone and mastering your closing remarks. This is in your hands!

Use formal language to greet the audience, as this is a formal event. Choose an appropriate salutation, such as “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Then, say something like, “It is my pleasure to welcome everyone to our lovely venue tonight.” (1).

Use jovial language to greet visitors informally. Good morning to everyone! Express your gratitude to the guests for coming by saying something like, “It’s wonderful to see you all here on this sunny day.” (2).

What does the MC at a wedding say?

The MC gives brief opening remarks before introducing all of the main wedding participants. According to Coombs, “a good wedding MC is organized, accountable, and can take instructions well. It’s not about the MC getting their fifteen minutes of fame; it’s about the bride and groom.”.

In their role as the wedding’s host and emcee, the Master of Ceremonies (MC or emcee) is responsible for making sure that everyone is having fun. An effective wedding MC is more than just a person with strong public speaking skills or a joke or two. They should ensure that everything goes as planned, introduce everyone speaking, and highlight significant moments. We asked Michael Coombs of Michael Coombs Entertainment in Toronto for five things that every wedding MC should be aware of.

1. Be prepared. Have everything written down beforehand, and prepare your speech in advance. Make sure you have a thorough timeline and the right names and information. The MC makes brief opening remarks before introducing each important wedding participant. A good wedding MC is prepared, accountable, and capable of following directions, according to Coombs. It’s not about the MC getting their fifteen minutes of fame; it’s about the bride and groom.”.

2. Working with the vendors to ensure that everyone is aware of what is happening is one of the wedding MC’s key responsibilities. Knowing how the evening will proceed and making sure everyone is prepared for their cues are crucial, he adds. “The MC’s job is to guide the audience and let them know what will happen next. They should make sure that everything is on schedule and that the DJ, photographer, and vendors are given cues to capture important moments.

How do you, as an MC, greet visitors?

“We are happy to extend the warmest welcome possible.” Dear visitors, take a look around you; you have a friendly welcome full of friendship.” dot is honored to be here. I am in awe of the collective knowledge present here as I look around the stage. dot. many thanks. hugely appreciated. dot. jubilant welcome.

The challenge of a welcome speech is to come up with alternative ways to convey your sincerity without using a string of meaningless “same-old, same-old” words and phrases to welcome your guests.

There is also a further query regarding that. Your language choices will depend on whether the event is formal or informal.

How do you write a wedding emcee script?

Welcome to (name) and (name)’s wedding dinner. It’s an honor to serve as your emcee tonight. My name is (the emcee’s name). I want to express my gratitude to each and every one of you on behalf of the couple and their parents for coming to share in this happy occasion as we celebrate the union of (name) and (name). ‘ Cached.

Your wedding will go off without a hitch and with the proper mood and tone set by a master of ceremonies or wedding emcee. A good emcee not only introduces the various parts of the wedding but also balances the formalities and injects humor with relatable jokes and stories. Some couples may opt to hire a skilled and qualified emcee for their wedding. They may, however, elect to substitute a close relative or relative in their place.

Don’t forget to get in touch with Just Married Films if you need wedding photography or articlegraphy for your big day.

How can I perform at a wedding reception as the best MC possible?

Have a plan. 7 suggestions for making your wedding memorable It’s not “Open Mic Night” here. dot. Limit your alcohol intake. A party is taking place; that much is true. dot. Get to know the vendors. dot. Test the microphone. dot. Get out of the way and make a strong opening. dot. Use caution when using humor. dot. Consider Who Your Audience Is.

It is an enormous honor to be asked to officiate at a friend’s or relative’s wedding as master of ceremonies. However, the job also carries a great deal of pressure. Contrary to popular belief, you are not up there to be the center of attention or the designated wedding comedian. As the event’s host, it is your responsibility to ensure that everyone is having a good time and that the proceedings proceed according to schedule. My sister got married last weekend, and I had the honor of being the MC. In the past 20 years, I’ve served as MC four times, and each time I’ve taken on this crucial responsibility, I’ve learned a few important lessons. Here are some suggestions I hope will be useful if you have been asked to be the MC for an upcoming wedding. This is merely one guy’s firsthand knowledge of what works and what doesn’t; it is by no means a comprehensive manual.

