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How to Be a Good MC at an Event: Tips and Tricks

What Makes a Good MC at a Conference?

What skills do you need to be an event mc, how do you successfully mc for an event, how do you start a mc speech, tips for writing a compelling mc speech, what does the mc do at an event, how to hire the right mc for your event.

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How to Be a Good Master of Ceremonies

Last Updated: June 18, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Stefanie Chu-Leong and by wikiHow staff writer, Luke Smith, MFA . Stefanie Chu-Leong is the Owner and Senior Event Planner for Stellify Events, an event management business based in the San Francisco Bay Area and California Central Valley. Stefanie has over 15 years of event planning experience and specializes in large-scale events and special occasions. She has a BA in Marketing from San Francisco State University. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,525,212 times.

A master of ceremonies (also known as an MC or emcee) is the official host for a staged event, performance, or party. Normally, a good master of ceremonies introduces speakers, makes announcements, and engages with the audience to keep the ceremony agenda flowing as smoothly as possible. While being a master of ceremonies might seem like a daunting task, there are a few ways you can nail your responsibility as MC, and radiate confidence and charisma to keep the ceremony entertaining for all. We’ll show you how to both prepare for and execute your role as the perfect MC.

What does a master of ceremony do?

• Research the event’s purpose and special guests, and plan your schedule and any remarks you’ll deliver well beforehand.
• Dress a little nicer than the indicated dress code, which will help you to stand out and better represent the organization hosting the event.
• Introduce each guest, lead the audience in applause, and transition between speakers by commenting on the prior presentation and interacting with attendees.
• Stay loose and calm by taking deep breaths and speaking slowly, and embrace any hiccups that might occur, rather than acting out in response.

Study the event itinerary and who’s attending.

• If possible, meet with the people organizing the event and go over the planned structure and itinerary of the event in detail.
• Knowing what’s going on at any given moment, what should be talked about and what is coming next is key to being a successful MC.

Confirm your responsibilities with the organizers.

• Making sure the event stays on-schedule.
• Keeping the audience engaged.
• Introducing speakers and making them feel valued.
• Transitioning between speakers and presentations.
• Serving as a central figure and representative of the organization hosting the event.

Do your research on key event guests.

• Find out if there are any special audience members who should be recognized during the event.
• Make sure you review everyone’s name and title so you know how to say it on stage when the time comes to make their announcement.

Stefanie Chu-Leong

Our Expert Agrees: Do your research and learn all of the details about your speakers that will boost your confidence and make you a better MC. Start by learning everyone's names and how to pronounce them.

Write out a rough script and an approximate schedule.

• Take into consideration the time it takes to get on and off the stage, make introductions for guests, and speeches or thank yous from guest members.
• Create small notecards to keep yourself on task, or have an outline projected throughout the event for you to follow.
• It may be helpful to tell the lead organizer of the event that, as MC, you’re only going to answer to one person in charge in the case of complications. This will reduce misunderstandings during the event. [5] X Research source

Tailor your stage presence to the event.

• Remember to smile. Smiling reinforces the fun and lighthearted ambiance of the event, and makes you appear to be an enthusiastic MC.
• Keep in mind that as the MC, you are not the center of the show. You’re there to make others feel like they’re the stars of the show.

Dress a little nicer than you need to.

• Coordinate your outfit colors with the colors of the company of the organization in order to tie your presence more completely to the occasion.
• If possible, find out what color the stage and set dressings are, and choose an outfit that complements rather than clashes with those colors. For example, a red dress will blend in too much with red curtains, but a black dress will help you stand out.

Keep your composure on and off stage.

• Continuing on if you mess up . Roll with the punches and continue on if you make a mistake. If you continue without acknowledging the slip-up, the audience will most likely forget your misstep.
• Finding a spot to look at while talking . Looking at the individual audience members might make you more nervous while speaking. Instead, try looking over the heads of the audience members to reduce intimidating one on one eye contact.
• Slowing down your speech . Talking too quickly can lead to mispronunciations and stuttering, which can affect people understanding you. Take your time, and pause slightly in between sentences, and take a deep breath away from the microphone if you need to.

Welcome the audience and thank them for coming.

• For example, you might say something like, “To all of our Packer fan dairy farmers who traveled all the way from Wisconsin to celebrate this anniversary with us, a warm welcome.”
• “I'm so pleased and humbled at the incredible turnout. It means so much to the company, and to the speakers today, that you all took time out of your day to hear what we have to say.”

Let your audience know who the speakers are.

• To keep the event running on time, discreetly notify a speaker if they are past their assigned time. Give them a note or some kind of visual cue, such as spinning a finger pointing upward to try and communicate to “wrap it up.”
• “Our next guest earned her doctorate in zoology from Columbia, where she made significant strides in advancing the study of primate behavior in the wild. Please join me in welcoming Jane Smith.”

Transition smoothly between speakers.

• If you find yourself in an awkward spot, try asking your audience yes-or-no questions. This keeps your audience engaged and focused, while reinforcing your command as MC.
• If the event is a few hours long, it’s helpful to occasionally give a short summary of the performances and presentations that have occurred during breaks in the action, and hint at or forecast what’s coming up next.

Roll with mistakes and adapt to the unexpected.

• Remember that it’s not your job to reprimand someone, it’s your job to keep things running smoothly in spite of something going wrong. An MC with a negative attitude can derail an event.
• “I’m told our next guest is running a bit late, but will be here momentarily. In the meantime, let’s give a round of applause to the foundation, for organizing this conference…”
• “Pardon my shouting, but the microphone is taking a little break! We’ll skip to the video presentation while we wait for it to get back to work.”

Bid your audience farewell.

• In addition, encourage the audience members to take action by being present for the next gathering, donating money, or continuing to pioneer in a certain field. Whatever it may be, encourage the audience to participate.
• “This evening we had the pleasure of hearing an impressive roster of experts speak on the work they’ve poured years of their lives into. I invite everyone here to support their work with a donation, or get involved yourself by volunteering.”

Community Q&A

• Your audience follows your lead, so stay enthusiastic and happy to be there. Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 0
• Come prepared, but don't make it sound like you're reading from a script. Thanks Helpful 11 Not Helpful 1

Tips from our Readers

• A great way to include everyone or as a filler for awkward silence is to ask questions the audience can respond to. Humor is also a good way to break the silence.
• Practice your routine with someone else to gauge their reaction and if your speech was funny.

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://mch.co.uk/top-10-tips-from-a-professional-master-of-ceremonies.shtml
• ↑ https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/articles/when-you-are-the-emcee
• ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanmichelson2/2019/10/27/how-to-be-a-great-public-speakertips-from-emceeing-a-gala/?sh=2deddb535fe3
• ↑ http://www.speakernetnews.com/post/emcee.html
• ↑ https://westsidetoastmasters.com/resources/talk_your_way/ch15.html
• ↑ https://www.stylist.co.uk/weddings/female-master-of-ceremonies-tips-what-to-expect-mc-wedding/262698

About This Article

To be a good master of ceremonies, start by welcoming the audience with a simple opening, such as “Welcome to the Northeast Conference of Famers Meeting.” Next, introduce each speaker, and lead the audience in applause before and after they speak. Additionally, try to say something funny or meaningful about the speaker’s performance to keep the audience engaged between segments. Then, close the program by summarizing the event and thanking the attendees and speakers. For advice on how to prepare ahead of time to be a good master of ceremonies, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Emcee Script

Each and every event you do as an Emcee will be different, so it’s almost impossible to give an actual Emcee Script that you can use for every occasion.

However, we have assembled the next best thing!

A huge collection of lines, phrases and words that you can use to slot in to any Emcee Script! There are also 4 Videos to help you create a Structure for each task. We have also provided links to several other popular articles here on the website that will help you write specific sections of your Master of Ceremony Script!

So, whatever it is you are writing, be it …

Emcee Script for School Program Emcee Script for Seminar Emcee Script for Opening Ceremony Emcee Script for Event Emcee Script for Wedding you’ll find some useful bits here.

In the Resource you will find snippets that can be used for …

Emcee Greetings Emcee Opening Remarks Introducing Speakers Thanking Speakers Emcee Closing Comments

We also include my personal collection of Power Words . Use these to beef up any Emcee Script you are writing.

Treat this as an ideas source rather than a finished script. Like a buffet meal, select little bits from each section, watch the Videos and put them together like a Jig Saw Puzzle!

We strongly suggest you Bookmark this page . We will be adding to it over time.

Now, what are you trying to write?

Is it an Opening Speech? An Introduction for a Speaker A Speech to Thank a Speaker? or do you just need some Funny Lines to use in your Emcee Script Watch a Video for each of those topics here OR Scroll down for further resources.

If you would like a more in depth article on each of these topics, please follow these links OR Scroll down for the Collection of Words & Phrases and Power Words.

Writing a Great Opening Speech

How to Introduce any Speaker

How to Thank a Speaker

Funny Lines & Quotes – Resource Book

The Emcee Script Source Files

Greetings & Welcomes

Good morning, Good afternoon, Good evening

Dear Friends Dear Customers Dear Members Dear Delegates

Welcome to the … It is my pleasure to welcome you to the ….. You are about to … Come with us … Get ready to enjoy … It is my pleasure to welcome you to the … Let me begin by giving you a warm welcome to the… Thank you so much for being here …

Opening Questions

Wouldn’t you like to …? Are you ready for …? Don’t you wish …? Are you interested in …? Will you be ready for …? Isn’t it time you…?

Opening Grabbers

It’s not every day that … You’ve probably noticed that … Think about this … Believe it or not … It’s never too late to … First of all …

Challenge the Audience

Do something extraordinary! Delve into … Sample the … If you think you’re good enough … If you’re seriously interested in …

Introduction of Speakers / Entertainers

Mr/Mrs …, the floor is yours. Would you please welcome Would you please join me in welcoming .. It is my pleasure to welcome …

To show us how to …. It’s an absolute honour to bring to the stage … To get some of his insights into the topic

At last Now for the first time You’ll love … Sit back and enjoy

Renown Acclaimed Legendary Sensation Phenomenally successful

No-nonsense Dependable Proven techniques Carefully tested Precision Heavy-duty

Transitions between Speakers and Activities

All this and more! If questions like these intrigue you … And that’s not all And there’s more Last but not least Now there’s an even better way You’ll be glad to know that…

And we don’t stop there … And that was only the beginning And if that wasn’t enough … Now that, was only part of the story

We have a very special guest … To show you what we mean Now for the surprise

Thanking Speaker

We know you are a busy person Thankyou for taking time out of your busy schedule Thanks for sharing with us Thankyou for the insights Plenty of food for thought Your thought provoking Revealing The truth about Your frank discussion Eye-opening Enlightening Your valuable insights

Closing Words

I thank you for coming … We hope that the programme … Have a nice day Have a great weekend We look forward to seeing you at next years event Hope you will travel safely home Hope you will put into practice the lessons from this event There’s no point in coming to an event like this unless you do something with the lessons We hope you achieved what you came here to achieve We hope you met some interesting people

201 Power Words

Why use ordinary words in your Emcee Script when you can use Power Words?

Add these into Openings , Intros, Calls to Action and Thank You’s.

I started putting this list together when I had to Emcee some Talent Shows and wanted different words to use each time.

I’ve subsequently used the list at Product Launches, Trade Shows Exhibitions etc.

Delightful Memorable Captivating Moving Important

Honest Realistic The One & Only

Spectacular Packed with Bucket loads of Information A wealth of … Bonanza Chock full of Loaded with Extravaganza Celebration

Long awaited Long overdue It’s finally here Just when you thought … At last there’s

In depth Ultimate Complete Everything you wanted to know about … Extensive

Respected Influential Celebrated Renowned Most Distinguished Acclaimed Prominent Esteemed

Ingenuity Proficiency Ingenious Imagination

Practical Adaptable Designed to suit your needs Created especially for you Suited to your purpose

Magnificent Dazzling Sensational Incredible Amazing Unforgettable Terrific Fantastic

First-rate First-class Outstanding Incomparable Brilliant Excellent Unbeatable

The latest State of the art Brand new Bold new Revolutionary Latest Technology Designed for today’s … The … of the future Introducing

Mind-blowing Electrifying Masterful Mesmerizing Dynamite Raw Power High-voltage

An investment in your future Skills you will use your whole life long Gives you a competitive edge A clear advantage The road to success Invest in yourself

Don’t hesitate You’ve waited long enough Don’t miss this opportunity Take this important next step

Please help us We cannot continue our work without your help A future filled with hope and promise Help us reach our goal I hope you will join us in contributing

Note – The full Expert MC Toolkit & Resource manual has an additional 100 pages of material specifically for MCs. Lines, Openings, Thank You’s Stories, Jokes & Quotes. Check it out here.

Timothy Hyde

Widely acknowledged as one of Australia's busiest & best MC's and a global authority on the MC Industry, Timothy Hyde shares his expertise and insights into this fascinating Professional Speaking niche via this site and a dynamic YouTube channel. His best selling book The ExpertMC Toolkit and Resource Manual has helped thousands of people worldwide improve their Emcee skills and in many cases, start earning a living by taking on the role.

Checkout these popular Articles

Introducing a Speaker Sample Script

Many people get asked to introduce a speaker at an event and have no idea how to do it. In this quick guide, we give you several different frameworks that you can use, as well as plenty of sample...

Great Opening Lines for Emcee

Prefer to watch a Video? Here's one on the same Topic! https://youtu.be/wbl7TgacF04 An Insiders Guide to Great Opening Lines for any MC or Speech. A great Opening Line should aim to...

Emceeing A Wedding Reception: A Guide

Table of Contents:

A master of ceremonies or wedding emcee makes sure everything goes according to plan and sets the right mood. A good emcee balances the formalities, introduces each segment of the wedding, and injects humor with relatable jokes and stories in between. For their wedding, some couples might decide to hire a qualified and skilled emcee. However, they may also pick a close relative or relative to act in place of one.

Remember to get in touch with Just Married Films for your wedding photography and articlegraphy needs on your big day.

It may be stressful to be given such responsibilities, but with the help of this guide, you’ll be able to ace your role and give the couple and all of the guests a memorable evening if you’re asked to be the couple’s wedding emcee.

What line should you use to introduce yourself at a wedding reception?

Welcome to the most significant day in the lives of (NAME) and (NAME). Promises have taken on a life of their own today, and friends have turned into family. “Today is a holiday, and (NAME) and (NAME) and I are here to celebrate. “We appreciate you being here with us on this special day.”.

Our wedding speech introduction examples will help you get started if you have to give a speech but are unsure of where to start.

