THE WEDDING RECEPTION – Speeches and Cake
STEP #11: THE SPEECHES
The MC then usually announces that the speeches are about to commence:
- “Ladies and Gentlemen, the speeches and toasts will begin in five minutes, so if there is something that you have to attend to (urgently), or if you need to powder your nose or go for a quick walk, now would be the best time.” (Again, personalise at your leisure!)
It is standard practice to deliver the speeches whilst coffee is being served though this can vary. They are usually presented in the order shown ahead.
The MC may commence proceedings with something like:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, we have come to the formal part of the celebrations and accordingly, we will have a few short speeches and toasts.”
OR
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s now time for that formal part of the evening. For some of the speakers, it may be their first…and last…public speech. In any case, I’m sure you’ll applaud their brave venture into public speaking.”
“The first toast tonight, and what may be considered the most important, is the toast to the Bride and Groom and this honour and responsibility falls well on the shoulders of the Father of the Bride, (name).
The order of wedding speeches is generally as follows.
SPEECH 1: Toast to the Bride and Groom
SPEECH 2: Groom Replies
SPEECH 3: Groom then toasts the bridesmaids
SPEECH 4: Best man replies on behalf of the bridesmaids
SPEECH 5 : Toast to the parents of the Bride
SPEECH 6 : Bride’s father replies
SPEECH 7 : Toast to Groom’s parents
SPEECH 8 : Groom’s father replies
When managing the speeches, be sure to thank each person for their contribution and introduce each upcoming speaker.
STEP #12 : ANNOUNCE THE CUTTING OF THE CAKE
MC INTRODUCTION: “And now comes the cutting of that beautiful cake (find out who made it and announce that). So I’d like…(bride)…and…(groom)…to walk around to the front of the bridal table to perform their first duty as husband and wife.”
As they approach the cake, make a comment about the event. For example, “One of life’s tragedies is that we actually have to cut up this beautiful piece of art…but it would be a greater tragedy if we left it uneaten…”
DJ MUSIC : Whilst the cake is being cut, the DJ should play the requested song or (if they have not requested a song) something romantic along the lines of:
Truly, Madly, Deeply – Savage Garden
I Got You Babe – Sonny & Cher
For Once in My Life – Stevie Wonder
I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) – Jessica Mauboy
Wanna Grow Old with You – Adam Sandler
Marry You – Bruno Mars
It Had to Be You – Harry Connick, Jr. (band/vocalist)
L-O-V-E – Nat King Cole
Endless Love – Luther Vandross & Mariah Carey
By Your Side – Sade
Tonight, I celebrate my love – Roberta Flack And Peabo Bryson
Three times a lady – Lionel Richie
We’ve only just begun – The Carpenters
Love me tender – Elvis Prestley
Sugar, Sugar – The Archies
Chapel of Love – The Dixie Cups
Pour Some Sugar on Me – Def Leppard
Hit Me With Your Best Shot – Pat Benatar (80s) also there’s a new Glee version out
Theme from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly – Ennio Morricone (soundtracks)
Remember to announce the photo opportunity posed by the cutting of the cake:
“Ladies and Gentlemen…now would be a great opportunity for photos – a once and only chance to capture the special moment of (bride and groom) cutting their wedding cake.” (check with the photographer before announcing this)
“I now think it is appropriate that (bride) and (groom) kiss each other.”
(following the nervous kiss)… “Oh, that wasn’t a kiss, that was a peck – I SAID A KISS.”
Ask for a round of applause after the cutting of the cake. If relevant, say the following to the Bride and Groom:
“On the table, you will find two Goblets with your names engraved on them. If you’d be so kind as to link arms and drink to your future; again, this would be a good time to warm up your cameras.”
Usually, at this point, the cake is taken away to be sliced.
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Nice message
Wonderful, I have captured the feel.
Helpful indeed
This style of speech is very good where there is a toast to the bride and groom even to their parent.
In my area this is fading out with fund raising taking its place. Formerly it was something like that.
If I had an opportunity I’ll go by this thank you.
Wooow !! This couldn’t have come at a better time as I will be the emcee at a wedding reception on the 27 Feb 2021. I thats been an eye opener and has sharpened my skills as an emcee . . I really enjoyed the education
Thank you and God bless.
Wooow!! This couldnt have come at a better time…as i will be emcee on 27 Feb 2021. You have taught me a lot and has sharpened my skills as an emcee. I really enjoyed it.
Thank you
God bless
I hope we are not in the same weeding I’ll be the a cake matron in a wedding on the same date.lol
Wonderful speech I like it
Steps on how to lunch cake on stage
This has come at a time when i will be the Cake Matron tomorrow 28/8/21. i appreciate!
thank you. really helpful.
Educative👍
A fantastic piece on the custom of giving speeches when coffee is being served, the timing of which is not set in stone (MC). In this age of content overload, it’s refreshing to read a well-written blog entry. David Adams, our master of ceremonies, enjoys perusing your posts very much. Do your best to keep us informed.
The blog post on Lightsounds.com.au highlights the crucial role that a DJ can play at a wedding reception, such as managing speeches and coordinating the cake cutting ceremony. The post provides valuable insights and tips for couples who are planning their wedding and looking for a DJ.
Thank you very much for playing music at our ceremony! This was a fantastic experience. Everybody spent the entire night on the dance floor. Please accept my gratitude for the time you put into this essay. Prestige Wedding Entertainment appreciate you taking the time to write such a thoughtful and helpful article.
This piece highlights the significance of having a Wedding Ceremony Procedures at your wedding. The writer does a great job of outlining the benefits of hiring a professional and the drawbacks of relying on a friend or family member to manage your wedding entertainment. Related to the topic you’re discussing, I found this website, Corporatedjssydney.com.au, to be very helpful.
Being asked to be the best man on multiple occasions is truly an honor. However, as someone who isn’t naturally inclined towards lengthy speeches, I often found myself struggling to create a memorable one. Luckily, I discovered a valuable resource that helped me overcome this challenge. John Wilson and Belinda Hamilton, acclaimed authors of popular wedding speech books, possess a remarkable talent for crafting engaging and heartfelt speeches.
After realizing that my own attempts fell short, I stumbled upon a preview of their work, which surpassed my expectations by leaps and bounds. Their expertise allowed them to effortlessly capture the essence of the occasion, providing me with a newfound confidence in delivering a meaningful speech.
If, like me, you face a similar dilemma and desire guidance from seasoned professionals, I highly recommend exploring the resources provided by John Wilson and Belinda Hamilton. Their books and guides serve as invaluable tools to help you master the art of delivering an exceptional wedding speech. By learning from their expertise, you can ensure that your speech is both heartfelt and memorable, without the added stress of trying to do it all on your own.
The speeches and cake at the wedding reception were an absolute delight. The MC’s announcement, laced with humor and personalization, set a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for what was to come. The order in which the speeches were presented was well thought out, keeping the guests engaged throughout. As coffee was served, the speakers took their turns, sharing heartfelt and entertaining stories. The MC’s introduction was impeccable, gracefully transitioning into the formal part of the celebrations. Overall, the speeches and toasts were a perfect blend of emotion and joy, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present. It was a truly memorable experience.