Masters of ceremonies are very important people. They can make or break a wedding reception. They can bore the pants off the guests or bring the reception alive with humour and energy and have the guests enthralled. Sadly, at weddings there are far more poor emcees than good ones ... you name the wedding and there will have been an emcee who struggled to hold the attention of the guests. Don't let his happen to you. Here are some top tips on being an excellent emcee.

1. You need to prepare - and prepare even more.

The saying "preparation makes perfect" applies 100% to an emcee at a wedding. However, it is not quite as simple as it sounds, as you also need to know what kind of preparation to do. The first step is to ask the bride and groom EXACTLY what they want you to do. I am surprised that many emcees think they have to go it alone and magically "know" what is required. It's not so! Every wedding is different. Ask the bride and groom first. Then find out exactly what the Bride's parents and everyone else involved in planning the wedding reception want to happen.

2. Develop pride and intimacy.

Focus on developing pride. Part of your duties and role is to make the bride and groom feel special, wonderful, loving, happy and romantic. It is also to help the parents of the bride and groom feel proud of their son and daughter, and to enable them to glow with warmth and devotion to them on this happy day. Also help ALL the guests feel proud to be involved in such a loving, special and delightful event.

3. Make each speech sound interesting.

Part of your role will be to introduce and thank the people who are making the toasts, whether it's the bride's mother, father of the groom, or the best man. Weave in some information into your introductions, about these people, don't just say, "Now the bride's father will give a toast." Say a little about him. There may be some guests who have never met him and know nothing about him. Help them know what a wonderful interesting person he is. This helps guests to make conversations with each other, it makes the bride's father feel special, and it makes for a far more interesting introduction.

4. Don't let the proceedings drag on.

The master of ceremonies' duties involve keeping time. This means that you develop ways to make sure that the people giving the toasts finish in their allotted time, when at all possible. It means that you liaise with the caterers, photographers, DJ and others to ensure everything or everyone is ready at the right time. The timing is your responsibility. It can help a lot to have a very detailed running sheet with a minute-by-minute breakdown of what is to happen when.

5. Keep the energy up.

Your job is to keep the energy in the room up. If a speaker has been a bit boring then you have to liven things up. If the guests are getting tired of waiting then you have to help them fill the time in a good way. If there is a hold up getting the knife to cut the cake, then you tell a story. The energy is your responsibility. Don't let it drop too far before you build it back up again.

6. Be original.

There are many corny and well-tried toasts and speeches, but instead of using them, be original. The traditional words may not seem natural to you, or may seem out dated to the younger people present, or may have been heard before by the bridal party and the guests. Instead speak from the heart. Choose something to say that is simple and brief but loving, kind and personal. Mention the specific couple or person you are toasting and say something relevant to them.

7. Encourage laughter.

Relax the wedding guests. Relax the bridal party. Relax everyone there by using humour so people laugh. You may for instance tell funny stories, or encourage others to do so, about the couple. This can keep a wedding light and enjoyable. Do not make the stories too embarrassing though, the master of ceremonies is not there to humiliate anyone, even if the groom is your best mate!

8. Make sure everyone knows what is happening.

Often I have been to weddings, as a guest, and had no idea what is happening next, or where I am to go or what I am to do. Do not leave your guests standing around not knowing what to do next. Tell them what is happening each step of the way.

Find out more:

There are many more tips to ensure you are a brilliant master of ceremonies at a wedding in a special book: "A Master of Ceremonies: How to be a brilliant MC." There is a special section devoted specifically to being a wedding master of ceremony, and a special guide of wedding jokes you can also get, free, when you buy the book, Get your copy now.

Rachel Green
Communication specialist and professional speaker.

http://www.rachelgreen.com/masterofceremonies.html

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