‘Open Mic Night’ is not what this is. Keep your improv class for the ad-libs. Before the big day, you should have a very clear idea of the evening’s structure and flow, the correct way to pronounce key terms, and, to a large extent, everything you intend to say that evening. It doesn’t follow that you have to follow the script exactly. There will be those brief, unplanned opportunities where you can add a pertinent comment, a dash of humor, or a hint of emotion. Since you’re good in front of a crowd and probably have some interesting stories to share, the bride and groom chose you to be their MC. However, a wedding is a time-sensitive, emotionally charged event, so you need to have a plan.

If you can, have a conversation about the couple’s preferences and wishes a few days or weeks prior to the wedding. Keep your questions focused because they’re probably distracted by a gazillion other details.

A Wedding Reception Design Guide
A Garage Wedding Reception Decoration Guide
A Small Wedding Reception Decoration Guide
Wedding Reception Tips 15 – How Long Is The Reception?
Making A Wedding Bio: A Guide
How To Leave Your Marriage: A Guide

How To Start Being A Wedding Planner

Marriage Advice – How To Apologize To Your Spouse

Karaoke At A Wedding: How To Do It

How To Decorate Long Folding Tables For A Banquet : Wedding Decor

Making Tulle Bows For Wedding Pews

What To Do To Decorate A Location For A Wedding

Add comment, cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Latest publications

Where Did Lauren Go After The Wedding?

How Do I Conduct A Marriage Ceremony?

Groom 100% Loses It When He Sees His Bride!!! – Graystone Quarry Wedding Film

Who Is Jamel Nelson From Love And Marriage In Huntsville

Latest comments.

christina on I Completely Broke And Destroyed My Marriage And Don’T Know How To Fix The Damage
Jenna Francis on A Little History Of Weddings, Why I Didn’T Have One
TheMikZino on A Little History Of Weddings, Why I Didn’T Have One
Hownottoadult 101 on A Little History Of Weddings, Why I Didn’T Have One
Tamara Van Voorst on A Little History Of Weddings, Why I Didn’T Have One

Random post

What To Give My Spouse On The Wedding Night

How to Begin a Wedding Speech: Great Opening Lines

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

If you've read our post on how to make a great wedding speech , you'll know that it's really important to start strong! Well, here 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 simple, bring the audience to tears, or give them a giggle 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 sincere opening lines (9)

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."

Click herefor a handy checklist of people to thank in your wedding speech , plus how to keep the speeches from being too long !

Image credits

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

8 Sample Wedding Ceremony Scripts to Guide Your Own Celebration

Plus, we're sharing 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 Brittany Painter Photography

In This Article

The wedding ceremony is the heart of the big day. The attire, the flowers, and the food are all icing on the cake, but the wedding ceremony —the time when a couple exchanges vows and rings—is when two people actually become married. 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.

Photo by Liz Andolina Photography

Wedding Ceremony Script Writing Tips

Whether you're working with a professional officiant , a member of a religious house of worship, a justice of the peace, or a friend or family member, you might decide to customize your wedding ceremony. If so, know that 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.

Photo by Lance Nicoll

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, all prepared by American Marriage Ministries (AMM) .

Photo by Getty Images / Brides

Traditional Wedding 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 Wedding 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 Wedding 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 Wedding 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 Wedding 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 Wedding 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 Wedding 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.

The Ultimate Wedding Ceremony Guide

A Guide to Wedding Ceremony Order
Who Walks Down the Aisle and When
Everything to Know About Your Ceremony Exit
currently on Writing Tips From Experts
How to Create a Unique Wedding Ceremony
How Long Should the Ceremony Last?
Tips for Writing the Perfect Program
Seating: Who Sits Where?
Modern Ways to Walk Down the Aisle
What Is a Unity Ceremony?
Creative Ideas to Personalize Your Ceremony
Questions to Ask Your Officiant
How Much Does an Officiant Cost?
How to Lead a Wedding Ceremony
How to Write Your Own Vows
Who Traditionally Goes First?
Quotes About Love to Get You Started
Traditional Vows to Inspire Your Own
Unique Vow Ideas From TV Shows and Movies
Should You Exchange Vows Before the Ceremony?
The Best Vow Books to Keep Your Love Alive
How to Choose Music for Your Ceremony
Blessings and Prayers From Different Cultures and Religions
The Best Songs to Play While Guests Arrive
Non-Religious Readings We Love
The Best Songs to Walk Down the Aisle To
Incredible Altar Ideas
Beautiful Ways to Decorate Your Aisle
Unique Chair Layouts
Stunning Ceremony Locations

