Be the Best Emcee

Wedding speeches can be tricky, even for the Master of Ceremonies (emcee). You don’t want
the host to sound too cliché, yet the old sayings always represents the heart best. So don’t go
for “ready made” ones just because they’re convenient. Instead, pick words that reflect the
mood and theme of the wedding. With our guide, you’ll find it simple to craft a one of a kind
wedding speech that suits your personality and also clearly enunciates the couple’s steadfast
love.
There are a lot of aspects to take note of when preparing for a speech but take things one at a
time. Here are some easy tips and samples to help the emcee find the right words to say.

Photo by Avenue 8. Wedding of Sisi and Ken.

A FEW FUNDAMENTALS

The emcee is duly important. This individual’s role is to ensure that the wedding program goes
on smoothly with equal doses of wit and entertainment. The emcee needs to be fluent, fun and
understand how to gather guests’ attention as he acquaints them with the day’s agenda.

Basic to-dos:
Get a copy of the program schedule from the couple.
Spend some time going thru the details with them.
Get the names of the important people who are part of the program.

DURING THE EVENT

Open the party and welcome the guests. While introducing the couple and their families, get the
crowd comfortable too by staying calm yourself. This way, you’ll be more inclined to deliver a
cool speech without stammering or appearing anxious. It’ll also be easier for you to speak at
respective periods for the toasts, the couple’s wedding speeches and close the closing remarks
at the end of the lunch/dinner! The emcee must also be aware if party has any extra segments
such as garter tosses, bouquet throws, dances or performances. Sounds like a mouthful but a
good emcee embraces these with much flair!

WARM WELCOME

Everybody’s getting ready for a big bang so this is the chance to set the mood and get the
crowd going!

Here’s how:
“We welcome all guests present today, who’ve travelled near and far to celebrating the marriage
of A.B and C.D. Marriage is essentially about two in love and it grows with each passing day but
the added support from friends and family help it blossom even more. No matter how long
you’ve known A.B and C.D, all of you mean something special to them and that’s why you were
asked to witness this truly significant time in their lives.”
Respect and filial piety is important in the oriental culture so mention the parents of the wedding
couple and pronounce the names accurately.

MARCHING IN

Grand entrances and lovely music fills the room - here come the ever-anticipated march-ins! Be
sure to bring guests’ attention towards the main door and prepare them for a lovely sight!

Here’s how:
“We’re all here to partake in this delightful wedding so please rise and welcome A.B and C.D as
they make their entrance!”

CRACKING JOKES

You don’t have to be a true comedian to stir up laughter but it will be beneficial if you’ve got
some clean and tasteful tricks up your sleeves! It’s a bonus when you’ve got achieved a
satisfied feeling inside knowing that you’ve made the crowd happy. Here are 3 to help you get
your joker face on:

“When a man opens the door of his car for his wife, you can be sure of one thing: either the car
is new or the wife.”

“The most effective way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once.”

“Love is blind, but marriage is a real eye-opener.”

This is optional but if you wish, you can end the jokes with a gentle ‘disclaimer’ mentioning that
it’s all in fun if you’re concerned that some guests might be offended.
Jokes courtesy of http://www.squidoo.com/weddingjokes

INTRODUCING THE DISHES

Everyone knows when to eat but its emcee’s job to properly introduce the moment when food
arrives. This is where you’ll want to keep it short and sweet or share humourous one-liners
because after all, it’s time to feast!
Here’s how:

“Thank you for gracing this wedding and being a part of this couple’s...wait, is that soft stomach
growls we hear? Alright, we won’t keep you waiting much longer as lunch/dinner will be served
shortly.”

WEDDING TOAST

Like every conventional wedding dinner, toasts are the main highlight. This is the time when
everyone raises their drinks and voices to the air, celebrating a new union! Enthusiastically
invite the families, “brothers” and “sisters” onto the stage and everyone else to stand on their
feet.

Here’s how:

“At this point, we’d like the families who’ve seen this couple through their childhood til this very
day, including their band of brothers and sisters, onto the main stage for the grand toast. May
the rest of the guests please rise to your feet and join in the moment of cheers!”

A COUPLE’S THANKSGIVING

While everyone’s busy eating and mingling at the lunch/dinner, you have to gently gather the
attention of everyone in the room to prepare them for the newly wed couple’s respective
speeches.

Here’s how:

“As you enjoy the palatable food being served, please turn your attention to the stage. It’s
wonderful to have everyone here in this joyous occasion and being the blessed pair that they
are, our lovely couple wants to share their hearts and thoughts with you too. So Ladies and
Gentlemen, please stand by for the heartfelt words of Mr and Mrs B.”

Whenever possible or if the couple gets teary as they share their speeches, prompt the crowd to
applause for encouragement.

GRAND CLOSING

Don’t just say thank you and goodbye. Inject more sincerity and don’t rush through this portion
or else it’ll seem like even you, the emcee, can’t wait to go home. Put in the effort and think
through the day’s happenings and summarise them into a short speech before you’re on the
stage. Be thoughtful and alert to the atmosphere in the room to properly deliver your closing
remarks.

Here’s how:

“Though the day’s/night’s programme ends here, the celebrations don’t because the couple’s
journey continues on. A sincere thanks goes out to everyone for being here today and it’s been
great time of love and inspiration! God bless, be safe and good bye everyone.”

BE AT YOUR BEST

The emcee should prepare well and have a good rest before the big day. After all, hosting can
be quite a feat but the fact that a couple has asked you to help out, it shows how capable you
already are in their eyes. To further improve your stage presence, look out for more upcoming
articles on how to perfect the emcee’s speech!