Q. I am MC at my mate's wedding. Can you please give me an order of events for the reception, for example who thanks who, in what order. I would also like some hints to get the night off without a hitch.

A. The MC introduces the speeches, gives a toast to the bride and groom, introduces the speech makers, announces the first dance, the cutting of the cake and the throwing of the garter. The traditional order of speeches, which of course can be altered to suit is:

• Toast to the bride and groom by MC/family friend
• Response and toast to the bridesmaids by the groom (and bride)
• Response by the best man (and chief bridesmaid)
• Toast to the parents of the bride
• Response by the father of the bride
• Toast to the parents of the groom
• Response by the father of the groom
• Reading of messages
• Any other comments by those who wish to be acknowledged.

Then there is:

• First dance
• Cutting of the cake
• Throwing of the garter

General rules about speechmaking at a wedding are - don't mention stories that will embarrass the bride or groom and don't talk for too long. There are many good books about speechmaking available in book shops. If you need any more information then have a look at one of those. You'll find some that quote poems, jokes or other things which may be suitable to put into your speech as well as the formalities that you will need to cover.

See also Speeches