If you are thinking a Master of Ceremonies is the person dressed in red making loud, formal and impersonal announcements you’d be mistaken.
Traditionally the Master of Ceremonies is the person who introduces speakers, players, or entertainers but I offer so much more. I am there to ensure you and your family can be ‘guests’ at your wedding and not have to worry about a thing.
- Support and guidance throughout the day
- Help and advice on wedding etiquette and traditions
- Introductions between your wedding party and your guests
- Announcements throughout the day
- “Wow!” moments that create unforgettable memories
- “Ice Breakers” if needed, to help all your guests enjoy the day
As well as the more traditional Master of Ceremonies role, I am on hand throughout the day to help your guests and other wedding professionals; the caterers, band, flower arrangers, and answer all their questions from “What time is the cake cutting?” to “Where are the toilets?” so you won’t have to. Trained by the best from the U.S. where service and hospitality are a priority I am there to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible and just how you, not your venue, want it.
I have a page on my website that explains a lot about the role of Master of Ceremonies here, but I wanted to go into some more detail in this blog post.
My service starts with a meeting to talk through your wedding day from start to finish so we both know what your plans are, what you can expect from me and that you are 100% happy with all the details.
Because of my extensive experience with weddings, I can offer advice on elements you may not have considered. Of course, everything is your decision, I want you to have your perfect day, the way you envisage it.
Let me take you through some examples of how I help throughout the day and typical wedding announcements, which of course we can tailor to suit the theme and tone of your wedding.
The Master of Ceremonies role during the wedding ceremony
This can be a time of great confusion and pressure for the groom and his ushers to get everything right. I will be there to take the pressure off and ensure everyone enjoys this part of the day
- Supporting your ushers, welcoming and helping to seat guests, before the bride’s arrival
- Helping liaise with the Photographer, Registrar or Vicar
The Master of Ceremonies role during the drinks reception
The ceremony and photos can cause a lot of “milling about” and some confusion as to what happens next and when. At the right time, I will organise your wedding party into a receiving line, if you would like one, to ensure you get to greet every single one of your guests, if only once, on the day.
The receiving line should only take about 20 to 30 minutes per 100 people. I will make sure things don’t overrun and that everyone is happily greeted and seated.
The Master of Ceremonies’ role during the wedding breakfast
I can make the traditional, formal introduction for you and your wedding party before you take your seats at the top table, or, if you prefer something a little different we can come up with something more personal during our initial meeting.
Creating a Grand Entrance with a difference
If less formal and a bit special is more your style, I can create a Grand Entrance for you and your wedding party, so when you walk into the room you will all receive a spectacular welcome.
Firstly I can introduce your wedding party, Chief Bridesmaid, the Best Man, and your parents, by both their roles and their names so they also receive a personal welcome.
To make the introductions more fun I can add music, for example, “All The Single Ladies” for the Chief Bridesmaid, “Whatta Man” for the Best Man, “Sex Bomb” for the fathers of the bride and groom, whatever you choose. Once they have all been introduced, there is an amazing energy in the room! That’s when I could announce you and your new husband accompanied with something like “Marry You” by Bruno Mars.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, please be upstanding and welcome, with thunderous applause, Rachel and Mark, the very new Mr. and Mrs. Smith”
The Master of Ceremonies role during the speeches and cake cutting
After the meal when it is time for the speeches I can introduce your key speakers if they would like me to, and when it is time to cut the cake my announcement, formal or informal, will bring everyone together again and ensure no one misses a crucial photograph. How about…
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the bride and bridegroom will now cut the wedding cake and be delighted to pose for your photographs. Please give Rachel and Mark a round of applause as they make their way to the wedding cake”
The cutting of the cake is actually very symbolic:
The Bride holds the knife with her right hand and her husband puts his arm around her, with his right hand on hers. This symbolises the vow to uphold their marriage, but more so, they are pledging to protect the new unity that they have just created.
The Bride and Groom make the first slice through the cake. This symbolises joint decision-making and a promise to follow them through.
A piece of cake fed delicately to each other symbolises a promise to nourish each other spiritually, emotionally and physically for the rest of their lives.
By taking and eating the wedding cake, guests are pledging themselves to the new couple. They now will have a responsibility to help the new couple through good times and tough times, thus creating an extended “family”.
I can talk your guests through the stages of the cake-cutting so they understand the meaning of this tradition. Or simply let you get on with it.
I have another blog post with a bit more information on Cake Cutting here.
The departure of the bride and bridegroom
No one likes to leave a party, but at some point, you might want some time out or to go and change for the evening. I can let everyone know what the rest of the day holds if there is a break, with something like…
”Ladies and Gentlemen, that concludes the formalities for this afternoon. It only remains for me, on behalf of the management and staff at Phyllis Court Club, to wish the bride and bridegroom every happiness for the future, and may I add my own personal good wishes.
Rachel and Mark will now depart the wedding breakfast and you are then asked to collect your belongings and vacate this room so that it can be made ready for the evening event which will commence at 7.30pm.
Please rise and give a round of applause for Rachel and Mark as they leave the wedding breakfast.”
The Master of Ceremonies role, announcing the first dance
It is a much-anticipated event and guests will be waiting for the new Bride and Groom to take to the floor in the evening.
You will be announced to the floor in the style of your choosing, or in the more traditional format of…
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time for the last formality of the day, the 1st dance. Please welcome Rachel and Mark, the new Mr and Mrs Smith”
There are many different moments that can be announced throughout your day and we can discuss what you want on your wedding day and the tone of voice of my announcements, be they formal or more jovial.
Having me as your Master of Ceremonies will ensure your day runs smoothly and nothing is overlooked, forgotten or missed. It also means less stress for you and more time for you to enjoy your wedding.