To assist you in navigating and enjoying life’s most important moments, we have included products from third parties. Links on this page may lead to purchases for which we receive a commission.

Standing up and speaking at a wedding, whether it’s the groom’s speech, the father of the bride speech, or the eagerly anticipated best man speech, can be quite nerve-wracking. We provide examples of wedding speech introductions as well as instructions on how to start your speech so you can feel confident and get off to a strong start.

When MC-ing a wedding, what should they say?

The function. Declare the arrival of the married couple. Identify the speakers. Tell everyone when the cake will be cut. Declare the wedding waltz. When it’s time for the bridal couple to depart, let the guests know.

A Master of Ceremonies (MC) is crucial in tying everything together and ensuring that your celebration goes off without a hitch. If you’re fortunate, one of your friends or members of your family will know someone who is suitable. The stage is set for a very private reception with an MC who is familiar to you and your guests. It’s possible to share the MC role. It’s a great idea to have a friend and a family member host the event together because it gives everyone in your circle someone to relate to. You should be aware of their responsibilities before selecting your master of ceremonies.

The reception will go smoothly if the master of ceremonies can tie everything together. The emcee will do the following:

In order to ensure that everyone is ready for the next activity—for instance, that the champagne has been poured before the toasts—the Master of Ceremonies, or MC, as it is commonly abbreviated, must communicate with the function coordinator and the reception venue.

What should the wedding emcee say first?

Know and comprehend the wedding couple. Here are nine tips on how to be a memorable wedding emcee. Be aware of the wedding’s schedule. Go over the wedding emcee script again. dot. Do some research on famous names. Work with the wedding vendors to plan and dot. Before the event, try out the microphone(s). adding a unique touch to the speakers’ introduction.

Update: Recently, I’ve been inundated with emails from people asking for suggestions on how to emcee wedding events. After sharing with so many people, I’ve decided to put my ten years of emcee experience into an ebook. You can learn more about it here.

If you’re looking for an experienced wedding emcee in Singapore, you can get in touch with me.

So, a friend or a member of your family has asked you to emcee their wedding. You feel honored that they would approach you, and you begin to question your suitability for the job. Emceeing a wedding for a close friend or relative is a great honor and should not be taken lightly.

What would a typical wedding MC script look like?

“Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the (venue name). My name is ____, and I will serve as your emcee for the reception for the couple will serve as your emcee for the reception for the couple. It would be great if you could please take your seats in the interim while the wedding party arrives, as I’ve been informed. Within a few minutes, I will reply to you.”.

What would be the ideal emcee introduction?

The introduction should immediately engage the audience and pique their interest in your topic by outlining your credentials as a speaker on the subject. less than 150 words, keep it concise and to the point. The presentation shouldn’t go beyond a minute.

Before you take the stage in many speaking situations, your client or a Master of Ceremonies (MC, also written emcee) will give you an introduction. The introduction by the emcee is important because it frames your opening remarks. When handled well, it can serve as the springboard for a fantastic presentation; when handled poorly, it acts as an anchor, pulling you down and requiring you to spend valuable time fixing the emcee’s mistakes. Of course, you’ll want to keep tight reins on your introduction.

The following advice will help you increase the likelihood of success—for both of you—despite the fact that you cannot stop a determined or incompetent introducer from performing poorly.

1. A good introducer should never wing it. Your introduction must make a strong, favorable first impression. Therefore, don’t let the person introduce you unless they are a close friend who is very familiar with your work. A few careless words or improvised stories are all it takes to make you lose enthusiasm. Give a complete scripted introduction and ask that it be read verbatim. Don’t just give the emcee an outline to fill out; otherwise, she might stretch it out so much that it consumes some of your speaking time.

What do you say first as the MC?

Give a brief twenty-second introduction of yourself. Name, hometown, any family you may have, and some sort of affiliation with the crowd are some ideas I have. Tell the audience a similarity you discovered if you met someone in the crowd before the event.

The lights in the audience dim, the audience falls silent, the music slows down, and the first words spoken from the stage by the emcee are _______?

Although each emcee may approach it slightly differently, the introduction will be similar in most cases. It’s crucial to be direct, hospitable, and authentically you.

Because it is, it makes sense. Welcome. Amidst all the other things you could say, this one simple phrase might get lost. When you go to a friend’s house, imagine knocking on the door and being greeted by a friendly face who says, “Welcome.” Welcoming the guests into a story and an environment created for them to hear something and experience something is what every emcee tries to do, whether they realize it or not.

How do I begin a script for an emcee?

Give a brief (20-second) introduction of who you are. My recommendations are name, hometown, any family you may have, and some sort of affiliation with the crowd. Tell the audience something you had in common with the person you met in the crowd before the event.

Although each emcee may approach it slightly differently, the introduction will be similar in most cases. It’s crucial to be straightforward, hospitable, and authentically you.

It is intuitive because it seems to be. Welcome. Despite being so straightforward, it might get lost in the sea of other things you could say. When you go to a friend’s house, imagine knocking on the door and being greeted by a friendly face who says, “Welcome.” Welcoming the guests into a story and an environment created for them to hear something and experience something is what every emcee tries to do, whether they realize it or not.

What does the emcee do at the reception?

The master of ceremonies at a wedding is known as an MC or emcee. This person is in charge of interacting with your guests during the reception, introducing speakers, and generally managing the flow of the occasion.

The master of ceremonies is an emcee or wedding MC. This person is in charge of addressing your guests throughout the reception, introducing speakers, and generally keeping the event on schedule. They are frequently the first person guests hear from after they have settled down at their tables, which plays a big part in establishing the mood for the reception.

This may seem like a difficult task, but the right person can find enjoyment and fun in it. Additionally, if you’re working with a wedding planner or coordinator, you’ll have assistance from them on the big day.

A wedding reception MC can be a great asset.

What are some good wedding speech examples?

All of you are invited to join in on this significant occasion in the lives of the bride and the groom. I implore you to join me in recognizing and celebrating this day and the vows they will be making. Their love and dedication to one another are witnessed and validated by your presence.

The wedding ceremony’s opening words and introduction set the mood for the celebration. It makes a declaration about the event, its significance to the world, and the engaged couple.

We are honored to have you here on this special day, friends and family of the bride and groom.

We are here to marry the bride and groom in order to celebrate their incredibly special love.

How do you craft a cordial welcome speech?

Good morning to everyone! Express your gratitude to the guests for coming by saying something like, “It’s wonderful to see you all here on this sunny day. More casual language might be appropriate for a gathering of close friends and family.

If you have to deliver a welcome speech at a program or event, don’t worry; with the right structure and tone, it’s very simple to write and deliver a welcome speech for just about any occasion. Everything you need to know has been outlined, from your opening remarks to setting the right tone and mastering your closing remarks. This is in your hands!

Use formal language to greet the audience, as this is a formal event. Choose an appropriate salutation, such as “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Then, say something like, “It is my pleasure to welcome everyone to our lovely venue tonight.” (1).

Use jovial language to greet visitors informally. Good morning to everyone! Express your gratitude to the guests for coming by saying something like, “It’s wonderful to see you all here on this sunny day.” (2).

What does the MC at a wedding say?

The MC gives brief opening remarks before introducing all of the main wedding participants. According to Coombs, “a good wedding MC is organized, accountable, and can take instructions well. It’s not about the MC getting their fifteen minutes of fame; it’s about the bride and groom.”.

In their role as the wedding’s host and emcee, the Master of Ceremonies (MC or emcee) is responsible for making sure that everyone is having fun. An effective wedding MC is more than just a person with strong public speaking skills or a joke or two. They should ensure that everything goes as planned, introduce everyone speaking, and highlight significant moments. We asked Michael Coombs of Michael Coombs Entertainment in Toronto for five things that every wedding MC should be aware of.

1. Be prepared. Have everything written down beforehand, and prepare your speech in advance. Make sure you have a thorough timeline and the right names and information. The MC makes brief opening remarks before introducing each important wedding participant. A good wedding MC is prepared, accountable, and capable of following directions, according to Coombs. It’s not about the MC getting their fifteen minutes of fame; it’s about the bride and groom.”.

2. Working with the vendors to ensure that everyone is aware of what is happening is one of the wedding MC’s key responsibilities. Knowing how the evening will proceed and making sure everyone is prepared for their cues are crucial, he adds. “The MC’s job is to guide the audience and let them know what will happen next. They should make sure that everything is on schedule and that the DJ, photographer, and vendors are given cues to capture important moments.

How do you, as an MC, greet visitors?

“We are happy to extend the warmest welcome possible.” Dear visitors, take a look around you; you have a friendly welcome full of friendship.” dot is honored to be here. I am in awe of the collective knowledge present here as I look around the stage. dot. many thanks. hugely appreciated. dot. jubilant welcome.

The challenge of a welcome speech is to come up with alternative ways to convey your sincerity without using a string of meaningless “same-old, same-old” words and phrases to welcome your guests.

There is also a further query regarding that. Your language choices will depend on whether the event is formal or informal.

How do you write a wedding emcee script?

Welcome to (name) and (name)’s wedding dinner. It’s an honor to serve as your emcee tonight. My name is (the emcee’s name). I want to express my gratitude to each and every one of you on behalf of the couple and their parents for coming to share in this happy occasion as we celebrate the union of (name) and (name). ‘ Cached.

Your wedding will go off without a hitch and with the proper mood and tone set by a master of ceremonies or wedding emcee. A good emcee not only introduces the various parts of the wedding but also balances the formalities and injects humor with relatable jokes and stories. Some couples may opt to hire a skilled and qualified emcee for their wedding. They may, however, elect to substitute a close relative or relative in their place.

Don’t forget to get in touch with Just Married Films if you need wedding photography or articlegraphy for your big day.

How can I perform at a wedding reception as the best MC possible?

Have a plan. 7 suggestions for making your wedding memorable It’s not “Open Mic Night” here. dot. Limit your alcohol intake. A party is taking place; that much is true. dot. Get to know the vendors. dot. Test the microphone. dot. Get out of the way and make a strong opening. dot. Use caution when using humor. dot. Consider Who Your Audience Is.

It is an enormous honor to be asked to officiate at a friend’s or relative’s wedding as master of ceremonies. However, the job also carries a great deal of pressure. Contrary to popular belief, you are not up there to be the center of attention or the designated wedding comedian. As the event’s host, it is your responsibility to ensure that everyone is having a good time and that the proceedings proceed according to schedule. My sister got married last weekend, and I had the honor of being the MC. In the past 20 years, I’ve served as MC four times, and each time I’ve taken on this crucial responsibility, I’ve learned a few important lessons. Here are some suggestions I hope will be useful if you have been asked to be the MC for an upcoming wedding. This is merely one guy’s firsthand knowledge of what works and what doesn’t; it is by no means a comprehensive manual.

‘Open Mic Night’ is not what this is. Keep your improv class for the ad-libs. Before the big day, you should have a very clear idea of the evening’s structure and flow, the correct way to pronounce key terms, and, to a large extent, everything you intend to say that evening. It doesn’t follow that you have to follow the script exactly. There will be those brief, unplanned opportunities where you can add a pertinent comment, a dash of humor, or a hint of emotion. Since you’re good in front of a crowd and probably have some interesting stories to share, the bride and groom chose you to be their MC. However, a wedding is a time-sensitive, emotionally charged event, so you need to have a plan.

If you can, have a conversation about the couple’s preferences and wishes a few days or weeks prior to the wedding. Keep your questions focused because they’re probably distracted by a gazillion other details.

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How to Begin a Wedding Speech: Great Opening Lines

Handy one-liners to get your speech off to an amazing start.

If you've read our post on how to make a great wedding speech , you'll know that it's really important to start strong! Well, here we're showing you how to do exactly that, with a list of the best wedding speech opening lines . The beauty of this list is that it works for any kind of wedding speech, whether you're the bride, groom, best man, bridesmaid, father-of-the-bride, or even the flower girl or the groom's granny!

We've made sure to include lots of different options so there's something to suit every style of speech, whether you want to keep it simple, bring the audience to tears, or give them a giggle with a joke . Some of our wedding speech opening lines can be customised, too, to help you make your speech even more personal. So, let's dive in!

Our Favourite Wedding Speech Opening Lines

To help you find what you're looking for, we've split our sample opening lines into three categories; simple and sincere opening lines, funny opening lines and opening lines with quotes from famous people.

Note: (name) can indicate yourself, the bride/groom, the couple as a whole, or another member of the wedding party.  

Wedding Speech Opening Lines: Simple and Sincere Opening Lines

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you (name) for the kind introduction."

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. As (name's friend/relative), I'm delighted to welcome you all here tonight."

"Thank you so much, (name), for such a wonderful introduction. I only hope I can live up to your kind words!"

"Hello everyone. I hope you're all having a great night so far."

"Hello, I'm (name) and, for those of you who don't already know me, I'm (relation to couple)."

"Hi everybody, I'm (name), and I'm here to talk a little bit about my good friend (name)."

"Hi everyone, I'm (name), and I'm going to talk a little bit about (name). When I was writing this speech, I asked myself how I could sum up (X) years of friendship, laughter and adventures in one speech, and I decided that I can't. We'd be here all night."

"Hello everybody and welcome. I think we can all agree that it's been a wonderful day so far. (Couple names), you should be really proud of the amazing day you've put together. We're all very lucky to be a part of it."

"Hello everyone. I hope you're all having a great night so far. My life changed completely on (date, year), when (name) came into my life, and it changes again today, as they embark on their latest adventure with (name)."

"Hi everybody. Thank you for the warm welcome. Mark Twain once said that 'there are only two types of speakers in the world. 1. The nervous and 2. Liars.' I'm definitely in the former category, so I hope you'll forgive me if I'm a little bit shaky this evening."

Wedding Speech Opening Lines: Funny Opening Lines to Make Guests LOL

"Hi everyone, I'm (name), and before any of you ask, yes I am single."

"Hi everyone, I'm (name), and I'll be your speaker for the next 95 minutes."

"Hi everybody. If you don't know who I am... well, you're probably at the wrong wedding! But stick around, we need extra people for the conga line."

"Hi everyone. You're probably wondering why I gathered you here today. I've got a once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunity that I know you're going to - sorry, wrong speech!"

"Hello everyone! Thank you all for being here on such an exciting night. Yes, the rumours are true, I will be debuting some new choreography on the dance floor this evening. But in the mean time, I suppose I should talk a little bit about (couple names)."

"Hello, and welcome. You may know me as (name's friend/relative), but tonight, I go by the title, (name), Lord of the Dance."

"Hi everyone. Just in case you don't already know, I'm (name) and I'm the best man. There are some really successful, good-looking, charming men in the room tonight, but now that it's written on the ceremony program in black and white, it's official - I am the best."

