EMCEE SAMPLE SCRIPT –

A Step by Step Wedding Reception Program Guide

for the Wedding Master of Ceremonies

A really superb wedding master of ceremonies script is manna from heaven for any first timer
given the task of emceeing a wedding, wouldn't you think? After all, nobody's addicted to the
struggle. Of course, we'd all prefer to have the wedding reception program emceed by Billy
Crystal with all the production values the Oscars are renowned for (a wedding to remember – in
a good way), but reality usually does come with a little more elbow grease and this is no
exception.

I’m also sure most of us have heard of, or been to weddings where the would-be wedding MC
has one too many shots of Dutch Courage and makes a meal of the job instead of the dinner –
complete with off colour jokes about the bride or her mother.

Perhaps even worse, the wedding MC has been dragooned at the last minute and resembles a
deer caught in the headlights. It is confidence destroying for the deer and agonizing for everyone
else. Of course, it doesn’t have to be like that at all.

If you can’t afford a professional emcee, a plethora of excellent master of ceremonies duties and
emcee tips, a well-prepared wedding reception order of events and above all, a decent sample
emcee script (below) can turn even old agoraphobic Uncle Bertie into a smooth and charming
wedding master of ceremony. Of course, this takes time and lots of practice. It is a big
production and the more time taken, the smoother it will be. Remember, if other people have
done it, you can do it too.

Above all, rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. You should know weeks in advance about the venue,
the order of events, the speech-makers. It is advisable to give them a few pointers on what to
speak about.

Wedding Emcee Sample Script

Bear in mind, this sample emcee script template below is only a guide. I have followed the
general wedding reception order of events with thanks and acknowledgments to the wedding
party. It is neither mandatory, nor desirable for the Emcee to quote verbatim from the script
(unless both he and the script are brilliant). Some things look good in a script but sound stiff and
stilted when spoken. A guide is just there to ensure nothing is overlooked or left to chance.
It is recommended the reception program and script is prepared weeks in advance so the Emcee
can familiarize himself with the flow of events. There are basic instructions to give a broader
view on how to present each part.

There! Now you have some of the basics. Before you can develop your emcee sample script, you
will need your order of wedding reception timeline. This is the framework around which you will
craft your master of ceremonies wedding reception script.

Here is a master ceremonies guide I’ve put together to help spur your imagination.

MC Script Starts Here

Master Of Ceremonies Welcome

'Good evening ladies and gentleman, friends and loved ones, welcome to
Winona and Derek's Nuptial Dinner Reception. My name is Robert, and I have
been asked by our lovely bride, the former Miss Walker, now Mrs Winona
McGregor & her husband Derek, to be your Emcee tonight and they would like
to extend their thanks for attending their nuptial celebrations tonight.'

'Dinner will commence very soon, so we ask that everyone make their way to
their seats and make your selves comfortable as we begin our celebration with
a wedding prayer.'

A WEDDING PRAYER

Lord, behold our family here assembled.

We thank you for this place in which we dwell,
for the love that unites us,
for the peace accorded us this day,
for the hope with which we expect the morrow,
for the health, the work, the food,
and the bright skies that make our lives delightful;
for our friends in all parts of the earth.

Amen

Robert Louis Stevenson

Introduction of the Wedding Party

Parents of the Bride

`Thank you Ladies and Gentlemen. Please be on your feet as we welcome the bridal party. Put
your hands together for our hosts, the mother and father of the bride.  As you all know, the day
your little girl gets married is the happiest day of the century for every doting parent and don’t
they look radiant? Thank you Brian & Lily Walker, we can see where the bride got her good looks
from. I’m not saying which, you both look wonderful tonight.’ (wide applause)

Parents of the Groom

`And now, here come the parents of the groom, looking happy and proud. Please welcome
Michael & Maria McGregor. Derek’s parents just got back from trekking in Nepal to be here for
their son’s wedding. A big hand for Michael & Maria McGregor, Parents of the Groom.’

Matron of Honor
`And now we come to the Matron of Honor, Morag McGregor. It’s been said that a Morag  is
chosen for her ability to outthink, outrun and generally outwrestle anything with up to eight legs
that stands in the way of a smooth-running wedding. In Morag’s case, she’s also the Bride’s
Auntie. A tremendous grip on the woman as well!  Let’s hear it for Auntie Morag.’ (wide
applause)

Best Man
`Now we come to our Best Man, Ladies and Gentlemen, Orlando Jones by name. The Best Man
isn’t just there to pass the ring to the groom. He’s there put his body on the line for his friend.
Greater love hath no man, they say. He also assures us, he really is the best man. We can’t wait
for his speech and wise counsel. Let’s hear it for Orlando.’ (wide applause)

(The Bridesmaids and Groomsmen)

`Now we come to the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen. They are the understudies for the Bride and
Groom. If the Bride and Groom chickened out, it’d be two of you tying the knot in their place!
There’s a sobering thought.’