Write An Unforgettable Wedding Speech In 5 Simple Steps

Weddings are a beautiful event that brings people together in glorious celebration. But you already knew that. You’re here because you have been asked by the bride/groom (or perhaps someone else) to give a speech for a wedding. The one thing that a whopping 73% fear ! Yikes!

So where to begin? Any good wedding speech starts with calm research and reflection – do you think Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, or Rocky Balboa wrote their speeches in a flurry of panic? (Ok, so maybe not the last one, still inspiring, though, have to admit!)

Start by spending some time reflecting on your relationship with the bride and groom. They wouldn’t have asked you to make a speech on their special day if you weren’t important to them or had NO notable experiences with them. Also, use this time to think about their special qualities and how they have impacted your life – it’s not all about them 😉

A quick note: It is quite common for people to assume you must give humorous wedding speeches for it to make an impact and be considered “good.” This is a common trap I witness all too often and it is as cringy as it feels just thinking back to the time you saw the “funny” uncle at that wedding 5 years ago make a speech you all still talk about – for all the wrong reasons.

If funny is your forté, go for it! Don’t force the comedy, simply let your pen and mind write as you would speaking to a friend.

The same goes if “funny” is the last thing people would describe you as. It’s really as simple as that! (No, I’m not being deliberately reductive. Think of any time you tried WAY too hard at anything – how many times did you ACTUALLY succeed the way you wanted to?)

With that in mind, let’s now break down this scary task of writing a “Bring Down the House” worthy wedding speech (may it be a tear-jerker, heart-warmer, or a side-splitter) in 5 simple steps.

1. Introduce yourself to the crowd

You will not believe how easy it is to forget this but it is the cornerstone of ANY speech made in public, let alone at a wedding. Why? Because not everyone knows who you are, that’s why! Even if the MC has made a formal introduction, making one yourself is a great way to start and the first thing you should write on your dauntingly blank piece of paper or Microsoft Word screen.

What this also does is set up the overall feel of your speech. In other words, it prepares your family and friends for what they’re about to experience and hear from you.

If you’re searching for wedding short speech examples, here are a couple of examples to get your creative juices flowing:

(Reverant/Heartfelt) – On behalf of both [Groom/Bride] and myself, I’d like to thank you all for coming here today to celebrate this momentous occasion. It’s a great pleasure to be with you all tonight. Tonight we celebrate [Bride/Groom]’s big day. I feel really privileged to be part of it.
(Funny) – “Hi everyone! I’d like to thank (Groom) for making me his best man. Sit back, relax, I’m now going to share some embarrassing details about them. Is that ok? (Pause) Ok then, let’s get started!”
(Light-Hearted/Casual ) – “Thank you all for coming out to help celebrate the wedding of George and Stella, it’s so great to see you all here dressed so well and in support of them on their special day.”
(Formal) – “Ladies and Gentlemen, dearly beloved friends of the wedding couple and family, over the years many of you have been involved in their lives and this most special of occasions is one more chance for us to get together, for them to celebrate their love, and for us to do a bit of reminiscing about old times.”

No matter which style you go with STICK WITH IT. That doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate humour into a wedding speech you opted to begin formally, for example. But it’s important not to mix speech styles too much throughout, otherwise it will come across as sloppy, inconsistent, and hard to follow.

2. Start with a story

Everyone LOVES a good story, better yet if that story is funny or reveals something either shocking or heartfelt about someone. Plus, it’s a fantastic time-filler for your wedding speech and is where the “meat” of your speech is.

Take a moment to brainstorm on a piece of paper any and all story ideas that you can come up with. Doesn’t matter what, the first thing that comes to mind, write it down. You never know which one will spark inspiration.

I recommend no more than 1-3 stories at most, and if you are going to opt for 3 make sure they are all relatively short and punchy. Remember: quality, not quantity, is essential.