"Hi everyone, I'm (name), and I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from the great Seamus Heaney/Maya Angelou/Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr./Mother Teresa... but unfortunately I left my speech in my other jacket. So you'll have to make do with me!"

“Hi everyone. If I could just say a few words … I’d be a better public speaker! That gag was actually stolen from Homer Simpson, which should give you an idea of the caliber of speech you can expect from me tonight.”

"Hi everyone, and welcome. Webster's dictionary describes a wedding as, 'The process of removing weeds from one's garden'. That's a Homer Simpson quote, which should give you an idea of the caliber of speech you can expect from me tonight.”

"Hello everyone, I'm (name.) According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right?"

"Hi everyone. When I was preparing this speech, (name) gave me a list of topics that were strictly off-limits, so I'd like to start with those."

"Hi everyone. I'm (name). Anyone who knows me knows that I'm (name)'s biggest fan. So much so, that I was actually quite hurt when I learned that I wasn't going to be involved in the first dance!"

"Hi everyone. I just want to take a few minutes to talk about my good friend (name). I first met (name) when we were 13, and since then, I've always looked up to him. He was, after all, the only 6ft 2' student at (school name)!"

"Good evening everyone. To our English speakers, I'd like to say welcome, we're delighted that you could be with us today to celebrate the marriage of (couple names). To our (other language) speakers, I'd like to say (use Google Translate or ask a native speaker to translate, 'My llama is very handsome. I hope my translation is correct.')"

Wedding Speech Opening Lines: Beginning with a Quote

"Hi everyone. I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from Dr. James Dobson, who said, 'Don't marry the person you think you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can't live without.' "

"Hi everyone. I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from Franz Schubert, who said, 'Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife.' "

"Hi everyone. I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who said, 'There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion, or company than a good marriage.' "

"Hi everyone. I'd like to begin my speech with a quote from Franklin P. Jones, who said, 'Love doesn't make the world go 'round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile.' "

"Hi everyone, I'm (name.) I hope you're all having a wonderful day so far. When I got married to my partner (name), somebody told me, 'Don't just be husband and wife, be president of each other's fan clubs,' and I'd like to pass on that same advice to (couple)."

"Hello everyone. I'd like to begin with a quote from Mignon McLaughlin, who said, 'A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.' Over the past (x) years, I've had the pleasure of watching (name) fall in love with (name) over and over again."

Click herefor a handy checklist of people to thank in your wedding speech , plus how to keep the speeches from being too long !

Image credits

Adam and grace, via one fab day, see more in:.

You might also like...

• Wedding Speeches and Toasts

MC At A Wedding

• FUN MC Guide
• How To Be A FUN Wedding MC
• Bride’s Guide To A FUN Reception
• Free Speech Guides

Table of Contents

Introduction – MC At A Wedding Guide

If you’re a first-time or novice MC then chances are don’t know how to be an MC at a wedding . And you probably don’t understand your duties, role, or responsibilities at the reception.

That’s perfectly understandable and nothing to be worried about when you have the right information…

Here’s a short guide for you if you’re the wedding Master of Ceremonies and you want to know how to conduct a reception.

We’ll explain several key events throughout the function and give you advice as well as a number of tips that will help you fulfill your duties and responsibilities in a professional manner.

Qualities Of A Successful Wedding MC

There are several qualities that make an effective Wedding MC including:

1. Professional demeanor

2. Public speaking experience

3. Discreet and tactful

4. Fun personality

Keep in mind that the bride and groom selected you to be their MC because they trusted you and considered you to be the most qualified to help them celebrate one of the most important days of their life.

In turn, you should honor the bride and groom by making their celebration a happy memory that they can fondly look back on in years to come.

Wedding MC – Duties

A popular misconception is that the Wedding Emcee is nothing more than an announcer.

While it’s true that you’ll make announcements and you should be comfortable speaking in front of large groups, the role of the Master of Ceremonies at a reception is much more than being an announcer.

Your role also includes everything that goes on behind the scenes of the reception and involves a huge amount of careful preparation and planning to make this event one that will be remembered.

After all, a wedding reception is an EVENT.

It has profound significance.

It’s a time of great happiness for the bride and groom and their families.

A time of cherished memories…that will last a lifetime.

As you can see, the reception goes beyond mere duties and responsibilities – even though they are part of your planning.

If you want an event of this magnitude to be a complete success, you have to be creative – and thorough – with your planning.

While this MC At A Wedding Guide you’re reading right now is a good primer to show you what’s involved in planning a reception, you can find a comprehensive guide used by hundreds of Wedding MC’s worldwide that takes you through all of the steps to planning a FUN reception from start to finish in How To Be A FUN Wedding MC .

And that’s the key – creating a FUN reception that thrills the bride and groom and their guests with a celebration they’ll remember for years to come.

You see, planning a reception is more than carrying out your “duties.”

It requires creativity and thought to make the reception not only meaningful but also memorable.

That’s why How To Be A FUN Wedding MC shows you how to create a party atmosphere that’s a celebration of the newlywed’s big day.

Wedding Master of Ceremonies Responsibilities

In many ways, your role could be considered to be that of a host. You welcome the guests and you ensure they have an enjoyable and fun time at the reception.

More importantly, though, in addition to being a leader, communicator, and entertainer, you’re a coordinator,  – the key person who orchestrates what goes on before and during the reception.

You’ll direct the guests and Bridal party throughout the reception to ensure things run smoothly.

And even though the Bride and Groom and the wedding planners have spent many months planning this big day, the responsibility rests primarily with you to make it a memorable and fun time.

Don’t forget – the Bride and Groom and their families have also spent many thousands of dollars to make the reception an event of a lifetime. So there’s a lot riding on your doing an exceptional job as Master of Ceremonies.

It’s your prime responsibility to have a thorough understanding of the agenda and to co-ordinate the events from start to finish.

In some cases, you may also have an assistant who can help you with scheduling and arranging the events on the agenda.

It’s critical, too, that you keep all key players informed throughout the reception to ensure things are properly coordinated and run smoothly.

Wedding MC Jokes – 4 Top Tips

A few well-chosen and appropriate wedding jokes during the reception can go a long way to making the event even more fun.

1. Select wedding jokes that are appropriate and don’t embarrass the Bride and Groom or the guests.

This includes off-color jokes and well as suggestions of infidelity, cheating, and womanizing on the part of the groom.

Even comments – no matter how funny they might seem at the time – about a divorce or the number of previous marriages either the bride or groom has had are inappropriate.

Remember, this is a new start for both the bride and groom and their marriage celebrates their new beginning as husband and wife. There shouldn’t be anything said (or done) that takes away from their happy day.

2. Practice your jokes beforehand out loud to get your rhythm and timing right.

A wedding joke – like all effective jokes – requires proper timing.

Get the timing right and you’ll have a better chance of success and getting the laughs you’re looking for.

3. Make a note of where during the reception agenda you’ll include a particular joke.

Your agenda is your guide throughout the reception. So use it to full advantage and note down where you’ll make your Wedding MC Jokes.

4. Stagger your jokes throughout the reception agenda.

Keep in mind, you’re not a stand up comedian and you’re not expected to be one.

But a few well-chosen MC Jokes can go a long way to breaking the ice and increasing the fun factor at the reception.

Wedding Agenda – Scheduling

Like any important function, the wedding reception runs on a schedule from one event to another.

This is especially important if the reception venue is reserved for a specific amount of time and heavy surcharges will be assessed if the event runs long.

As Master of Ceremonies, it’s your responsibility to ensure that events follow the agenda you’ve helped develop in consultation with the Bride and Groom and the wedding planners.

That means coordinating events with all participants and key players – from caterers to entertainers to music providers – and ensuring they are on time.

The most effective way of coordinating events is to notify participants and key players at least fifteen minutes before the scheduled event. In that way, there’s less likelihood of delays in proceeding with an event.

The reception agenda has a specific timeline that must be adhered to otherwise events will need to be eliminated or shortened to fit within the total time allotted.

How To Be A FUN Wedding MC shows you how to quickly and easily prepare a reception timeline and agenda. Plus, you’ll find sample agendas or run sheets that show you how to organize your final agenda, whether it’s a short afternoon reception or a long function that lasts into the early hours of the morning.

Wedding MC – Tips and Tricks

Even if you’re an experienced public speaker, there are several key elements to running a wedding reception.

Reception Venue – Microphone

The microphone is critical to ensuring events run smoothly during the function.

From announcements to speeches and toasts you must ensure the microphone is working and set at the proper volume to avoid unwanted “feedback.”

Whether the microphone is mobile or fixed, ensure you are familiar with its operation before the function begins.

As well, be prepared to show those who will be making speeches and toasts or other announcements how to operate the microphone.

Wedding MC Scripts

What you say during the events should sound natural and unrehearsed – even if you have scripts.

Standing in front of 100 or more strangers is not the time to “wing it” or make remarks that are off the top of your head.

That’s why it’s essential to have your Wedding MC Scripts prepared well in advance.

Your scripts are more than a notation on the agenda that you have to say something.

They’re word-for-word scripts that lead you into the next event on the agenda.

Write out your scripts and be familiar with what you’re going to say.

Major events to prepare scripts for include: Grand Entrance, First Dance/Bridal Waltz, Announcements, Speeches and Toasts, Cake Cutting, Bouquet Toss, Garter Toss, and the Final Farewell.

To ensure your announcements go smoothly, it’s recommended that you practice your scripts beforehand – well before you set foot in the  venue.

Practice in front of a friend or family member to learn the pace and rhythm of your delivery. Take note of any “ahs,” “ums,” and other “fillers” that detract from an authoritative presentation or announcement.

If you’ve never practiced in front of anyone before you may feel self-conscious and even uncomfortable at first.

That’s entirely natural. But it’s better to feel uncomfortable in familiar surroundings with people you know than to begin the reception “cold” in front of 100 or more strangers who are expecting you to handle everything with professionalism.

Wedding Agenda or Run Sheet

The Wedding Agenda outlines all of the events during the reception.

Here is a brief list of key events and duties you should prepare for:

1. Reception Venue Orientation

All of the  venue information should have been gathered several weeks prior to the bride and groom’s big day..

This includes checking the venue premises, knowing who the venue personnel are, and knowing where restrooms, smoking areas, and the bar are located.

You definitely do not want to familiarize yourself with the venue for the first time on the “day of” – it must be done well before the function takes place.

2. Arrival Time At The Venue

We recommend getting to the venue at least 90 minutes before it starts to ensure everything is in order prior to the starting time.

You will want to do “last minute” checks on directional signage, lighting, and microphone(s) and meet with key players, including your assistant if you have one.

After all, there is nothing more stressful and embarrassing than finding the room locked as wedding guests start arriving for the big celebration.

That’s why it’s important to leave enough time to sort out minor problems before the event begins. It also helps you calm down and get grounded before beginning your duties.

3. Key Players

One of your first Wedding MC Duties when you arrive at the venue will be to introduce yourself to the key players – vendors, venue personnel, and wedding planners.

Some of these key players you’ll have already met as you were planning the reception but as a matter of courtesy and practicality, it’s a good idea to introduce yourself to them again – especially if you have to review anything with them before the events begin.

Other key players will include the Bridal Party, members of the bride and groom’s families, and, of course, the bride and groom – who you will already know.

If you have an assistant or translator, then this will be the time to meet with them and go over your outline of events.

4. Bridal Party or Wedding Party

When the Bridal party arrives be sure to introduce yourself and let members of the Bridal party know what will be expected of them as they prepare for the Grand Entrance.

Organize the Bridal party in order of introductions. Also double check pronunciations of names of members of the Bridal party as you are organizing their entrance.

Ensure the route the Bridal party will be taking to the head table is unobstructed since you want the Grand Entrance to go smoothly and without a hitch.

5. Wedding Speeches and Toasts

Speeches and toasts are a traditional event at almost every reception. If it’s a short one, speeches and toasts might be dispensed with but usually there’s at least one or two speeches and toasts that offer good wishes to the bride and groom.

There is no traditional place during the reception when speeches and toasts are held.

Since speeches and toasts can take up a considerable amount of time you should ensure they start and end on time.

That means you must organize the speakers beforehand to ensure they’re available when called upon to give their speech or toast. As a matter of courtesy, it’s suggested you let the speakers know when they can be expected to give their speech or toast.

Another common misconception is that the MC always gives a formal speech.

Occasionally, the Wedding MC will be called upon to make a speech or toast.

Normally, however, you will give only your Opening Speech. Any other speeches or toasts by you will be a result of a special request by the Bride and Groom.

You should check with the Bride and Groom to see whether giving a Wedding MC Speech will be one of your duties.

Wedding MC Tip

Don’t amend the agenda unless it’s approved by the Bride and Groom and/or the wedding planners.

Of course, there might be minor changes as the reception proceeds – the caterer is late serving the meal, for example, or one of the entertainers takes longer to set up than anticipated.

Even though the agenda is flexible, all of your planning should be done in consultation with the Bride and Groom and planners well before the day of the wedding.

Last minute changes may occur but they should be minimal and you should keep in mind the budget guidelines since some venues will surcharge heavily for extra time outside the allotted time.

As well, other key players have to be advised of any changes and may charge extra for last minute changes.

As a final reminder when you’re the MC at a wedding: It should go without saying that you should make sure the Bride and Groom have safe transportation to their destination after the reception – whether it’s a hotel or airport or home.

That’s a concise outline of How To Be An MC At A Wedding.

Of course, you’ll need a comprehensive guide that takes you from start to finish in planning a FUN reception and creating an event that will thrill the bride and groom as they begin their new life together.

So be sure to check out How To Be A FUN Wedding MC for a much more detailed breakdown of your duties and responsibilities – with checklists, preparation forms, games and entertainment ideas, and more – when you’ve been chosen as MC at a wedding .

Speech Tips: Reception

1. Introduce speakers and invite them to the microphone to give their speech.

2. Discourage “open” speeches where guests are invited to give an impromptu speech or toast. It can lead to embarrassing or inappropriate jokes and comments and embarrass – even humiliate – the newlyweds and their guests.

3. Keep the speakers and toasters to a strict time limit – maximum is 5 minutes unless the speech is particularly poignant or funny (which is usually the Best Man’s speech).

Wedding Games

Wedding games and entertainment are two highlights that can add fun to the wedding reception.

Not every reception has games or entertainment but they can be a wonderful way to increase the fun factor at the function.

How To Be A FUN Wedding MC has a select collection of more than 50 FUN wedding games, activities, and entertainment ideas that kick the events into high gear.

