An MC is one of those vendors that may be considered an optional extra, but when you’re spending money on other entertainment and having your guests pay for drinks, it is definitely worth bringing in a professional to ensure things run smoothly. A great MC knows how to keep your crowd engaged and laughing, can handle the logistics of the event, and is experienced at communicating with your other vendors (like DJs, photographers, etc) to ensure they are on the same page.
It’s important to find an MC who is easy going, comfortable in large groups of people and has public speaking experience. While you want your mc for your wedding to be witty and charming, it’s also important for them to be able to speak clearly and confidently in order for the announcements to be heard. They should be familiar with the schedule of the wedding, especially if it has been changed since they were hired. They will be the “go-to” person that other vendors, such as your DJ, caterer and Aunty Margaret will come to with any questions about what’s coming up next or if they need anything else.
Some MCs double as comedians; proceed with caution. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, be sure to check out their work and make sure their style aligns with your vision for your wedding. A lot of MCs have a sense of humor that is both charming and appropriate for the audience, but it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to offending people or using inappropriate language.
Talk to your potential MC about the kinds of games, forms of guest interaction and out of the norm activities you would like included at your wedding. This will allow them to prepare accordingly and prevent you from getting stuck with an MC who isn’t a good fit for your day.
Discuss who should and shouldn’t be allowed to use the microphone during the wedding. Some couples are happy to let anyone who wants to speak take the floor, while others prefer that speeches stick strictly to the scheduled toasts. If you’re the latter, make sure to tell your MC so that they can be aware of who will be grabbing the mic and in what order.
Ask your potential MC to give you a list or timeline of who should be introduced and when. This allows them to practice ahead of time and makes it less likely they’ll forget a name or call Aunt Sally by the wrong name.
Often, MCs will spend time before the wedding pouring over their notes in preparation for the big day. This is a great way to ensure they remember your specific requests and aren’t caught off guard by any surprises that may arise throughout the night! It will also help them to avoid any small mistakes that might slip by unnoticed when they’re trying to remember everything at once! Just remember – this isn’t your regular dinner party, this is your wedding day and it deserves to be perfect.