And remember the most important parts of ANY good story worth telling – a clear beginning, middle, and end with some moment of intrigue, complication, and resolution at the end. Follow that method, any story you tell will be great!

3. Make a personal reflection of the couple’s relationship

Before you begin to wrap up your epic wedding speech, remember that this day is all about the man and woman of honour. You wouldn’t be standing there having to make that speech if it weren’t for them, after all! While you might be tempted to say something along the lines of “Well, thanks for making me do this fear-inducing speech today that took me hours to write and countless bouts of agony and anxiety!” I recommend something a lot more heartfelt and personal about how you feel about them.

This is actually the EASIEST part of the whole speech. Why? Because you obviously are important enough to them and have known them long and well enough to make a genuine comment or two on them as a couple!

Here are some examples, in case you’re still stuck or need some inspiration:

“Mark and Sarah, you are a beautiful couple who have been through so much and I am so proud of what you have achieved so far. I wish you both the very best in life together and all the love and happiness this new life and the world has to offer.”
“I am so proud of you two, in awe of the beauty and strength that you are both. This has been a long road, but your end result is worth it. A beautiful relationship is always built on hard work and perseverance and you both have demonstrated that time and time again.”
“The words of wisdom I have for you today are simply this: live fully, love completely, and always remember she is right. Every time!”

4. Keep the speech short and sweet

When delivering a wedding speech, it is always best to keep the speech short and sweet. A long, drawn-out speech can cause boredom and will likely result in less applause for you at the end (which never feels good, obviously). A short wedding speech is key, but not too short! The best wedding speeches are generally less than five minutes long. Seriously.

Anything longer (aside from inducing boredom and distraction in your audience) and you can have an adverse impact on the overall running of the evening. You must remember there are a LOT of other major parts of what is a chaotic (and expensive) public event and going significantly over time will place strain on the evening’s timeline.

(Cue visible sweat from all the vendors, the MC, and perhaps the bride and groom who are keen to make sure everything runs on time for a wedding they spent MONTHS planning just to have your looooooong and pointless story about the time you and the groom went fishing spoil it.)

Anything shorter , alternatively, and you risk simply not making the most of the task you have been asked to make it count. Whether or not YOU feel being asked to make a wedding speech is a big deal, THEY certainly feel it is important enough.

5 minutes goes a LOT quicker than you might imagine when making a speech, so don’t sweat the clock or make it seem you can’t wait for the speech to be over so you can resume drinking or literally anything else.

Give the moment what it deserves and the bride and groom will be VERY grateful (and you will feel good, too, which is always nice!).

5. Finish with a CLEAR ending

Now for the big finish – the ending. I will note here that if you ABSOLUTELY CANNOT think of anything else except “Thank you” then that’s acceptable. It’s not mind-blowing but it definitely lets everyone know you are done.

If, however, you are still here reading this hoping for WAY better than simply “Thank you” then never fear, I’m here to help! 😉

Finishing a wedding speech successfully can often be just as hard, perhaps even harder, than opening one. People typically only remember long-term two things out of any experience – the beginning and the end. (There is actually a technical term for this. It’s known as the ‘ Serial Position Effect .’)

You could go casual and humourous:

“Well, there you have it, folks! The hardest part of the speech is now behind me. I was tempted to end with a witty joke or something really funny to get everyone laughing, but then I realized that wasn’t why I was up here in the first place. It’s about Mark and Sarah’s love. Congratulations and cheers!

Or perhaps slightly more formally:

“ Ladies and gentlemen, may you join me in a toast as we celebrate Mark and Sarah’s union. Thank you for asking me to be your Maid of Honour, I can’t wait to see what the rest of your life together has in store!”

Ultimately, as long as it feels like it’s finished when you read it out loud then you’re on the right track! Speaking of reading out loud…

Practice makes perfect!

Now your wedding speech is finally complete, don’t let all of that hard work go to waste by committing the cardinal sin of speech-making: not practising! You’ll be surprised how many mistakes you’ll pick up simply by speaking it out loud in front of the mirror or in front of a friend/family member (if you’re feeling braver!). Plus, if you’re especially nervous about making the speech in front of SO many people I promise that practice ahead of time does absolute WONDERS for confidence. Trust me on this!

