Traditionally the wedding master of ceremonies would be a man but in this point in time that isn't necessarily so. However, for the purposes of the article, I shall assume that the role has been undertaken by a man. When you have been asked to be wedding master of ceremonies for a couple's big day this is a wedding MC checklist to help define your duties which begin when the wedding ceremony is over.
No. 1: Make sure any microphone or other equipment that will be useful for the speeches is working; you do not want them to be inaudible or even to have nasty whistles and squeals coming from the speakers.
No. 2: Organise the reception receiving line. This can be fraught with difficulty if the bride and/or grooms parents are divorced and someone will be offended but stand your ground; as wedding master of ceremonies, it is definitely your job to make this go smoothly. Here is the order in which the wedding party should stand, beginning with the entrance and assuming that the bride's parents are hosting the function. If they're not then the hosts come first in line:
bride's mother
bride's father
groom's mother
the groom's father
the bride
the groom
If the couple's attendants should be included in the line up, they come next in this order:
maid of honour
best man
bridesmaids (not children)
ushers
No. 2: Make certain that guests at the top table know where to sit and take care of other special guests such as for example grandparents.
No. https://nathancassar.com.au/ : Make any necessary announcements like the arrival of the groom and bride and the serving of the meal, including the saying of grace, if appropriate.
No. 4: Probably the most important job for a wedding master of ceremonies is the announcement of each of the speeches which traditionally are in this order:
Family friend or father of the bride who toasts the bride and groom
Reply from the groom accepting that toast and who then will toast the maid of honour and the bridesmaids.
The very best man who accepts the toast to the bridesmaids, tells a few jokes or funny stories then toasts both bride's and groom's parents.
The respective parents may reply.
Formalities out of the way, the wedding master of ceremonies will either return to the best man or ask the ushers to learn out cards and telegrams, particularly from those that couldn't attend who you'll then toast.
No. 5: Announce the cutting of the cake then later, the first dance by the newlyweds.
No. 6: Additional duties could be announcing the throwing of the bridal bouquet and or garter and the departure of the groom and bride.
All these arrangements should be agreed with the groom and bride in advance; make sure you write down what will happen and in what order.