Wedding Cake Cutting

Cake cutting is a traditional event and depending upon the agenda it may follow the speeches and toasts.

Again, there is no traditional time when the cake cutting takes place but it is customary for it to take place later on in the reception.

Announce the cake cutting ceremony to the guests after first alerting the Bride and Groom and having them gather at the cake table.

Traditionally (and symbolically) the Groom places his hand over the Bride’s hand when cutting the cake.

Cutting the cake together symbolizes the first activity the newlyweds perform together as husband and wife.

Usually guests will take photographs at the cake cutting ceremony. It’s therefore wise to ask guests to refrain from taking their photos until the official ones are taken – especially since camera flashes can spoil an official photo.

If there is an official photographer and/or videographer, ensure they get their photographs/video first with an unobstructed view of the couple during this traditional ceremony.

In some cases, it’s a good idea to cordon off an area near the cake table and reserve it for the photographer or videographer.

One event during the cake cutting is the traditional feeding of the cake to each other. In recent years, smashing cake into the groom’s and/or bride’s face has become popular.

As MC you should be aware from the outset of the bride and groom’s intentions about the cake feeding since some couples prefer a refined and formal reception and don’t want their clothing stained or ruined.

Tip: Suggest to the Bride and Groom that they feed the cake to each other with forks (to avoid any temptation to smash it in each other’s face.)

First Dance (Also known as the Bridal Waltz)

The First Dance is significant in that the couple share one of their first romantic moments together as husband and wife.

The First Dance requires a formal announcement and co-ordination with the DJ or band to ensure the appropriate First Dance music is played.

Special Dances

After the First Dance, there are other Special Dances you can include such as the Bridal Party dance, Father/Daughter dance, Mother/Son dance.

Other Special Dances could include dancing with the bride and/or groom’s grandmother and/or grandfather or other close relative like a step father or step mother.

If the Bride and Groom have children, the children might also be included in a family dance.

Open Dancing

After the Special Dances, it’s time to open the dance floor to all of the guests. Allow the DJ or band to take over and encourage guests to dance.

Most DJ’s and bands have a special list of games and songs to get guests in the mood and liven up the dance floor.

Some receptions don’t have dancing at all. If there is no dancing, there’s no reason why it can’t still be a fun and memorable time since you don’t need dancing to make the function a special time for the newlyweds.

Wedding Agenda: Final Events

Most receptions finish with traditional events including the bouquet toss, the garter toss, and the final farewell.

Again, these are entirely optional depending on the wishes of the Bride and Groom.

Keep in mind that these events take a little bit of organizing since guests will usually be moving around – either from dancing, mixing with other guests, using the restrooms, having a smoke, or getting drinks from the bar.

Here is a typical sequence of events that bring a reception to the end:

1. Bouquet Toss

The Bouquet Toss will usually begin 20 – 30 minutes before the end of the reception – but that’s totally dependent on the agenda.

Advise the Bride and Groom at least 10 minutes beforehand.

Also advise the DJ/Band leader (so appropriate music is ready) and photographer/videographer.

Announce the Bouquet Toss a couple of times so that the single women are gathered for the event.

Tips For The Bouquet Toss:

1. Some guests – whether female or male – may not consider themselves “single” if they’re living together or if they have a partner or if they’re dating.

Naturally, they won’t – or may not – consider themselves eligible for the Bouquet Toss because of this.

A good rule of thumb is if they’re not wearing an engagement or wedding ring, they’re considered “single” and, in the case of women, they’re eligible for the Bouquet Toss.

Be sure to announce this “requirement” when preparing for the Bouquet Toss.

2. You may wish to do a countdown (3-2-1) when the bride is ready to toss her bouquet – it heightens the anticipation and gets everyone ready for the mad scramble for the bouquet. And watch out – there’s likely to be a mad scramble!

2. Garter Toss

The Garter Toss traditionally follows the Bouquet Toss.

Some newlyweds dispense with the Garter toss.

Others make it quite a production with music and encouragement from the guests.

As coordinator of the event, you should make sure the Garter Toss is tasteful and not crude or raunchy.

3. Farewell Circle

The Farewell Circle is particularly popular in Australia but is a wonderfully intimate send off for the Bride and Groom and can be easily adopted and adapted for any celebration.

The Farewell Circle is the final event of the reception.

If you’re not familiar with the Farewell Circle, guests are asked to form a large circle.

The Bride and Groom make their way around the circle in opposite directions, expressing their thanks and saying goodbye to each person in the circle.

Halfway through the circle, the Bride and Groom crossover until they come to the end of the circle – where the newlyweds’ parents can be strategically positioned to say their farewell to their children.

Sometimes the Farewell Circle is concluded with a poignant song sung by the guests or three cheers are given as the Bride and Groom leave the room.

How To Make The Wedding Reception A FUN and Memorable Event

I realize it sounds “easy” to be a Wedding MC.

But it’s one thing to tell you what to do and another thing to SHOW you what to do.

The fact of the matter is, there is a huge amount of planning that takes place behind the scenes to pull off a fun and memorable reception.

In fact, many people who are chosen to MC a wedding don’t know where to start or what to say.

And that’s totally understandable since a wedding reception is not an everyday occurrence for most people.

Just as importantly, most Wedding Emcees don’t know the key elements that are needed to make the function a resounding success.

That’s why How To Be A FUN Wedding MC was created.

If you’re a novice Master of Ceremonies at a wedding reception, then be sure to check out How To Be A FUN Wedding MC.

Let me tell you a little about this comprehensive Wedding MC Guide…

It contains numerous checklists – including those for the Reception Venue, Bridal Party, Dancing, Bride and Groom, Introductions, Wedding Speeches and Toasts – as well as MC Scripts, Wedding Games, Sample Agendas (Run Sheets), Contingency Planning, and much more.

It’s intended for a wide range of receptions and covers the Order of Events, the Order of Wedding Speeches and Toasts, How to Make FUN Introductions during the Grand Entrance, and How to Introduce Speakers during the speeches and toasts event.

This is a hands-on guide the emcee can put to use immediately and has been designed for ease of use. It’s specifically written for the Wedding MC who will be conducting a reception in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United States, South Africa, United Kingdom, the Caribbean, and English speaking countries in Europe.

How To Be A FUN Wedding MC isn’t used just by the Master of Ceremonies.

The bride-to-be and the mother-of-the-bride, in particular, see this as a valuable planning resource as they create a fun celebration for their guests.

Whether you’re an MC, bride-to-be, or mother-of-the-bride you’re invited to go to How To Be A FUN Wedding MC to download your copy of this comprehensive Wedding MC Guide.

Click on the image below to find out more about How To Be A FUN Wedding MC …

MC At A Wedding?

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Wedding Speeches and Toasts | Wedding MC Tips | Wedding MC Jokes Tips

the Mother of the Bride, the Father of the Groom, the Father of the Bride, the Groom, and the Bride.

Wedding MC? Wedding Toastmaster? Check out How To Be A FUN Wedding MC and create a FUN and Memorable Reception!

wedding reception activities ideas, games, MC scripts, jokes tips, ideas, duties, checklists, run sheets, agendas, and much more!

21 Tips on How to Be a Good and Effective Emcee / Master of Ceremony

*Update (launch of eBook): So I have received many many emails from people looking for advice on how to emcee their events. So after sharing with so many people, I have decided to compile my decade of emcee experience into an eBook, which you can find out more  here .

So you are here on this page because you are soon going to be an emcee for an event. So how can you be a good and effective Emcee (Master of Ceremony)?

I remember the first time I went on stage to emcee an event. I was 17, and I was forced to do it as part of my school assignment. I was afraid, I stumbled over my words, and the butterflies were running amok in my stomach. However, it was definitely an experience to remember, and I have since used that and other good/bad experiences to improve my stage presence.

When I have fun as an emcee, it is really such a magical experience that I can’t wait to get back on stage. However, emceeing does carry its risks of failure. If you do not prepare well, you run the risk of failure and it can be a really painful experience.

What is the role of an Emcee?

An emcee is the host and facilitator of the event. The event can be a wedding , a party, a seminar, a conference, a corporate event etc. As long as you are holding the microphone on stage, you are the emcee.

The role of an emcee is to warm up the crowd to prepare them for the program ahead. The emcee sets the tone. You are there to make the main stars of the show look good. You are also there to make sure there are smooth transitions between different segments of the program so that it flows smoothly. Should there be any hiccup, the emcee will have to ensure minimal disruptions to the program.

Now that we have ascertained what the role of an emcee is, here are some insights based on my thousands of events in which I have emceed, and I hope it will help you in your event emceeing.

1. Prepare for an effective event opening

When people are waiting for an event to start, they are usually restless and raring to go. If you come out without an effective opening, it will set the dull tone for the entire event, and trust me, your event will not go down well.

Research has shown that people decide if they like you within seconds of meeting you. So now imagine you are on stage facing hundreds or thousands of people. You have that window of seconds for the first impression to make those people like you. This will set the tone for the entire event.

Think of the Olympic games and the elaborate opening ceremony to kick start the games. Now think of an “elaborate emcee opening ceremony” to kick start your event!

2. Bring on stage positive and energetic vibes

The last thing people want to hear from an emcee is a dull and low energy presentation. Imagine you are at a conference and the emcee comes on with zero energy. The speakers that the emcee introduce will also bring with them low energy, and so will the crowd. With the entire tone of the event at such a low energy setting, your event will not go well.

So as an emcee, always bring with you positive and energetic vibes on stage. You do not have to jump around on stage (unless the occasion calls for it), but you will have to sound bright and enthusiastic for the program ahead.

The more energy you have, the more engaged the audience will be, and if you’re excited, your audience will get excited. But if you’re dull and boring, there’s a good chance your audience will also be bored.

3. The emcee sets the tone for the event

In addition to point (2) above, while the emcee is not the star, the emcee will set the tone for the event. There are times to be serious, and times to have fun. If the emcee is all over the place, there will be no focus. It is thus important to find a good balance to set the tone for the event.

A good emcee will be able to read the crowd and set the correct tone for the entire event.

4. Control the timing of the proceedings

The emcee will have the ultimate control of the event proceedings. While there may be a stage manager to help manage the schedule, but by being on stage, the emcee will have control over what happens.

Always ensure that you are on top of your time management. If one segment overruns, see if you can recover by cutting some time off another segment.  If one segment is too short, you can drag the next segment out. Ultimately, you will have to ensure that the event starts and ends on time.

5. Always introduce the speaker’s bio

While you will already be acquainted with the speaker before introducing him on stage, members of the audience may not know who the speaker is. Often, the success of that segment will depend on the participants knowing the credentials or background of the speaker. This background knowledge will play an important role in establishing credibility and rapport between the speaker and participant.

Remember to make the speaker look good.

If you’re hosting a high level  Presidential or Ministerial event , always be sure to get the title correct!

6. Remember that you are not the star of the show

When the emcee is on stage delivering a speech, there is a part of the role that requires the emcee to be the center of attraction on stage.

However as emcee it is not your time in the spotlight.  It is important for the emcee to understand that he/she is there to keep things moving and to make sure the speakers on the program (or the award recipients) are celebrated without hogging the limelight.

7. Remember to introduce yourself

You will be surprised, but many emcees do not remember to introduce themselves. If you do not or forget to introduce yourself before the start of the event , this will leave a nagging hole in your audience’s understanding of the event proceedings. They see you, but don’t know who you are or why you have been chosen for this central role in the event. So while you are talking up on stage, they might be wondering why you are up on stage to begin with.

If you are very confident that everyone in your audience already knows you, still, introduce yourself anyway. There may be friends, colleagues, special guests, and spouses in your audience who do not know you. And those who know who you are may not really understand what you do, or how and why you became the emcee for the event.

8. Always be addressing the audience (project your voice)

The worst thing an emcee wants to be doing will be to mumble to him/herself while on stage. Sometimes when one has stage fright or feel nervous on stage, this will tend to happen. If you mumble or talk to yourself  on stage, you will not be able to reach the audience effectively. They might now be able to hear you even if you’re using the microphone.

Always be addressing the audience, like you are talking to each member of the audience individually. Project your voice into the microphone such that you are talking to the entire audience. This will come hand in hand with the next point (9), where you will have to maintain eye contact with your audience while projecting your voice.

9. Maintain eye contact with your audience

Together with the point (8) above: In order to establish credibility with your audience, making contact helps to maintain an audience’s interest and encourages them to believe that you are genuinely interested in talking to them. If your audience is a large group, always look up and sweep your eyes across the audience.

A helpful tip would be to think of the audience as sitting in a “Z” formation. Start with the top left of the audience for a few seconds (while looking up from your script, if any) before looking right for a few seconds, then move down to the bottom left followed by the bottom right, in what is a “Z” around the room.

You can break your “Z” by starting from the middle or the back of the room to vary your eye contact.This will look like you are addressing the entire audience.

Together with projecting your voice and maintaining eye contact, this will give you the “intimacy” and credibility with your audience. On the other hand, a poor emcee will appear to be speaking to an empty room.

10. Bring pace to your delivery

Make sure that the speed of your delivery is easy to follow. If you speak too slowly or too quickly, your audience will have difficulty following what you say.

A tip to add life to your emcee presentation is to change the pace of your delivery. A slightly faster section might convey enthusiasm. A slightly slower one might add emphasis or caution.

P. S. If you think this article has helped you, you can support my work by buying my ebook. I share lots of advanced tips on how you can better emcee an event.  Click here!

11. Share key event information

Before an event starts, the audience will be wondering about the proceedings of the event. If you do not answer these questions, they tend to become distractions that prevent your audience members from giving you their full attention.

In your first few minutes on stage, put them at ease and set their expectations by giving them the full agenda for your event. There may already be a printed event schedule on the table in front of them, so just be sure to remind them that they are able to refer to the schedule if they have any questions about the timing of certain segments.

12. Breathe steadily and deeply

Always remember to breath steadily and deeply. If you are anxious about being on stage your breathing will become fast and shallow. This will affect the quality of your voice and your ability to speak clearly for extended periods of time.

If you are nervous, try to take a few deep breaths before you make your way onto the stage. Make a conscious effort to slow your breathing down and taking in more air with each breath. During your delivery, use pauses after questions or at the end of sections to allow comfortable breathing patterns.

Always remember to breath steadily.

13. Avoid cold drinks or spicy food before/during your time on stage

Ice cold drinks will constrict your throat and affect the quality of your voice. If you need to quench your thirst, drink a warm (not hot) cup of water to relax your throat and ease your speaking voice. If not room temperature water will do the trick.

Also remember to avoid spicy food as it can cause phlegm and will affect your stage delivery. Increased mucous in your throat can cause you to repeatedly clear your throat and sometimes even block your voice all together.

