MCs - Don’t start your reception without one.

I’m going to throw an opinon. Maybe rattle some cages. Many vendors will think I’m stating the obvious. But I think this needs saying, to help Canberra’s couples get the most out of their big day.
Planning our weddings, we spend months or years perfecting who we choose as our vendors. Who will make the cake, who will officiate the marriage, who will spend all day with us photographing everything? (Protip: Me ;) )  Will we get live music, or a DJ? Someone who does both? Which venue should you choose?  

CBR Celebrant Pat Coelho running MC duties at The Boat House

All too often however, I see the scene of a poor guest scratching their head, looking at the lines they prepared on worn paper with fold creases threatening to become tears from how many times they’ve pulled it out and amended it in pen, before hurriedly folding it back into their jacket pocket that day. They’ve been anointed MC for the day.

Or even worse, someone who just didn’t prep and will get by “winging it”. They’re a funny, extroverted friend of the couple after all. So a planning couple might think: “Who could be a better choice to make announcements and entertain the guests? I mean if they can make an entertaining speech, that’s all that matters, right?”

Best Man Speech at Waldara Farm NSW

Now Far be it from me to tell anyone what their vision of their wedding should be like. The greatest thing about you planning your wedding is that you get to have it how you want! That’s a great thing. Stay with me though. I think you’ll see this is worth it.

Everyone knows a DJ does music. A photographer photographs. An MC announces relevant people and the list of happenings. -Except as with most things in life, and probably like the job you do, dear reader, a job is much more than it seems on the surface. All professional wedding vendors do a lot more than meets the eye to help ensure a smooth wedding. Your Master of Ceremonies is absolutely no exception to this. That is to say: I reckon few couples getting married in Canberra would leave their wedding photography to chance by getting a friend who happens to own a nice camera to do the job. MC work is no different.

Issues I’ve seen with non-hired stand in MCs who are friends and family include poor, or no communication with a wedding team about happenings (this is super important!), failure to properly engage and entertain the audience, lack of organisation leading to an awkward feeling, disjointed paced event, failure to maintain timelines (resulting in possibly missing out on some planned bits). All of these cause problems, and usually stress for the couple. It’s not that they mean to do a bad job. They just don’t know what needs to be done or have the experience. That’s OK.

THIS IS WHY YOU NEED AN MC:

Experienced MCs perform a wide range of functions. They will of course announce happenings and speakers at your reception. Professional MCs though, will also warmly entertain your guests, keeping them engaged and hyped for everything coming in the night.  Less obviously though, they will check in through the night with you, and maintain your timeline to keep it running smootly from entrance, through speeches, meals, cake cutting and to first dance or your exit.

MCs maintain good communication to ensure all the vendors you have hired can do their best jobs. A professional MC will coordinate with your vendors during the evening to put out fires, (often without you knowing anything happened before the team solves it!)  

Acoustic Musician & MC Ryan David checks in with the Best Man at The Carrington Inn, Bungendore

 If all of that doesn’t make the case, MC work can be a full on job. Your friend who you invited to your wedding as a guest, probably deserves to enjoy it like everyone else, without having that on their shoulders.

Now after all of this, there are some niche weddings that won’t need an MC. If you have no need for a run sheet, and once the reception is on there’s no arrival, speeches, no cake cutting, first dance or an exit planned, then you’re definitely in the clear. If it’s a super informal party, and there’s no coordination needed to get things organised, well that’s another story, but for most, this is such an important step not to miss.

No matter who you are, I want your wedding to be a stress free success! Help me and my Canberra wedding colleagues to help you, and get a great MC for your wedding. Get out there and find someone awesome!

Love,

Josh