sample introduction speech for master of ceremony

Master of Ceremony Opening Speech

3 step guide to writing a great master of ceremony opening speech.

Over the last 20 years I’ve had to write an Opening Speech for hundreds of large events where I have been engaged as the MC.

Some have been relatively easy, while others have required many hours of effort and thought.

Rather than reinvent the wheel each time, I now have a 3 Part Formula or Process I always follow. This both saves me time but also ensures that all the elements of a great opening speech are there.

Ingredients of a good Opening Speech

I like to cook when I’m at home and in many ways putting together a great Master of Ceremony opening speech is like cooking a great meal.

Firstly you have to understand what you are trying to make, then the ingredients you are going to use and finally, how you are going to combine them!

We are going to dive in deep into each of those areas but I hope you can see how the metaphor works.

Understanding the outcome you are aiming for, the why, is important because your role as an MC is to help your client achieve their aims for the event. If you are not aware of those aims you could in fact hinder the process with ill considered comments or wrong emphasis. To go back to the planning of your meal, are you making sandwiches and finger food or designing a 5 course sit down banquet?

Secondly, while the ingredients of each opening may sometimes be very similar, often, like a good cook, you can substitute different things. You might change the spice to create a slightly different flavour or double the amount of another ingredient to add more kick or emphasis.

And lastly you can combine those ingredients in different ways. Some elements work better going in early, sometimes just a pinch near the end is all that’s required.

So for a Opening Speech, the 3 Steps are …

• Why is this Happening and What are you trying to Achieve?
• What needs to be Included
• How to put that Together

Preparing a great Master of Ceremony Opening Speech.

It’s unlikely that you are the organiser of the event itself, though this formula is just as useful if you are and are writing your own opening speech.

In most cases as an MC  you will have an organiser, who is then your client. This is the person who has asked you to be the MC. It could be a business owner, CEO, your headmaster, the President of the Association etc. They have specific reasons why this event is taking place and it is your job to ascertain what they are.

In every situation you want to have a briefing session with this person either face to face or over the phone. This Briefing of course will cover your involvement in the whole event, but in this article we will just focus on the Opening.

Pro Tip –  Check out the full list of Briefing Questions on page 102 of the Expert MC Toolkit & Resource Manual .

Part One   –   Reason for the Event

Knowing “why” the event is taking place will get you firmly on the right track to writing a great opening speech!

Is it a Celebration, an Information Night, a Product Launch, Team Building or an Awards Night?

And don’t take a simple answer like “oh, we have it every year” as an answer. Drill in a little deeper. The next question will open it up a bit more.

What are they trying to Achieve?

Building on the “why” question, I usually then ask … “how do you want the audience to Think or Act after the event?” This can be immediately after or when they get back to work etc.

Are they trying to motivate the audience to do something or get them to meet lots of new people. Are they making them more confident about their jobs or are they wanting them to sign up to buy something? Are they gearing up the audience for some hard times ahead?

Theme of the Event!

Is there an actual Theme or Slogan for the Event? We have written about this before but this will give you big clues about what to say and possibly what to wear for the event.

Part 2 –   Details of the Opening Speech

Once you have some of this Big Picture stuff sorted, it’s time to get onto the nitty gritty. Now, sometimes these finer details won’t be known at the time of the briefing, but at least they have been flagged as something you need to know.

Time Available

You obviously need to have a firm idea about the length of time that you are aiming for in an Master of Ceremonies opening speech.

Pro Tip – It’s always good to try and get a longer time allocation than you need or that you will write for. This allows some immediate flex time. If the event starts a little late, and it inevitably will, those extra couple of minutes you asked for may put you back on track.

Are there any official protocols that must be included?

In some countries and with some cultural groups, a Prayer is included at the start of formal proceedings. The National Anthem might also be sung.

Here in Australia many groups have an Acknowledgement of Country at the start of the event, a short few lines recognising the Traditional Owners of the Land.

I use this term to incorporate other things that also must be mentioned in your opening. The more formal an event the more specific you will be.

VIP Guests, Dignitaries etc will probably be mentioned by name in a specific order.

Depending on the type of event, Sponsors my also get a mention here.

Once you know what your client wants or expects, you can then start crafting the opening.

House Keeping

“Housekeeping” is a widely used term that covers all the small bits and pieces of information that may also need to be conveyed to an audience.

Examples are – Where are the Toilets, what is the Wifi Code, what time does the bus leave, etc. I also include in this group – “Please turn your Phones to Silent.”

Now, depending on the type of event it is, you may not need to go through all the House Keeping in your opening speech. I prefer to do it a bit later as I find it dilutes the impact of the opening a bit. In that situation, just mention the Phones before you introduce the first speaker and come back to the Housekeeping after them.

What happens next?

As an MC you should always keep in mind what happens next. So when you are putting together your opening speech you need to be aware of what happens immediately after you finish so you can make the appropriate link. But more importantly, know the appropriate “energy levels.”

For example you might be launching into a facilitated Teambuilding or Networking session, in which case you will be building the energy and fun. Alternatively, you might be introducing someone speaking on a sombre or serious topic that needs focus and respect.

Part 3 – Putting the Opening Speech Together

Now we have the vital information – what we are trying to achieve and what must be included. It’s time for the third part of the formula, putting it all together.

A structure I have found incredibly useful is this …

Closer  /   Link …

This works just as well if you have only 3 minutes or if you have 15. Let’s look at it in more detail.

The Grabber

Getting peoples attention and interest right from the start is vital.

You need to confident and assured in your dress and demeanour and your words need to match.

It’s not a time for chit chat or repartee. Bang, get straight into it!

I’ve attended a couple of sessions with the Patricia Fripp, the British born, now American based speaker coach. (And sister of legendary guitarist Robert Fripp.)

Her advice for speakers is to start with something bold, a phrase or sentence that grabs attention and interest. I think the advice works just as well for MC’s as it does for speakers.

For several events business events I’ve started with …

“Princeton University, 1955.  Professor Albert Einstein is handing out exam papers to his final year students …”

Did that get your attention? Did you want to know what happens next? Of course you do!

That works so much better than “Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen, my names Timothy Hyde and I will be your MC for the event..”

After the quick story, (that relates totally to the WHY they are having the meeting,) you can then move into the welcome and greeting.

Remember also the Voice of God introduction. This will also grab peoples attention and let them know your name! It also enables you to move into something more meaty at the start.

Pro Tip – The full “Einstein Opener” mentioned above is found on page 33 of your copy of The Expert MC Toolkit & Resource Manual .  The theme of Rapid Change, Innovation, Creative Solutions is perfect for many business type functions.)

Other great Opening Grabbers include

• “What if ………?”
• A statistic or fact.
• “Imagine that ……?”
• A bold statement.
• A Question.

Once you have got the attention of the audience,  you can do an official type welcome and include any Protocol type things you need to cover. VIP’s, Sponsors etc

You now move onto the Big Picture.

This will emphasis the Theme of the Event and Why are you all here.

This sets the context for everything to follow. You may mention a couple of highlights of the program coming up, the Who and the What.

I then like to move from Big Picture to the Personal.

So what I’m saying relates directly to each and every attendee.

Now, what is included here depends once again on what the client wants for the outcome of the event.

Are you motivating and enthusing them?

Are you planting seeds that they will get lots of information?

Do you need to reinforce the benefits of being here?

Are they here to – Network, Set Goals or Relax?

Pro Tip – Plant a seed of Co-operation!

In my Opening speech I always like to plant a seed of co-operation. This is a message that we need to work together to keep the event running on time. That running on time will enable all the Speakers to do their full presentations and if they do, YOU will gain maximum benefit from being here. You are busy people, it’s a packed agenda, we want you to gain a lot from being here and we want to finish on time etc.

I also reinforce this at certain times during the event by thanking them for their help.

Closer /  Link to next activity

Depending on what’s happening next, this is a good moment to either slip in any urgent Housekeeping or close up your opening and introduce the first activity or speaker.

I often would use an appropriate quote or a mention of the Theme again, taking it back to Big Picture.

This 3 Part Process will give you a good basis to start writing stronger Openings.

Part 1 gives you the WHY, the reason for the event and the outcomes you are aiming for.

Part 2 adds the details that must be incorporated.

Part 3 gives you a structure for the opening.

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.

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Module 11: Speaking to Entertain and for Special Occasions

The master of ceremonies, learning objectives.

• Identify effective ways to introduce an event.
• Demonstrate how to emcee an event.

Introducing an Event

When introducing an event, you have four main goals. These goals are the minimum ground you need to cover in your introduction. How you do so, and whether you do more, will depend on the amount of time you have to speak.

• Make the audience feel welcome and appreciated. Your opening should welcome the audience and thank them for being there.
• Express thanks and appreciations.  You should also recognize anyone who deserves thanks for putting together or hosting the event.
• Explain the goals of the event and/or of the hosting organization(s).  Here’s where your introduction will deepen and expand if you have the time for it. You might tell stories or share data about the impact of the organization whose event it is or talk in more detail about what participants can expect from the event to come.
• Create excitement and anticipation for the event.  Your focus should be on the event that you’re kicking off; stay focused on the future, not the past, and on the event, not yourself.

Some events, especially academic events and some non-profit or political events, begin with an Indigenous Land Acknowledgement . A land acknowledgement or territorial acknowledgement is a formal statement, often spoken at the beginning of a public event, that it is taking place on land originally inhabited by or belonging to indigenous people. To learn more about Indigenous Land Acknowledgement, the Native Governance Center has put together an excellent guide .

Master of Ceremonies

Being the master of ceremonies (often abbreviated as an emcee  or MC ) is a task best dealt with by an experienced speaker. But it is possible to host an event as a beginner and live to tell about it!

Being an emcee will use everything you learned about speaking for special occasions and more. The most important thing to remember is this is more of a marathon than a sprint. You need to keep the energy high and the mood positive throughout the event. So start with being excited, and if you are scared, GREAT! Channel that energy into the excitement you need using the preparation tips below.

Speaker and author Kwesi Millington offers the following seven tips for being a great event emcee: [1]

• Know the Agenda.  The more detailed, the better: you should know what should happen at what time and how long each part should take.
• Keep Your Energy High.  Millington suggests self-talk and music to pump yourself up to bring 100% energy to the event.
• Memorize Your Opening.  Some parts of the event will be impromptu or ad-libbed; your opening, though, should be scripted and rehearsed. The opening sets the tone for the whole event, so it’s important to get it right.
• Learn About the Other Speakers.  Millington suggests learning one fact about each person you’re bringing to the microphone, so that you can personalize your introduction.
• Always Be Communicating.  Even if you’re not on stage, you should be mixing with the crowd and keeping the energy up.
• Interact with the Audience.  The best way to keep the energy high and the mood positive throughout the event is to involve the audience, whether by asking questions or getting them to move around.
• Close with Inspiration.  As you close up the event, try to leave the audience with something to think about, something to lift them up.

How to: Kwesi Millington, How to Emcee an Event

You can view the transcript for “How to be the Perfect Emcee at an Event or Wedding” here (opens in new window) .

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X72gsMtUCUs ↵
• Land Acknowledgement definition. Provided by : Wikipedia. Located at : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_acknowledgement . License : CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
• How to be the Perfect Emcee at an Event or Wedding. Authored by : Kwesi Millington. Located at : https://youtu.be/X72gsMtUCUs . License : Other . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• The Master of Ceremonies. Authored by : Patricia Atkinson with Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution

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How to introduce a speaker — the art of giving (and receiving) a great introduction.

A good introduction is essential to get a speaker off to a good start. The tendency for event hosts to go casual and say a few non-substantive words — or worse, to try to make a joke at the speaker’s expense — hurts both the speaker and the meeting. Here’s why, and how to give a good intro that will help the speaker — and the event — succeed.

Audiences want several things from a speaker, and some of them right away. First, audiences begin by asking why — why should I pay attention? Why should I care? Why is this going to be important to me? If a speaker is successful, the audience will start asking how — how do I get started? How do I make this my own? That’s success for a speaker — moving the audience from why to how.

Second, audiences test speakers for a few things: trust, credibility, likability. On these items, they’ll give a speaker a little time, but they make unconscious decisions very quickly, and those unconscious decisions are hard to turn around. So it’s better to get it right from the start.

That’s where the introduction comes in. An introduction can help answer the why question. And an introduction can help establish credibility, especially, but also trust and likability. The result of a good introduction is to greatly increase the likelihood that the speaker will do well. At least, she’s off to a good start.

A good introduction should answer 3 questions

A good introduction should answer 3 questions: why this speaker, on this subject, to this audience? A little humor is permitted, but an introduction should never denigrate the speaker, even in fun. The idea is to build the speaker up in the audience’s mind.