Other foods that cause phlegm include dairy products, caffeine and alcohol, so be careful with your vocal cords if you tend to get phlegm after consuming these items. 

14. Practise Practise Practise

The more familiar you are with your emcee script the more you will be able to inspire your audience’s trust and confidence. Practise reading through your script to yourself and if possible, stand up in a room and deliver your presentation to the walls. Familiarise yourself with your script so you are in control all the time should any eventuality happen.

Get used to hearing your own voice filling a room. Familiarise yourself with the hard to pronounce words and phrases in your script. Play around with different speaking volumes and see how well you can hear your own voice.

This preparation will go a long way your role as an emcee on stage.

15. Smile, even if you don’t mean it

Your nonverbal body language is as important as what you say on stage while emceeing.  If you smile at your audience, they are likely to smile back. And a smile engenders good feelings and a true connection — even if the smile is forced.

When you are forcing a smile, you are still genuinely trying to make a positive connection, so most people will read the nonverbal cue as positive.

But if you can, smile genuinely like you mean it. This will give a happy and positive vibe to the audience and they will reciprocate and be more receptive to you.

16. Dress the part

Different events will have different dress codes, and the emcee will have to look the part. 

If the audience will have on suits and dresses, wear your best suit or dress, and make sure your clothing is clean, well tailored and well ironed.

If the audience will have on casual wear, wear your best smart casual wear, again making sure your clothing is clean and well ironed.

17. Be prepared if you (or anyone else) make a mistake

No matter how professional an emcee is, the fact is everyone makes mistakes. Even my many years of professional experience on stage do not shield me from making mistakes.

And mistakes actually make people appear more human and come across as more relatable. But, when we become uncomfortable with slip-ups and gaffes, then our audience becomes more uncomfortable as well.

So the goal here is to recover nicely should there be a blunder on stage. Always be prepared with a back up plan like a joke or a nugget of information that you can keep on hand to use should there be a gaffe on stage.

The key to being a good emcee is to always be in control at all times no matter what happens.

18. Apologize should a major mistake happen

The worst mistake in the history of emceeing was made by Steve Harvey, when he announced the wrong country as the winner of Miss Universe 2015.

After that bad mistake, he came on and man up for his mistake and apologized. He started off with four words: “I have to apologize.” In his case, this was a severe major mistake that needed an apology to put things into context.

If you (and you will) make a minor mistake like mispronouncing a few words, just carry on with the program or the emcee script. The best way forward often is to keep your cool and get on the with the programme. There’s no need to freeze or apologise profusely. The audience are mainly there for the programme!

If you made a mistake on stage, console in the fact that the worst mistake that an emcee can make (in history!) has already been made by Steve Harvey, so fret not! 

Keep calm and emcee on!

19. Arrive early to do a sound check and ensure everything is in order

I’m usually one of the first to arrive at an event venue so that I can get myself into the right frame of mind, look around and be familiar with my surroundings.

It is important to arrive early so that logistical (if you require chairs or tables on stage) and technical  (e.g microphone sound check) matters can be be done.

Always do a sound check before the event starts so that you can tweak your voice EQ (to ensure you sound good), ensure the sound system is working good as well as to hear the acoustics of the room. 

Also, meet the client/stage manager/event manager/venue manager to run through the program and discuss your concerns regarding anything that you think needs attention. An event is a team effort and everyone needs to be on the same page.

Arriving early will also give you the emcee time to settle down and observe the crowd to help you adapt your style for emceeing later.

20. Transitions between different segments of the program (Dead Air)

A good and effective emcee will always ensure a seamless transition between different segments of the program. For example, after a speaker finishes his speech, an emcee will immediately come on to thank the speaker and introduce the next segment of the program. In some cases, a light hearted banter might even be appropriate between the emcee and the speaker at the end of his speech.

It is paramount that there is no “dead air” on stage during the program. Dead air is bad air on stage. 

As an emcee, it is important to always be on alert to ensure that there is no dead air. For example, if a video was supposed to play and for some reason the video didn’t play, the emcee will have to step in to recover the dead air.

Remember, dead air is a big NO NO!

21. Prepare the closing for the event

Just as there has to be a good opening, there has to be a closing to wrap up the event. A skeleton for a good closing is as follows:

a. Thank the audience

b. Recap the proceedings for the day

c. Re-emphasize key points

d. Remind the audience of any announcements (e.g where to redeem parking coupons, or where to get the presentation slides of the speakers)

e. Wish them well 

Just like the Olympic games opening ceremony, there will be an elaborate closing ceremony to close off the games. Now think of an “appropriate closing ceremony” to close off your event!

So there you have it, 21 tips on how to be a good and effective emcee! The most important thing is to have fun on stage! I always have fun when I’m on stage, and I hope you enjoy your journey as an emcee or Master of Ceremony .

Relax, smile and enjoy yourself! The more you embrace your emcee (master of ceremony) role with joy and excitement, the more fun you’ll have and the more fun your audience will have.

Have fun and emcee on!

P. S. If you think this article has helped you, you can support my work by buying my ebook. I share lots of advanced tips on how you can better emcee an event. Click here!

If you need to reach me:

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P.S. Keep in touch with me by following me on my Facebook page here .

About The Author

EmceeLester

Lester Leo is a professional emcee who discovered his true passion and love for entertainment and emceeing the very first time he took the stage.

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97 Comments

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Wedding Speeches Secrets

My WordPress Blog

• Wedding Speeches and Wedding Toasts

How To Be A FUN Wedding MC

• Bride’s Guide To A FUN Reception

MC Speeches

Every MC at a wedding wants to know what to say in the MC Speeches .

This is frequently not the case though. In most speeches, the speaker – who could be a father of the bride or mother of the bride or best man, for example, gives a tribute to the bride and groom. (The exception, of course, could be when the best man is also the MC.)

In most cases the Master of Ceremonies plays a different role at the reception because he or she assumes the role of facilitator and co-ordinator.

And because of that role, MC speeches are entirely different.

Usually, they are not one short speech and toast.

Instead, they consist of announcements, introductions of guests, and transitions of events.

The First MC Speech At The Reception

The Master of Ceremonies opens the reception with a Welcome speech.

If you’re the Master of Ceremonies, this is the time when you introduce yourself, outline the events that will take place during the agenda, make any announcements – including where facilities, guest book, and gift table are located – and get the guests prepped for a celebration of the marriage they have just witnessed.

Your Welcome to the guests is the ice breaker – for them to warm up to you and get to know you. After all, you’ll be addressing them throughout the reception.

Your Welcome should be upbeat and humorous if it suits your personality.

The Welcome speech isn’t the only time the MC will address the guests.

The wedding speeches and toasts event is where the Master of Ceremonies will introduce the speakers to the guests.

These introductions are determined by the Order of Wedding Speeches and Toasts.

Each speaker is introduced with a short preamble before he or she begins his or her own tribute.

Creative and fun MC’s don’t just say “The next speaker is…”

Instead, they have done their homework.

They have a concise biography of each speaker so they can make the introduction fun, interesting, and entertaining.

MC Speeches carry over to announcements. The Master of Ceremonies is the “guide” throughout the reception and announces important events including grace, meal time, entertainment, wedding games, the bouquet toss, the garter toss, cake cutting, special events during or after the reception, and the final farewell.

Wedding Speeches Table of Contents MC A Wedding | Order of Wedding Speeches and Toasts

Exceptions To Traditional Speeches

Two exceptions where the Master of Ceremonies would give the traditional wedding speech and toast are the absence of a speaker or by special request from the bride and groom.

Sometimes a speaker is unable to attend the reception in which case the newlyweds will ask the MC to stand in and make either a speech or a toast.

Occasionally, both the bride and groom don’t wish to make a formal speech. In this case, they will ask the MC to thank the guests on their behalf.

Standalone Toasts

As well, there may be occasions when you will be asked to make a stand alone toast instead of the traditional tribute.

The toast to absent friends and family is one you may be asked to give.

Usually this is to honor those who are deceased but were close to either the bride or groom or both of them.

Other toasts could include one to acknowledge someone who has made a major contribution to the planning of the wedding – such as the Mother of the Bride – or a toast to the Queen.

In most cases, your toast begins with a brief preamble that leads straight into the toast.

As you can see, your preparation for MC Speeches is entirely different from preparing a traditional tribute to the newlyweds.

Your focus is on introducing speakers and events. This will require preparing background information on speakers and dignitaries as well as knowing the sequence of events from the agenda.

Your MC Speeches should enhance the reception and make it fun.

In effect, your speeches are transitions – from one speaker to the next or from one event to the next.

When you do the transitions well the reception events flow smoothly.

Conversely, poor transitions interrupt the flow of events and activities and slow down the rhythm and tempo of the reception.

The success or failure of a reception often hinges on the Master of Ceremonies.

And when the bride and groom – or their families – have spent thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours preparing for this special event, it’s essential that the Master of Ceremonies be chosen with care.

Qualities of a Wedding MC

Most receptions that have an MC have someone who is known to the bride and groom rather than a professional Master of Ceremonies.

In some cases this is a budget consideration. In other cases, the bride and groom don’t feel it’s necessary – which generally is true if your MC has the right guidance.

However, it should be remembered that the success or failure of the newlywed’s special day rests primarily with how well the MC organizes the reception and its events.

That’s why it’s important to pick the right person for the job.

Here are several qualities that a Master of Ceremonies should have:

1. Outgoing personality 2. Good organizer 3. Confident 4. Cool under pressure – someone who doesn’t get flustered easily

Factors To Consider When Choosing An MC For A Wedding

1. The size and complexity of the reception

A short, afternoon reception with few events is unlikely to need a separate Master of Ceremonies. In this case, the best man might also play the dual role of MC.

A longer reception with entertainment, games, and traditional events, on the other hand, requires a Master of Ceremonies to ensure things run smoothly. The MC in this case may or may not be the best man.

2. The Length of the Reception

Shorter receptions – or those that are more intimate with fewer guests – won’t require a Master of Ceremonies.

Large receptions with hundreds of guests and that span a number of hours will require an MC.

3. The size of the Bridal Party and the number of Speakers

A wedding with a large bridal party and several speakers will usually require an MC – someone to make introductions and help transition speakers and events.

The Master of Ceremonies will not only help with introducing speakers but can also help in ensuring events move along steadily and take place on time.

4. Whether you want a Master of Ceremonies to introduce your speakers

If you have dignitaries or a large number of speakers – usually more than three – then it’s generally a good idea to have an MC to do the introductions.

Are You A Novice Wedding MC And Don’t Know How To MC A Wedding?

Being asked to MC a wedding reception is a HUGE honor.

But with that honor comes a lot of responsibility.

And if you’ve never been an MC at a wedding before, then you probably don’t know what is involved in preparing for the event.

For example:

1. How to create an agenda and timeline.

2. What to say in your MC Scripts.

3. What types of activities and entertainment to have at the reception.

4. What types of contingencies to plan for in case things go wrong.

5. How to make fun introductions at the Wedding Speeches and Toasts event.

And that’s just the beginning. There’s a lot more you need to know about your duties and responsibilities.

Fortunately, there’s a complete Guide to being a Wedding MC…

Find Out More: Click The Following Link For How To Be A FUN Wedding MC

Click Here To Create A FUN and Memorable Reception For The Bride and Groom Even If You’re A Novice MC!

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Bride Speeches, Best Man Speeches, And More at Wedding Speeches Secrets To Create A Memorable Reception For The Bride and Groom.

Wedding MC? Check out How To Be A FUN Wedding MC and create a FUN and Memorable Reception!

wedding reception activities ideas, games, MC scripts, jokes tips, ideas, duties, checklists, run sheets, agendas, and much more!

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Holiday Wedding Pros And Cons

How To Write A Wedding Speech: The Ultimate Guide For Do’s, Don’ts, and Delivery PART 2/3: Don’ts

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• wedding speech

how to write a wedding speech dos

Someone you love is getting married, and you’ve just been asked to give a speech at the wedding. What an honor! But also, if you’re not used to giving speeches, what a nightmare! Public speaking can be scary , which is why many people prefer to avoid it. But when your bestie asks you to make a speech at his or her wedding, it’s time to rally. But now you’re wondering if you even know how to write a wedding speech! What makes some wedding speeches fun and memorable, and what makes others cringy and fall flat? We’ve got you. We’ve put together the ultimate guide for how to write a wedding speech, focusing on things you definitely should do, things you definitely should NOT do, and then how to deliver your killer wedding speech like a pro.

If you’re wondering how to write a wedding speech, here are a few “Do’s” to keep in mind.

• Start planning early
• Introduce yourself and how you know the bride and groom
• Thanks to hosts, guests, and wedding party; congratulate the couple
• Make it personal
• Think of 3 traits with 3 stories
• Talk about the couple
• Have a beginning, middle, and end
• Consider your audience
• Keep it short and sweet
• It’s okay to be simple and meaningful

1. Start planning early

If you don’t know how to write a wedding speech but the bride just asked you to give one, this is not a time to procrastinate. Public speaking is one of the number one fears many people have, so it’s likely you’ve avoided giving too many public speeches before this. And unless you’re a performer or a veteran improv comedian, you might not do too well winging this one. If you get nervous in front of an audience (as most of us do), the best defense against freezing up when you take the mic is being prepared. 

As soon as you know you’ve been asked to give a speech at the wedding, begin jotting down notes immediately. Whenever you’re inspired by a thought of the couple or remember an anecdote that might be worth retelling, make note of it. This will help to give you a pool of ideas to draw from when you start writing down the speech.

Begin gathering ideas and writing the speech a couple of weeks to a month before the wedding. You’ll need time to edit, fine-tune it, and make it concise. And as wedding showers, bachelorette parties, and other wedding festivities begin, you might find there are entertaining stories from these events you want to add as well. If you want to write it all at once, you can do that too. However, make sure to sleep on it and come back with fresh eyes. You don’t want just “okay,” you want your speech to be heartfelt and meaningful.

You will also want to begin early to give yourself time to practice and rehearse your speech plenty of times.

2. Introduce yourself and how you know the bride and groom

No matter how large or small the wedding is, it’s likely you will not be familiar with many of the guests on one or both sides. And they won’t be familiar with you either. So don’t leave them guessing! 

Make sure when you start to write a wedding speech to introduce yourself and mention how you know the couple. This will help them understand the context of your speech, which will also help it to be more well-received. 

3. Thank hosts, guests, and wedding party; congratulate the couple

It’s also courteous to take this time to thank the hosts and other members of the wedding party for all the hard work that went into the event, and to thank guests for being there to support the newlyweds, especially those who had to travel far. 

