I know that an open mic at your wedding sounds like a great idea. The reasoning seems to go like this: if we open the microphone for all our friends and family we'll get to show them how much we care about their advice and that we have an open ear to what they have to say. An alternate line of reasoning goes like this: it will be fun to have an open mic.First off, unless you are one of those incredibly rare couples that actually does care what those people who are going to get up there and stutter and stammer for who knows how long have to say, get real. You don't care what they have to say. You just want to be out of your reception and on to your honeymoon and the rest of your life regardless of their pithy and often pointless yammerings.
Second off, very few people are learned in the art of public improvisational speaking. In my years in the wedding business (I think that amounts to around fifty-two weddings) I have heard approximately five decent improvised speeches and that includes the necessary bridal party speeches. You are in for a seriously uncomfortable half hour or so as person after person walks up to the microphone and blabs mercilessly for an unbearable five minutes (and that's if you're lucky) about some minute point of your relationship or some meaningless inside joke. Inside jokes are great but that's the point, they're inside. They aren't supposed to be shared at a public dinner much less your weding reception. So when you open your microphone be well advised that 98% of those attending have never given a public speech of any sort and will almost definitely resort to telling stories or jokes without a point.
Now does that sound in any way fun or encouraging? No. Just awkward beyond all reckoning. I have squirmed through far too many of these and would hate to see you and your guests squirm through one which could have been avoided!
Let me just be honest here: an open mic is a BAD idea. However, there are alternatives. Mind you, I have rarely seen these alternatives used but they do exist.
Instead of an open mic think more along the lines of controlled speeches which you have seen in advance. Stories about your childhood or adolescence are a fine idea so long as they are stories that everyone else can understand and to which they can relate. Which is why you should call Uncle Joe, Aunt Sally, and your great friend Chris - all of whom are well-known for their witty improvs at weddings - six weeks in advance and ask them to put together a three or four minute anecdote.
Also, will anything said at that microphone actually benefit anyone but you? I advise paying careful attention to those people who have something to say in your receiving line and an extended period of mingling with your guests in which, if you really do care, you pay a moment or two of special attention to anyone who wants to say something to you.
It's a brutal truth but steer well clear of allowing your attendees to touch the microphone at your wedding, especially if they have nothing prepared!
