Should You Hire a Wedding MC for Your Reception?

While many bandleaders or DJs assume the role of master of ceremonies (MC) at a reception—by introducing the newlyweds, announcing the toasts, and gathering guests to the dance floor—the job of an officially designated wedding MC is much more comprehensive. The master of ceremonies is “part narrator, part creative team liaison, part emotion concierge,” says Artem Lomaz, a professional master of ceremonies. “A wedding MC is essentially the visual and vocal representation of the guests of honor to their guests. Finding the perfect formula based on personalities is the ultimate goal, and the MC, like many other roles within the creative team, can make or break the wedding guest experience.”

To put it simply, the master of ceremonies is an important part of your reception: He, she, or they allow your other vendors to focus on their areas of expertise, keep guests engaged in the experience, and help coordinate friends and relatives who are giving speeches or otherwise participating in the event. That's why hiring a designated professional for this role is not only beneficial but highly encouraged. “When planners and couples are looking for ways to further elevate the guest experience (‘We've gotten the best floral designers, we've secured the coolest band and DJ, we've commissioned our favorite photographers,’ etc.), the next step in that process is ultimately bringing in the perfect MC,” adds Lomaz.

Ahead, we break down everything there is to know about wedding MCs, from their roles and responsibilities to tips for choosing the best one for your reception and advice on whether or not you should ask a family member to assume this position. Read on for more.

The Responsibilities of a Wedding MC

Having an official master of ceremonies at your wedding isn’t a new idea. “The role has always been around in some capacity, and in the U.S. it was often attached to a band leader or DJ,” says Lomaz. However, as wedding receptions have continued to shift from simple meals to blow-out affairs, an increased number of couples opt to hire an MC along with their entertainment. 

According to Lomaz, an MC's job can be divided into two categories: The jobs you know they’re doing, and the ones you don’t. “External responsibilities is what guests see,” he says. “The welcome remarks, grand entrances, introductions of special dances, capturing attention for special moments, guiding the run-of-show timeline. While announcements are certainly part of an MC's role, they are part of a much greater performance.” In most cases, all of these responsibilities occur during the reception; an MC doesn’t replace an officiant at your ceremony or entertainment during your cocktail hour. 

The tasks you don’t see your MC handling, however, are just as important to the overall wedding experience. “Internal responsibilities are the behind-the-scenes elements that guests really don't need to see,” notes Lomaz, who explains that these tasks include: “Making sure every creative partner is aware of what's coming next and any potential adjustments; coordinating with the photographer on the best place to be for specific dances; [strategically placing] certain guests so that they are within the cinematographer's frame; and offering narrative guidance to guests—like ensuring that the next person toasting is in the room and knows where to go, and where to stand, when delivering the toast.” And while these logistics can be overseen by the wedding planner or band, says event planner Michelle Norwood, “having an MC adds a level of professionalism and expertise that a band or wedding planner may be too busy to deliver when needed.”

What's more, one of the overarching responsibilities of a master of ceremonies is making sure the reception atmosphere is a match for the couple’s personality, Lomaz shares. “The tone needs to match the vision,” he says. “This starts with the responsibility of getting to know the couple—their personalities, family dynamics, how they met, interests, hobbies, funny stories, friends, their engagement process, etc. All of this information leads to a deeper connection, which leads to comfort level, which leads to the MC having an array of information that can be utilized to prepare a personalized performance.”

How to Choose the Right Wedding MC

No two MCs will handle your event the same way. “Much like everyone has their own personality, every MC has their own style and approach,” explains Lomaz. “I often joke that on one side of the MC spectrum is someone like Flava Flav (the ultimate hype-man, loves the spotlight, has a catchphrase), while on the other side is someone like Carson Daly (formal, focused, is more on sophisticated elegance), and with various others somewhere in between.”

So, whether you’re interviewing potential MCs on your own or relying on suggestions from your wedding planner, Lomaz recommends thinking carefully about the type of atmosphere you want to create. “Do you want your MC jumping up and down with joy as you're announced via grand entrance? Do you want an MC that will calmly yet consistently capture attention, and then immediately redirect it towards the upcoming special moment?” he asks. “The beauty of it is that it's all about matching the personality of the couple.”

To truly find the best match, Lomaz recommends asking a potential master of ceremonies the below questions:

• What makes you unique? Is there anything that you do as an MC that you feel other MCs don't? “This question is vital as it will give you a glimpse into what elements are most important to the MC,” he says. These are also the qualities and techniques you can expect the MC to implement at your reception—so if they don’t sound like what you want, then you know you should keep looking. 
• Do you have any requirements or a rider? “The answer to this question will showcase their level of professionalism and give some insight into their preparation, as well as how seriously they tend to their craft,” says Lomaz. “Any requirements or listed items on a rider will presumably have a reflected reason, which gives you another opportunity to check for personality alignment.”
• How did you become an MC? “Being a designated MC is a very specific job,” says Lomaz. “This will provide you with details on your prospective MC's experience within the wedding industry, and the answer could also provide you with a notion of personality style that may not be instantly noticeable purely from conversation.” 
• What's your favorite (fill in the blank)? “It can be favorite food, song, movie—it honestly doesn't really matter,” says Lomaz. “What's more important, at the risk of sounding cliché, is how they answer the question. The answer will again give you a glimpse into their personality, and the way they answer will allow you to see how they handle the potentially unexpected—an important quality for someone that will be your representative to all of your wedding guests.”   
  

Additional Wedding MC Selection Tips

Below, Lomaz shares two additional tips to keep in mind when thinking about hiring a wedding master of ceremonies.

An MC Is Essential for Both Small and Large Weddings

The “guest management” responsibility is just as critical at a small wedding as it is at a large one, says Lomaz. “If you're having a wedding with 20 guests, some assume that there's no need for guest management,” he adds.”On the contrary: If you have 20 guests at an MC-less wedding, and 10 start to wander, that becomes very noticeable, very quickly. On the flip side, if you have 500 guests in attendance, you also need someone who can command the room, with a more formal and tactical approach.”

Avoid Asking Friends and Family to Assume the Role of MC

Tending to the full range of responsibilities that typically falls to an MC requires constant attention—it’s a big ask for a friend or family member you’ve invited to your wedding. “Realistically, the responsibilities of being the MC will outweigh the role of celebratory guest. If you ask a friend or family member to MC, keep in mind that at some point the line between being a guest at your wedding and your wedding MC will be blurred,” says Lomaz. “A professional designated MC can escalate great moments, de-escalate negative ones, adjust accordingly as needed, and should have the authority to command the attention of your guests.”

An MC may also need to step in to handle unexpected issues among your vendors or with your guests—like dissuading an overserved groomsman from making a speech or stalling while the planner finds your heirloom cake knife. “Part of the role could also include handling unforeseen situations and tactically resolving with the team—preferably unbeknownst to guests,” explains Lomaz. “When you have a designated professional MC, as opposed to a friend or relative filling in the role, your friend/relative can fully enjoy their role as guest without having to worry about the preparations and day-of responsibilities that come with being a performer on your special day.”