(And just so you know, that whole “imagine your audience naked” thing? Doesn’t work and it’s never nice ergh…)

Good luck! You’ll do great!

Making a great wedding speech is never easy, but with a bit of time spent preparing and following the steps above you’re well on your way to bringing the house down on the wedding day – might it be in a flurry of laughter or tears, you decide!

Have a tip that worked for you when writing your own speech? Know of a great example on the web or for your own wedding, perhaps? Feel free to comment below and let me know!

Or perhaps you need help with a speech you’re writing right now? Let me know below, happy to give some advice! Like/share and thanks for reading!

Like what you see? Nathan specialises in the ultimate Wedding MC experience that you and your guests will never forget.

Contact Nathan today to get started!

Owner/Live Event Extraordinaire

Nathan Cassar, Master of Ceremonies

Based in Sydney, Nathan Cassar Master of Ceremonies has for over 10 years (and counting) proudly done what he is most passionate about – creating 1000s of lasting memories through the power of live entertainment and a flair for the extraordinary. Weddings, corporate, festivals, gala evenings, award nights, charity events – no matter the event, Nathan specialises in delivering award-winning. dynamic, and one-of-a-kind live event experiences that always leave a lasting impression and go beyond all expectations.

This will be a very short (wedding) speech with my wife and I congratulating the then married couple being our 44 year old son and his 27 year old bride. What initially struck us is Maddy’s great spontaneous sense of humor and high intelligence level. She is a natural mixer and is very passionate about her job. We met her parents at Ulmarra NSW which is on the Clarence river just north of Grafton. It was a lovely time and the conversation flowed without difficulty.

We are extremely nervous about the wedding and are having difficulty phrasing the 5 minute speech.

Can you help?

Hey Colin and Bev,

Congratulations on the upcoming wedding! I would be more than happy to help 🙂 Please send me an email directly and we can set up a time to talk and go from there. Looking forward to it!

How to Perform the Wedding MC Welcome Speech

As the wedding MC , one of your most important roles is to deliver a warm, engaging wedding MC welcome speech to kick off the reception. This first impression sets the tone and starts the celebration on the right foot. Crafting a stellar MC welcome speech that wows the crowd takes thoughtfulness and preparation. The way you introduce yourself and address the guests for the first time endears you to the audience and gets everyone excited for the event ahead.

This comprehensive guide will explore proven tips to help you create and confidently deliver a lively, heartfelt MC welcome speech . From deciding when to give the welcome remarks to captivating the audience, you’ll learn how to kick off the reception with gusto.

With an upbeat, welcoming MC introduction speech, you can set the festive mood for an unforgettable celebration filled with love, laughter, and lasting memories. Let’s start performing wedding MC duties like pros!

What is the Wedding MC Welcome Speech?

The wedding MC welcome speech is your first words to guests at the reception. It formally welcomes everyone and introduces you as the emcee for the special event.

This speech should be uplifting and personable and get guests excited for the celebration ahead. Aim to keep the wedding MC welcome speech to 2-3 minutes long. Short and impactful is best to welcome guests while keeping things moving smoothly.

You’ll have more opportunities to speak throughout the reception during milestones like the first dance, parent dances, toasts, cake cutting, and more. So, the welcome speech sets the stage.

When Does the Wedding MC Welcome Speech Take Place?

The wedding MC welcome speech is the first item on the reception timeline, taking place right after guests are seated for dinner. Typically, the bandleader or venue coordinator will introduce the MC, and then you take the stage.

Some key points to cover in your welcome speech :

Thank guests sincerely for coming and congratulate the couple
Introduce yourself as the MC for the celebration
Share any pertinent housekeeping details about dinner service, bar locations, photobooth, restrooms, emergency exits, etc.
Briefly highlight special events like the first dance, parent dances, toasts, cake cutting, open dancing, etc.
End by inviting guests to settle in at their tables and enjoy the delicious dinner

This welcome speech orients guests to the flow of the event and gets them ready for dinner before stepping aside.

How to Set the Tone as MC

Your MC welcome speech sets the vibe and tone for the wedding reception. Come across as energetic, enthusiastic, and excited to get the celebration started. This gets your guests excited, too.

Smile warmly, make friendly eye contact, and project your voice to exude confidence and authority as the MC. Share your genuine excitement to be there and offer sincere compliments for the couple and their relationship.