As an example, here’s a short introduction I provide for my own speaking engagements

Here at XXXXXXX, we live and die by our communications successes and failures. So it is with special excitement that I’m pleased to welcome Dr. Nick Morgan to our annual gathering. Nick is one of America’s top communication theorists and coaches. He has coached people to give Congressional testimony, to appear on the Today Show, and to take on the investment community. His latest book, Trust Me: Four Steps to Authenticity and Charisma , was published by Jossey-Bass last year. And he has one of the best blogs on communications.

Have you ever wondered why you can’t take your eyes off some charismatic public figures, while others put you immediately to sleep? Nick is going to demystify charisma and storytelling for us today, giving us lots of practical ideas we can immediately put to work when we’re back in the office on Monday…

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Nick Morgan!

I’ve often noted that a celebrity speaker can be mediocre and yet the audience can report that it had a good time. The reason is that the celebrity has already been ‘introduced’ to the audience — the audience knows the celebrity by advance reputation. The work of a good introduction is to raise the speaker to celebrity status for the purposes of that occasion.

Always end with an applause line for the speaker — “so please join me in welcoming Jane Doe!” — to allow her time to get up on the stage and ready to go. And it’s a very good idea to shake the speaker’s hand as he or she goes by on the way to the lectern. Shaking another person’s hand is grounding and comforting, and will help the speaker get off to a good start.

In terms of body language, the handshake gives the audience the sense that it has met the speaker close up, because a good introducer is the representative of the audience. So when the speaker and introducer shake hands, a bond is formed with everyone.

So don’t neglect the introduction.

It’s up to the speaker to prepare a good introduction

And speakers, prepare a good one. Don’t assume that the folks in charge will have a credible intro ready to go. Make it easy for them and write it yourself. You need the boost so that you can show up in front of that audience with credibility, trust, and likability.

Without a carefully prepared script, here’s what can go wrong. At best, the person introducing you, blandly reads your your bio that she’s printed from your web site. At worst, you get introduced by an enthusiastic ad-libber, and he starts by saying, “I’m not going to read the intro they sent me.” He adds some irrelevant comments about how he met you the evening before over the Spilled Bloody Mary Incident (his fault, not yours). What’s supposed to be charming self-deprecating humor is awkward and goes on too long. The rest of the introduction gets lost in the verbal shuffle, and the host gets key facts wrong, stumbling over the sentence structure and some unfamiliar words. He leaves out mention of your book, and ends with another half-hearted attempt at humor. You walk on stage to the sound of a lot of single hands clapping.

If you want to avoid this sort of disastrous incident and be guaranteed to get your speech off to the best possible start every time, create a DVD intro that showcases you and your history with some drama and excitement. The video will put you in the best possible light and get the audience keyed up to see you. You can do this in a carefully scripted 3-minute video, and the cost can be quite reasonable. In any case you should mentally amortize the cost over all the introductions that won’t be botched from here on.

What should go into those 3 minutes? Answer the question why? Why are you cool, why is your speech important, why should the audience care. Give a few salient details about your accomplishments, and end with the music amped up and the cheers already rolling in. Have the last words of the voice over be, “Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome (You)!” and the applause will follow naturally. The great thing about video (with a compelling soundtrack) is that it can touch the emotions in a way that’s much harder for your host to do, statistically speaking.

It’s all about quality control. Create your own intro video and you’ll never have to suffer a botched intro again. Get the intro right, and the speech is half done.

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About the author: nick morgan.

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56 Comments

I am presenting a workshop to our employee self-help group at the Social Security Administration next week. The topic will be: “How to be a better meeting participant & take better notes”. They asked me for my bio. It is usually is read or paraphrased as an introduction. I have never been happy with the “Read the Bio” approach, but couldn’t elaborate a better method. I will share your posting with our core group so that the speaker introductions are more effective for the participants.

Your information eloquently states exactly what I want to hear from a speaker introduction and makes my job of writing up my own much easier!

Nancy, thanks for the comment and good luck with the event!

[…] Helpful Resources How to introduce a speaker — the art of giving (and receiving) a … […]

Nick……3 years later and your writing is still helping others. this is a fab piece, thank you!!!

I agree 3 minutes tops to introduce a speaker or anyone, a band, etc. and the introduction should not be read the audience came to see the band, speaker, etc. not the introducer

Love this! Doing my first speech and wanted to really nail and introduction knowing it could put me on good footing to start. I appreciate you writing and sharing this Nick.

Good luck, Thomas, and thanks for the comment!

I was asked to be an MC recently on a graduation ceremony for the first time in my life and truly speaking, this article comes to my rescue. Thanks so much Nick.

Great to hear — good luck, Joram!

I am going to be the master of ceremony on a graduation party for the 1st time today. Hopping these tips will help me a lot…I thank u so much.

From Duds wait

How can we write a good introduction for for a TED event speaker but is still in High School? (meaning s/he did not achieve much professionally or does not have much experience)

Talk about her enthusiasm, energy, vision — the things that great high school students have in abundance. An intro doesn’t have to be a resume — in fact it shouldn’t be.

thanks nick for all that information.. i think im ready to go and nail it this Friday!!!!

Break a leg!

Thank you! This was helpful to me in introducing a major artist at an upcoming event.

Thanks, Clara, for the comment. Glad it was helpful.

Thanks a lot for the useful tips, I am going to introduce my book in church.

You’re welcome — good luck with the introduction!

I am going to be MC at a graduation.. need help on how to introduce speakers

Search MC on our site and you’ll find some posts on how to do that well.

Thank you! This is very helpful for a first-time intro writer!

Thanks, Gretchen, and good luck!

Do you need to introduce a person in by their profession? Like this is Engineer Sam or this is Architect Sam? How about the teachers, do we need to introduce them as Teacher Sam? I just want to know because some people I know introduce them by their profession. And when do we need to use their profession.

Hi, Dennis —

An introduction answers several questions for the audience: why this person, why this topic, why this audience, why now. The speaker’s profession is almost always included in that answer. Not always (imagine someone talking about being a recovering alcoholic, for instance), but almost always.

Hello Sir Nick, I am invited to speak on a graduation day.. can i ask for a nice idea on how the they will introduce me on that day ..i want a very short introduction.. How i am going to start?

Yes, ask yourself, what is the one thing in my work that I am most passionate about? Then, get the introducer to tell a brief story that illustrates that passionate expertise. When you go on stage, then, be ready to talk about a related subject, since you will now appear to be expert in that area, thanks to the intro.

Woman’s Club meeting. Program within meeting. Who introduces program? Vp in charge of programs or chairman of the program?

Either one can; depends on VIP status of speakers. If more important, Chairman. If less important, VP is fine.

What exactly are you waiting for? And who does the thank you

The same person who does the intro should do the thanks.

Hi mike, Can i ask for a basic script to intoduce a physicians and profisors in a ceremony , i have asked to be MC for the first time on my life, my event will be held on the next sunday Oct 15-2017

Thank you in advance. Aisha.

Hi, Aisha – each introduction is different — that’s the whole point of them. For a basic outline, answer the following questions: (1) Who is the person (what have they accomplished that’s relevant to this audience?); (2) What is their area of expertise (that is relevant to the audience?); (3) why is the topic (and the speaker) important right now?. Always end with the speaker’s name.

Hi Dr. Nick,

I have been told to introduce a few couple of Physicians at a Conference. It is a medical conference and the audience are also physicians. I have been given the CV of speakers and I need to highlight their expertise, experience and accomplishments.

Any Tips, Please?

1. Don’t read the CV. Just give highlights in the form of a story relevant to the audience. 2. Ask the speakers for a human detail or story or two. 3. Tell the audience why this speaker is important to this audience today.

As I am a TMOD of the meeting. How do I introduce a word and a thought master? Please help as this is my first time and I don’t want to screw this.

Start with why this person is so impressive — what wows you about him or her. Say a few words about what the topic is and why it’s relevant to the audience. And then explain why now is a particularly good time to hear from this speaker. End with the speaker’s name, and start the applause.

Hello Sir Morgan,

Today I learnt that speech of introduction is equally important to the actual speech by the speaker. Thank you for the wonderful tips. It’s useful for my Speech course at my university.

Thanks, Inba.

Good morning Mr. Morgan; Can this introduction be used for a sermon introduction as well? How can I include their character and love to teach and share ministry into this introduction ? I am new at this and really want to do a good job. The topic is on family Reunion and this person is a minister in the family.

Hi, Trina — yes, you certainly can use the general structure here for a sermon introduction. You would include the details you mention under the heading of “why this person,” because the character, love to teach, and share ministry are presumably all good reasons for this person to speak. Hope that helps.

I’M ASKED TO INTRODUCE A PARAMOUNT CHIEF TO CHAIR AN OCCASION. THIS WILL HELP ME.

[…] were reviewing the stats on this blog recently, and one of the surprising numbers is that the blog post that consistently gets the most views is one I did over a half-dozen years ago on how to introduce a speaker.  I suppose that’s where […]

Nick, This is a great resource for students in public speaking courses. You inadvertently have help hundreds of students get good reviews and great grades.

Shawn, that’s a good thing, right?

Hey nick, I have to welcome series of speakers and I really dont want to end with “Lets welcome him/her with huge round of applause”. ao, can you put out the alternatives for “to present his/her speech”. Thanks much for the article, btw.

Hi, Prithak — If I understand your question, it’s how to end each introduction? You should always end with the person’s name, as a trigger for the applause: “Please welcome James Blunt!” Don’t vary that formula. The variation comes in what you say about the person before the ending of each introduction.

Thanks for mentioning how they need to provide a good introduction. Having someone that is prepared can be nice. Choosing a good master of the ceremony could help a lot.

This is really amazing. It’s a very grateful blog for me. Thanks for sharing it.

This is an amazing article that I found through Brian Dodd. This will help me to help the speaker when we have special ministries come to our church.

Thank you, Sis, for the article, it was very helpful and I got new insight. I really appreciate it, I hope you are given health so that you can continue to write useful articles like this.

Thanks for sharing it, its really amazing

Youth conference speaker significantly impacts the youth listening and attending the conference, so it has to be motivational and inspirational. In this connection, the speaker should be reliable and trustworthy. Audiences expect various things from a speaker, some of which they wish for immediately if a speaker succeeds.

I’m introducing my daughter as Mother’s Day speak at my church on Sunday. Please give me some tips on how to introduce her She’s a great mother for over 20 years 30 years. She has to find boys Christian boys and she’s a great speaker.

Good introductions are short, and answer 3 questions: Who, what, why. Who is this speaker (very brief relevant bio); what is her subject mater that she is going to talk about; and why is she uniquely qualified to talk to this audience?

Great job, this blog is very informative. Thank you

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How to Be a Good Master of Ceremonies

Last Updated: March 13, 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. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. 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 1,498,434 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.

Things You Should Know

• 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

• Come prepared, but don't make it sound like you're reading from a script. Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 1
• Your audience follows your lead, so stay enthusiastic and happy to be there. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ 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.tsnn.com/blog/master-ceremonies-makes-difference-your-shows-success
• ↑ 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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5 Sample Opening Remarks for a Funeral or Memorial

Updated 12/28/2023

Published 10/27/2020

Kate Wight, BA in English

Contributing writer

Cake values integrity and transparency. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible. We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more in our affiliate disclosure .

Public speaking is a challenge for many people. It can be nerve-racking to stand in front of a group of people and give a speech. You may find it even more challenging in a situation where heightened emotion is involved. One example of this is the opening remarks for a funeral. 

Jump ahead to these sections:

Tips for writing opening remarks for a funeral.

• Sample Opening Remarks for a Funeral Service

Sitting down to write out what you want to say is the first step, but even that may feel overwhelming. If you’re grieving, your creativity may feel like it has run dry. 

Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started. Here we’ll share some tips on writing opening remarks for a funeral service. We’ll also provide some examples of ways people have opened funeral speeches. 

Virtual funeral tip: If you're speaking at a virtual funeral using a service like GatheringUs , make sure you know how much time you'll have to speak. If you're hosting the funeral, you can work with GatheringUs to create a detailed itinerary that you'll follow on the day.

Before we look at some examples of opening remarks, let’s break down some tips for writing them.

1. Keep it brief

There are many speaking roles available at funerals. Friends and family members may be asked to give readings of meaningful poems or religious texts. And at many funerals, someone will deliver a eulogy that’s usually between three and five minutes long.

Your opening remarks don’t have to be that long. You should be able to say what you need to say in just a minute or two. 

2. Set the tone

There are many different kinds of funerals. Some are religious, and some are secular. Some have a more somber tone, while others take on a more celebratory bent. There are typically clues to this in the funeral announcement.

For example, generally, people know ahead of time if they’re going to a   celebration of life service as opposed to a more traditional funeral. 

