Professional wedding MC Robert Galati. Photo courtesy of Tealily Photography

Robert Galati photographed by Tealily Photography

A good Master of Ceremonies (MC) is a must for a successful wedding.

The MC is more than just a funny guy with a mic. The MC should work with the wedding planners and coordinators as well as the venue, entertainment, photographers, videographers etc to ensure the whole event goes smoothly. They help keep to time, they help move people between places (eg, if you are having a fire works display and your guests need to move outside to a deck area) but also between activities – eg, cake cutting, dancing, meals. Perhaps most importantly, the MC helps set the mood.

Although, all too often the role of MC is not taken seriously. Probably the biggest mistake we see is where a couple chooses a friend or family member to be the MC, even though they have no suitable expertise or experience.

For couples who choose to omit some or all of the formalities from their wedding, an appropriate friend or family member can work quite well.

However, our theory is that everyone from the bride and groom right through to each guest should be enjoying your wedding. This means, no guest should be ‘working’ at your wedding–that’s what staff and vendors are for!

While it may be a great honour for them, when you ask a guest to be MC at your wedding, it will also be a burden. It will stop that guest from having fun and relaxing at your wedding – because they must be conscience of timings and how things are running. They wouldn’t be able to enjoy their meal and have a few drinks. That’s not to say that many amateur MC’s don’t try! I have seen several in my time who have enjoyed their drinks just a little too much and don’t realise that what they are saying over the microphone may be inappropriate, embarrassing or downright annoying, especially when they’re carrying that microphone around and start singing whilst on the dance floor.

A better option is to hire a professional MC, someone who has experience and the skills to do the job properly. The qualities of a good MC include:

  • A strong and commanding voice,
  • A pleasant and respectful demeanour,
  • Cool under pressure,
  • Organised and can work to a schedule.

Possibly the best thing about a professional MC is that they are just that, professional. They are there to do a job, not to cut loose or practice their karaoke. Like many other vendors you’ll hire for your wedding, it’s all the little things you don’t see that make all the difference between an amateur and professional MC.

Ms Gingham says: Think Adam Sandler drunk in the wedding singer…. although funny in a movie maybe not as amusing at your own wedding! Great tips Jennifer!

About Jennifer: Jennifer’s background is in advertising and marketing, working in client and project management. Jennifer has packaged her core abilities, such as negotiating with suppliers, attention to detail, time management, budget know-how, exceptional organisational skills and a flair for design, into the highly successful and respected Bells n Whistles Events.