Jacques A. D. Brunet
Surviving As A
WEDDING MC
Tips, Tricks, Techniques for the Master of Ceremonies With more than a dozen checklists, scripts and samples.
Congratulations!
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Your friends or family members have "honored" you by asking you to take on the role of MC of for their wedding reception! Now, lucky for you, you also have this great resource at your fingertips. As you go through this resource, you will find that you need to spend more time with the soon-to-be– newlyweds. Going over the details and the many options in this book will ensure a smooth day that is memorable for all of the right reasons!
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Relax!
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This book provides you all of the checklists to follow, forms to fill in, ideas and advice to settle your nerves – all based on the experience of a seasoned Master of Ceremonies (MC).
We’ll go through what your job is, when things need to be done, what options you have, what can go wrong, and how to prevent most of the disasters before anyone notices. You’ll also find scripts and samples of what to say, how to say it and when to say it. Plus many great ideas that are easy to implement in order for you to make this wedding reception a most memorable day. 3
2 parts to your job Part One - The Pre-Reception Plan All the real work is done days, weeks or even
months ahead of time. The research and the interviews and the list of questions needing answers must all be done well ahead of the wedding day.
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To prepare you, you’ll find more than a dozen
checklists for you to print and fill in the blanks or make copies then start filling in those blank spaces. It will all be needed at some point during your preparation.
Part Two - The Reception The big day has arrived and now you need to
gather your well laid out papers and get to the reception on time. Of course now you also need to do the talking part
of your job. To help you, you’ll find numerous tips and techniques to help you prepare to speak with confidence when you step up to the podium.
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Table of Contents The Set Up The two most memorable parts of the Wedding Day? The Wedding MC To The Rescue! Duties and Responsibilities
Part One – The Pre-Reception Plan
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Checklist # 1-2-3 V.I.P. (Very Important People) Checklist # 4
Interview Questions
Checklist # 5
Main Activities
Checklist # 6
Introductions
Checklist # 7-8
The Program Options
Checklist # 9
Toasts & Speeches
Checklist #10
Head Table Introductions
Checklist #11
Acknowledgements
Checklist #12
Out-Of-Town Guests
Part Two – The Reception Master Checklist
Reception Program
Prepare Yourself
Stand and Deliver!
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The Reception: A General Overview A list of likely events, for a more traditional wedding reception. The real secret to a great reception is that the Bride and Groom always have final say on all activities. They get to decide when and if to include meals, cake cutting, garter toss, bouquet toss, toasts, music, etc. Of course, a wedding planner or the parents of either the Bride or Groom or even a ‘best friend’ will likely want to sway the newlywed’s decisions! Everyone needs to have their say and then let’s leave it up to the couple whose special day this is! Here is a simplified traditional reception: Before the Meal Receiving Line followed by announcing entrance of Head Table ”Welcome” by MC
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Invocation and/or blessing for the meal Meal begins or buffet order announced After the Meal Introduction of Head Table Introduction of parents and families of Bride & Groom Toasts & Speeches Introduction of Out-Of-Town guests First Dance
Dancing Cake cutting Dancing Bouquet Toss & Garter Toss
Dancing
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***Now let’s take a closer look at each element of the reception and provide planning and options for the MC to consider.
Checklist # 5
Main Activities A list of the main activities and events taking place on the wedding day and at the reception hall. The actual wedding ceremony takes place at: (time) __________ (place) ________________________________________ (total invited guests) _______________ The official wedding photo session is scheduled for: (time) __________ (place) ________________________________________
The actual wedding reception will begin at:
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(time) __________ (place) ________________________________________ (As MC, plan on going a day or a week in advance to familiarize yourself with the facility. If possible, plan on arriving before everyone else the day of the event.)
(total invited guests) ______________ The receiving line will begin at: (after the wedding ceremony at the church or before dinner at the reception hall?)____________
(time) __________
(place) ______________________________________
(include) _______________________________________________________ Music provided by:
Musicians/Band (name) _________________________ Disc Jockey (name) ____________________________
Bar opens at:_____________________ Bar closes at: ______________________
Meal served (or buffet ready) beginning at: _______________________________ (order for buffet)__________________________________________
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