First Bridesmaid
`So without further ado and just a little nepotism, we have Winona’s younger sister  Emmeline
Walker our first bridesmaid. Gentlemen, Emmeline is single and taking a break from her career
as a ballerina to concentrate on bringing home a gold medal at the next Olympics for
gymnastics. Let’s hear it for wee Emmeline!’ (wide applause)
Second Bridesmaid
`Our second bridesmaid, Mary Jo Zimakowski has known Winona since they were in high school
together and as usual, Mary Jo says she has Winona’s back. Let’s hear it for Mary Jo.’ (more
applause)

Third Bridesmaid
`Our last bridesmaid has watched `Twenty Seven Dresses’ five times. This is her twelfth time as
a bridesmaid and she’s running out of wardrobe space. Let’s hear it for Daniela Pavelic. Hope you
catch the bouquet Daniela.’ (wide applause)

First Groomsman
`Our first groomsman is Michael McGregor Junior. Michael, or Junior as big brother Derek calls
him, is seventeen. He’s single, six foot four and 250 pounds. His interests are rap music and
wrestling. Don’t anyone let him near a microphone tonight, folks. Let’s hear it for Junior. ‘ (wide
applause)

Second Groomsman
`Our next groomsman is Jim Mellor. Our Jimmy’s a hairdresser who specializes in some of the
more exotic punk rock styles you might see in the music industry. Imagine a cross between
Salvador Dali and Edward Scissorhands. Jimmy also did our bride’s hair tonight. Nice job, by the
way. A big hand for our second Groomsman! ‘ (applause)

Third Groomsman
`Our last groomsman, Alan Peterson has known our Groom, Derek ever since they got arrested
for brawling at a football match over ten years ago. It’s amazing the things that bring people
together. Let’s have a big hand for Alan our third groomsman.’

Entrance of the Bride and Groom

`And now the big moment, Ladies and Gentleman, our bride and groom Winona and Derek!
Doesn’t she look beautiful? She’s been practising her bouquet-throwing and hopes to give a good
account of herself when the moment comes. As for the groom, look at him! He scrubs well for a
guy who gets into football brawls, doesn’t he? Ladies and Gentleman, a big hand for Winona and
Derek!’. (wide applause)

Father of the Bride’s Speech and a Prayer of Grace

`Ladies and Gentlemen, please take your seats as we hear a few words a prayer of thanks for
God’s grace from our host, the Father of the Bride – Brian Walker!’

Dinner
(Dinner is served)
Cutting of the Wedding Cake
`Gentlemen and gentlewomen! Could we have your attention a
moment for the cutting of the cake. For those unfortunate souls
who are on a diet, tonight’s not your night. The cake was baked
by or Matron of Honor Morag McGregor with her own fair and
surprisingly strong hand and she’ll be round your tables to make
sure you all have your share. Friends please be up and standing
for the cutting of the cake.

Now all of those taking pictures, be sure you’re ready for the
photo-opportunity. Derek make sure you have a firm hand on
the cake with your beloved bride. ‘ (the cake is cut)

`Thank you Ladies and Gentlemen.’

Best Man's Toast to the Bride and the Groom

`Ladies and Gentlemen, a moment’s pause for the best man Orlando
Jones. As you all know, it is customary for the best man to reveal rare
insights into the make-up of the groom, to share with us, the inklings and
foibles that make our beloved groom Derek, the man he is. In other
words, an exposè! Ladies and Gentlemen, the best man!’

Bridal Waltz - First Dance

`Ladies and Gentlemen, we now come to that very special part of every
wedding party, steeped in symbolism. The Bridal Waltz. This is the
moment when the groom walks his bride to the dance floor and they
begin a dance that will last the rest of their lives. Put your hands together for Winona and Derek
as they begin their special waltz as husband and wife.’

Bouquet Throw
`Ok now it’s time for a little fun, because it’s time for the
traditional throwing of the Bouquet.  For those of you who’ve seen
the running of the bulls at Pamplona, it’s a little similar. There’s
always a little risk for the lasses determined to get the bouquet in
their clutches. It’s also the real reason you see so many high heels
shoes tonight. As you know, traditionally the young lady who
successfully catches the bouquet in mid-flight is a certainty to
make her own way down the aisle.

I’d like to request all the single ladies to step forward for the
bouquet throw. The married ladies who’ve sneaked on, don’t be
greedy. This is for single women only.  Our lovely and charming bride Winona has been
practising this throw all summer, so give yourselves some elbow room.’

(to the bride) `Winona, if you’d be so kind…..’

(INSTRUCTIONS: Emcee bravely motions all the

single ladies forward)

`Ladies take your place behind the bride and be prepared to jump high. Fortune favors the
brave! At the count of three, the bride will throw her bouquet. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s all
count together.

Are you ready Ladies? Would you just look at the concentration. There’s some determined
women out there. The countdown! One, Two, Three! What a throw, ladies and gentlemen.’

(Bride throws the bouquet and it is caught)

We have a winner! We’ll have the Best Man cleaned and brought to your table later.

Garter Toss
Ladies and Gentlemen, here’s where things get serious. It’s time for
the Garter toss. I understand some of the guys jumping for the garter
have been in training for months. Underneath those tuxedos, we’re
talking washboard abs, bulging biceps, nerves of steel. We’ve got
Olympic gymnasts, high-jumpers, Morris dancers. These guys are
ripped and ready to rumble! Remember gentlemen this is serious
business. The guy who catches the garter is destined for the altar next!

Now while the groom retrieves the garter, don’t let any of those garter jumpers melt into the
crowd.

We have the garter. Get ready gentlemen.

(Groom throws the garter and it is caught)

We have another winner! We have the next groom. I hope that preacher hasn’t left the room.
Let’s hear it for our winners. (wide applause)

Message of Thanks from the Newlyweds – Groom

Ladies and Gentlemen, please stand by for a few words of thanks from our new Groom, Derek
McGregor.
Closing Remarks
Well I guess that’s about everything ladies and gentlemen we have finally come to the end of our
program. It has been a great day and a wonderful evening with you all. Again thank you all for
your presence. God bless and Goodnight to each and everyone.