Wedding Emcee Role | Family Relationships

By ShelbyWright
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Are you a wedding couple planning your wedding? Have you been asked to be a wedding master of ceremonies? Either way, you will need to carefully think about the role of the wedding MC. How well this role is performed can make or break the success of a wedding reception.

What is your preference? Would you like your wedding master of ceremonies to be a skilled entertainer, having your guests in fits of laughter all through the reception and undoubtably the star of the show. Or would you prefer your master of ceremonies to simply act as the host and chairman of proceedings to make sure everything happens as planned, with the attention kept on the newly married couple.

The traditional role of the wedding master of ceremonies is to oversee the formalities of the wedding reception. A good wedding MC creates an atmosphere of happy celebration. A sound knowledge of wedding etiquette is required, an understanding of the wishes of the couple getting married, and the ability to speak well and with good humor to set the mood and gain everyone's cooperation.

A successful wedding MC knows when to step in and take the lead, and when to keep in the background so that he does not dominate the floor. A traditional wedding MC is more like a chairman of proceedings than a star performer for the wedding reception.

Usually the wedding MC as a volunteer, and is often the bride's father who was traditionally the host of the wedding reception. Sometimes a family friend or relative with the appropriate personality is asked to be the MC, or the role may be performed by the best men. Such volunteers will not often be capable of putting on a star entertainment act, but there will usually be somebody who makes a good chairman among the newlywed's circle of friends and relatives.

Most wedding MC volunteers will make a good effort to bring humor and fun to the introductions, thanks and toasts as the reception proceeds. Some wedding couples will be fortunate enough to have an outgoing and entertaining person they can call on to extend the wedding MC's role a step further, to add an element of performance and entertainment. But the skills of a good chairman are what should be looked for first.

The best man's speech is often the highlight of the wedding reception, because it is usually quite funny. There may be some entertainment included as an item during the reception, such as a song by a musically talented family member or friend. Others in the wedding party, especially flower girls and pagers, should receive their due attention. A wedding MC who sees his role mainly as an entertainer may overpower the other less professional contributors to the reception and monopolize attention. It is important for the wedding couple to carefully brief their wedding MC about the approach they would like him to take.

An option is to hire a professional wedding MC. That is often an expensive option, and favored mostly for celebrity or society weddings. The ironical thing is that a professional MC is usually expected by the guests to provide an entertaining act, while professional MCs often see their role mainly from the traditional chairman or coordinator perspective.

How well the wedding reception's master of ceremonies does his job greatly influences how the event will be remembered many years later by the couple and their guests. It's vital that the wedding MC is very well briefed as to the wishes of the newlyweds, and that he focus on making sure the reception flows smoothly through the speeches and other formalities. He can have a big impact on maintaining an atmosphere of joy and celebration, but should not dominate the event. It is his responsibility to make the bride and groom the stars of the reception, not his own role as the wedding MC.

About the Author

Shelby Wright recommends a Wedding MC uses professionally designed wedding etiquette checklists, speech templates, suggested jokes and other wedding speech ideas and examples to plan the Wedding Master of Ceremonies role at the wedding reception.

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