A Wedding Master of Ceremonies' Best Friend - A Reception Checklist For Everything You Need to Know

A good MC has uses both sides of their brain at the same time. On the one hand, They have to be creatively spontaneous and react to what's going on around them.

On the other hand, their job requires them to stick to a very rigid structure; most often known as a runsheet.

The value of a good runsheet cannot be underestimated. A very detailed agenda becomes a checklist. An MC relies on this to make sure they remember everything without committing it to memory. That's why the following checklist is the MC's best friend.

The best students make their own shortcuts, so use this list and adapt it to your needs.

PREPARATION AT HOME

• Shirts ironed / shoes polished / suit dry cleaned
• Briefcase:
  
  
  
  1. Pens and folder
  
  
  2. Copies of the run-sheet
  
  
  3. Clothes brush / fresh breath mints / toothbrush & paste
  
  
  4. Voice warm-up tape / mobile phone / wrist-watch
  
  
  5. Sound system / personal PA (optional)
  
  
  6. Street directory or GPS

ARRIVAL AT THE VENUE

Function Manager: Check serving times / menu or buffet? / Professionals' meals?

• Location of rest rooms / light dimmer / gift table / guest list / smoking area


• How will guests know where they are sitting?


• Check house microphone level & lectern placement


• Disc Jockey: synchronize music selections

ARRIVAL OF GUESTS

• ENTRANCE lights up


• photographer and videographer ready to shoot?


• MC's OPENING SPEECH

GRACE (if required)

DINNER

• Lower lights


• Confirm the speakers

SPEECHES

• Lights up


• Check if photographer and videographer ready?


• Special gifts ready to be presented? E.g. flowers


• Extra glasses of champagne next to the lectern


• Introduce the Speakers


• Segue into the Cutting of the Cake and the Bridal Waltz / First Dance

DANCING (The MC can eat their meal now)

• Announce last songs


• Throw Bouquet / Toss Garter


• Organise Farewell Circle and Guard of Honour


• FAREWELL - the MC says goodnight

Finally the MC packs up and smiles as they leave the venue staff who, only a few hours ago, welcomed them as part of their team. He (or she) drives home exhausted but satisfied that they have contributed to another successful celebration of love.

The importance of the MC's role in the success of a reception has led to the rise and popularity of professional wedding MC agencies. These company's provide the bride and groom with a multi-lingual selection of the most appropriate MC's.They also provide training materials for speakers and toastmasters to extend their skills in a new and enjoyable way; albeit only on the weekend.