It’s also a good time to officially congratulate the newlyweds and offer them your personal well-wishes for their future. It is imperative that you don’t forget this part, because they are the whole reason you’re there and giving a speech!

4. Make it personal

Whether you are the maid of honor, the best man, father of the bride, or just a friend, you were asked to give a speech because of your close connection and relationship with either the bride or groom (or both). 

And since you know your friend as well as you do, you probably have plenty of stories to share; so the next tip for how to write a wedding speech is don’t hesitate to make it personal and share those stories! This will also help guests get to know the other half of the couple they might not know as well or are just meeting for the first time. And those guests who do know them will love hearing some entertaining stories they might not have heard yet.

5. Think of 3 traits with 3 stories

If you’re finding it difficult to come up with anything, a useful approach for how to write a wedding speech is to think of 3 positive defining traits or qualities of the bride or groom and recount three stories or examples that illuminate a time they exhibited these traits. These stories could be comedic, heartwarming, or both. Just make sure they are relevant and entertaining!

6. Talk about the couple

If you’re the maid of honor and have been chatting up the bride for the whole speech, part of how to write a wedding speech is to make sure at some point it circles around to the groom, too, and to the two of them as a couple.  

Recount the time you met him, or how you remember talking about him with the bride in the beginning stages of their relationship. If you don’t know the groom all that well, talk about how good they are as a couple and about how happy he makes her. 

And If you’re not a fan of the groom, this is not the time to air your grievances. Always keep it positive. 

7. Have a beginning, middle, and end

All good speeches have a good flow and take the audience along with it. 

Don’t let your speech fall flat or jumble together in a haphazard confusion of disconnected anecdotes. Give it the structure of an overarching theme, with a beginning, a middle, and an end. 

We are not talking about a novel here, just make sure there is a direction to where the speech is going, and that the destination, end, or sentiment is achieved. It doesn’t need to be Charlie Chaplin in The Great Dictator, but a three-act structure does help keep you grounded. Most people also follow a story easier when there is a clear direction for a story or speech. 

8. Consider your audience

The next thing to keep in mind when considering how to write a wedding speech is to make sure you consider who your audience is. 

This is not the bachelor or bachelorette party. There will be a wide range of people present from children to the elderly, and from close friends of the bride and groom to casual acquaintances and coworkers. Make sure your speech is free of any crudeness that might not be fit for such a varied audience. Also, this isn’t the time to take a shot at any of the religious cermonies.

Be considerate and keep it positive and use language everyone can relate to. 

9. Keep it short and sweet

You want your speech to be meaningful and memorable; but the wedding is not about you, and yours is not the only speech. 

No one ever complains about a speech being too short, but they do begin to grumble if it runs on too long. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind when figuring out how to write a wedding speech is to keep your speech between 2-5 minutes long. Any longer than 5 minutes and you’ll lose everyone to thoughts of cake and whether or not to Cupid Shuffle later. 

10. Add humor

Don’t be afraid to be funny! Another tip for how to write a wedding speech is that if you’ve got a lighthearted, creative, joking side, use it and add humor to your speech! Everyone likes to be entertained. 

This doesn’t mean you should scour the internet for generic wedding-themed jokes, but if you’ve got some good original material to use that helps relate a story about the bride or groom in a comedic way, do it. As long as you’re not making fun of the couple but having fun with them, jokes are great. Or you can even poke fun at yourself to illuminate a higher quality in your bestie. It’s all about making the newlyweds shine. 

If you’re creative and have other talents, use them! If you are musical, bust out your instrument and/or vocal cords and make the speech in the form of a song! Use props, and get the other guests involved! The newlyweds will feel special because you created something for them, and the guests will love joining in the fun.

11. It’s okay to be simple and meaningful

If entertaining isn’t your thing, that’s okay! Don’t force it – just be yourself. It’s okay to be simple and meaningful with your speech. Always keep in mind when you go to write a wedding speech that what’s important is that you are genuine and speak from the heart.

Hopefully, you found these tips for how to write a wedding speech helpful, and can start writing today! And stay tuned to our blog for the next part in this ultimate guide for how to write a wedding speech where we highlight a few things you should definitely avoid.

Love this content and want more? Read more about weddings on our blog ! Involved in the wedding planning process and the bride is still looking for a venue ? Give us a call today and we’ll help you find the perfect place!

Jennings Trace

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3 Best Opening Lines To Start Your Emcee Gig With

The hardest part of being on stage is starting any speech with confidence. First impressions are the most important, and if you don’t have the right opening line, everything is destined to fall apart.

Key Takeaways

Opening any speech can be a true challenge. But regardless of how daunting it may seem, you can never underestimate the importance of doing it right.

Here are four things you need on your side when you OPEN your speech so you can truly reel in your listeners!

• O – Originality
• P – Purpose
• E – Engagement
• N – Narrative

I’ve been a corporate emcee for a while, and I’ve learned plenty of tricks about crafting the best opening lines. The first few seconds of any speech are of the utmost importance , and I can help you maximize your potential!

Below, I’ll let you in on three of the best opening lines for any emcee, as well as tips and tricks to make your introduction that much better!

See Related:  5 Objectives A Corporate Emcee Can Help You Accomplish At Your Next Corporate Event

#1. Is The Opening Line Really That Important?

Giving a speech is not for the faint of heart. It’s a challenging task that can be very demanding, even for the best of us!

As a corporate emcee, I’ve had plenty of practice delivering opening lines. And one of the best parts is seeing the audience change from apprehensive strangers to a sea of trusty listeners!

But something I’ve noticed is that some speakers don’t realize the true importance of an opening line. And that’s one of the first mistakes you can make as a master of ceremonies . 

First impressions really matter . It’s something we’re all familiar with, and this fact is even backed by science .

The Real Reason Why First Impressions Matter

The importance of first impressions is due to something known as the primacy effect .

The primacy effect is the tendency of people to remember things in a sequence and recall the first thing most vividly. For example, if you’re given a list of items, you’re more likely to remember the first item on the list above all else.

The same goes for your audience. The first things you say to them will stick in their mind! And you don’t want to leave them remembering something bad . 

The Perfect Time To Grab Your Audience’s Attention

The first seconds of your speech are critical for more reasons than one.

As I said before, the first moments of your speech will determine a lot. It’s truly the first impression you make to your audience .

But that’s not the only reason why it’s so critical. It’s also the most instrumental moment of your speech for grabbing your audience’s attention.

If you don’t seize your listeners right away, they’ll quickly fade away. And especially in today’s age, attention spans are getting shorter than ever .

Because people are constantly tethered to their phones and social media, it’s harder to get and keep their attention.

That’s why those first few moments are nearly the only chance to you have to reel in your audience. So don’t let them slip away!

More Than An Attention-Grabbing Moment

Yes, you need to primarily focus on captivating your listeners with your introduction . But you still need to do more than that.

It’s up to you to persuade your audience that you’re worth listening to. You have the reigns on stage, and you need to be assertive in your speaking.

It’s your first chance to earn your audience’s trust . If you want your listeners to actually pay attention to what you’re saying, you need to ensure they have faith in your words .

#2. The Elements Of Great Opening Lines

Understanding the importance of your opener is only one part of crafting a great speech. 

If you don’t understand why those first few moments matter so much, you won’t treat them as delicately as you should.

But now, it’s time to really dive into the meat and potatoes of a fantastic opening line. You still need to comprehend what it takes to make your first impression truly magical and captivating!

I’ll use the acronym OPEN to break down the four essential elements of any speech opening.

Let’s get into it!

O riginality

Delving into what makes a speech stand out can be a long and tedious process.

First off, it’s important to understand that each speech is unique, and there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all opener. 

Before anything else, you need to analyze your audience to understand how you should craft your opening line. Using fill-in-the-blanks or clichés is definitely not the way to go.

And that brings me to my first point.

Originality is the foundation of any great opening line. Without it, your speech is destined to be labeled as dull, boring, or bland.

You need to stand out! And the best way to do so is by being authentic and genuine.

This means you should make sure to avoid clichés or generic openings that the audience may have heard before. You don’t want the first thing they think when you start talking is, “Hm… this sounds a bit too familiar!”

Instead, think creatively and find a unique angle or perspective. That’ll not only elevate your speech, but it’ll ensure your opener is strong and captivating.

A great way to stay original is by using a surprising statistic, an intriguing quote, or a captivating story.

If it challenges common assumptions or stimulates curiosity, you’re off to a great start.

Even if the opening line of your keynote speech is completely original and catches your audience pleasantly off-guard, that’s not always enough to establish a fantastic opener.

In addition to originality, your opener needs to have a purpose . Clearly articulating the purpose of your speech is crucial for setting the stage and generating interest.

A clearly defined purpose will help keep your listeners intrigued beyond the first few lines.

Then, they’ll be interested to hear more of your speech!

You’ll need to let the audience know the specific goal of your presentation in a fun and enticing way . Are you informing them about a groundbreaking discovery? Or are you perhaps entertaining them with an engaging story?

Clearly communicate the relevance and significance of your topic to the audience, and highlight why it matters . If the audience doesn’t feel like the purpose applies to them, then there’s no point in continuing.

Defining the purpose is half the battle, and the other half is applying it to your listeners!

Clearly communicating the purpose of your speech helps the audience understand the value of listening and even creates anticipation for what is to come.

E ngagement

As I said before, it’s important to grab your audience’s attention right away. You only have a few seconds to make a great first impression and gain your listener’s trust.

If you fail, your entire speech might as well be for nothing!

The key to keeping and maintaining the interest of your listeners is by prioritizing engagement .

Audience engagement is the key to hosting a successful event. Not only do you need it in your opener, but you need it throughout your entire act.

It’s up to you as the keynote speaker to find interactive ways to involve the audience and make them active participants. As a corporate emcee , I have plenty of tricks up my sleeves to keep my crowd always engaged and interacting.

And they’re probably the most critical tools in my emcee toolbelt!

Make sure your speech is engaging in and of itself. Ask thought-provoking questions that get your listeners to think and reflect. Use rhetoric to encourage them to think about the topic from a new perspective.

Feel free to also use plenty of dynamic activities and interactive elements to get them even more engaged.

You can never have too much!

As a speaker, you likely use stories to get your point across. After all, storytelling is one of the oldest and most effective forms of communication, and it shouldn’t go unnoticed!

Humans are naturally drawn to stories, so leveraging the power of narrative in your speech introduction can be highly effective. It’s a great way to both engage and entice your listeners.

If you want to deliver a great opener, you should use stories. Try sharing a compelling personal story that relates to your topic. Or tell a relatable anecdote that captures the essence of your speech.

When it comes down to it, don’t overthink it . If it’s a great story, your listeners are sure to bite!

Through storytelling, you can tap into the audience’s emotions, making them more receptive and connected to your message.

It’s truly one of the best ways to make your opening lines captivating.

Bonus: 9 Company Outing Ideas With A Corporate Emcee To Celebrate Spring

#3. Three Example Opening Lines To Help You Start Strong

Great opening lines are the foundation of any great speech. This point in your act is the most critical, and you can’t sit idly by and expect something fantastic to happen on its own!

With the information I’ve given you so far, you’re on your way to crafting a unique, interesting, and engaging opener . But if you need a bit more assistance, keep reading!

Sometimes, the best way to learn something is by seeing a great example. You can understand the theory, but seeing something put into practice can elevate your understanding in a new way.

So, let’s dive into the three best opening line ideas for your upcoming speech.

#1. – Use A Quote

Something that has all the elements of a fantastic opener is a quote . It’s a great way to bring in a dash of familiarity and authority to a speech.

Here’s an example from Steve Jobs: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.”

This line is incredible as it adds amazing credibility and power to the speech.

#2. – Tell A Story

Storytelling is perhaps one of the best ways to open any speech. Not only can you open the evening with it, but you can use stories throughout your time on stage as well.

Personal stories not only make you more personable, but they help your audience connect to you on another level . It’s like a true bonding experience!

#3. – Use A Fact

If you want to make your introduction truly pop, a great way to do so is by involving the facts . No one can safely shy away from statistics!

Plus, opening with facts shows your audience that you’ve done your research and you’re a true authority figure on the subject. It can even transform a boring speech topic into something more intriguing and interesting.

Wrapping Up

Delivering a killer speech opening can be a challenging task. But as long as you know how to craft the right opener for your audience, there’s nothing you can’t do!

Keep Reading:  How To Analyze An Audience: 8 Tips From A Corporate Emcee

Adam Christing  has been called “The Tom Brady of emcees.” He has hosted more than 1,000  company meetings ,  special events ,  gala celebrations , and more. He is the  author of several books  and founder of  CleanComedians.com .   For more event tips, follow Adam Christing on  Instagram ,  Facebook ,  Pinterest ,  LinkedIn , and  YouTube .

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Trump keeps losing his train of thought. Cognitive experts have theories about why

By Olivia Goldhill Aug. 7, 2024

I n a speech earlier this year, former President Trump was mocking President Biden’s ability to walk through sand when he suddenly switched to talking about the old Hollywood icon Cary Grant.

“Somebody said he [Biden] looks great in a bathing suit, right? When he was in the sand and he was having a hard time lifting his feet through the sand, because you know, sand is heavy. They figure three solid ounces per foot. But sand is a little heavy. And he’s sitting in a bathing suit. Look, at 81, do you remember Cary Grant? How good was Cary Grant, right? I don’t think Cary Grant — he was good. I don’t know what happened to movie stars today,” he said at a March rally in Georgia. Trump went on to talk about contemporary actors, Michael Jackson, and border policies before returning to the theme of how Biden looks on the beach.

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This shifting from topic to topic, with few connections — a pattern of speech called tangentiality — is one of several disjointed and occasionally incoherent verbal habits that seem to have increased in Trump’s speech in recent years, according to interviews with experts in memory, psychology, and linguistics.

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10 Church Welcome Speeches You Can Use To Start Strong

Lights, camera, action! 💡🎥🎬

The stage is set, the crowd is buzzing and the worship team is ready to unleash their heavenly melodies. It’s showtime, baby!

But you need more than just a run-of-the-mill church welcome speech and you can’t just make it up on the spot…

No, no, no! You need a great church welcome speech that’s going to welcome first-time visitors and set the right expectations.

Well, look no further because you’ve stumbled upon a goldmine of 10 dynamic church welcome speeches guaranteed to kickstart your service with a bang 💥

So let’s make your next service a service to remember , where hearts are touched, souls are stirred and lives are forever changed.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

What Is A Church Welcome Speech?

5 key elements of a church welcome speech, 10 church welcome speeches you can use, 4 great church welcome speech examples.

