The master of ceremonies letter: what goes in it and when to send it
The master of ceremonies letter is the letter the master of ceremonies sends to the guests without the couple seeing it: a call for speeches, photos from the past, practical arrangements about surprises. This is how you make it, and how you send it at the right moment.
Last checked on 1 October 2026What belongs in it
- Who you are and why you are writing (the couple knows nothing).
- What you ask of guests: a speech, photos from the past. With a deadline.
- How they send in their speech: via the block "You may speak" on their own invitation, if the couple has ticked them for it.
- Practical arrangements: where and when to gather for the surprise, what they do not say to the couple.
- How they reach you: via "Ask a question" on the invitation, so it does not run through the couple.
When you send it
Usually a few weeks before the wedding, well after the invitation itself: guests must first know that they are coming. Send too early and they forget; too late and there is no time for an act. With Invitesly you schedule the letter for a date and time; until then you can change or cancel it, and you can first send a test to yourself.
In the theme of the invitation
You write the letter in the dashboard: a heading and a text, nothing more. The layout comes from the theme of the invitation, so it looks like the card guests already know. Guests receive the whole letter by email, with their own salutation ("Dear Jan and Marieke"), and then find it again on their invitation in a block the couple does not see.
To whom
By default to all households with an email address. Usually you limit it to the day guests: guests who are only at the party do not need to know what happens at dinner. If you add guests later, you only send the letter to them.
A draft
Dear {first names},
On [date] [names] are getting married. I am [name], their master of ceremonies, and behind the scenes I am arranging a few things they know nothing about. For that I need you.
Would you like to give a speech? Send it in before [date] via the block "You may speak" on your invitation. Do you have a photo from the past? Send it along.
Two practical arrangements: [gathering moment], and: say nothing to [names].
Questions? Click "Ask a question" on the invitation; then it comes to me and not to them.
Frequently asked questions
What is a master of ceremonies letter?
A master of ceremonies letter is the letter the master of ceremonies sends to the guests before the wedding, without the couple. It usually contains a call for speeches and acts, a request for photos from the past, and practical arrangements about surprises on the day itself. With Invitesly you write it in the theme of the invitation and schedule the sending.
May the couple see the master of ceremonies letter?
No, the letter is meant precisely to keep surprises secret. With Invitesly the couple does not see the letter anywhere: not in the email, not on the invitation and not in the dashboard. Guests do see it, in a block on their own invitation that stays hidden from the couple.
Do you send a master of ceremonies letter by post, by email or via WhatsApp?
By email works best: guests read it on their phone and can find it again later. With Invitesly you only write a heading and a text; the layout comes from the theme of the invitation. Guests receive the full letter in the email, with their own salutation, and then find it again on the invitation. A PDF or Word file is not needed.
Do day guests and evening guests get the same master of ceremonies letter?
Usually not. Evening guests do not need to know what happens at dinner. With Invitesly you can make two letters, one for day guests and one for evening guests, each with a text and sending moment of its own. Each household only sees the letter of its own part of the day.
Can you send more than one master of ceremonies letter?
Yes. Many masters of ceremonies send a first letter a few weeks before the wedding and a short reminder two weeks later, for example for those who have not yet sent in a speech. If you add guests to the list later, you only send the letter to them.
Arranging the wedding of someone who works with Invitesly? Ask for your invitation link.