Since professional wedding MCs have become the new standard at all modern weddings, there are many standard questions. Here are our solutions.
However, these answers really only apply to our MCs represented exclusively by WeddingMC.com.au and been coached to deliver our 'MC GUARANTEE' that ensures an entertaining and organised event every time. If an MC says they have been trained via the MC Academy, please check here first to verify.
- What duties does the MC role cover?
- When does the MC arrive?
- Would we require the MC for the entire event?
- Will the MC's confident personality be too dominant
- What is involved in designing a run-sheet?
- Can the DJ also act as a MC?
- Don't we need to have a friend MC the wedding reception to keep it personal?
What duties does the MC role cover?
A professional Master of Ceremonies will guarantee the reception will run smoothly by co-ordinating everyone including your guests, the catering staff, the photographer and video camera-person, plus the DJ, band and entertainers.
Your MC will manage all the many other details that arrive unannounced and sometimes uninvited – but are inevitable with a live event.
There has to be at least one person who makes the decisions about when an event segment will begin. This is the MCs role. However, if there is a professional wedding planner, then the MC is under their command and will take their cues from this person.
When does the MC arrive?
The MC needs to be ready at the venue 1 hour before the canapes time to check the sound equipment and revise the run-sheet with the venue staff or function manager.
This normally only takes less than half an hour – but if by chance there is a problem, then an hour is needed to fix the trouble.
Would we require the MC for the entire event?
Absolutely. The MC needs to be at your reception long before the guests arrive and is there to bid the guests goodnight and farewell.
The MC with the correct attitude is never a 'clock-watcher'. They are just happy to help the event succeed - right up until the last person has left.
Never use a MC who is always late or is distracted by other 'commitments' such as catching up with friends before the job.
This arrangement makes it difficult for a MC who charges by the hour. Instead, look for a MC who is dedicated to the role of serving the bride and groom - and not their watch.
You are paying for the MCs talent - not their time.
Will the MC’s confident personality be too dominant?
A professional MC will know exactly how the bride and groom expect their Master of Ceremonies to perform.
A good MC will adapt their presentation style to be appropriate and suit the wishes of the bride and groom.
They do not have one stock standard style of presentation - but rather can easily tailor their delivery to complement the character and culture of the event hosts.
Expect your MC to be able to customise their delivery on the night to suit the atmosphere, the venue and the program of events - including the type of people that are assembled.
What is involved in designing a run-sheet?
A good run-sheet is the MCs best friend; it is the fuel that will make the event light and easy or stressful and hard to manage.
By the time the wedding is about to start, the runsheet (aka an agenda or schedule) is a combination of the venues meal-serving times, the wishes of the bride and groom, and the MCs advice on the best sequence that will achieve maximum fun with minimum stress.
Using the WORD doc template we supply, the runsheet is developed via email between the 3 groups mentioned above.
Can the DJ also act as a MC?
We get asked this question everyday. We make no secret of the fact that we discourage the use of DJs to double-dip as MCs.
It is generally agreed that males are hopeless at multi-tasking - so it shouldn’t come as any surprise to find that, because most DJs are men, the DJ as MC arrangement often results in mixed messages with in-correct names and the wrong order of events. There is just too much to do all at the same time.
It is rare to find a disc jockey that will confidently use a microphone to communicate with their audience - because their skill is in mixing songs not public speaking.
Even though there are well-known companies who insist their operators can do both jobs at the same time, one of the roles must suffer badly and it is usually the MCing part. And everyone quotes the well-known mantra: The MC will make or break your wedding reception.
Some companies use the 'free MC' sales pitch to entice you to use their DJ service - and it seems like a good idea at the time - until you ask for testimonials from any brides referring to the quality of their MC skills. There usually isn't any kind of referrals available.
Don't we need to have a friend MC the wedding reception to keep it personal?
This is one of the great modern day myths