A church welcome speech is a brief address delivered at the beginning of a church service, usually by a church MC or worship leader..

More than a mere greeting, a church welcome speech is an opportunity to connect with both new and old faces, create a warm and inviting atmosphere, give valuable information and set the stage for a great worship experience.

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Whether your church is big or small, black or white, Baptist or Pentecostal, in the US or the Philippines, a great church welcome speech has 5 key elements.

Let’s walk through each one 👇

1. A Simple Introduction

The key here is to keep it short and sweet, yet warm and friendly.

As they say: less is more.

Especially when it comes to opening your church service. Say what needs to be said and move on.

A good church welcome officially starts the service and gets everyone focused, so give a quick introduction of yourself and the church.

This can be as simple as “Good morning and welcome to Grace Church. I’m Abi and it’s great to see you all here.”

2. Set Expectations

When done right, the person opening the service can help raise the faith level of your church right before entering into worship.

Help set the tone by giving everyone a general idea of what’s going to happen. You don’t need to give a minute-by-minute breakdown of the service, just a quick overview is good enough.

This is a good place to mention your current sermon series  or special guest speaker if you have one.

3. Give Useful Information

Give everyone the practical information they need to relax and feel comfortable.

Gently remind people to put phones on silent, tell them they’ll be coffee afterwards and point out where the Kid’s Church and bathrooms are.

4. Welcome Visitors

It’s good to take a moment to specifically welcome first-time guests and let them know you’re glad they’re here.

Launching your service this way is not only a great way to make church visitors feel at home :

It also helps outward-focused culture and sends a clear message to members that this is a safe place they can invite their family and friends to.

If your church has visitor connect cards (so you can do follow-up later) ask them to fill them out and drop them in the offering basket as it passes by.

5. End With What’s Next

Now you’ve officially opened up the meeting, it’s time to transition into the next part of the service.

If you’re going into worship, have everyone stand. Lead everyone in a faith-filled prayer welcoming the Holy Spirit to move in hearts and minds.

If it’s the sermon next, thank God for His Word, pray that their hearts and minds be ready to receive what God has to say to his people, then have everyone clap their hands to welcome the preacher.

I’m going to share with you 10 church welcome speech outlines you can use at your next Sunday morning service or church event.

Use these to inspire you and spark new ideas and feel free to adapt them to your local church setting to make them your own.

Church Welcome Speech #1

Good morning and welcome to [CHURCH NAME]. My name’s [YOUR NAME] and if you’re visiting us for the first time here, thank you for coming! It’s great to have you with us.

You’ll find a connect card in [LOCATION], it would be great if you could fill that out – we’d love to get to know you better.

In the next [NUMBER OF MINUTES] we’re going to enjoy a time of worship before [PREACHER NAME] talks to us about [SERMON TOPIC]. It’s going to be good!

Please remember [to collect your children from/turn your phones on silent or any other useful info here].

Please join with me in prayer. [PRAYER].  As the worship team starts playing, let us stand together in singing [SONG TITLE].

Church Welcome Speech #2

Hi! I’m [YOUR NAME] and a very warm welcome to you. It’s so good to see so many smiling faces this morning!

If this is your first time at [CHURCH NAME] I want to extend a special warm welcome to you, it’s great to have you with us.

Please take a moment and fill out the connect card that can be found [LOCATION]. That’ll really help us get to know you a little bit better and know how we can serve or pray for you.

This week we start a brand 4-week series called [SERMON SERIES NAME] where we’re going to be talking about [TOPIC]. I know that God is going to speak to us, amen?

Before I go, let me just remind you that [USEFUL INFO HERE].

That being said, let’s get ready to [NEXT STEP HERE].

OK, let’s pray together. [PRAYER]

Church Welcome Speech #3

Good morning! Welcome to [CHURCH NAME], the place where miracles happen and lives are changed. My name is [YOUR NAME] and whether you’re a longtime member or a first-time visitor, we’re excited to have you with us.

At [CHURCH NAME], we believe that each person who walks through these doors is here for a divine purpose and today, we have a powerful service planned just for you.

We’re gonna dive into worship and lift our voices and hearts in praise to our amazing God. We’ll also have a thought-provoking message that will challenge and inspire you to grow in your faith.

For our first-time visitors, we have a special gift prepared just for you. Be sure to stop by our welcome table after the service to receive your gift and connect with our friendly team members.

Before we proceed, let’s take a moment to greet those around us and extend a warm welcome to everyone in our church family. Go ahead and share a smile, a handshake or even a high-five.

Now let’s prepare our hearts and minds as we enter into a time of worship together and let’s get ready to encounter God in a powerful way.

Church Welcome Speech #4

Before we kick off the service we’d just like to take a moment to welcome everybody to [CHURCH NAME].

We’re thrilled to have you with us today as we worship and seek God’s face and get wisdom from God’s Word.

Before we do that though, just a few important announcements:

This Friday, we have a special prayer night where we will intercede for the needs of our church and community. We invite you to join us. here at [CHURCH NAME] we believe in the power of prayer!

We also have Connect Groups available for all ages where you connect with God and each other.

If you’re interested in joining a connect group or volunteering in one of our service teams, please visit the Connect Corner after the service.

Other than that, all that’s left for me to say is let’s lean in today. Let’s lean with expectant hearts ready to receive what God has for us.

Let’s stand and pray together [PRAYER].

Church Welcome Speech #5

Hello, hello, hello! Is everyone ready to have an amazing time in the presence of God today? I know I am!

My name is [YOUR NAME], and I have the privilege of serving as [YOUR ROLE] here at [CHURCH NAME]. I want to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you and we ‘re excited to have you here today .

Whether you’re a familiar face or a first-time visitor, [CHURCH NAME] is a place where we come together as a family to celebrate, grow, and encounter the life-transforming power of God.

Today, we have an incredible service planned just for you. Get ready to experience passionate worship and hear a message that I know will speak directly to your heart.

So, once again, welcome to [CHURCH NAME]. Open your hearts, open your minds and expect God to move in a powerful way today.

Now let’s enter into worship together, knowing that we serve a great big God who is faithful and who desires to meet us right where we are.

Let’s pray. [PRAYER]

Church Welcome Speech #6

Good morning everyone and welcome to [CHURCH NAME], a place where normal people encounter an extraordinary God.

Today, we invite you to join us in a worship experience that will stir your soul and draw you closer to God’s presence.

After the service, we encourage you to visit our Connect Corner, where you can learn more about our various connect groups, ministries and service opportunities.

We believe that each person has a unique role to play in building God’s kingdom, and we’d love to help you find your place of service and connection within our church family.

Let’s pray as we have a time of worship and hear God’s Word together. [PRAYER]

Church Welcome Speech #7

Well, well, well! Look who decided to grace us with their presence today. It’s none other than the incredible congregation of [CHURCH NAME]!

Give yourselves a round of applause for making it here on this beautiful day.

My name is [YOUR NAME], and I’m thrilled you could join us for Sunday service.

Before we kick things off, why don’t you spread some joyful vibes and warm welcomes by high-fiving, fist-bumping or jazz-handing the person next to you.

Today is going to be good!

After worship, we’re going to hear a special message from Pastor [NAME] that I know is going to stretch our faith and help us to believe God for more.

So remember to put your phone on silent and of course, feel free to join us for coffee and treats after the service in the [LOCATION]. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet and connect.

And to our first-time visitors, welcome! Grab a welcome pack after the service—it’s filled with goodies and surprises just for you.

Right now we’re going to enter into a time of worship so feel free to stand, sit or dance in the aisles. Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom, Amen?

So let’s make a joyful noise!

Church Welcome Speech #8

Hello and a massive welcome to [CHURCH NAME] on this beautiful [CHRISTMAS/EASTER] morning!

My name is [YOUR NAME] and I am so excited to be worshipping with you today. If you’re a visitor with us, thank you so much for coming and celebrating [CHRISTMAS/EASTER] with us.

For those with us for the first time, I’d love it if you could fill out the connect card that’s [LOCATION] and kindly drop it on the offering plate as it comes by. Thank you, this will just help us get to know you better.

I know we’ve got a lot coming up for you today. We’re going to kick things off here with a time of worship before we hear a special [CHRISTMAS/EASTER} message from [PREACHER NAME]. After that [INCLUDE ANY OTHER SPECIAL ELEMENTS].

Please note that [USEFUL INFO HERE].

Right, are we ready? Let’s pray. [PRAYER] [NEXT STEP]

Church Welcome Speech #9

Good morning, friends! Welcome to [CHURCH NAME] and I’m thrilled to be here with you today as we start this incredible worship experience.

Let’s just take a moment to connect with one another. Find someone nearby, give them a warm smile, and let them know how glad you are to see them.

Now, get ready for a time of worship in the presence of God. Then, after worship, we will have a powerful message which will challenge and inspire us in our faith.

If you’re new here, we’re delighted to have you join us. We have visitor connect cards available, where you can share your contact information and any prayer requests you may have.

Feel free to fill out the cards and drop them in the designated box. We would love to connect with you and support you in any way we can.

For families with children aged 3 to 12, we have an exciting Kids Church program available.

And after the service, we invite everyone to join us for a time of fellowship and refreshments in the [LOCATION]. It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet new people.

To our first-time visitors, we extend a special welcome. We’re thrilled that you’ve chosen to worship with us today.

Please feel free to approach our friendly volunteers at the welcome desk, who will be more than happy to assist you, answer any questions you may have, and provide you with a small gift as a token of our appreciation.

Now, let’s enter into a time of worship. Let’s lift our voices, open our hearts and invite the Holy Spirit to fill this place.

Church Welcome Speech #10

Good morning, everyone! Welcome to [CHURCH NAME]! It’s wonderful to see so many beautiful faces here this morning!

Now, if you’re joining us for the first time today, we want to extend a special welcome to you. Would you please stand?

Let’s give them a warm round of applause, everyone! It’s great to have you!

Our ushers will be coming around with a special welcome pack designed just for you. It contains helpful information about our church, upcoming events, and ways to get connected.

We want you to feel at home and supported as you explore what our church has to offer. Don’t hesitate to ask our ushers any questions you may have or let them know how we can serve you better.

Before we dive into a time of worship and listen to a great word from Pastor [NAME] I have just a couple of announcements.

Firstly, I want to invite you all to join us this coming Friday for our special prayer night. It’s a powerful time of seeking God’s presence and interceding for our church, community, and the world. Mark your calendars and be part of this transformative experience.

Also, if you’re not already part of a connect group, we have an incredible network of connect groups across the city that meet every Wednesday where you can grow in your relationship with God and one another.

We have a Connect Table at the back where you can find out more so be sure to visit after the service.

Once again, thank you to each and every one of you for being with us and we know where 2 or more are gathered in His name, He is here with us, amen?

Let’s stand together and pray as we enter into worship. [PRAYER]

I wanted to end things here with some real-life examples and give you my thoughts on what I think works well. 

It’s good to keep your speeches becoming predictable by mixing them up a little.

Here are 4 different styles and approaches you could take in your church:

1. The Comedic Approach

What a clever and funny way to open the service! Almost rapping, he does a great job of welcoming visitors, having them stand while the church applauds.

I also like how he sets expectations, saying “Today is Youth Sunday” .

2. The Evangelistic Approach

This wonderful woman has a really warm but powerful way of welcoming people to the church.

She starts off by getting people ready to worship and hear the Word. This can be a powerful way to set the tone for the rest of the service.

She introduces the church pastors and even points them out individually. This might work well depending on your style of church.

I was surprised to hear her nearly do an alter call saying “Don’t leave here today without knowing Jesus.”

She’s passionate and friendly, everything you want in someone giving the welcome at your church.

3. The Helpful Approach

This welcome takes less than a minute but works really well and is a great example of how we can make our church services more welcoming for guests.

He leads by introducing himself saying he’s part of the hospitality team and makes himself available if he can help them in any way, right before asking first-time visitors to stand up and thank them for coming.

4. The Faith-Fuelled Approach

This next one is short and sweet, but it’s a masterclass on how to use your church welcome speech to raise the faith level through the roof!

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Over To You

There you go – you now have 10 church welcome speeches to choose from for next Sunday!

If you really want to mix it up then take a look at these 36 church welcome poems .

And if you found this post useful, be sure to check out our step-by-step guides:

• How To Make Church Visitors Feel Welcome
• How To Make A Church Welcome Pack
• 5 Common-Sense Church Greeting Tips
• 10 Ways To Get More First-Time People Into Your Church
• How To Be A Church MC: Tips & Scripts For Seamless Services

Now it’s time to hand it over to you:

What do you say in your church welcome speech?

And do you have any tips for giving a better welcome speech at the start of the service?

Let us know in the comments below! 🙏

18 thoughts on “10 Church Welcome Speeches You Can Use To Start Strong”

this is awesome, thanks for the ideas

Very helpful, thanks for sharing

These guide lines are very good and they are very brief

God bless you

Thanks you for that Spiritual Food,God Bless you Always.

Right back at ya Lynn! You got this! 🙂

These guidelines are super. God richly bless you.. I

This was very helpful

thank you so much it is very helpful

very helpful and we’ll articulated

You made a good point that having a strong welcome speech that has emphasis on evangelization can help a lot in making the people ready for worship. I’m planning to get church worship services for my neighborhood association that will be celebrating its foundation day on December. If the quarantine has been lifted by then, I think having a thanksgiving Mass would be ideal for that gathering.

Very helpful, glad I found your site.

Thanks so much for this write up. I found it when looking for welcome Speech. It’s very detailed. Thanks

Great examples/ very usecul

I feel so bless coming across your site. I was assigned to do a welcome remark and I was about to refuse but thought of like saying “no” to Jesus. I prayed for guidance and Holy Spirit led me to it. Thank you for the wonderful ideas. Bless you Bishop!

I’m the one welcoming new members to church next Sunday… God bless you for this.. I really need it

Bishop T. Randolph January 4, 2019 I love it!!! This is what I was used to growing up; This has been forsaken in many churches, even in my own. I shall re-enter this in our church services. To God be the glory and I thank God for you and His leading me to your site! We pray you be forever blessed in your purpose for God,The Father!

This is awesome God bless you

Bless you too, I’m glad you found these welcome speeches helpful!

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Wedding Officiant Help Desk

Tips and Scripts for the Wedding Emcee and Officiant

7 Tweaks to Transform Your Wedding MC Script Template

When it comes to being a wedding MC, you will definatly need a Wedding MC Script Template. This can be tweaked for every wedding but provides a basic overview of how you run the event.