If you’re making opening remarks, make sure they fit in with the overall tone of the service. If the funeral is meant to be a lighthearted celebration, you can infuse your remarks with a little humor. If it’s a serious service honoring a distinguished person, your remarks should be more formal. 

3. Make everyone feel welcome

Funeral opening remarks are almost akin to a   funeral thank you speech . You want to make sure everyone feels as though they have been warmly welcomed.

One way to do that is to express your gratitude to people for coming. Be open and sincere about what their presence means for you. This will make them feel less like an audience and more like they’re part of a meaningful occasion.   

4. Talk about the deceased

If a eulogy is on the schedule for later in the ceremony, you shouldn’t give much biographical background on the deceased, as it might end up being repeated later. But you should speak briefly about the deceased, as they are the person who has brought everyone together. You can refer to them by name, and you can also mention your relationship with them for anyone who doesn’t know.

If you’re including a quote to get started, make sure it’s something you think they would have connected with. That’s an easy way to make your remarks feel more personalized.

5. Get feedback

Since you’re setting the tone for the rest of the service, it’s a good idea to get some feedback on your remarks once you’ve written them .

Work with the person planning the funeral, or with someone who is helping them with logistics. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page.

6. Practice

Public speaking can be anxiety-inducing even for professionals. It can be even more challenging when you’re experiencing profound emotions like grief. Practice your remarks until you feel comfortable delivering them. Repetition like this can help you feel more confident no matter how sad or scared you might feel. 

If you’re speaking at a funeral, chances are you’ve looked up specific resources, like how to write a eulogy . But you may have had a harder time finding a comprehensive guide on writing opening remarks. 

Here are some examples of funeral service opening remarks to help you craft your own.

Sample remarks for a religious funeral

Thessalonians 4:13 reads, “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”

Anyone who knew my mother quickly learned that she was a woman of deep and abiding faith. Though she had been ill for some time she was not sad, nor did she fear death. In the weeks before she passed away, we talked a lot about what was waiting for her after she left the earthly plane. 

She told me that she knew people would be sad, and that was okay. But she hoped that our grief would be tempered by remembering that she has gone to a better place. That was my mother in a nutshell. 

She was always comforting others, even when it probably should have been the other way around. Thank you all for joining our family today to remember such a special and selfless individual.

Sample remarks for a non-religious funeral

Looking around the room today I see many familiar faces, as well as some new ones. This isn’t surprising to me. My sister Marian has always been a gregarious and outgoing person. 

She never met a stranger: everyone was always immediately a potential new friend. It made things interesting. 

Once we were on vacation in a city we’d never been to, and we still managed to run into someone Marian knew. She deeply cared about people, and it warms my heart to see that so many of the people she loved are here. 

Our family looks forward to connecting with you after the service. Thank you all for supporting us through such a difficult loss.

Sample remarks for someone who died suddenly

Maya Angelou once wrote, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 

My cousin Rebecca was one of those people who always made people feel loved and welcomed. She was always willing to step up and help people in need. She made everyone feel not just good, but also important or valued.

Looking out at everyone here today, I see so many people Rebecca loved. And I realize that even in death, she is looking out for us. The people she has supported are here to support us, and that’s a beautiful feeling.  

Sample remarks for someone who died after a long illness

Greetings, and thank you all for coming today. We are here today to honor a very special person: my dad. As most of you know, my dad has been ill for several years. But no matter how much time we had to prepare for this day, we still don’t feel ready to say goodbye.

We appreciate how many of you have come to support us during this difficult time. As per Dad’s request, today will not be a traditional funeral. Instead, we will have a celebration of life in honor of the joy he brought to so many people.

Sample remarks for a child

A.A. Milne wrote, “If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.” 

In just his few short years on this planet, Remy had such a major impact on everyone whose paths he crossed. We appreciate more than we can say that you’ve come to help his family through this difficult time. 

Today, we gather together to remember Remy and the light he brought into our lives. Like me, I know you all will continue keeping him in your hearts today and always.

Set the Tone for a Funeral with Your Opening Remarks

For some people, speaking in public will never be easy. And delivering even a brief speech when you’re in mourning can be extremely challenging. But even if you aren’t comfortable speaking in public, it’s important to honor our loved ones. Speaking about what they meant to their surviving friends and family is a powerful gesture.

The right words can even help bring closure or comfort to grieving loved ones. If you’ve been asked to speak at a funeral, remember that everyone is in the same boat as you are. They’re also in mourning. Even if your speech doesn’t go perfectly, people won’t mind. As long as you speak from the heart, they’ll connect with you. 

If you need more help with planning a funeral or memorial service, read our guides on funeral flowers for grandchildren and what shoes to wear to a funeral . 

Post-planning tip: If you are the executor for a deceased loved one, the funeral isn't the only thing you have to handle. We have a post-loss checklist  that will help you ensure that your loved one's family, estate , and other affairs are taken care of.

• "Funerals and Memorial Practices." Baylor University Medical Humanities Program . https://medicalhumanities.artsandsciences.baylor.edu/sites/g/files/ecbvkj751/files/2022-07/Hoy2020_ReferenceWorkEntry_FuneralsAndMemorialPractices.pdf

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• Funeral Etiquette

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Master of Ceremony Wedding Speech Examples, Jokes & Tips

A wedding is an amazing event that draws people together for one of the most momentous occasions that will occur in a person’s life. It is truly something special.

To make it such a special occasion there is a great deal that goes into it that makes it all come together in such a way that the bride and groom will have a happy memory to think about for the rest of their lives. This means that everything from the location where the event will occur to the way that the bride’s hair is styled all have to be perfectly choreographed to make it the special event that the bride and groom are hoping for. It can be a lot of work to make something so magnificent.

A Key Decision Area that Ha s to Be Made

One of the key decisions that goes into a wedding is who will be the master of ceremonies for the event. Many weddings do not necessarily choose a specific person to fill this role opting, instead, to have the DJ act in this de facto role. This person is already talking a lot anyway, so just turning this role over to him or her just seems natural.

However, there are many who opt to actually choosing a specific person to be the master of ceremony. This is an important role because this person is responsible for many aspects of the wedding reception.

One of the biggest of these is the speech that is given. This speech can be a key for the reception because it will set the tone for what the rest of the reception will be like. The master of ceremonies wants to keep the reception light and joyous, so jokes and small jabs can set the perfect tone.

However, if they are overdone, they can make for a very uncomfortable situation that can really ruin the mood of the wedding. This is why the person chosen has to be done with care, and the person filling this role has to be someone who truly understands humor.

Knowing Your Audience Is the Key

If you are the master of ceremonies for a wedding you need to be aware of one very important rule. Comedy is much like anything else – not everyone finds the same things to be funny. This means that you have to know who you are appealing to when you are making cute little jokes.

Hopefully, the reason that you were chosen for this role is that you know the couple well, but that is not always the case. If you do not know them then you can do one of two things. You can either try to figure out as much as you can before writing your speech, or keep it more generic, choosing jokes and barbs that are commonly used. While this may be more impersonal, it may also be safer.

If you know the couple well, then be cautious as well. Many people who are in this role think that virtually anything would be permissible to discuss and joke about during the reception. While those jokes may be funny when you are out to dinner with them, the bride and groom’s parents may not see the humor in them, especially if the jokes are a lot more risqué. If you think that joke may be offensive, that should you be your censor to not use it.

Consider that you want to be funny without ruining the mood of the reception. You are not there to be Chris Rock, so be careful about the kinds of jabs that you use in your speech.

So What Are Good Areas to Talk About?

Start with a joke. This is always a great ice breaker no matter whether you are delivering the graduation commencement or are speaking at the Oscars. A joke always helps to get people into the right mood, but you need to be careful to not do something that will cause issues.

One of the best ideas for a joke is to choose something that someone else has said about weddings and marriage that is funny. Here are some great examples that you can use as an opening.

“Keep your eyes wide open before the wedding, half-shut aftewards.” Benjamin Franklin

Marriages are made in heaven. Then again, so are thunder, lightning, tornadoes and hail.

These famous quotes are a great way to start your speech. You can say something like, “Socrates once said… ” and then finish the quote.

Another great way to start a speech is to begin by talking about the responsibility that you have felt for filling this role. You can make this funny as well, for example, you can say something like:

“When I was chosen to be the master of ceremonies my wife said that this was a terrible role for me because I never listen to her…or something like that. I don’t remember how she put it.”

Keep in mind that that opening joke is quite important so make sure that it is a winner. If not you can have real issues.

Keep this in mind as well. If you are not a funny person, don’t try to be something you are not. Do not try to make jokes when you don’t have that in you. Just be yourself and deliver the speech the way you see fit.

Beyond the joke, your speech should have three other elements to it. The first of this is to talk about the couple and how well they fit together. No one wants to hear a speech about what a big mistake is being made, so really get into the spirit and talk the couple up.

Secondly, share the journey of the two. Talk about how they got together and how this journey has led them to one another. This will also really set the mood.

Lastly, talk about marriage in general and how you hope great things for their marriage. This will really add to the spirit of the ceremony and will make for a much better reception. You simply cannot go wrong by doing it this way.

Most of all, try to have some fun. Practice your speech with some others and see how they like it. If you get good feedback, then you can have some confidence in your speech. Again, have fun; it’s a wedding after all.

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Being a master of ceremonies isn’t as easy as it looks. At times, nerves can easily get the better of you and turn your perfectly-rehearsed speech into an awkward mess on stage. Nothing could be worse!

Key Takeaways

• C – Confidence is key
• E – Engage the audience
• R – Research prior to the event
• E – Energy
• M – Memorize what you need to
• O – Organization is the backbone
• N – Natural stage presence
• Y – Your voice is your most powerful weapon!

For years, I’ve used my skills as a corporate emcee to entertain, engage, and captivate scores of people. And now, I’ll let you know how you can also emcee your upcoming event like a pro.

Below, I’ll go over eight of my top tips to help you become a fantastic master of CEREMONY . Keep reading!

See Related:  How To Analyze An Audience: 8 Tips From A Corporate Emcee

#1. C onfidence Is Key

Stepping onto a stage can be one of the hardest things you do. It’s completely nerve-wracking to put yourself on the spot in front of countless people.

Stage fright is no joke. Many people suffer from glossophobia , or the fear of public speaking. So if you happen to feel the jitters when it’s your turn to take the stand, know you’re not alone!

Even experienced emcees can feel nervous at times. But as long as you know what’s expected of you and how to succeed, there’s no reason why you can’t make any speech a total hit.

So, what does a master of ceremonies really do?

What’s An Emcee?

The master of ceremonies , which you can shorten to emcee , is the person that will officially host an event.

From entertaining performances to corporate events, a great emcee will be responsible for keeping the audience engaged, creating a welcoming atmosphere , and explaining the goals of the event.

They also often help in the planning portion of the event and can be instrumental in helping craft a truly remarkable experience for the event attendees.

But what’s important to keep in mind is that there’s a lot that goes into a great emcee . Not just anyone can waltz on stage and expect to be greeted with success. There are only a few people that can pull it off.

So, if you’re looking to host a successful and engaging event, you need to make sure you’re fully prepared . But you don’t have to do it alone!

As a professional emcee , I’ve learned exactly what it takes to thrive on stage. And I’ve compiled a few of my top tips here to help you out before your next event.

So, let’s dive into the acronym CEREMONY and review eight of the most essential tips for any emcee out there!

The Start Of It All: C onfidence!

When you walk on stage, there’s one thing that you can’t have a successful speech without. And that is confidence .

Hopefully, you already know that you need to ooze confidence when you step on stage. But most people (especially beginner emcees) fail to understand that confidence is way more important than they realize.

Confidence should be at the foundation of your entire speech. Without it, you can’t gain the audience’s trust, engage your listeners, or pull off a successful event.

If you’re missing this paramount element, everything will fall apart!

As the emcee, it’s crucial to exude confidence in your abilities. To do this, you should always make sure you speak with a clear and assertive voice, maintain good posture, and make eye contact.

But that’s just the basics.

You can also help bolster your confidence by arriving prepared and maintaining originality.

Believe in yourself and your abilities as an emcee, and this confidence will resonate with the audience!

#2. E ngage The Audience

Now that we’ve covered the most basic element of any great emcee , it’s time to dive in a little further.

Confidence is the foundation. But on its own, it can only get you so far. Your listeners won’t pay attention to an unsure and wobbly speech, which is why confidence is of the utmost importance.

That being said, you won’t be able to keep their attention for long if you don’t know how to engage them!

If you truly want to captivate your listeners, you need to engage them throughout the entire event. From the moment you step on stage till the audience goes home for the evening, they need to feel truly enchanted.

How To Keep The Audience Engaged For The Entire Event

This is one of the most challenging aspects of being an emcee. People’s attention spans are getting shorter and shorter, making it all the more difficult to grab it!

