What exactly does an MC do?

An MC acts as your Event Host for the Wedding and makes sure all your bases are covered.

What does an MC REALLY do anyway?

First, let’s look at the title itself.
Master of Ceremonies.  The title indicates that the person is in charge of ceremonial proceedings and has achieved a level of mastery in this field.  A Master is a “manager” and a Ceremony is an event, so stripped down, an MC is an Event Manager.

Sadly, too many couples do not choose someone who has mastered the skill-set required to be a suitable MC.

Whilst a family member of friend or venue manager could perform the role, they will be very unlikely to fulfil it to a level to provide the best possible outcome. In fact, it could very likely go very pear shaped.

So what are the skills required?

Here is what a Master of Ceremonies is responsible for broken down.

1. EVENT MANAGEMENT
A master of ceremonies should have a good knowledge and background in event management.

Event management does not mean just running to a run sheet, it is a true master that handles every element possible to ensure the event runs smoothly for the couples (the hosts), their guests and any other stake holders such as suppliers.

This is a very big part of the duties of a true professional MC.

Before the day, they will help the couple to plan the run sheet and suggest alterations where appropriate.

They will work with the food and beverage manager to liaise and ensure everything is running smoothly there and on time.

They will work with the entertainer to ensure the music is ready at the key times.

They will ensure the lighting is suitable and adjust if necessary.

They will assess the temperature of the room and adjust if it feels too hot or too cold.

The room layout will be discussed before the day to check that it is set out for the best experience possible.

2. COMMUNICATION
A master of ceremonies should be an excellent communicator.  Not just orally, but in written form as well. They should know how to write a suitable script for various times of the event that will clearly deliver the message.

They will assess the suitability of the message for all demographics of the guests to ensure that they are being understood. For example, a young MC that speaks a lot of lingo that only younger people would understand would confuse the older guests.

They should be very clear and well spoken. This is essential. There is no point having a master of ceremonies that mumbles, speaks too quickly or too quietly.  They should have had extensive experience using various styles of microphones including handheld and lectern.  Poor use of a microphone leads to distortion and clipping which is not only unpleasant, it can damage audio equipment.

They should aim to deliver succinct messages that get the point across in an easy to understand manner without unnecessary waffling where the point of the message gets lost or muddied in with the rest.

3. RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
A master of ceremonies is the glue that brings all the elements and people together. From the wedding couple, the guests and the vendors. They are the masters of maintaining positive relationships between all stake holders at the event.

They are the ones responsible for ensuring that all suppliers are on the same page and have the best interest of the wedding couple in mind.  For example, I had to be the mediator between a photographer and videographer who were NOT getting along. In fact, they tried to sabotage each others work by standing in each others shots (whilst trying to make it look accidental). I took both of them quietly aside and told them to put aside their differences and remember it is about the couple and not themselves.

It’s also often less extreme and more simply about ensuring the right people are going to be in the right place at the right time.  For example, before the cake cutting is done, checking that the photographer is in the room and ready to go, the DJ has the right song and of course the couple themselves are ready before announcing it.

4. RISK MANAGEMENT
The MC should be watching for any potential risks (tangible or intangible) that may occur. Tangible risks might include cables the DJ has run without being taped down which would cause a trip hazard. Intangible risks could be the timing of the dessert being served will impact on the dance floor experience so should be changed to another time.

5. TIME MANAGEMENT
Time management is critical to ensuring the night runs smoothly. Too often inexperienced MCs allow time to pass little by little which by the end of the night accumulates to a serious impact on the end of the night proceedings.  5 minutes late here and 10 minutes late there all add up to being very costly to what was supposed to happen during the last hour that was planned for the night.

A professional MC friend of mine, Simon McCuskey from Melbourne has put it in very interesting light. He broke down his role as an MC as the requirements for a job description which really makes you realise just how much an MC actually is responsible for.  The above 5 points were based on his “job description” idea.

