Should Your Friend MC?
Author: Ben O’Connell
- By Ben O'Connell
Funny, extroverted, charming, humble – these are some of the first qualities that come to mind when you characterise a master of ceremonies. But an emcee must also manage time, deal with hiccups, and put the audience at ease, among other challenges. Emceeing a friend’s big day is an incredible privilege, but one that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
You can imagine how excited I was when no other than My Wedding Mag editorial manager Jamie asked me to emcee her wedding. And as a former quiz and karaoke night host, I was still excited once the offer’s realities set in. But no matter your experience level, it’s a big ask. Emceeing takes preparation, a strong voice, and a professional outlook that is still true to you. And things rarely go exactly to plan. Ahh!
Your most sociable friend mightn’t be the right fit. Boris might be fun at work drinks, but consider how his borderline jokes and longwinded tangents might go down with an audience. It might be better to ask him to give a short speech. The same goes for friends who you don’t think are a good fit but ask to be involved. At the end of the day, it’s your special one. You can always say no.
9:30 a.m.
For me, the day was just beginning. My outfit immaculate, mindset healthy, and body well-rested—a personal rarity—the excited nerves kicked in. How we dress reflects how we feel, and though my brain could maybe use a good iron, overall, it’s important to present yourself professionally.
On headspace, after repeating affirmations like ‘Yes, I can do this’, I think emceeing any event starts by decentralising yourself from your role. Indeed, there will be moments when you’re the centre of attention. Indeed, you should still be connected and present. These things are mighty important! However, reminding yourself that the day isn’t at all about you lies at the heart of successful hosting.
I’ve heard too many anecdotes of emcees zombifying audiences by telling lengthy personal stories and ultimately unfunny dad jokes. They say the best politicians don’t want to be politicians, and similarly, I believe the best emcees are those scarily comfortable in the spotlight but ironically wanting as little of it for themselves. If you can imagine the event from a third-person or bird’s-eye perspective, you’re less likely to get caught up in holding focus for the wrong reasons.
2:25 p.m.
Having a friend emcee your wedding has its pros and cons. A friend offers that personal touch with stories and humour specific to the couple. Having a familiar face to keep things running can ease your nerves and relax you. They’re also more emotionally invested than a professional might be. Translation: they’ll be on time and can even help you out when say, flowers keep knocking over in the sudden wind.
But we managed! The last half hour before guests arrived on Jamie’s big day was slightly frantic, something we Dream Team members downplayed (so sorry to burst that bubble when you read this, Jamie). One must expect the unexpected and help out where necessary, and if that’s battling a sudden sou’wester, so be it.
Flexibility and quick thinking are important hosting skills. It’s easier to be adaptable when you’re prepared. I arrived slightly before my call time. Instead of being a problem myself if I were late, I was able to help solve others that arose.
3:30 p.m.
I hate when people advise imagining everyone naked. It’s not only a bit degrading, but it also builds an invisible barrier between you and the audience. Going back to this idea of decentralising yourself, being connected to guests is crucial. How do you expect people to listen to the instructions of someone they feel isn’t wholeheartedly present? Don’t separate yourself. They’re human, and so are you; you’re just the one keeping the schedule. Emcee without an ego (well, a healthy amount). Emotionally speaking, if anyone should be naked, it’s you: empathetic, vulnerable, and letting your personality shine.
While I was one of Jamie and Tayler’s newest friends and didn’t know many guests, an emcee with previous rapport with attendees can mean a more engaging yet comfortable atmosphere. After the beautiful ceremony at 3:00 p.m., there was a lull in proceedings as the newlywedded couple took photos in the city. Ensuring the thirty-odd attendees were warm, fed, mingling, and in high spirits meant turning on some extroverted charm, and thankfully the bride had the forethought to supply blankets.
5:00 p.m.
Not everyone enjoys public speaking. You may think I’m a masochist, but I love talking in front of crowds. I also have karaoke and quiz night host experience, which lent itself to me being asked to emcee. Your friend might be quick-witted, reliable and adaptable even but hate the idea of public speaking. Your host friend’s skills mightn’t transfer to a romantic setting, either. Woah, this write-up is heinously arrogant of me. I digress. My advice is to prioritise public speaking confidence above all else.
Professional emcees can be quite expensive, which is another upside to hiring friends for your wedding. They’ll also forever be a part of your memories, adding another intimate layer of shared experience. I recall Jamie’s father’s speech bringing me to tears. I loved dancing with everyone when the time had come. Experiencing moments like this is the upside to being half-guest, half-staff.
8:00 p.m.
The downside is that I always had to be on. Have fun! and Relax! The guests would tell me as the night progressed. Of course, I had a blast at Jamie’s wedding, but I was equally in work mode. Boris-ing out on rum and cokes would’ve been fun, but ensuring the evening ran smoothly was far more rewarding. Consider you let Boris host, and he does a bad job. What’s the consequence? A professional would at least reimburse you.
Beyond public speaking comfort, if your friend is organised and responsible, actually knows you, your partner, and your interests, and can think on their feet for when things go haywire, why not ask them to emcee your big day? Trust me when I say it’s an incredible honour to be trusted with the role, one that will long be cherished.