With that being said, you can’t count on words alone to keep your audience engaged. Even if you have the most interesting and thought-provoking speech prepared, anyone will get bored if you merely talk to them.

You need to make your time on stage interactive . This is perhaps the most essential part of any great event. Those in attendance want to feel like they are a part of it all, not like they are sitting idly by on the sidelines.

When a speaker is truly engaging, it’s impossible for the audience to feel anything but intrigued. They’ll be on the edge of their seats the whole time, soaking in every word.

As an emcee, it’s up to you to engage your listeners.

Take this amazing responsibility to heart!

#3. R esearch Before Stepping On Stage

The bulk of work for an emcee happens on stage. Obviously, it’s what your audience sees firsthand, so it’s important not to mess up!

But a great emcee doesn’t walk onto the stage on day one and simply exude greatness . Each time, they have to do plenty of work and preparation behind the scenes to ensure their time on stage is a success.

It might seem like an obvious point, but if you want to truly knock it out of the park at your upcoming event, you need to prepare.

And you need to prepare a lot .

The key to writing a great speech and properly delivering it lies in your research . You need to do your due diligence in learning about the audience, the company, or the event itself.

There would be nothing worse than stepping on stage just to realize you have no idea what’s actually going on.

Well before the event, make sure you take plenty of time to familiarize yourself with the key details of the event. Don’t forget to complete a thorough audience analysis . This knowledge will allow you to be confident in your material to you can truly connect with your listeners.

#4. E nergy

What do all great speakers have in common? They radiate positive energy on stage!

It should go without saying that a lifeless and dull act will instantly bore your audience and leave them yawning. So, make sure you do what you can to avoid that nightmare.

You’ll need to maintain a high level of energy throughout the event to keep the atmosphere lively and engaging. You can’t let it falter even for a second because, in only a split moment, you could lose your audience’s attention and the trust you’ve worked so hard to gain!

For starters, focus on the basics. Use your voice modulation and body language to convey enthusiasm.

And don’t forget to energize the audience with your own excitement!

Your listeners will be able to notice right away if you’re not enthusiastic about being there. They can effortlessly pick up on even the smallest of things.

So don’t give them a reason to believe you’d rather be somewhere else.

#5. M emorize More Than Just Your Speech

Every speaker knows that there’s a certain level of memorization that goes into it all. After all, you likely have prepared a speech that you need to commit to memory.

But that’s not all that should be sticking in your brain!

A great way to ensure you’re prepared for everything is to memorize even the little things. For example, make sure you learn the event agenda, names of speakers, performers, and other essential introductions.

Keeping these things firmly in your memory will make your job all the easier. It’ll help you avoid stumbling over words, forgetting important information, or creating awkward pauses during transitions.

#6. O rganization Is The Backbone

As I said, a great deal of what emcees do happens behind the scenes . If you’re a speaker, you’re likely familiar with all the preparation and planning that happens before the event even kicks off.

Along these same lines is organization .

You need to make sure you have everything in order before you step on stage. Everything from event activities to the outlined schedule should be clearly laid out.

Being well-prepared will enable you to smoothly navigate through the different segments, transitions, and announcements, ensuring a well-coordinated event.

Without it, it’ll be easy to turn into a jumbling mess. And that can slow things down and leave the audience missing out on key event aspects.

#7. N atural Stage Presence

If you want to truly be the best , planning and articulation can only get you so far. Anyone can (and should) spend plenty of time preparing their content and connecting with their audience, but you need to go beyond that.

Luckily, there’s a simple element that can truly elevate your entire act.

Maintaining a natural presence on stage is perhaps the best way to gain your audience’s trust and make your event a success. Even if your listeners are merely strangers in the crowd, by the end of the event, they should see you as a trusted source of information.

If you want to be natural on stage, you need to maintain an organic and authentic presence. Don’t pretend to be something you’re not .

Let your own personality shine through, and don’t be afraid to inject your own style of entertainment into the mix! Your listeners will enjoy a genuinely unique performance above all else.

By being natural, you’ll create a genuine connection with the audience , making the event more enjoyable for everyone involved.

#8. Y our Voice

While you’re on stage, don’t forget about the most powerful tool you have at your disposal: your voice .

Master the art of using your voice effectively. All great speakers should know how to do this, but it’s important not to underestimate the importance of fine-tuning these details. 

For example, spend time practicing proper projection, clarity, and articulation. Vary your tone, pace, and emphasis to maintain audience engagement. It’ll make a huge difference while you’re on stage!

Your voice is a powerful tool that can captivate and hold the attention of the attendees. So use it to your advantage.

Wrapping Up

Emceeing can be challenging and daunting, but it’s not impossible. With the right tricks and tips up your sleeve, you’re destined to kill it on stage!

Keep Reading:  7 Company Retreat Ideas To Inspire Team-Building With 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 .

Recent Blog Posts:

7 ways to make your end-of-year staff meeting memorable and meaningful, the importance of force majeure clauses when corporate hosting, 5 stage presence tips from a master of ceremonies.

• Master of Ceremonies Helps 10 Non-Profit Groups Raise Over $77 Million at 10 Fundraising Events in the Fall of 2023
• The Difference Between Hosting B2B and B2C Events
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Wedding Officiant Help Desk

Tips and Scripts for the Wedding Emcee and Officiant

The Art of Hosting: Master of Ceremonies Wedding Script

Being the master of ceremonies at a wedding is an honor and a big responsibility, but is made all the easier with a good master of ceremonies wedding script . As the MC, you are the host and guide for the wedding celebration, responsible for keeping things moving smoothly and on schedule. While every wedding is unique, having a   script and plan can help you feel prepared to take on this crucial role.

In this guide, we’ll cover key tips and a sample master of ceremonies wedding script to help you master the art of hosting a wedding.

Dress Well and Look the Part

As the MC, all eyes will be on you throughout the event. Be sure to dress appropriately and professionally for this great day. An idea for men is to dress in a well-fitting suit or a tuxedo is recommended. Women can go for an elegant dress, skirt, or pantsuit. Look polished from head to toe and dress for confidence. You’ll feel ready to take charge when you look at the part.

Create the Right Atmosphere and Energy with your Master of Ceremonies Wedding Script

One of your top jobs as the MC is setting the tone and energy for the celebration. Use your speaking skills and charm to get guests excited and engaged immediately. Share a few thoughtful opening remarks welcoming everyone and honoring the couple. Sprinkle in some light humor when appropriate to keep people smiling and relaxed. Your energy and enthusiasm will be contagious.

Work closely with the Photographer and Videographer

Collaborating with the wedding photographer and videographer is essential. Touch base with them before the event starts so you know their plans for capturing key moments. Make announcements alerting guests to stay clear of the main aisle during the processional so the photographer can get clear shots. Let guests know they need to remain in their seats briefly after the ceremony ends for formal photos. Working together will result in better pictures and videos.

Collaborate with the Venue and Caterers

The MC should connect with the wedding venue staff and caterers to understand the facilities and service flow. Know where the restrooms are located to point guests in the right direction. Confirm the timing for food service so you can announce when the buffet or plated dinner will begin. Good communication with the venue team will ensure things run smoothly for guests.

Facilitate Speeches and Wedding Activities in the Master of Ceremonies Wedding Script

One of your biggest responsibilities as MC is overseeing the reception events and speeches while following their master of ceremonies wedding scipt. Start by introducing the wedding party and acknowledging VIP guests. Share any special details or funny anecdotes you have about the newlyweds. Then, announce speakers like the maid of honor and best man, confirming name pronunciations first. Keep speeches on track time-wise. You may also lead or announce special activities like the first dance, cake cutting, garter toss, etc.

Work with the Band or DJ for Seamless Transitions

The music and entertainment set the mood for the celebration, so coordinate with the band, DJ, or musicians to keep things flowing smoothly. Provide them with a schedule of key events and speeches so they know the timing for music changes. Collaborate on the newlyweds’ special song selections and pronunciation of the wedding party’s names. Discuss how you’ll transition the microphone during speeches or announcements so the entertainment doesn’t stop unexpectedly. This teamwork results in flawless musical transitions.

Farewell, Wrap Up, and Guard of Honor Sendoff

As the reception winds down, take time to thank guests for coming, acknowledge anyone who helped with the wedding, and bid the newlywed’s farewell. Confirm that the couple has arranged transportation for their sendoff. Then, invite guests to form a guard of honor leading the way out amidst a sea of sparklers or flower petals. Share final instructions like reminding guests to pick up wedding favors and sign the guestbook. Your thoughtful wrap-up orchestrates a celebratory, joyful farewell.

Sample Master of Ceremonies Wedding Script

Introduction.

Good evening, everyone! My name is [your name], and I am thrilled to be your master of ceremonies for [couple’s names] special day. I want to welcome you to this beautiful celebration of love on behalf of the gorgeous bride and handsome groom. We are so grateful you could be here to share in this joyous occasion with [couple’s names] as they join their lives together in marriage.

Details for Guests

Before we begin, here are just a few housekeeping details to cover. The restrooms are located [give directions]. The full bar is now open for cocktails just across the hall. We ask that you kindly silence your mobile phones for the remainder of the ceremony. And be sure to sign the guestbook and take a wedding favor on your way out tonight.

Professional

And now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for! Please stand as we welcome the wedding party and bride.

[Introduce wedding party as they process]

Ladies and gentlemen, please stand and welcome Mr. and Mrs. [Couple’s names] as they begin their new life together as husband and wife!

Ceremony and Vows

[Acknowledge the officiant and speak briefly about the couple]

We will now have the exchange of vows.

[Couple exchanges vows]

You may kiss the bride!

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present Mr. and Mrs. [Couple’s surname] to you for the first time.

[Announce bride and groom entering]

Let’s raise a glass and toast this amazing couple! [Lead toast]

Dinner is now served. Please enjoy!

[Announce special dances, cake cutting, speeches, activities, etc.]

Master of Ceremonies Wedding Script Farewell

As this beautiful celebration ends, please join me in wishing Mr. and Mrs. [Couple’s surname] a lifetime of happiness. We love you both, and thank you for inviting us to share this special day!

[Final farewell and exit details]

Let’s give them one more round of applause!

 With some planning and practice, you can masterfully MC a wedding and keep the celebration running seamlessly. Use this master of ceremonies wedding script outline as a helpful guide, and tailor it to match the unique details of each couple’s big day. Focus on projecting enthusiasm, facilitating special moments, and bringing some of your personality and charm. You’ve succeeded as a wonderful wedding MC when you help set the stage for an unforgettable celebration filled with love and laughter.

Master of Ceremonies Wedding Script

Check out this Master of Ceremonies Wedding Script from expert wedding MC Marry Us Gary for more guidance. Gary’s MC course provides a full sample script, timeline checklist, and tips for delivering a flawless performance as the wedding host. An adaptable script helps first-time MCs feel prepared while giving experienced masters of ceremonies proven material to work from. With Gary’s templates and easy-to-follow script formats, you can customize the sequencing and speaking notes to match each unique wedding perfectly.

How to Emcee a Wedding

For more guidance on taking on this special role, see this guide on How to Emcee a Wedding from Marry Us Gary. He provides a step-by-step walkthrough of MC duties like working with vendors, making announcements, directing the flow of events, adding personal touches, and more. Plus, get tips on how to use humor appropriately, handle unexpected issues, and exude confidence as the wedding host. Gary’s expertise gives you invaluable insider tips for mastering MC success.

Hire a Wedding Master of Ceremonies

If you’re planning a wedding in Sydney, consider to hire a wedding master of ceremonies to host your celebration expertly. Gary is Australia’s most experienced wedding MC, hosting many weddings nationwide. Gary works closely with you on customizing the event script and timeline to match your wedding vision. With his polished speaking skills, friendly humor, and masterful coordination, Gary will orchestrate an unforgettable wedding from start to finish.

Being the wedding MC involves significant responsibility but ultimately provides immense rewards. You get to set the stage for a joyous celebration of love, guide guests through a meaningful event, and bring out laughter and happy tears through your master of ceremonies wedding script . Use these tips and scripts to take charge as the master of ceremonies confidently. Combining preparation, enthusiasm, and personal charm will create magic and memories that guests will cherish forever.

Special Thanks

Photographer: BY JOEY Celebrant: Marry Us Gary

The Art of Hosting: Master of Ceremonies Wedding Script Guide

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• How to Perform the Wedding Guard of Honour as MC
• How to Perform a Filipino Unity Ceremony
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Master of ceremonies script + Emcee tips

Published by admin on december 10, 2019 december 10, 2019, top tips for emcee scripts.

For the past year I have been emcee of an event called “F*ckup Nights” in Odense, Denmark. The event has a very naughty name, so it needs a cheeky, energetic emcee, with a sharp, witty script .