He also made a great analogy for why a couple could hire a professional MC over a family member, friend, DJ or venue manager. It is similar to purchasing insurance.  Sure, it will cost you more, but if you only have compulsory third party insurance, you will be left to accept the consequences of the damage that may occur. If you get comprehensive insurance, you will sleep better knowing you are covered. It’s like going on a holiday.  Travel insurance covers the risks in advance and allows you to enjoy your experience.  The same applies to events.

We hope this article has been of help to you in making the decision between hiring a professional MC and having someone else fill this role.  So now, hopefully you won’t any longer wonder … “What does an MC really do anyway?”

MC's Job Is: 2 Make Sure The Night Goes Accordinally 2 Plan......MC Check's On The Bride & Groom......MC Follows The Running Sheet Throughout The Night & Makes Sure Ppls R Havin Fun....

A MC is crucial in keeping order of the function. Not only can they engage the crowd to keep them intrigued but they also play an important role in ensuring that everything stays in order.

MC’s have a huge responsibility! It is their job to keep the night running to schedule and to announce/close off all major “events throughout the evening. Some things will include:

1. House keeping

2. Social Media Policy

3. Bridal Entrance

4. Speeches

5. First Dance

6. Bouquet/Garter toss

7. Announce last drinks

8. Ensuring guests depart when venue closes

9. Ensure guests get on busses/ in taxis, or that they have organised transport

10. They need to be able to troubleshoot any time changes that occur

Kind regards,

Sofie Bozzetti

Well an Emcee is basically your spokes person for night.

He or She will cover all the spoken formalities like: 

- Welcoming everyone to the wedding and laying at the house rules of the venue.

- Introducing Parents the Bridal Party and the Bride and Groom into the Reception.

- Introduce the cutting of the cake.

- Introducing Speeches

- Introducing the Father and Daughter dance (if there is one)

- Running the Garter and Bouquet throw.

- And makng sure all thes formalities run on time and also complete the farewell and say goodbye to everyone and farewell the Bride and Groom from the Reception.

I think that pretty much covers it.

An MC's role is essintally the verbal presentaion of your evening a great MC will not only create a memorable event they will make it personal, and create a verbal style and vibe you are going for, wether it be fun, emotional or more professional and serious. Happy to help and guide you further if required. 

Hi,

Choosing the right MC for your guests is just as important as choosing the right entertainment, venue etc.

Choose one firstly, that reflects your personality.

As for their role, consider them as your vital point of contact and deliverer of the next most important part of the day/night after the ceremony.

They will be the first and last person that guests will hear and see during the function part, which includes any issues which may arise.

They are the contact between the Venue Manager, Kitchen and other staff on your behalf.

My services offer all co ordination of the process from beginning to end.  Feel free to contact Maria Chine, Master of Ceremonies to help guide you through the process and walk you through any questions you may have.

In short, the MC (Master of Ceremonies) will be the person on the day will ensure all YOUR plans are followed.  An experienced MC will get you the BEST VALUE for all the $ you have spent for your wedding  day.  The MC should ensure your day 'flows' with no boring or embarassing momnets.  A good MC can be an experienced wedding DJ if they are willing to do the job; YES it is a very important job on the day and will ultimately determine the VALUE you receive from all the hard work you've done for your wedding day.

The Wedding MC ensures the wedding reception runs smoothly they interact with venue staff and troubleshoot if required. They will plan with you and ensure all details are correct and everything is in check. If you are having the formalities such as Formal Speeches they will host and that speakers are prepared. A MC will keep the wedding reception flowing and that it does not run overtime. They can also assist with your wedding guest and answer any questions(to best of their knowledge) such as some guests will ask the Bride & Groom What's for dinner? (even when there's a menu on the table).

Once I was at wedding as a DJ where the Bride & Groom spent thousands on food(seafood buffet), venue, photographers/videographers but did not have a MC and and the whole reception was badly disoragnised and fell flat. I offered MC Services and they refused, please do not make the same mistake.