How to Choose the Right Emcee for Your Wedding
Your emcee is a crucial part of your wedding day. A dynamic, skilled emcee sets the tone for your wedding reception. They help keep the energy levels high and connect with your guests throughout the evening. An experienced emcee keeps events moving so there are no lulls during the festivities, and they also step in to ensure a smooth transition if something doesn’t go according to plan. So how do you choose the right emcee for your unique wedding celebration?
Photo by Photography by Laura Elizabeth.
A Friend or Relative
It is very common to ask a friend or relative to be your wedding emcee. This can be a great option, especially if you know someone who has been an emcee before or who has a lot of experience with public speaking.
Why it’s a great option:
If you choose this option for your emcee, it’s very important to choose someone who is comfortable speaking in front of a group. This can be an intimidating role, so someone who likes speaking in front of groups and has a good sense of humour is a great choice. A friend or relative can also include more personalized stories about you as a couple, which can be a nice touch. This option is the most budget-friendly when it comes to your emcee.
Drawbacks of this option:
This option will likely be the most work for you. Unless you are working with a wedding planner or coordinator, you will be responsible for creating a timeline for your emcee and getting them all of the information they are going to need to know. This role is also a lot of responsibility. Not only does your emcee have to spend time planning for the day in advance, but on your wedding day they are a big part of keeping events moving and running smoothly. If you want all of your attendees to be able to relax and enjoy the party, this may not be the best option for you.
Photo by Tomophotography.
A Co-Emcee Arrangement
Some emcees (like our team!) offer a co-emcee option. This means that a professional emcee and a family member or friend share the responsibility of the emcee role. This is usually a personalized arrangement - we work with you to decide what the professional emcee will be responsible for and what your friend or relative will handle.
Why it’s a great option:
This is the option that gives you the best of both worlds. You can have a friend or relative announce things like wedding party introductions or games where you may want a personalized touch. But you also get an expert emcee who can help support them and keep things running smoothly. This emcee can also take over so that your loved one can join the party once their responsibilities are done. If you have a first time emcee or someone who is nervous about the role, this is a great way to make sure that they have all the help they need to be successful. You will also get the added benefit of professional support during the planning process.
Drawbacks of this option:
Like with the option above, you are still asking a friend or relative to spend time preparing before the wedding and to take on responsibility during the wedding. You will also have the added cost of a professional emcee.
Photo by Dylan and Sandra Photography.
A Professional Emcee
You can leave this role entirely to the pros! By hiring an experienced emcee to take on this role, you can relax knowing this key part of your wedding day is taken care of.
Why it’s a great option:
This option is the least amount of work for you. A professional emcee will help make the planning process as easy as possible and make sure that all of the details are taken care of. You can also rest easy knowing that you have a skilled public speaker to engage your guests and keep events running smoothly during your wedding reception. If your emcee is also your DJ (like an inTUNE emcee), then your music and announcements will all be seamlessly integrated to create an amazing experience for you and your guests.
Drawbacks of this option:
Even an experienced emcee won’t know as much about you as a friend or relative, so this option has less personalization than the first two scenarios. It is also the least budget-friendly option.
Photo by Simkova Studios.
What your emcee needs from you
No matter who you choose for your emcee, here is what they are going to need from you:
A timeline of the events on your wedding day - this is crucial, as it’s part of their role to make announcements and keep events moving on the day
Any announcements or house rules from the venue - the venue usually supplies a copy on the wedding day
Any unique announcements that you would like them to make
Any games or other activities that you would like them to announce or assist with
A list of who is included in the wedding party introductions, and notes on pronunciation if anyone has a unique name or spelling
Anything else that it’s important for them to know - details about you as a couple you’d like them to mention, sensitive topics that you’d like them to avoid, etc.
If you’re looking for an experienced emcee who can help make this role as stress-free as possible, we’re here to help! At inTUNE, we help make your planning and your preparation for your emcee quick and easy. We provide you with a planning website that asks you everything your emcee will need to know, you just have to follow the prompts. Our client care team is also there every step of the way to help you with planning, your timeline, and to make sure no detail gets overlooked. If you’re interested in working with one of our talented emcees, reach out today!
Video by inTUNE.