The idea behind the night is to share stories of business failures, the screw ups, the mistakes, and the losses. As Emcee, it’s my job to make sure that people feel comfortable sharing their stories, and that the audience responds well to tales of failure.

In this article I want to take you through step-by-step what it takes to put together my Master of Ceremonies script.

Master of Ceremonies script writing tip #1

Create a framework.

When working on a Master of Ceremonies script for a reoccurring event, I want to make sure my script is based around a strong framework that I can reuse each time.

This script framework cuts down on preparation time, allows the audience to know what to expect, and speeds things up for the event organisers.

A typical Master of Ceremonies script framework for a business event will look like this:

Please take your seats, as we will soon begin. Welcome and introduction. House rules. Introduction to the sponsors. Audience engagement and how to behave. Introduce speaker #1 Q and A for Speaker #1 Introduce Speaker #2 Q and A for Speaker #2 Introduce the break. Return from the break with audience engagement. Introduce Speaker #3 Q and A for Speaker #3 Final summery. Invitation to the next event. Final audience engagement and goodbye.

Each one of the lines above becomes a headline in my Master of Ceremonies script. That headline then gets written on the top of a cue card, and I know exactly how to write my script each time.

Master of Ceremonies script writing tip #2

Script the behaviour.

As the Master of Ceremonies, or emcee, the audience looks to you to see how to behave. At an event that is cheeky, raucous, and humorous, like Fuckup Nights, I like to tell the audience directly how to behave.

I instruct them to laugh, cheer, tease, have fun, drink, relax, swear, and embrace the failure in all its glory.

If you want your audience to behave a certain way, make sure it is in your emcee script. Don’t just tell them where the toilets are, tell them when they can pee and when they cant. The Master of Ceremonies can keep order, but he can also create chaos, and sometimes fun and chaos is needed. The emcee has to make sure everyone has a good time. He’s not a policeman.

Master of Ceremonies script writing tip #3

Script the introductions.

A good Master of Ceremonies should have a personal connection to everybody who he invites on to the stage. Do your research and script out exactly how you will introduce each speaker, but make sure that you know them well enough that the introduction is true and correct.

Remember, you are not just introducing the person by their achievements, you are getting the audience ready to listen to a new voice. You are pointing out what they may find funny, fascinating, or engaging about the speaker.

Master of Ceremonies script writing tip #4

Don’t script the q and a beforehand. do it during the talk.

In my Master of Ceremonies script I always leave space in my notes to jot down 2 questions for the speaker. (Just in case the audience don’t have any questions of their own).

I never script these questions in advance, because a speaker can easily change the content of their talk. Instead, I listen intently to the talk, and jot down any ideas for questions while that speaker is still on stage. This shows I have a direct connection to the speaker, and not just some canned response.

I have seen some terrible Master of Ceremonies who have pre-planned questions, and they ask them earnestly, despite the fact that the speaker already covered the questions in their talk. It makes the Master of Ceremonies look stupid.

Master of Ceremonies script writing tip #5

Script for connection, not accuracy..

A good Master of Ceremonies will strive to build a live connection with the audience.

A bad Master of Ceremonies will follow a script word-for-word for accuracy.

While accuracy is important, it should not come above connection. That means that if your emcee script is complicated, filled with lots of difficult, technical details, your emcee may spend most of the time looking at their notes or script down in their hands.

It’s so much better to be a Master of Ceremonies that can look away from the script, into the audiences eyes, and feel the energy of the room.

An audience will forgive a mistake or two, if they fall in love with you first.

Master of Ceremonies script writing tip #6

Script for the newcomers and the old-hands..

When I work on my scripts, I try to balance out introducing the newcomers, who are coming to the event for the first time, with the needs of the old-hands who may have been to several previous events.

By blending new script elements with familiar script elements it can feel fresh.

Throughout my Master of Ceremonies script, I will plan for audience engagements and activations. Getting them to do something. Interact. Ask a question. Change seats. Do something. Don’t do something. Whatever the case may be. Having moments like this in my script allows me to bring together both groups of people into one.

Consider scripting a moment where old-hands show the newcomers a secret handshake, signal, call-and-response or other hidden behaviour. Now the newcomers know the behaviour, they no longer feel like newcomers, they are “in the gang” and ready to feel part of the crowed.

Master of Ceremonies script writing tip #7

Script your house rules the same every time..

Rules and instructions should be given with authority and consistency. Even if the rules are a little bit disruptive. I always make sure the wording of the house rules, and the order they appear in my script, is exactly the same every time.

Much like an airline safety instruction that is the same no matter what, keep your rules consistent. This will give you the authority to guide the audience through a pleasant experience.

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Opening Words and Introduction

The Opening Words and Introduction of the wedding ceremony   sets the tone for the wedding. It’s a statement about the occasion, its importance, the significance to the world as well as the couple getting married.

Opening Words and Introduction 1

Friends and Family of the BRIDE and GROOM, welcome and thank you for being here on this important day.

We are gathered together to celebrate the very special love between BRIDE and GROOM, by joining them in marriage.

All of us need and desire to love and to be loved.

And the highest form of love between two people is within a monogamous, committed relationship.

BRIDE and GROOM, your marriage today is the public and legal joining of your souls that have already been united as one in your hearts.

Marriage will allow you a new environment to share your lives together, standing together to face life and the world, hand-in-hand.

Marriage is going to expand you as individuals, define you as a couple, and deepen your love for one another.

To be successful, you will need strength, courage, patience and a really good sense of humor.

So, let your marriage be a time of waking each morning and falling in love with each other all over again.

Opening Words and Introduction 2

Good evening, welcome to this most important moment in the lives of this couple.

We invite you to leave behind the worries and concerns of every day life and join us in the celebration of their marriage.

This is an opportunity for us to share not only in the joy of BRIDE and GROOM’s love but also to reaffirm and appreciate the love and the friendship we experience in our own lives.

May we all celebrate by being fully present during our short time together.

BRIDE and GROOM have chosen this setting in which to be married because it provides an appropriate backdrop for the public affirmation of their love.

BRIDE and GROOM view marriage as a coming together at all levels of being — mind, body, and spirit.

A marital commitment includes the willingness to be open and vulnerable, and the courage to take risks.

Marriage is a conscious act of will.

To remain in marriage we must continually renew our will to be married.

Marital partners accept the challenges that living together in love offer.

They decide that they will face the fears that are a necessary part of establishing and nurturing an intimate relationship.

And you, BRIDE and GROOM have made the commitment to create and recreate this conscious partnership.

Those of us who are married or in relationships may take this moment to consciously reaffirm our commitment to our partners and ourselves.

Marriage consists of entrusting our deepest selves into the loving care of another.

It is a public and legal act to be sure.

It is also an emotional and spiritual act.

The spiritual aspect of marriage must be embraced openly, seriously, and completely for the marriage to endure.

BRIDE and GROOM commit themselves today to each other in sacred trust.

They promise to embrace conflict as well as peace; to work as well as play; to struggle as well as coast; to give as well as receive; and to be with, stay with, and move toward one another.

Opening Words and Introduction  3

Today there will be no dearly beloved, no betrothed, and no ancient rhyme of the married.

Today there are no dead languages to solemnize vows that are very much alive and will remain so for a lifetime.

Today promises become permanent and friends become family.

However, this day is not about the words spoken or the rings exchanged, nor is it about grand pronouncements and recessional marches.

This day — the day of BRIDE and GROOM’s wedding — is about love.

One of my favorite authors once wrote ,  If love is not all, then it is nothing: this principle, and its opposite, collide down all the years of my breathless tale.”

BRIDE and GROOM, your breathless tale is about to begin.

If love is not all, then it is nothing.

Its opposite — If love is all, then it is everything — is going to be the basis for every aspect of your relationship.

All you have to do is simply love one another and that love shows through in everything you do for one another, how you treat each other, in good times and bad.

Love isn’t just a word; it’s an action.

Love isn’t something you say, it’s something you do.

Love is genuine, honest, and open, compassionate and kind, passionate and blind, love doesn’t know space or time, nor look through jealous eyes, and in the modified words of Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Love never dies.”

There are many different kinds of love, almost if not all of which are represented here today.

There is romantic love, the love of parents and children, of brothers and sisters and family, and love among friends.

Not only do BRIDE and GROOM love one another romantically — and they do, you can see it in every look, every touch, every moment they’re together — they also love one another as friends.

In fact, they’re best friends, constantly giggling and taunting and teasing and very plainly and obviously having fun together.

That love and enjoyment of each other as best friends will sustain them through this marriage.

In addition, the love collectively in this room, from friends and family, will help sustain and support the promises they make today.

All of us here will help solidify this bond, as these two individuals are joined as husband and wife.

This new journey will be at times richly rewarding and extremely difficult, but, most importantly, it will be a journey you take together.

Marriage is much more than your signatures on a legal contract.

You are promising, in front of all these people you love, that you want to be with each other and only each other for the rest of your lives, and that you will do everything in your power to honor the promises you are making here today.

For their part, the people who love you will also do everything in their power to try to help you hold up your end of the bargain.

Opening Words and Introduction 4

Today is a celebration.

A celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it for forever.

You don’t have to have a ceremony to have a marriage.

And when you think about it, the whole thing is kind of weird, right?

You’re standing on in front of a lot of people, looking fancy, holding flowers, and being stared at by pretty much everyone who has meant anything to you.

So why do we do it?

The marriage ceremony has been an important feature across nearly every culture, religion, generation, and society.

We have thousands of important moments that happen throughout our lives, but this one is regarded as one so critical, we acknowledge its special status by sharing it with others.

Why this moment?

Because despite all of our differences, love is what we all share.

It’s the great unifier – our one universal truth.

That no matter who we are, where we’ve come from, what we believe, we know this one thing: love is what we’re doing right.

That’s why you are both standing here.

And that’s why you all are here to watch them stand up here.

We have all loved in our lifetimes, and in this moment, we’re reminded that the ability to love is the very best part of our humanity.

All of us here today have our own love stories.

Some are short, others long.

Some are yet unwritten, while others are just getting to the good part.

There are chapters in all of our stories that are sad or disappointing – and others that are exciting and full of adventure.

[Insert love story here]

And that brings them here, a time to pause, look back, and smile at all the moments that brought them here.

And a time to look ahead to all the moments that are still to come.

I’m here – we’re all here – because we want those moments for you.

We’re here to hope with you, to support you, to be proud of you, and to remind you that love isn’t happily ever after, love is the experience of writing your story.

It’s not one moment – not even this moment. It’s every moment.

Big ones like saying “I love you,” moving in together, getting engaged – but mostly a million little ones that come in between the big moments.

Falling asleep next to one another, making dinner together, spending holidays with your families, getting a big hug when you get home from work…

These everyday moments fuse together into one big experience.

And even though this experience is so incredible, words fail us when we try and explain it.

That’s just the way it is with love – it’s meant to be felt, not described.

But trying to describe love is one of our favorite pastimes.

We use the words we have to write stories, and poems, and songs about love.

And even though we describe love in different ways – and even though love can look different from one person to the next – we all know it when we see it.

And we see it here.

Opening Words and Introduction 5

We have been invited here today to witness and celebrate the uniting in marriage of BRIDE and GROOM.

They are taking the first step of their new beginning; their new life together.

The ability and desire for one human being to love another is perhaps the most precious and fulfilling gift that has been entrusted to us.

It is an all-consuming task, a lifelong endeavor — the journey we’ve been preparing for all of our lives.

Loving someone is a reason to stretch beyond our limits, to become more for the sake of the other.

It is to look into the soul of your beloved and accept what you see.

Loving is the ultimate commitment which challenges humans to become all that we are meant to be.

As they join in marriage today, BRIDE and GROOM are announcing to the world that they are welcoming that challenge.

Opening Words and Introduction 6

Hello and welcome!  May your hearts be glad and your spirits be light.

For every thing there is a season and a time for every purpose under Heaven.  Now is the time for a wedding.

BRIDE and GROOM have asked you all here today to bear witness to the forming of their covenant.

In honor of this event, they will say heartfelt words, perform age-old rituals and validate this event in your presence, their family and friends.

They will laugh and cry, dance and sing, and above all, celebrate their love with the blessings of the people who matter most to them.

To this day BRIDE and GROOM bring the joy in their hearts as a gift to one another.

They bring their shared dreams, which tie them together.

And they bring the seeds for their future, out of which will grow their life together.

You have been invited to share in their joy because of your bonds to the bride and groom and their families.

Again, they welcome you and thank you for coming.

Opening Words and Introduction 7

Hello everyone and welcome.

Thank you for joining us on this day of gladness and good fortune.

BRIDE and GROOM are coming together to publicly proclaim their undying love through the celebration of their marriage.

We are all here to learn about loving and being loved, and to watch the miracle of love exchanged enriches every one of us.