Avoid cheesy jokes or clichéd phrases. You want guests focused on you and ready for a great party. Be lively yet professional to keep things moving smoothly.

Captivating the Audience

To deliver a stellar wedding MC introduction , you must capture the audience’s attention immediately. Consider creative options to start your speech:

Offer a sincere, from-the-heart compliment about the couple
Recite a relevant quote, poem, or blessing that fits their relationship
Share a quick, meaningful anecdote or story about the couple
Please describe how the couple met or highlights of their romantic relationship
Thank guests warmly for being there to celebrate the couple’s love

This grabs guests’ interest and draws them in rather than just jumping into dry logistics. Make great wedding MC intros sincere but brief, then segue into welcoming everyone and the key information they need.

Creating Lasting First Impressions with the Wedding MC Welcome Speech

Your MC welcome speech makes a crucial first impression on guests. Keep it short, upbeat, and focused on welcoming everyone warmly. Smile, make friendly eye contact, and project confidence.

A few tips to make it memorable:

Highlight and welcome any special guests in attendance, like wedding party members, important family elders, or those who traveled far to attend
Incorporate details, anecdotes, or quotes that relate to the couple’s unique relationship, interests, or personalities
Offer sincere compliments about the venue, cuisine, decor, etc., and recommend guests explore the venue
Share your genuine enthusiasm and excitement for the celebration ahead

You want guests taking their seats excited and eager for more.

Taming Nerves for the MC Welcome Speech

It’s natural to feel nervous delivering your first MC welcome speech , especially with all eyes on you. Here are some proven tips to appear polished, comfortable, and confident:

Practice your speech out loud at home repeatedly until the words flow naturally from memory
Arrive early to the reception to settle in, familiarize yourself with the stage/mic, and chat with key players
Take some slow, deep breaths before taking the stage to center yourself
Channel any nervous energy into enthusiastic delivery
Focus intently on welcoming and engaging your audience, not the nerves
Have a printed copy of your MC script or notes as a backup, but avoid reading directly from it
Imagine you’re warmly welcoming guests into your own home to help put yourself at ease

The more MC speeches you deliver at weddings, the more your comfort and confidence will grow. Having a structured Wedding MC Script Template Tips helps, too.

Welcoming Guests with Warmth

A lively, heartfelt, welcoming speech from the MC sets the celebratory tone and immediately endears you to the audience. Show your authentic enthusiasm for being the couple’s chosen emcee.

Keep the focus on welcoming guests, not yourself. Share enough personal touches and enthusiasm to connect with guests and get them excited about the event.

Some key tips:

Thank guests sincerely for being there and congratulate the couple warmly
Avoid overly self-promotional remarks and keep compliments for the couple’s specific and heartfelt
Share just enough event details and housekeeping info so guests feel informed, but don’t overwhelm them
Highlight special guests, the couple’s love story, and your enthusiasm for the celebration
End by inviting everyone to settle in and enjoy dinner before the merriment continues

Conclude your MC introduction speech , welcoming all to relax and savor the joyful festivities and love on display. A warm, upbeat welcome speech endears you to guests and starts the event right.

Crafting the Wedding MC Introduction

When writing your own MC introduction speech , keep it short at 2-3 minutes maximum. Stay focused on welcoming guests and setting the celebratory tone. Starting strong gains guests’ attention and esteem.

Some key tips for a lively, winning MC welcome :

Thank guests sincerely for coming and offer heartfelt congratulations/compliments to the couple
Avoid overused humor or clichés, keep it warm and personal
Spotlight special VIP guests, wedding party members, couple’s elders, or travelers
Share something meaningful about the couple, like how they met
Exude energy and enthusiasm in your delivery
Smile warmly, make friendly eye contact, project a confident voice
End by inviting guests to savor the meal and festivities ahead

With an engaging, personalized MC introduction speech , you set the celebratory mood for a joyful, memorable wedding reception. Deliver it with enthusiasm and panache!

Here’s a video with more great Tips on Writing Your Wedding Speech that will make you stand out in a wedding MC welcome speech :

With thoughtful preparation and enthusiastic delivery, your MC welcome speech kicks off the wedding celebration on the perfect note. Stay focused on welcoming guests, highlighting the couple’s love story, sharing key events ahead, and inviting everyone to savor the festivities and love on display. Get ready to wow as the wedding MC !

