Wedding Master of Ceremonies – What You Need to know

Traditionally the Wedding Master if Ceremonies provides a formal structure to the wedding ceremony. It is their job to ensure that the ceremony runs to plan especially the toast.

Usually the first toast is proposed by the Father of the Bride to the Bride & Groom.
The second toast is proposed by the Groom to the Bridesmaids and his Bride.
The Best man will propose a second toast to the Bride & Groom and a toast to the Parents of the Bride & Groom.

Should any guests of note not be present, then a toast to Absent Friends is appropriate. Often the name of person of note is coupled with the toast.

This is the traditional order but you may have as many people speak as you like. Just remember it can get rather dull for guests if they have to sit through over an hour of wedding speeches.

Depending on the type of ceremony that the Bride and Groom want the Wedding Master of Ceremonies should set the tone. Discuss with your chosen Wedding Master of Ceremonies if you would like a tradition service, light hearted or humorous and chose a person that will be able to deliver this well.

You can hire a professional Wedding Master of Ceremonies but many couples now days like to use a loved one. Try not to select someone that you think will struggle with the job, for instance a relative with a fear of public speaking is not a good choice. It will put your loved one in an awkward position if you ask them to do a job that they would be uncomfortable with. This goes for your wedding speeches as well. If you’re best man or father of the bride is too nervous to speak then ask them to consider getting someone to deliver the wedding speech on their behalf.

Give your Wedding Master of Ceremonies and other people you have asked to deliver a wedding speech a hand as well and check in with them if they need any help, provide them with some resources to help them write and deliver the speech.