Therefore, we appreciate the opportunity to witness the shared love of this beautiful couple.

Their enthusiasm is contagious, their certainty of their destiny together is inspiring and their great expectations give us all a glimpse of the heights love can reach.

Marriage is a very special place.

It’s an oasis, a haven, and a sanctuary where we can safely learn about ourselves in the presence of another.

Like the harmony with the melody, marriage weaves two lives together, creating a deeper and richer song.

We are honored that BRIDE and GROOM are sharing some of their beautiful music with us on this day.

We ask that the vision they have of one another always reflect the electric attraction that first brought them together.

And we pray that, as they enter into the lifelong bond that is marriage, they may always see one another in the light of all light; the light of love.

Opening Words and Introduction 8

We have come together – families and friends – to witness BRIDE and GROOM as they exchange their vows of marriage.

We share with them their delight in finding love with each other, and support their decision to be together from now until the end of time.

As this couple enters into marriage, they do so with thought and reverence.

They give thanks for the past, which brought them to this place, and look forward with hope to what the future will bring.

Marriage is like a great umbrella that shelters love from the elements.

Corinthians One says that love is patient and kind.

It is not jealous or boastful, not irritable or resentful, not arrogant or rude.

Love does not insist on its’ own way.

It does not rejoice in the wrong, but rejoices in the right.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes in all things and endures all things.

Love never ends.

This marriage is a symbol of BRIDE and GROOM’s commitment to that love.

Opening Words and Introduction 9

We are here on this magnificent and beautiful day to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments – we are all present to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love – and to publicly witness the creation of an outward marriage bond that BRIDE and GROOM have already been creating inwardly.

Their love and intention has created this marriage and we are gathered here today to join in the celebration and acknowledgment of that bonding.

Opening Words and Introduction 10

We would like to welcome all of you, honored guests, and thank you for being with us today.

We are gathered here this evening, in the presence of God and of His company, to join BRIDE and GROOM in Holy Union, and bear witness to the miraculous power of love.

Love is our purpose in being here; it is the essence of who we are.

With Love as their foundation, marriage offers BRIDE and GROOM the opportunity to become their essence with one another.

Marriage is an art form that brings profound joy and demands great responsibility, awareness, and commitment.

We who partake of this occasion bind ourselves as witnesses to the journey of love that they are undertaking here.

Opening Words and Introduction 11

Love has brought BRIDE and GROOM together.

But what do we mean by love?

When we love, we see things other people do not.

We see beneath the surface to the qualities, which make our beloved special and unique.

To see with loving eyes, is to know inner beauty. And to be loved is to be known, as we are known to no other.

We who love, can look at each other’s life and say, “I touched his life,” or, “I touched her life,” just as an artist might say, “I touched this canvas.”

“Those brushstrokes in the comer of this magnificent mural, those are mine. I was a part of this life, and it is a part of me.”

Marriage is to belong to each other through a unique and diverse collaboration, like two threads crossing in different directions, yet weaving one tapestry together.

The secret of love and marriage is to be in love and in trust, to know in your hearts that you want only the best for each other.

It takes dedication, to stay open to one another, to learn and grow, even when it is difficult to do so.

And it takes faith, to go forward together without knowing what the future holds for you both.

The true art of married life is an inner spiritual journey.

It is a mutual enrichment, a give and take between two personalities, a mingling of two endowments, which diminishes neither, but enhances both.

It is, ultimately, the emergence of the Highest Selves of each person.

Opening Words and Introduction 12

You have come here today, BRIDE and GROOM because you believe that by being together your lives will be better and more productive than they would be apart.

In marriage, a new perspective is created with the joining of male and female views of life.

Through this partnership, each partner becomes stronger, each becomes wiser and each becomes more loving.

But marriage is a garden, which needs to be tended every day:  the benefits we receive through marriage are not free.

If we don’t make time to tell our partner how much we value what we have together, we will begin to take each other for granted and lost the very special quality that we originally united to enjoy.

The importance of marriage to humans is so great, that it is the oldest rite or ritual of any kind recorded in history; it’s scope so great that it is virtually the only custom recognized by every human government and religion.

It is into this dynamic and wonderful state of partnership that you two come, today, to be joined.

Opening Words and Introduction 13

We are gathered here in this beautiful place to join together this man, GROOM, and this woman, BRIDE, in marriage — a state instituted in love, occasioned by joy.

Honored and renewed by each person who pledges themselves to each other.

It is therefore, not to be entered into lightly, or, unadvisedly. It is to be entered into with praise and delight for it’s inexpressible gifts.

Let us be honest enough with ourselves to know that there is no true marriage, except the inward bond of trust and love that dwells in the hearts of BRIDE and GROOM.

Only the two of you will know what marriage exists between you — the outer forms are only signs and covers over the love of your hearts.

We wish that you will find together, a richness beyond the wealth of money — a depth of soul that will make beautiful everything you do in life,  both separately and together.

Opening Words and Introduction 14

The stream had flowed through the center of the forest for as long as anyone could remember.

It began as a cold, clear fountain in a fractured hillside, then tumbled down over mossy stones and last year’s autumn leaves.

At the foot of the hill the stream took a course running southeast through tall stands of beeches, maples, and oaks, and by the time it left the forest five miles later it carried a river’s ambitions.

But in the center of the forest it was a watery dream, about ten feet wide and ten inches deep. Fallen logs made bridges for chipmunks, foxes, and children looking for secrets.

Occasional shafts of sunlight revealed freshwater muscles in the silt, crayfish picking over pebbles, water beetles dancing on the surface, and young trout darting among roots, branches, and softly bubbling falls.

The stream was full of life, and full of lessons for those who knew how to see them.

And regarding it silently on the bank stood the master and the student.

The master and the student had arrived at the stream after walking the forest path for nearly two hours.

Every step of the way, the student spoke anxiously of the impending choices that filled his mind with confusion.

Should he travel?

If so, where?

Should he continue his studies?

If so, in what field of knowledge?

Should he learn a new trade, or perhaps join the family business?

Should he save his money, or spend freely and enjoy life to its fullest?

And on, and on, and on. And every step of the way the master only listened.

When they reached the stream the student fell silent.

They stood side by side, watching the water.

Then, pointing to a fallen twig, the master asked, If you throw that stick into the stream, where will it go?”

The student answered, It will go downstream, of course.”

But the master shook his head. No,” he said, I want you to tell me exactly where it will go.”

The student crouched down on the bank and observed the water carefully.

He noted the paths of leaves, the surge of bubbles, and the sway and drift of weeds growing on the bottom, until he was sure.

Well,” he said, If I throw the stick to land at that spot there, it will follow the current between those two rocks, rush over that fall, then swirl in that eddy for a moment, then pass under this branch, and then move off under that fallen log over there.”

The student smiled, supremely confident.

All right,” the master said. Throw the stick.”

And the student did.

And it traveled on a course entirely different from the one he had predicted.

They watched the stick drift out of sight. The student shuffled his feet and looked at the ground, but finally met the master’s eyes.

The important thing,” said the master,” is to throw the stick!”

We are here today because  BRIDE and GROOM have decided to throw the stick.

In a world of endless choices, unpredictable outcomes, and no guarantees, they are doing the finest thing two people can do: making a commitment before friends and family to devote their lives to each other.

We call this a wedding.

It comes from an old Germanic word meaning a pledge.”

And this is worth remembering as we consider what this day is all about.

We make few pledges in our modern lives.

But today we celebrate with BRIDE and GROOM as they make theirs: a pledge to and for each other, not as individuals, but as two that are choosing to become one.

Opening Words and Introduction 15

Hello and welcome.

Today we are here to witness the act of love.

Love is the magic that has brought BRIDE and GROOM together and through that magic, we are joining them today.

When we love, we see things other people do not see.

We see beneath the surface, to the qualities, which make our beloved special and unique.

To see with loving eyes, is to know inner beauty. And to be loved is to be seen, and known, as we are known to no other.

One who loves us, gives us a unique gift: a piece of ourselves, but a piece that only they could give us.

“Those brushstrokes in the corner of this magnificent mural, those are mine.

I was a part of this life, and it is a part of me.”

Marriage is a supreme sharing of experience, and an adventure in the most intimate of human relationships.

It is the joyous union of two people whose comradeship and mutual understanding have flowered in romance.

Today BRIDE and GROOM proclaim their love and commitment to the world, and we gather here to rejoice, with and for them, in the new life they now undertake together.

Opening Words and Introduction 16

Hello & welcome.

We are here to witness the creation of a marriage.

Marriage is the most intimate of all relationships.

It is the ultimate commitment to love, share, trust and grow with another person.

It is the beginning of a whole new life.

By entering into this marriage BRIDE and GROOM are stating publicly, the feelings and commitments they have held privately between them.

They are proclaiming their love for, their trust in and their loyalty to the one they cherish above all others.

Marriage has been described as living in love with your best friend.

Love is one of the few constants in the universe.

It is reality, affinity and communication.

Only love is capable of joining living beings by their deepest essence, uniting, completing and fulfilling them.

Marriage is a symbol of the commitment to create a lifelong partnership based on love.

Opening Words and Introduction 17

Today, before this company, BRIDE and GROOM will declare their intention to join their lives together, to intertwine them in the partnership of marriage for all of the seasons of their lives.

This is the beginning of the journey they now undertake together for their mutual growth in character, in mind, and in spirit.

Marriage doesn’t stay still.

Tomorrow will be different from today, and so marriages too change from day to day, year to year.

Marriage is an ever changing, ever-growing relationship moving the couple toward greater contentment within themselves, with each other, and all those whose lives they touch.

A good marriage makes room for the participants to spread their wings and soar toward their own self-realization.

Marital love is like the seasons of our hearts. BRIDE and GROOM are in the springtime of their love.

It is as tender as the green shoots that in the springtime push their heads through the earth and take nourishment from the morning sun.

With tending and care their love will grow dramatically; it will flower and bear fruit and grow ever stronger in the heat of summer.

Together they will harvest the mature fruit of their union in the warm days of autumn and enjoy the contentment of their labors.

And with the onset of the quiet days of winter when words are no longer necessary, the love that they have cultivated and harvested with such care will sustain them for always.

Someone once said to me — Man plans, and God laughs.”

I think about life that way.

We make plans and they don’t necessarily turn out the way we envisioned, but somehow life happens, and shapes and molds us to be better than we are.

Marriage is the single most important relationship that challenges us to be always better.

It molds and strengthens our character.

Opening Words and Introduction 18

We are here on this magnificent and beautiful day to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments–we are all present to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love–and to publicly witness the marriage bond that BRIDE and GROOM have been creating inwardly.

Aware that there is one Presence and Power, and that we are each part of that Divine unity, we join in blessing BRIDE and GROOM as they bring their hands together in Namaste.

Namaste is a beautiful greeting used widely in the East.

As BRIDE and GROOM join their hands in Namaste, and gaze into each other’s eyes, they will repeat after me, the meaning of this greeting as a symbol of their love and commitment to each other:

I honor the place in you,

Where the entire universe resides,

of love, of light, of peace.

I honor the place within you, where

If you are in that place in you,

And I am in that place in me,

There is only one of us.

Opening Words and Introduction 19

Welcome to all of you, who have come to share in this important moment in the lives of  BRIDE and GROOM.

I ask you to join together in celebrating, acknowledging, and honoring this day and the vows that they will be making.

By your presence, you witness and affirm the truth of their love and commitment to each other.

No one gets married in a vacuum.

Each person lives in the context of their culture and community, and most importantly, within a special network of family members and close friends who make up what we might call their tribe.”

For BRIDE and GROOM, you are these people.

By birth or good fortune, you have had a significant place in sharing, affirming and shaping their lives, and they yours.

Your cherished connections endure, despite the distances that separate you, your busy lives, and all the changes that life takes you through.

Their wedding has brought all of you to one place — an event in itself — and has made the tribes suddenly visible.

Today the two tribes are about to become one.

The Bride’s tribe will take the Groom into their hearts and the Groom’s tribe will take the Bride into theirs.

Through the joining of the couple, so are their tribes joined.

This is a wonderful thing for you, since you may never have a better opportunity to develop connections with so many good people.

You’ll be sharing the evening with some of the best people around, hand picked by the happy couple.

This occasion also provides an opportunity to stop and appreciate the love and friendship you experience in your own lives.

Take a moment to recall the special people who make up your tribe. Think of them with appreciation and gratitude.

Opening Words and Introduction 20

We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, the joining of two hearts.

In this ceremony today we will witness the joining of BRIDE and GROOM in marriage.

Today we have come together to witness the joining of these two lives.

For them, out of the routine of ordinary life, the extraordinary has happened.

They met each other, fell in love and are finalizing it with their wedding today.

