The Master of Ceremonies (MC) plays a vital role in the overall success a wedding. Read on to explore what makes a great MC and what their responsibilities are.

There’s a joke that Seinfeld made famous in 1993 that talks about people fearing public speaking more than they fear death itself. It revolved around a survey published in the “1977 Book of Lists”. The respondents rattled off their fears in no particular order. What was the most frequently cited fear? Public speaking.

It’s a stretch to assume that most people would literally prefer the firing squad to giving a public speech. However, this humorous quip is frequently cited when describing the challenging task of confidently delivering a speech to a large audience. Most people despise public speaking. Few are OK with it. Then there’s the rarity of finding someone who can grab the attention of an audience and eloquently deliver a clear message.

When it comes to milestone moments and lifetime memories such as weddings, it’s important to have an MC who can create an image of lasting happiness. Some brides ask, is it important to have an MC at my wedding reception? The most common answer: Absolutely!

Unless your reception is intimate, think 30 guests or less, and there is someone in attendance who is comfortable with public speaking, then you may consider going without one. But that individual must be responsible enough to keep a timeline and understand what is appropriate for the event. Otherwise, you run the risk of your reception running off course.

What are the risks of not having an MC?

Guests miss your formalities due to a lack of guidance.
Less time on the dance floor because the timeline ran off course.
Additional funds allocated for overtime (should the venue allow it).
Couples and guests leave dissatisfied.
What should’ve resulted in great memories turns into stress-filled thoughts.

The great news is that the aforementioned is completely avoidable with a great MC.

The MC has multiple responsibilities when helping the bride and groom and often becomes the newlyweds’ biggest ally. This is because, on the day of the celebration, the bride and grooms focus should only be on having fun and enjoying the company of their friends and loved ones. They shouldn’t have to even consider logistics such as speeches, the timing of cake cutting, or how to line up the bridal party for the introductions. These are all things that a professional host will know and execute well.

Before we focus on the responsibilities of the MC, let's shed some light on the qualities an MC should have.

Experience – There is no substitute for experience in this field. One does not simply wake up a great public speaker. Since there is no formal “Wedding MC Academy” or certification that a host can obtain, the skill is only perfected through repeated performance.
Flexibility – We don’t mean that the MC should be a master yogi, but they should possess the knowledge and calm to adapt to sudden changes. The host must understand the sequence of events and work with other vendors should the order need to change or additional tasks added. It should be so seamless that the guests do not suspect anything is out of order. The MC should also have the adaptability to adjust to different cultural traditions and know how to properly handle them.
Humility – The bride and groom should always remain the center of attention and focal point of the event. The host shouldn’t try to steal the limelight, but rather enhance the moment. A great MC acknowledges the newlyweds every time it is appropriate to do so and defers the attention to the celebration of their love.
Fun demeanor – Inspires guests to let their hair down and enjoy themselves as they celebrate the love between the newlyweds. When the dance floor officially opens and the DJ takes over, the host encourages guests to get down and groove without being pushy or resorting to silly antics.
Projection – A professional MC has their voice dialed in for the specific microphone being used. They know how to properly hold the microphone and speak into it so that their voice projects well for clear audible playback.
Cadence – In order to be properly heard and understood, the MC will be excellent at keeping a steady cadence. They will also take voice inflection, intonation, and accent into consideration to emphasize important messages to the guests.
Eloquence – A great host will fluently use proper language and only use language that is appropriate for the occasion. They will not use profanity or encourage lewd behavior.
Chemistry – The MC should have chemistry with the bride and groom; it should feel like a good fit. This is the intangible factor; the gut feeling that ignites confidence that there is someone who meshes well with your style and taste.

On the day of the event consider your host an extension of yourself. They should have taken the time to know you and will compliment your style. In preparation, they will collaborate with you to create a timeline and order of events. At the reception, they will be responsible for keeping your guests informed as to when the formalities are taking place.

Below are the responsibilities of the MC, from the planning stages to the last song.

Preparation – The host will help couples prepare for their special day. They will provide their professional opinion or best practices when necessary. In preparation, they will get to know the couple's backgrounds, the general makeup of the guests, and the formalities that are important to the couple.
Collaboration – The MC will be familiar with the responsibilities of all the professionals involved. They will work closely with other vendors to ensure that everyone is on the same page. For example, they will cue the photographers when formalities are going to happen to ensure that they prepare themselves to capture the moments at the right angles and appropriate lenses. The venue coordinator will be informed ahead of time when the toasts are expected so that they can prepare for the meals to be served on time. The DJ will be cued up to play the introduction music at the precise time.
Time Keeper – The host will know the timeline and follow the plan. Their experience will serve them well as they coordinate formalities and make adjustments when necessary. Sometimes the unforeseen occurs, but a great MC will be able to turn what appears to be a disadvantage and make it work seamlessly.
Set the tone – A skilled MC will set the appropriate mood for the event. They will have a positive aura and focus guest attention on the celebration while taking into consideration the personalities of the newlyweds.
Guide – Your guests will be informed where they should focus their attention in order to witness or be a part of formalities. The MC will serve as their guide throughout the process and ensure they don’t miss any of the milestones.

To ensure the success of any wedding reception, be sure to have a Master of Ceremonies take charge of the microphone. They are professionals who will enhance your wedding reception and encourage positive memories.