Best man speech
Best man speech cue cards with a friendly opening, a story or two about the groom, kind words for his partner, thanks to the hosts and a toast that lands.
Speech9 cardsAbout 10 min to speakIntermediateWedding
Wedding MC script
Wedding MC (master of ceremonies) cue cards for the reception: welcome, housekeeping, grand entrance, introducing speeches, cake, first dance and closing.
Free to use, edit, print and study. No account needed: your set stays on this device.
The cards
- 1
Welcome and housekeeping
“Good evening and welcome to the wedding of [partner 1] and [partner 2]. I’m [your name], your MC for tonight.”
- Bathrooms: [where]
- Phones: [unplugged ceremony / share photos to [link or hashtag]]
- Bar and food: [timing]
- 2
Grand entrance
“Please stand and welcome the wedding party.” Read names in order: [names].
“And now, for the first time as a married couple, [names as the couple want to be announced]!”
Cue: [music track].
- 3
Before dinner
Invite [name] to say grace, a blessing or an acknowledgement of country if planned.
“Dinner will be served [how]. Speeches will follow [timing].”
- 4
Introduce speaker one
“To begin our speeches, please welcome [name], [relationship].”
Lead the applause. Stay near the microphone.
After: “Thank you, [name].”
- 5
Introduce the next speakers
- [Name, relationship, one-line intro]
- [Name, relationship, one-line intro]
- [Name, relationship, one-line intro]
Keep links short: the speeches are the show.
- 6
Cake cutting
“Please gather round, phones ready: [partner 1] and [partner 2] will now cut the cake.”
Cue: [music]. Tell guests when cake will be served.
- 7
First dance
“Please make some space and welcome [names] to the floor for their first dance.”
After a minute: invite [the wedding party / everyone] to join.
- 8
Notices
Mention [bouquet toss / photo booth / guest book / transport times / last drinks].
Thank the venue, caterers and [band / DJ] by name.
- 9
Farewell
“Please form a [tunnel / circle] to farewell [names].”
Cue: [music]. Final transport or after-party details.
“Thank you all, and goodnight!”
How to use this template
The wedding MC (also called the master of ceremonies, emcee or toastmaster) keeps the reception running to time and makes sure every guest knows what is happening next. Your job is not to be the star but to link each moment smoothly and warmly. These cue cards follow a typical reception run sheet: welcome and housekeeping, the grand entrance, dinner, introducing each speaker, cake cutting, first dance, notices and farewell. Each card has the exact words to say plus a cue for music or staff. Fill in the [brackets] with names, times and tracks from the couple’s run sheet, and walk through it with the venue coordinator and DJ or band before guests arrive. Keep a spare set of cards with the venue coordinator in case yours go missing on a busy night.
Tips
- Meet the venue coordinator, photographer and DJ before the reception and agree cue signals for music and lighting.
- Check the pronunciation of every name you will read, and write it phonetically on the card if needed.
- Keep your own links under thirty seconds; guests came for the couple and the speeches, not the MC.
- Test the microphone before guests arrive, find where the speakers are to avoid feedback, and keep it close to your mouth.
- Carry a printed copy of the run sheet and a pen to note changes on the night.
- If a speaker runs long, wait for a natural pause, thank them warmly and move on; never cut someone off mid-story.
- Keep a pen with you to update times; receptions rarely run exactly to plan and guests just need to know what is next.
Make it fit
- Ask the couple exactly how they want to be announced, such as both names, a shared surname or their own names, and say it exactly that way.
- In Australia, many receptions open with an acknowledgement of country; in other cultures there may be a prayer, blessing or tea ceremony. Add a card for each.
- For a bilingual wedding, prepare your key lines in both languages or work with a co-MC who speaks the other language.
- For a smaller or shorter reception, combine entrance and welcome, and introduce all speakers from one card.
- If there is no DJ, ask a reliable friend to run the music from a phone and give them a copy of your cue cards.
Updated October 28, 2026