Wedding MC Script: Every Announcement From Entrance to Exit
Announcements keep a reception moving. Guests need to know when to sit, when to raise a glass and when to head to the dance floor. The person holding the microphone, whether a bandleader, a DJ or a friend, needs a script and a pronunciation list.
Here is a template you can edit and send with your song requests. Keep every announcement short. Guests stop listening after about 20 seconds.
Decide Who Is the MC
Settle this at your consultation. Bandleaders and DJs make announcements at many events, but confirm it, and confirm who handles the toasts and the microphone for speeches.
Whoever it is, send them the final timeline, this script and phonetic spellings of every name they will say.
The Script
Welcome, as guests arrive
Good evening, everyone, and welcome! Please find your seats. Our newlyweds will be joining us in just a few minutes.
Wedding party introductions
Please welcome the wedding party! First, [NAME] and [NAME]... [continue in order]
Grand entrance
And now, for the first time as a married couple, please put your hands together for [COUPLE'S NAMES]!
First dance
Please join us in watching [NAMES] share their first dance as a married couple, to [SONG].
Blessing or grace (optional)
Before dinner, [NAME] will lead us in a blessing.
Dinner
Dinner is now being served. Tables will be invited to the buffet one at a time. Enjoy!
Toasts
May I have your attention? Please take your glasses. To start the toasts, please welcome [NAME, relationship].
Parent dances
At this time, we invite [NAMES] to the floor for the father-daughter dance, to [SONG].
Open dancing
The dance floor is officially open! Let's get everyone out here!
Cake cutting
If you would gather around, [NAMES] are about to cut the cake.
Bouquet and garter (optional)
All the single ladies, please come to the dance floor!
Last call
The bar will close in 15 minutes. Last call, everyone!
Last dance and send-off
This is the last song of the night. Everyone to the dance floor! ... Please grab a sparkler and line up outside to send off our newlyweds.
Tips for a Smooth Night
Put every name in the script phonetically, for example "Siobhan (shi-VAWN)." Mispronounced names are the most common announcement mistake.
Give the MC permission to adjust. If dinner runs long, a good MC shifts the toasts rather than rushing them.
Keep surprises in the loop. A secret dance or a surprise song needs the MC and the band to know the cue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the bandleader make the announcements?
At many events, yes, but confirm it during your consultation, along with who will handle the microphone for toasts.
When should we send the MC script?
With your song requests, 4 to 6 weeks before the event, then send a final version with the final timeline 2 to 4 weeks out.
What if we do not want a lot of announcements?
Say so. Some couples prefer only the essentials: the grand entrance, dinner, toasts and the last dance. The MC will follow your lead.