Special Thanks

Photographer: The Story of Us Celebrant: Wedding MC

Wedding MC Welcome Speech

How to Perform the Wedding MC Speech at a Reception
How to Perform the First Dance Introduction as MC
How to Perform the Wedding Guard of Honour as MC

How to Give a Wedding Speech

What Does a Wedding MC Do?
How To MC A Wedding

How To Be The Best Emcee at a Wedding

The Art of Hosting: Master of Ceremonies Wedding Script

How to Write a Great Wedding MC Introduction Speech

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy

Wedding Speeches and Toasts
MC At A Wedding
FUN MC Guide
How To Be A FUN Wedding MC
Bride’s Guide To A FUN Reception
Free Speech Guides
Wedding MC Speech

Get The Wedding MC’s Speech Guide right now (no sign up required).

Novice Wedding MC?

• FUN Wedding MC Guide • MC Guide • MC At A Wedding • MC A Wedding • How To MC A Wedding • Speech Guide • Duties Information • Speech Tips • Wedding Games • Wedding Toasts Order

Role Of The Wedding Master of Ceremonies

Role of the Wedding Master of Ceremonies For The Novice MC

FREE Speech Guides for the…

• Best Man • Bride • Bridesmaid • Father of the Bride • Father of the Groom • Groom • Honor Maid • Matron of Honor • Mother of the Bride • Relatives and Friends • Wedding MC

Click Link For Your FREE Speech Guide

Reception Planning – Bride

How To Choose A Wedding MC

Bride’s Parents: Speech Guides and Tips

• Mother of Bride Guide • Mother of Bride Speech • Mother of Bride Duties • Father of the Bride Guide • Father of Bride Speech

Father of Groom Speech Guide

• Father of Groom

Best Man: Speech Guide and Tips

• Duties • Guide • Top Tips • Speech Tips: Funny • Speech Tips: Writing

Bride: Speech Guide and Tips

• Bride's FUN Reception • Reception Activities • Order of Speeches • Bride Speech Guide • Thank You Speech Tips • Bridal Emergency Kit

Speeches and Toasts

Honor The Newlyweds With A Speech and Toast They Will Remember For Years To Come...

Click on image below...

Groom: Speech Guide and Tips

• Guide • Tips • Thank You Speech Tips • Groom's Emergency Kit

Wedding Planning

• Checklist and Timeline • Guide • Wedding To Do List • Top Guest Complaints • Top Guest Expectations

Bridesmaids: Speech Guide and Tips

• Duties • Guide • Hairstyles

Maid of Honor: Speech Guide and Tips

• Duties • Guide • Sister Speech Tips • Tips

Matron of Honor: Speech Guide and Tips

• Guide • Toasts Tips

Wedding Speech And Toast Advice…

Best Man Speech
Best Man Speeches List
Best Man: How To Write A Wedding Speech
Father of Bride Speech and Toast
Father of the Groom Speech
Father of The Groom Wedding Speeches and Toasts
Fun Wedding Reception Ideas Activities
Funny Best Man Speech Tips
Maid of Honor Sister Speeches Advice
Maid of Honor Speeches
Maid of Honor Speeches Resource List
MC Speeches
Mother of Bride Speeches
Mother of the Bride: Role, Responsibilities, and Duties
Sentimental Mother Of Bride Speeches
The Father of the Bride Wedding Speech
The Mother of the Bride Wedding Speech
Wedding Guest Expectations At Your Reception
Wedding MC Duties List
Wedding MC Duties Video
Wedding MC Tips
Wedding MC’s Duties
Wedding Planning Tips: Who Pays For What
Wedding Planning: How To Avoid Guest Complaints
Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Speeches
Wedding Speeches

Wedding MC – Reception Planning

Return to top of page Terms of Use · Privacy Policy · Disclosure Notice · Video Disclaimer · About · Sitemap

Wedding Speeches and Toasts | Wedding MC Tips | Wedding MC Jokes Tips

the Mother of the Bride, the Father of the Groom, the Father of the Bride, the Groom, and the Bride.

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