Opening Words and Introduction 21

Out of affection and honor for BRIDE and GROOM, we are here today, before God, to witness their vows, which will unite them in marriage.

To this moment they bring the fullness of their hearts as a treasure to share with one another.

They bring the spark and spirit which is uniquely their own, and out of which has grown for some time, and will continue to grow, deepen, and strengthen, the precious reality of their life together.

We share joy with them this special day in their lives.

This day they affirm and declare each other as life partners in a celebration of love, which will bring empowerment to their life’s path together.

Let us all give our blessing and love to  BRIDE and GROOM during this ceremony as they pledge their love to one another.

May the wisdom and spirit of all-giving and all-understanding love pervade the words spoken and the love given here today, that these vows offered will remain strong and true in the presence of love all the days of their lives.

May all of us present feel the strength and depth BRIDE and GROOM’s love and experience a rebirth of the power of love in our own lives.

Opening Words and Introduction 22

Good evening.

It is truly a blessing from heaven for two people to find one another and to love so deeply that they embrace the holy bond of marriage.

That is why we are all here today, to witness and celebrate Bride and Groom’s commitment to their union.

On behalf of them, I welcome you all.

Opening Words and Introduction 23

Good afternoon.

We gather here today to witness and celebrate an act of deep love.

Bride and Groom, in their devotion, respect, and love for each other wish to unite in the holy bond of marriage, and to dedicate themselves to each other’s happiness and well-being as life mates and partners.

Opening Words and Introduction 24

Although this is their day, it is also a tribute to all of you.

For knowing you and interacting with you has helped to make our Bride and Groom who they needed to be to find each other.

They would like to thank you all for that.

All of you are the threads of which have woven the tapestry of their lives.

Each one of you is an important piece in the story it tells.

It is the fabric that they wrap around themselves and take comfort in when the world seems cold.

And on days like today when everything is right in their world, that tapestry is proudly spread out and displayed for everyone to see, with all the glorious colors and textures that your diversity adds.

You all hold a place in their hearts reserved for those that they have chosen to call ‘Family’ and Friends” and they are deeply grateful for each and every one of you here today

Opening Words and Introduction 25

Let us all give our blessing and love to BRIDE and GROOM during this ceremony as they pledge their love to one another.

May the wisdom and spirit of all-giving and all-understanding Love pervade the words spoken and the love given here today, that these vows offered will remain strong and true in the presence of love all the days of their lives.

May all of us present feel the strength and depth of BRIDE and GROOM’s love and experience a rebirth of the power of love in our own lives.

To make this relationship work, therefore, takes more than love.

It takes trust, to know in your hearts that you want only the best for each other.

While love is our natural state of being, these other qualities are not as easy to come by.

They are not a destination, but a journey.

Opening Words and Introduction 26

If it were possible to begin this ceremony by gathering together all the wishes of happiness for BRIDE and GROOM from all present here . . . if we could gather together those precious wishes of affection and our very fondest hopes and turn them into music, we would be listening now to a most inspiring anthem, composed of the most harmonious notes possible to produce.

Even though this is not possible, just speaking of it should assure BRIDE and GROOM that our hearts are attuned to theirs in these moments so meaningful to all of us.

For what greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined together to strengthen each other in all labor, to minister to each other in all sorrow, to share with each other in all gladness.

Marriage is an act of faith and a personal commitment as well as a moral and physical union between the parties.

Marriage has been described as the best and most important relationship that can exist between two human beings; the construction of their love and trust into a single growing energy of spiritual life.

It is a moral commitment that requires and deserves daily attention since no earthly happiness exceeds that of a reciprocal satisfaction in the conjugal state.

Marriage should be a life-long consecration to the ideal of loving kindness, backed with the will to make it last.

Opening Words and Introduction 27

Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony.

The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee.

It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church, and Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people.

The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity and, when it is God’s will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord.

Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, bit reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.

Into this holy union BRIDE and GROOM now come to be joined.

If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now, or else for every hold your peace.

I require and charge you both, here in the presence of God, that if either of you know any reason shy you may not be united in marriage lawfully, and in accordance with God’s Word, you do now confess it.

Opening Words and Introduction 28

Before God we have come together today, for marriage is one of the most sacred of His wishes, and now, through me, He joins you together in one of the holiest of bonds.

Opening Words and Introduction 29

Dear family and friends we have gathered here today to joyfully acknowledge the wedding of BRIDE and GROOM.

They have requested your presence on this memorable occasion in order that you might share with them the pledging of their everlasting love on this day of commitment. Let us pray in silence as we wish them all the happiness in their new life together.

Opening Words and Introduction 30

We have gathered here today, in the presence of family and friends to join BRIDE and GROOM in Matrimony.

Opening Words and Introduction 31

BRIDE, GROOM and their families extend a warm welcome to all of you.

They are elated that you could be here today for this joyous marriage celebration.

We have come together this day to uphold you, BRIDE, and you, GROOM, as you exchange your vows of marriage.

We celebrate with you the love you have discovered in each other, and we support your decision to continue your life’s journeys together as husband and wife.

BRIDE and GROOM came together from different backgrounds and experiences.

Through their marriage they do not leave those things behind, but instead form a new family that will broaden the circle of love and understanding in the world.

Whatever source of spiritual guidance you follow, I’m sure you will agree that as inhabitants of Planet Earth, we are one family.

With that in mind, BRIDE and GROOM have asked me honor you – their immediate and extended families – by combining both of their individual spiritual traditions into this ceremony.

The principles and sentiments expressed today will be very familiar to you all.

Opening Words and Introduction 32

It is the joyous union of two people whose comradeship and mutual understanding have flowered in love.

Today BRIDE and GROOM proclaim their love and commitment to the world, and we gather here to rejoice with and for them, in the new life they now undertake together.

The joy we feel now is a solemn joy, because the act of marriage has many consequences, both social and personal.

Marriage requires “love”, a word we often use with vagueness and sentimentality.

We may assume that love is some rare and mystical event, when in fact it is our natural state of being.

So what do we mean by love?

We see beneath the surface, to the qualities that make our beloved special and unique.

To see with loving eyes, is to know inner beauty.

To be loved is to be seen, and known, as we are known to no other. One, who loves us, gives us a unique gift: a piece of ourselves, but a piece that only they could give us.

We, who love, can look at each other’s life and say, “I touched his life, ” or, “I touched her life, ” just as an artist might say, “I touched this canvas.”

The secret of love and marriage is similar to that of religion itself.

It is the emergence of the larger self.

It is the finding of one’s life by losing it.

Such is the privilege of husband and wife – to be each himself, herself and yet another – to face the world strong, with the courage of two.

Opening Words and Introduction 33

We are gathered here today to unite BRIDE and GROOM in marriage.

This celebration is but an outward sign of an inward union of heart, mind and spirit.

This is a celebration of the joining of two souls already attuned to each other.

When such a true bond already exists between a man and a woman, it is fitting that an outer acknowledgment be made.

We are here to bear witness to the entry into the closer relationship as husband and wife of these beloved friends who are already one in spirit.

Opening Words and Introduction 34

Dear family and friends, we have gathered here today, together in the sight of God, to witness and celebrate the marriage of BRIDE and GROOM.

They have requested your presence on this memorable occasion in order that you might share with them the pledging of their everlasting love on this day of commitment.

Mutual love is one of the richest experiences and most precious gifts we know.

Marriage is both a threshold and a continuing process in that experience.

The relationship must continue to grow with care, nurture, and an unending awareness of each other’s needs and feelings.

It requires a solemn commitment, which is to be entered into reverently, but also with joy and celebration. In this we now share.

BRIDE and GROOM, I charge you with the responsibility to keep alive; to grow, to change, to maintain the capacity for wonder, for spontaneity, for humor; to remain pliable, warm and sensitive.

I charge you to give fully; to show your real feelings, to save time for each other, no matter what demands are made upon your day.

I charge you to see the meaning of life through the changing prism of your love; to nurture each other to fullness and wholeness, and in learning to love each other more deeply, learn to love the creation in which the mystery of your love has happened.

Opening Words and Introduction 35

We come together not to mark the start of a relationship, but to recognize a bond that already exists.

This marriage is one expression of the many varieties of love. Love is one, though its expressions are infinite.

It is fitting to speak briefly about love.

We live in a world of joy and fear and search for meaning and strength in the seeming disorder.

We discover the truest guideline to our quest when we realize love in all its magnitudes.

Love is the eternal force of life.

Love is the force that allows us to face fear and uncertainty with courage.

For the giving of our self in love is difficult, for you must learn to give of your love without total submission of yourself.

Therefore, in your giving, give your joy, your sadness, your interest, your understanding, your knowledge — all expressions that make up life.

But in this giving, remember to preserve yourself — your integrity, your individuality.

This is the challenge of love within marriage.

Although you will be sharing one life, never forget, you are two separate people.

Cherish and affirm your differences.

Love each other.

Keep your commitment primary.

Together you will laugh and cry, be sick and well, be happy and angry, share and grow.

Grow, sometimes together, sometimes separately.

But never remain stagnant. Love and life are always changing, always new.

If you will insure a healthy lasting marriage, always, always value each other.

Although you will disagree, remember to respect each other’s feelings, needs and wants.

So it is our hope for you both that in all areas of your life together you will weave a durable fabric of mutual consolation and support and of help in time of trouble.

May each of you achieve the ability to give of yourselves freely so that you will each live better life and become greater persons.

Opening Words and Introduction 36

BRIDE and GROOM, the relationship that you have nourished together stands for love that will blossom and grow with each passing day.

Before you knew love, you were friends, and it was from this seed of friendship that is now your destiny.

Marriage is the clasping of hands, the blending of hearts, the union of two lives as one.

Marriage is caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your marriage partner as your own.

It is not total absorption into each other. It is looking outward in the same direction together.

Marriage makes burdens lighter because you divide them.

It makes joys more intense because you share them.

It makes you stronger, so that you can be involved with life in ways you dare not risk alone.

To make your relationship work will take love.

This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today.

It will take trust, to know in your hearts that you truly want the best for each other.

It will take dedication, to stay open and honest with one another — and to learn and grow together.

It will take faith, to go forward together without knowing exactly what the future brings.

And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both promised today to share together.

An intimate and secure relationship is not based on promises, but rather on trust, respect, faithfulness and the ability to forgive.

A lasting marriage is based on all of these, bound together by love.

Opening Words and Introduction 37

We must give ourselves in love, but we must not give ourselves away.

As Saint Exupery said, Love does not consist in gazing into each other’s eyes, but in looking together in the same direction.”

That is why love must always say no to live in a closed world with just the perfume of the beloved and no other essences from nature or humanity.

So it is on this summer eve, let us rejoice yet know that we are here not just to observe but also to participate in this marriage ceremony.

May we all remember that the path of love is meant to be walked together with God and with all of humanity.

No persons in a love relationship can have meaning apart from their family, their friends and their community.

Who gives their blessing to this marriage, and in the giving who says an enthusiastic Yes!” to this new relationship?

Opening Words and Introduction 38

A marriage between mature people is not an escape but a commitment shared by two individuals that becomes part of their commitment to themselves and society.

Yet to love is also to accept the mystery of the loved one, and to refuse to violate that mystery.

Opening Words and Introduction 39

Dear friends, we are gathered to celebrate a historic and extraordinary event.

At the invitation of BRIDE and GROOM, we are here to see for ourselves their love and commitment, to witness their claim to their civil rights, to surround them with prayer and support, and to share in their joy.

Opening Words and Introduction 40

We welcome all of you here today as we have gathered together in the presence of God and these witnesses to join GROOM and BRIDE in holy matrimony.

Marriage is a gift, a gift from God, given to us so that we might experience the joys of unconditional love with a lifelong partner.

God designed marriage to be an intimate relationship between a man and a woman–mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Just as the two of you make vows to one another today, God also made vows to you and me that show how much He loves and cares for each one of us.

Listen to these vows God made that are recorded for us in His Word: I will betroth you to myself forever in lawful wedlock with unfailing devotion and love; I will commit myself to you, to have and to hold, and you shall know the Lord.”

GROOM and BRIDE because your deep love for each other comes from God above, this is a sacred moment, and it is with great reverence that I now ask you to declare your intent.

Renewal of Vows Opening Words and Introduction 41

Friends, we are gathered here at this hour to celebrate the marriage of these two individuals.

We are here to re-affirm BRIDE and GROOM in marriage, to rejoice with them in the making of this important commitment.

The essence of this commitment is the taking of another person in his or her entirety, as lover, companion and friend.

It is a decision which was not entered into lightly, but rather undertaken with great consideration and respect for both the other person and oneself.

Love is one of the highest experiences that we human beings can have and it can add depth of meaning to our lives.

The day-to-day companionship, the pleasure of doing things together or in exchanging individual experiences, is a continuous and central part of what two people who love each other can share.