At Marry Us Gary, we know that being a wedding MC doesn’t come without practice, which is why we’ve developed an online course “ How to Be an Amazing Wedding MC .” To get you started though, this guide on how to tweak your wedding MC script template can take your event to the next level. Use these seven tweaks to make sure you’re bringing the party every time. 

What is the Wedding MC Script?

The wedding mc script (or wedding emcee script) is the wedding master of ceremonies script used by the host to perform their duties throughout the reception. It is often funny and contains the wedding mc speech, great introductions, master of ceremonies welcome, reception announcements, wedding games, speeches, the cake cut  instructions, first dance, bouquet toss, garter toss and time of the guard of honour.

1. Spice Up House Keeping Announcements

When you’re the wedding MC, not all your announcements are fun but that doesn’t mean that you can’t make them enjoyable. You’ll probably have to make an announcement about the bathroom location or the fire exits.

Add in fun comments about the couple or memories to spruce up these announcements. Not only will this add to your MC abilities, people are also more likely to remember this information in case of an actual emergency. 

2. Have the Wedding MC Script Template Pre-Planned

You don’t want to go into the event and just wing it the entire time. You probably have a basic template but, if not, make your own. Take the time to sit down and fill it out before the big day.

Take the time to practice it, especially any areas that may seem a little awkward or uncomfortable. By being prepared, you’ll feel more relaxed and also make the day go off well. 

3. Create Fun Introductions for Each Speaker

Weddings are full of speeches and some of them don’t always go so well. You can ensure that the crowd stays engaged by creating fun introductions for each speaker. Get a list of each speaker and some information or fun facts that you might want to share with the crowd.

This will help nervous speakers perform better and also make up for any speeches that don’t go so smoothly. Everyone will appreciate keeping the situation light. 

4. Note the Locations of Participants

Many times, events are going to be important in the wedding so you’ll want to keep an eye on the proposed schedule. For example, the couple may want to go for sunset photos so this is a good time to avoid having any speeches. Take note of when they leave and come back so that you can resume the event and speeches.

Any key players who also need to be present should also be noted. Make sure that they’re present when you need them and not in the bathroom. This ensures that no one is left out of the major events. 

5. Give Yourself a Break in your Wedding MC Script Template

If the event is going to be a longer one, you’ll want to make sure that you have breaks as well. Schedule a time for you to sit down and have a break and a meal during the event, especially if it’s a long time. This is a great time to enjoy music played by the band or the DJ.

Work this into the schedule so that it’s not a surprise. You don’t need to be present for every part of the event and you’ll be more fresh if you take a break. 

6. Avoid Making Fun of the Bride

Many MCs want to poke a little fun at the bride, but make sure you treat lightly if you decide to do this. Talk to the bride and groom ahead of time to see if the bride will mind your doing this. If she will, don’t do it at all. If she has a good sense of humour, you can do this but avoid any humour that isn’t super lighthearted. In general though, avoid falling into this habit as it easily backfires. 

7. Keep the Wedding MC Script PG rated

You may have some fun jokes and comments to share throughout the event but remember that most weddings have a range of ages and styles. While the bride and groom may be more open, their grandparents may not be. Be sensitive to all parties involved in the wedding and keep the humour PG rated. (And by PG I really mean M15+) 

If you keep these tips in mind, you’ll be sure to have a great wedding and be popular with the happy couple as well as their guests. 

Need a ready made Wedding MC Script Template? Click Here.

Wedding mc script.

Related posts:

• 5 Tips You Need to Know Before You MC a Friend’s Wedding
• How to Become a Master of Ceremonies for a Wedding
• Ideas For MC at a Wedding
• The Art of Hosting: Master of Ceremonies Wedding Script
• How to be an Amazing Wedding MC: For the Friend
• Simple Emcee Script for Wedding Reception
• How to Perform the Wedding MC Speech at a Reception
• How to Perform the First Dance Introduction as MC

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What is ChatGPT? Here's everything you need to know about OpenAI's chatbot

• ChatGPT is getting a futuristic human update. 
• ChatGPT has attracted users at a feverish pace and spurred Big Tech to release other AI chatbots.
• Here's how ChatGPT works — and what's coming next.

OpenAI has started rolling out an advanced voice mode for its blockbuster chatbot ChatGPT.

Sam Altman's company began rolling out the chatbot's new voice mode to a small group of ChatGPT Plus users in July. OpenAI said the new voice feature "offers more natural, real-time conversations, allows you to interrupt anytime, and senses and responds to your emotions."

The feature is part of OpenAI's wider GPT-4o launch, a new version of the bot that can hold conversations with users and has vision abilities. The chatbot's vision features are expected as a later release. 

The move is a big step for the future of AI-powered virtual assistants, which tech companies have been racing to develop.

Since its release in late 2022, hundreds of millions of people have experimented with the tool, which is already changing how the internet looks and feels to users.

Users have flocked to ChatGPT to improve their personal lives and boost productivity . Some workers have used the AI chatbot to develop code , write real estate listings , and create lesson plans, while others have made teaching the best ways to use ChatGPT a career all to itself.

ChatGPT offers dozens of plug-ins to ChatGPT Plus subscribers. An Expedia plug-in can help you book a trip, while one from OpenTable will nab you a dinner reservation. OpenAI has also launched Code Interpreter, a version of ChatGPT that can code and analyze data .

While the personal tone of conversations with an AI bot like ChatGPT can evoke the experience of chatting with a human, the technology that runs on large language model tools doesn't speak with sentience and doesn't "think" the way humans do. 

That means that even though ChatGPT can explain quantum physics or write a poem on command, a full AI takeover isn't exactly imminent , according to experts.

"There's a saying that an infinite number of monkeys will eventually give you Shakespeare," said Matthew Sag, a law professor at Emory University who studies copyright implications for training and using large language models like ChatGPT.

"There's a large number of monkeys here, giving you things that are impressive — but there is intrinsically a difference between the way that humans produce language, and the way that large language models do it," he said. 

Chatbots like ChatGPT are powered by large amounts of data and computing techniques to make predictions to string words together in a meaningful way. They not only tap into a vast amount of vocabulary and information, but also understand words in context. This helps them mimic speech patterns while dispatching an encyclopedic knowledge. 

Other tech companies like Google and Meta have developed their own large language model tools, which use programs that take in human prompts and devise sophisticated responses.

Despite the AI's impressive capabilities, some have called out OpenAI's chatbot for spewing misinformation , stealing personal data for training purposes , and even encouraging students to cheat and plagiarize on their assignments. 

Some efforts to use chatbots for real-world services have proved troubling. In 2023, the mental health company Koko came under fire after its founder wrote about how the company used GPT-3 in an experiment to reply to users. 

Koko cofounder Rob Morris hastened to clarify on Twitter that users weren't speaking directly to a chatbot, but that AI was used to "help craft" responses. 

Read Insider's coverage on ChatGPT and some of the strange new ways that both people and companies are using chat bots: 

The tech world's reception to ChatGPT:

Microsoft is chill with employees using ChatGPT — just don't share 'sensitive data' with it.

Microsoft's investment into ChatGPT's creator may be the smartest $1 billion ever spent

ChatGPT and generative AI look like tech's next boom. They could be the next bubble.

The ChatGPT and generative-AI 'gold rush' has founders flocking to San Francisco's 'Cerebral Valley'

Insider's experiments: 

I asked ChatGPT to do my work and write an Insider article for me. It quickly generated an alarmingly convincing article filled with misinformation.

I asked ChatGPT and a human matchmaker to redo my Hinge and Bumble profiles. They helped show me what works.

I asked ChatGPT to reply to my Hinge matches. No one responded.

I used ChatGPT to write a resignation letter. A lawyer said it made one crucial error that could have invalidated the whole thing .

Read ChatGPT's 'insulting' and 'garbage' 'Succession' finale script

An Iowa school district asked ChatGPT if a list of books contains sex scenes, and banned them if it said yes. We put the system to the test and found a bunch of problems.

Developments in detecting ChatGPT: 

Teachers rejoice! ChatGPT creators have released a tool to help detect AI-generated writing

A Princeton student built an app which can detect if ChatGPT wrote an essay to combat AI-based plagiarism

Professors want to 'ChatGPT-proof' assignments, and are returning to paper exams and requesting editing history to curb AI cheating

Related stories

ChatGPT in society: 

BuzzFeed writers react with a mix of disappointment and excitement at news that AI-generated content is coming to the website

ChatGPT is testing a paid version — here's what that means for free users

A top UK private school is changing its approach to homework amid the rise of ChatGPT, as educators around the world adapt to AI

Princeton computer science professor says don't panic over 'bullshit generator' ChatGPT

DoNotPay's CEO says threat of 'jail for 6 months' means plan to debut AI 'robot lawyer' in courtroom is on ice

It might be possible to fight a traffic ticket with an AI 'robot lawyer' secretly feeding you lines to your AirPods, but it could go off the rails

Online mental health company uses ChatGPT to help respond to users in experiment — raising ethical concerns around healthcare and AI technology

What public figures think about ChatGPT and other AI tools:

What Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and 12 other business leaders think about AI tools like ChatGPT

Elon Musk was reportedly 'furious' at ChatGPT's popularity after he left the company behind it, OpenAI, years ago

CEO of ChatGPT maker responds to schools' plagiarism concerns: 'We adapted to calculators and changed what we tested in math class'

A theoretical physicist says AI is just a 'glorified tape recorder' and people's fears about it are overblown

'The most stunning demo I've ever seen in my life': ChatGPT impressed Bill Gates

Ashton Kutcher says your company will probably be 'out of business' if you're 'sleeping' on AI

ChatGPT's impact on jobs: 

AI systems like ChatGPT could impact 300 million full-time jobs worldwide, with administrative and legal roles some of the most at risk, Goldman Sachs report says

Jobs are now requiring experience with ChatGPT — and they'll pay as much as $800,000 a year for the skill

ChatGPT may be coming for our jobs. Here are the 10 roles that AI is most likely to replace.

AI is going to eliminate way more jobs than anyone realizes

It's not AI that is going to take your job, but someone who knows how to use AI might, economist says

4 careers where workers will have to change jobs by 2030 due to AI and shifts in how we shop, a McKinsey study says

Companies like Amazon, Netflix, and Meta are paying salaries as high as $900,000 to attract generative AI talent

How AI tools like ChatGPT are changing the workforce:

10 ways artificial intelligence is changing the workplace, from writing performance reviews to making the 4-day workweek possible

Managers who use AI will replace managers who don't, says an IBM exec

How ChatGPT is shaping industries: 

ChatGPT is coming for classrooms, hospitals, marketing departments, and everything else as the next great startup boom emerges

Marketing teams are using AI to generate content, boost SEO, and develop branding to help save time and money, study finds

AI is coming for Hollywood. 'It's amazing to see the sophistication of the images,' one of Christopher Nolan's VFX guy says.

AI is going to offer every student a personalized tutor, founder of Khan Academy says

A law firm was fined $5,000 after one of its lawyers used ChatGPT to write a court brief riddled with fake case references

How workers are using ChatGPT to boost productivity:  

CheatGPT: The hidden wave of employees using AI on the sly

I used ChatGPT to talk to my boss for a week and she didn't notice. Here are the other ways I use it daily to get work done.

I'm a high school math and science teacher who uses ChatGPT, and it's made my job much easier

Amazon employees are already using ChatGPT for software coding. They also found the AI chatbot can answer tricky AWS customer questions and write cloud training materials.

How 6 workers are using ChatGPT to make their jobs easier

I'm a freelance editor who's embraced working with AI content. Here's how I do it and what I charge.

How people are using ChatGPT to make money:

How ChatGPT and other AI tools are helping workers make more money

Here are 5 ways ChatGPT helps me make money and complete time-consuming tasks for my business

ChatGPT course instruction is the newest side hustle on the market. Meet the teachers making thousands from the lucrative gig.

People are using ChatGPT and other AI bots to work side hustles and earn thousands of dollars — check out these 8 freelancing gigs

A guy tried using ChatGPT to turn $100 into a business making 'as much money as possible.' Here are the first 4 steps the AI chatbot gave him

We used ChatGPT to build a 7-figure newsletter. Here's how it makes our jobs easier.

I use ChatGPT and it's like having a 24/7 personal assistant for $20 a month. Here are 5 ways it's helping me make more money.

A worker who uses AI for a $670 monthly side hustle says ChatGPT has 'cut her research time in half'

How companies are navigating ChatGPT: 

From Salesforce to Air India, here are the companies that are using ChatGPT

Amazon, Apple, and 12 other major companies that have restricted employees from using ChatGPT

A consultant used ChatGPT to free up time so she could focus on pitching clients. She landed $128,000 worth of new contracts in just 3 months.

Luminary, an AI-generated pop-up restaurant, just opened in Australia. Here's what's on the menu, from bioluminescent calamari to chocolate mousse.

A CEO is spending more than $2,000 a month on ChatGPT Plus accounts for all of his employees, and he says it's saving 'hours' of time

How people are using ChatGPT in their personal lives:

ChatGPT planned a family vacation to Costa Rica. A travel adviser found 3 glaring reasons why AI won't replace experts anytime soon.

A man who hated cardio asked ChatGPT to get him into running. Now, he's hooked — and he's lost 26 pounds.

A computer engineering student is using ChatGPT to overcome learning challenges linked to her dyslexia

How a coder used ChatGPT to find an apartment in Berlin in 2 weeks after struggling for months

Food blogger Nisha Vora tried ChatGPT to create a curry recipe. She says it's clear the instructions lacked a human touch — here's how.

Men are using AI to land more dates with better profiles and personalized messages, study finds

Lawsuits against OpenAI:

OpenAI could face a plagiarism lawsuit from The New York Times as tense negotiations threaten to boil over, report says

This is why comedian Sarah Silverman is suing OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT

2 authors say OpenAI 'ingested' their books to train ChatGPT. Now they're suing, and a 'wave' of similar court cases may follow.

A lawsuit claims OpenAI stole 'massive amounts of personal data,' including medical records and information about children, to train ChatGPT

A radio host is suing OpenAI for defamation, alleging that ChatGPT created a false legal document that accused him of 'defrauding and embezzling funds'

Tips on how to write better ChatGPT prompts:

7 ways to use ChatGPT at work to boost your productivity, make your job easier, and save a ton of time

I'm an AI prompt engineer. Here are 3 ways I use ChatGPT to get the best results.

12 ways to get better at using ChatGPT: Comprehensive prompt guide

Here's 9 ways to turn ChatGPT Plus into your personal data analyst with the new Code Interpreter plug-in

OpenAI's ChatGPT can write impressive code. Here are the prompts you should use for the best results, experts say.

Watch: What is ChatGPT, and should we be afraid of AI chatbots?

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