Quora Answer: How Do I Write a Good Speech as a Wedding MC?

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “How should I write a good speech as an MC at a wedding?”

The purpose of the Master of ceremonies is not to give speeches, but to control the flow of the event, and execute the planned programme.  At a wedding, there will be others chosen to give speeches, from the couple, to the best man, to even one of the in-laws.  There is no real hard and fast rule on that.

A good MC makes sure he does not take the spotlight away from the couple, and the various acts.  He facilitates, and makes the changeover as smooth as possible.  The only time he needs to speak at length is to buy time when there are technical difficulties, or interruptions in the programme.  Those are not formal speeches, and they cannot be written in advance.  This requires the skill of holding an audience through witty word play, clever rhetoric, and knowing some games or other means to get the audience involved.

You learn that skill by being an experienced MC with many events under your belt, and suffer along the way; or you can consider joining a Toastmasters club, and learn it properly.