The Wedding Master of Ceremonies and the Timing of Wedding Toasts
By Shelby Wright
When should the wedding formalities begin and the wedding speeches and toasts take place? The master of ceremonies needs to have a clear plan prepared well before the wedding reception, and be mindful of both traditional wedding etiquette and the wishes of the bride and groom.
These days weddings are of often relatively informal compared to earlier times, and traditional etiquette is frequently set aside in favor of a unique ceremony planned by the couple getting married.
The wedding master of ceremonies (MC) might be someone especially appointed to undertake the task, possibly even a professional, especially if the wedding involves celebrities or society personalities. For most weddings the duties of the master of ceremonies will be the responsibility of the best man, or possibly the bride’s father or a family member or close friend with the appropriate skills.
The qualifications for the wedding MC are usually a loud voice, an outgoing personality, a sense of humor and, last but not least, some organizational skills. It also helps if he can stay fairly sober until after his duties are done!
Apart from a few introductory words at the start of the reception, mainly just to outline what is going to happen and to set a celebratory tone, there is usually little for the MC to do until after the meal.
Traditionally the wedding speeches and toasts follow the formal reception meal. After the bride and groom cut the wedding cake and it is distributed, along with tea and coffee, the speeches usually begin.
The order of speeches traditionally begins with the father of the bride, who proposes a toast to the bride and groom. The bridegroom follows in reply, and proposes a toast to the bridesmaids. The best man then replies on behalf of the bridesmaids and proposes a toast to the parents of the bride and groom.
These days, the bride, maid of honor and father of the groom may also speak. Sometimes the mothers of the bride and groom will also want to have their own say. Others among family and friends may also appreciate the opportunity to contribute a few words. A good master of ceremonies will try to ascertain who wants to speak in advance, and schedule in their speeches as best he can, while leaving the opportunity open to off the cuff speakers after the main formalities.
The speaking formalities need to be integrated with other aspects of the ceremonies, which may include the tossing of the bouquet, the bride’s garter, acknowledgement of the pages and flower girls, formal entertainment and eventually the first dance. The exact details will vary according to the wishes of the bride and groom.
Tips For The Wedding Master Of Ceremonies The role of the wedding master of ceremonies can be a challenging balance between keeping the guests entertained and making sure the focus of attention stays on the newly weds, while ensuring everything happens according to plan. Make it easy for yourself and get some helpful insights, tips and resources on how to MC a wedding from an experienced wedding MC.
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