What marriage is about is what life is about — growth.

The relationship between two people must keep growing and changing, forming a constant adventure and development which will not be without conflict.

If differences are faced openly, the possibility of learning how to convert problems into opportunities will not be lost and the marriage will prosper.

A marriage that lasts is one which is continually developing and in which each person is individually growing while growing in understanding of the others.

Deep knowledge of another is not something that can be achieved in a short time and real understanding of the other can develop fully only after years of intimacy.

This wonderful knowledge of another person grows out of caring enough to want to truly understand what the other is feeling.

Thus, it is possible to share not only joys and successes but also the burden of sorrows and failures. To be known in this way is a priceless thing.

Such understanding and acceptance makes it easier to live with our problems, failings and worries.

To give ourselves in love is not to give ourselves away.

A good and balanced relationship is one in which neither person is overpowered or absorbed by the other.

It is out of the tension between separateness and union, that love, whose incredible strength is equal only to its incredible fragility, is born and reborn.

Renewal of Vows Opening Words and Introduction 42

As these two people have come together before, pledging everlasting love, so we are gathered together today to once again join this woman and this man in holy matrimony.

But now they wish to extend that joy in a new affirmation, based not upon what they hope the future years will bring, but on what the past has already brought them and what they know of their future together.

Additionally, as they honor one another in memory of the years already shared, the family now grown, and the joys and hardships together endured, they wish to pledge their love anew.

This pledge represents not only what will be, but also honors what has already been.

When a couple first decides to marry, it is an act of faith; faith that the new spouse will be as wonderful as his or her behavior has led each of them to believe.

But we all know that sometimes married life can reveal hidden aspects to your spouse’s personality.

It then becomes a test of love and endurance to maintain a marriage.

BRIDE and GROOM have come through their challenge wiser, more mature and with their love intact.

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15.8 Serving as Master of Ceremonies

Learning objectives.

• Discuss the role of master of ceremonies.
• Understand the responsibilities of the master of ceremonies.

A master of ceremonies is the conductor of ritual gatherings. The master of ceremonies (or MC for short, often written as “emcee”) has the poise and stage presence to start, conduct, and conclude a formal ceremony for a group or community. Typically emcees will be full members of the community, recognized for their credibility, integrity, service, and sense of humor. The emcee sets the intellectual and emotional tone for the event.

At a conference or other business function, the master of ceremonies is often the first person to take the stage and the last one to leave it. They come completely prepared to make sure the agenda is followed, nothing is forgotten, all transitions go smoothly, and the event starts and ends on time. While many business conferences are not humorous affairs, a sense of humor can go a long way in helping defuse tension when unavoidable delays, problems, or errors occur. The emcee is required to help an unprepared speaker accept an award, move to their conclusion, and exit the stage. While a shepherd’s crook might seem like an attractive tool for that role, often eye contact and a nonverbal gesture, such as a couple of steps toward the podium, will do the trick. If not, a gentle hand on a shoulder might be required, or even an interjected word about the schedule. The speaker knows and the audience expects the master of ceremonies to keep the ceremony on track with honor and respect.

If you are assigned to act as emcee for an event, you should have an agenda that includes all the components of the event, from start to finish, with estimations of time, roles, functions, and notes concerning responsibility. If this is not provided for you, you will need to compile it yourself. In either case, make sure the agenda is available far enough in advance that you can study it, become familiar with the key components and transitions, and anticipate any challenges that are likely to arise. If possible, you should also communicate with the people who will be joining you on stage: featured speakers, award presenters, and the like. You need to confirm their availability and understanding of their roles, with special attention to reinforcing time commitments.

One trick of the trade is to incorporate time as transitions. If you have a one-hour ceremony involving several awards and one featured speaker, indicate on the agenda that the speaker has seven minutes for their presentation. Communicate this to them before the event so they can prepare their remarks around this time frame. Then budget three minutes as a transition to the next event. It won’t take you three minutes to make the transition, but by building this time window into the schedule you allow for a degree of overlap that may be required to keep the event on track in case the speaker speaks for nine minutes.

It is especially important to observe the schedule if you are emceeing a multipart event with breakout sessions and/or segments on different topics of interest to different audiences. Imagine an all-day conference for which some attendees registered only for the afternoon session and some only for the morning. Now imagine that the morning speaker was delayed due to a travel mishap. As emcee, would you decide to postpone the morning topic and have the afternoon speaker give his presentation in the morning? If so, you would need to be prepared to give refunds to afternoon attendees who missed the speaker they signed up to hear—and even if their registration fees were refunded, they might still be upset about having spent time and money traveling to the event. The solution? Have a “Plan B,” such as a substitute speaker who is qualified to present on the topic of the “top billed” speaker.

A professional master of ceremonies is expected to keep the event running on time while “making it look easy.” The audience will appreciate the seamless progression as the event proceeds.

Key Takeaway

Serving as the master of ceremonies is an honor that involves a great deal of responsibility and preparation.

• Create a sample awards ceremony that incorporates the acceptance speech assignment as well as the introducing a speaker assignment. This assignment then combines three functions into one, where each person plays their role. One person will need to serve as master of ceremonies. If the class is large enough, you may be able to subdivide into groups and hold separate ceremonies in more than one classroom. Planning and preparing a ceremony takes time and attention to detail. It also never goes as planned. Remain calm and relaxed as you perform your awards ceremony.
• Evaluate a master of ceremonies and post your results. Share and compare with classmates.

Business Communication for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Master of Ceremony Speeches

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Master of Ceremonies Guide

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Learning Objectives

• Discuss the role of master of ceremonies.
• Understand the responsibilities of the master of ceremonies.

A master of ceremonies is the conductor of ritual gatherings. The master of ceremonies (or MC for short, often written as “emcee”) has the poise and stage presence to start, conduct, and conclude a formal ceremony for a group or community. Typically emcees will be full members of the community, recognized for their credibility, integrity, service, and sense of humor. The emcee sets the intellectual and emotional tone for the event.

At a conference or other business function, the master of ceremonies is often the first person to take the stage and the last one to leave it. They come completely prepared to make sure the agenda is followed, nothing is forgotten, all transitions go smoothly, and the event starts and ends on time. While many business conferences are not humorous affairs, a sense of humor can go a long way in helping defuse tension when unavoidable delays, problems, or errors occur. The emcee is required to help an unprepared speaker accept an award, move to their conclusion, and exit the stage. While a shepherd’s crook might seem like an attractive tool for that role, often eye contact and a nonverbal gesture, such as a couple of steps toward the podium, will do the trick. If not, a gentle hand on a shoulder might be required, or even an interjected word about the schedule. The speaker knows and the audience expects the master of ceremonies to keep the ceremony on track with honor and respect.

If you are assigned to act as emcee for an event, you should have an agenda that includes all the components of the event, from start to finish, with estimations of time, roles, functions, and notes concerning responsibility. If this is not provided for you, you will need to compile it yourself. In either case, make sure the agenda is available far enough in advance that you can study it, become familiar with the key components and transitions, and anticipate any challenges that are likely to arise. If possible, you should also communicate with the people who will be joining you on stage: featured speakers, award presenters, and the like. You need to confirm their availability and understanding of their roles, with special attention to reinforcing time commitments.

One trick of the trade is to incorporate time as transitions. If you have a one-hour ceremony involving several awards and one featured speaker, indicate on the agenda that the speaker has seven minutes for their presentation. Communicate this to them before the event so they can prepare their remarks around this time frame. Then budget three minutes as a transition to the next event. It won’t take you three minutes to make the transition, but by building this time window into the schedule you allow for a degree of overlap that may be required to keep the event on track in case the speaker speaks for nine minutes.

It is especially important to observe the schedule if you are emceeing a multipart event with breakout sessions and/or segments on different topics of interest to different audiences. Imagine an all-day conference for which some attendees registered only for the afternoon session and some only for the morning. Now imagine that the morning speaker was delayed due to a travel mishap. As emcee, would you decide to postpone the morning topic and have the afternoon speaker give his presentation in the morning? If so, you would need to be prepared to give refunds to afternoon attendees who missed the speaker they signed up to hear—and even if their registration fees were refunded, they might still be upset about having spent time and money traveling to the event. The solution? Have a “Plan B,” such as a substitute speaker who is qualified to present on the topic of the “top billed” speaker.

A professional master of ceremonies is expected to keep the event running on time while “making it look easy.” The audience will appreciate the seamless progression as the event proceeds.

Key Takeaway

Serving as the master of ceremonies is an honor that involves a great deal of responsibility and preparation.

• Create a sample awards ceremony that incorporates the acceptance speech assignment as well as the introducing a speaker assignment. This assignment then combines three functions into one, where each person plays their role. One person will need to serve as master of ceremonies. If the class is large enough, you may be able to subdivide into groups and hold separate ceremonies in more than one classroom. Planning and preparing a ceremony takes time and attention to detail. It also never goes as planned. Remain calm and relaxed as you perform your awards ceremony.
• Evaluate a master of ceremonies and post your results. Share and compare with classmates.

Business Communication for Success: Public Speaking Edition Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

How to Introduce a Master of Ceremonies

When planning events of importance, many elect to appoint a master of ceremonies. While this individual may be charged with, to a certain extent, keeping things running, in many instances this person is a guest of honor who the committee intends to flatter with their appointment. If the master of ceremonies at your next event is someone who is famous or who you simply wish to showcase, put great effort into introducing this individual with the fanfare befitting this position.

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Write a biography. If you are not familiar with the specifics of your master of ceremony's life, take time to learn about him prior to writing this biography to ensure that the information you include is accurate, and that you make mention of the most important details of his life.

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Advertise the master of ceremonies. You do not have to wait until the day of your event to announce your master of ceremonies, particularly if this person is famous and, as a result, will draw crowds to your event. Instead of keeping your choice under wraps, make mention of this individual in your advertisements for the event. If you have ample advertising space, include the individual's biography.

Read an abbreviated biography at the actual event. Include the most important highlights of her career to make it clear why she was selected as your master of ceremonies.

Welcome the individual to the forefront with fanfare. After reading the shortened biography, invite the individual to the stage or other presentation space, asking the audience to give him a round of applause as you do and making the event one characterized by excitement.

• Presenter-Pro: Master of Ceremonies Tips
• Toastmasters: Master of Ceremonies

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Best Tutorials On How To Write That Perfect Wedding Speech

Best Advices, Tips And Tricks On How To Pen The Ideal Wedding Speech For That Special Occasion If You Are The Father or Mother of the Bride or Groom, Maid of Honor, Best Man, Friend, Relative And So On…If You Want To Know How To Write A Very Good Funny Humoristic Or Serious Tone Wedding Speech That Will Amaze The Attendees At The Wedding Ceremony And Mesmerize The Invitees For Years To Come.

Master of the ceremony (MC) wedding speech – How to write it?

There are going to be times in your life when you are going to be asked to talk in front of a crowd. One of the most common of these times is during a wedding. You are going to find that you may be asked to be master of the ceremony, or even give a wedding speech outright. No matter what the time frame, no matter your proximity, you’re going to want to look at a few notes on how to write a wedding speech. You shouldn’t overthink this, mind you, but rather think about options that are going to help you get the right words across on the special day for those that are involved.

The Introduction

Before you do anything else, you need to introduce yourself. Tell people who you are and how you know the people that are getting married. If you do this, you’re going to end up with a positive push forward, guaranteed. You have to be sincere, and just tell your story quickly, an introduction shouldn’t be too long. You can use a joke or an ice breaker here, but don’t make it crass or too out there. Go with something simple if you’re going to joke, and that’s it.

Give A Quick Memory (Story)

The next thing that you should consider is giving a little bit of a story about the bride and groom. Nothing too controversial, mind you, just something that you recall. If you’re not that familiar with them, then just tell an anecdote about how marriage is special and how it means so much to you when someone gets married. Just think of love and honor, and you’ll do just fine here.

Thank People That Are There

After you’ve given your story, you want to thank everyone that is in attendance. That’s right, you simply need to thank everyone that is in the ceremony, and guests that you know. Then you can sit down. That’s it, it’s a simple process that you are going to over think, because everyone overthinks this sort of issue.

You may think that this is all too easy, and at first glance, it may be. However, you can make it a little easier if you just start working on things ahead of time. Look online for different things to say, and see how famous speeches have gone. You can even look towards movies and things along those lines, and see what occurs, and you’ll be glad you did.

Things can be made easier if you just focus on speaking from the heart, and about love. There’s something grand about the glory of love, so if you’re going to write something, go with that. Write something grand about the beauty of love, and how you’re thankful to be a part of the ceremony. The worst thing that you can do is over think this. You don’t need to put pressure on yourself, just be sincere and honest. You’ll find that if you prepare, you’re going to end up with a positive push forward.