Funny, extroverted, charming, humble – these are some of the first qualities that come to mind when you characterise a master of ceremonies. But an emcee must also manage time, deal with hiccups, and put the audience at ease, among other challenges. Emceeing a friend’s big day is an incredible privilege, but one that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
You can imagine how excited I was when no other than My Wedding Mag editorial manager Jamie asked me to emcee her wedding. And as a former quiz and karaoke night host, I was still excited once the offer’s realities set in. But no matter your experience level, it’s a big ask. Emceeing takes preparation, a strong voice, and a professional outlook that is still true to you. And things rarely go exactly to plan. Ahh!
Your most sociable friend mightn’t be the right fit. Boris might be fun at work drinks, but consider how his borderline jokes and longwinded tangents might go down with an audience. It might be better to ask him to give a short speech. The same goes for friends who you don’t think are a good fit but ask to be involved. At the end of the day, it’s your special one. You can always say no.
9:30 a.m.
For me, the day was just beginning. My outfit immaculate, mindset healthy, and body well-rested—a personal rarity—the excited nerves kicked in. How we dress reflects how we feel, and though my brain could maybe use a good iron, overall, it’s important to present yourself professionally.
On headspace, after repeating affirmations like ‘Yes, I can do this’, I think emceeing any event starts by decentralising yourself from your role. Indeed, there will be moments when you’re the centre of attention. Indeed, you should still be connected and present. These things are mighty important! However, reminding yourself that the day isn’t at all about you lies at the heart of successful hosting.
I’ve heard too many anecdotes of emcees zombifying audiences by telling lengthy personal stories and ultimately unfunny dad jokes. They say the best politicians don’t want to be politicians, and similarly, I believe the best emcees are those scarily comfortable in the spotlight but ironically wanting as little of it for themselves. If you can imagine the event from a third-person or bird’s-eye perspective, you’re less likely to get caught up in holding focus for the wrong reasons.
2:25 p.m.
Having a friend emcee your wedding has its pros and cons. A friend offers that personal touch with stories and humour specific to the couple. Having a familiar face to keep things running can ease your nerves and relax you. They’re also more emotionally invested than a professional might be. Translation: they’ll be on time and can even help you out when say, flowers keep knocking over in the sudden wind.
But we managed! The last half hour before guests arrived on Jamie’s big day was slightly frantic, something we Dream Team members downplayed (so sorry to burst that bubble when you read this, Jamie). One must expect the unexpected and help out where necessary, and if that’s battling a sudden sou’wester, so be it.
Flexibility and quick thinking are important hosting skills. It’s easier to be adaptable when you’re prepared. I arrived slightly before my call time. Instead of being a problem myself if I were late, I was able to help solve others that arose.
3:30 p.m.
I hate when people advise imagining everyone naked. It’s not only a bit degrading, but it also builds an invisible barrier between you and the audience. Going back to this idea of decentralising yourself, being connected to guests is crucial. How do you expect people to listen to the instructions of someone they feel isn’t wholeheartedly present? Don’t separate yourself. They’re human, and so are you; you’re just the one keeping the schedule. Emcee without an ego (well, a healthy amount). Emotionally speaking, if anyone should be naked, it’s you: empathetic, vulnerable, and letting your personality shine.
While I was one of Jamie and Tayler’s newest friends and didn’t know many guests, an emcee with previous rapport with attendees can mean a more engaging yet comfortable atmosphere. After the beautiful ceremony at 3:00 p.m., there was a lull in proceedings as the newlywedded couple took photos in the city. Ensuring the thirty-odd attendees were warm, fed, mingling, and in high spirits meant turning on some extroverted charm, and thankfully the bride had the forethought to supply blankets.
5:00 p.m.
Not everyone enjoys public speaking. You may think I’m a masochist, but I love talking in front of crowds. I also have karaoke and quiz night host experience, which lent itself to me being asked to emcee. Your friend might be quick-witted, reliable and adaptable even but hate the idea of public speaking. Your host friend’s skills mightn’t transfer to a romantic setting, either. Woah, this write-up is heinously arrogant of me. I digress. My advice is to prioritise public speaking confidence above all else.
Professional emcees can be quite expensive, which is another upside to hiring friends for your wedding. They’ll also forever be a part of your memories, adding another intimate layer of shared experience. I recall Jamie’s father’s speech bringing me to tears. I loved dancing with everyone when the time had come. Experiencing moments like this is the upside to being half-guest, half-staff.
8:00 p.m.
The downside is that I always had to be on. Have fun! and Relax! The guests would tell me as the night progressed. Of course, I had a blast at Jamie’s wedding, but I was equally in work mode. Boris-ing out on rum and cokes would’ve been fun, but ensuring the evening ran smoothly was far more rewarding. Consider you let Boris host, and he does a bad job. What’s the consequence? A professional would at least reimburse you.
Beyond public speaking comfort, if your friend is organised and responsible, actually knows you, your partner, and your interests, and can think on their feet for when things go haywire, why not ask them to emcee your big day? Trust me when I say it’s an incredible honour to be trusted with the role, one that will long be cherished.
