When to say it
Once, early, when people are sitting down. The best moments:
- Right after the couple’s grand entrance, before the meal is served.
- At a party, about half an hour in, once most guests have arrived.
- At church, during the notices before the service starts, if the minister agrees.
Avoid the end of the night. By then the best moments have passed, and nobody is reading QR codes.
The short version (20 seconds)
For most receptions, this is all you need:
“Ladies and gentlemen, look at the card on your table. Point your phone camera at the code, type your name, and you have 24 shots for tonight. No retakes, no peeking. Everything develops at midnight, and the couple sees it when you do.”
Change the number of shots and the reveal time to match your event.
With teams
If your event has teams, like Bride’s side and Groom’s side, use the rivalry:
“Bride’s side, Groom’s side, there’s a camera on every table. Scan the code, pick your side, and start shooting. The couple can see who’s shooting more. At the moment the Groom’s side is losing, and I won’t say it twice.”
Come back to it later in the night with the score from the host’s live view.
For a church or ceremony
Some churches don’t want phones out during the service. If yours is happy with it, keep the announcement gentle:
“The couple would love to see today through your eyes. There’s a code in your order of service: scan it, and your photos will go straight to them. Please keep your flash off during the vows.”
For a birthday or party
“Everyone, quick one. There’s a QR code by the drinks. Scan it and you get a camera with 15 shots. You can’t see your photos until tomorrow morning, so make them count.”
What to avoid
- Long explanations. If the MC needs more than 30 seconds, the setup is too complicated.
- “Download the app.” Guests hear it as homework. A camera that opens in the browser, like Roll Call, means the MC never has to say it.
- Announcing it five times. Once early, once with the score later. Then let the party happen.
- Reading out a web address. Point to the code on the table instead.
Give the MC a card
MCs juggle a long programme. Write the script on a card with the reveal time and the number of shots, and hand it over with the rest of their notes. Roll Call’s printable signs include table tents for the code, so the MC only has to point.
Questions
Should the MC announce the photo QR code more than once?
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Once early, when guests are seated, and at most once more later, ideally with something fun like a team score. More than that starts to feel like an advert.
What if some guests don’t have smartphones?
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Guests at the same table can shoot for them. The MC can say it: “If your phone can’t scan, ask your neighbour to get you in the picture.”