Why Does Your Wedding Reception Need a Master of Ceremonies?
January 10, 2012
So, you’ve said yes and set the date. Church? Check. Caterer? Check. Hall? Check. DJ? Band? DJ/MC?
Hmmm…
What’s the difference? Isn’t every DJ an MC? And aren’t most wedding band lead singers MC’s?
The simple answer is no. Believe it or not, a Wedding Reception Master of Ceremonies is a very specialized vocation. In many places around the United States, a Master of Ceremonies makes twice what a good wedding DJ makes. Why? Because a good Master of Ceremonies is responsible for keeping your guests engaged, informed and entertained all night. And a great Master of Ceremonies can take your celebration to another level.
They do it by being well spoken, fun, informative and, most importantly, PREPARED. He or she prepares by meeting with you and listening to you. Then, your Master of Ceremonies will help you plan your evening and execute that plan EXACTLY as you wish. A good Master of Ceremonies will never refer to you as “the bride and groom.” Everyone in the room knows your name. Shouldn’t the person representing you know it, too? And your parent’s names? Is your mom “The bride’s mother?” or is she Carrie’s mom, Judy? It’s tiny details like these that separate a person with a microphone from a real, professional Master of Ceremonies.
Like any other profession, the Master of Ceremonies relies on a mixture of talent, experience, knowledge and practice, practice, practice. And a great one is easy to identify. So, as with all your wedding vendors, plan to meet with your Master of Ceremonies, DJ/MC, or band spokesman before you decide to hire them. Even a very polished presenter might not be the person for you. It’s not just about finding a good Master of Ceremonies. It’s about finding a good Master of Ceremonies who suits your style, taste and expectations.
With wedding show season upon us, you’ll have the chance to meet several people at each show vying to be your reception representative. And while it’s easy to just take their information and get to the next booth, it will really pay dividends to spend a few minutes observing someone you might be interested in as they chat with other brides. What is their body language like? Are they warm and inviting? Can you hear them over the din of a wedding show crowd? It’s all about finding the right person to represent you on the biggest day of your life.
If you’re planning to say “I do.” in 2012 or 2013, I hope you’ll join me and some of the top wedding professionals in Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania at the 25th annual Bridal Spectacular, Sunday, January 29th, at Mr. Anthony’s in Boardman. You can find out more at: www.bridalspectacularonline.com
