Emcee Questions

For our wedding, our emcee and DJ are one in the same. Every wedding I have ever been to has always used the DJ to announce everything and if you find the right one, it goes off without a hitch. Most DJs are accustomed to this anyway. I chose our DJ based upon some of the wedding clips I saw of him. He is GREAT, absolutely phenomenal. Has a great outgoing personality and really gets your guests involved in everything. We will be giving him a list of songs we would like played and a list of thigns to say away from. But he will also have an outline for which songs to do at bouquet toss, cake cutting, etc. Hope this helps!

Edit: Spelling Erros! Ahhhh

@Mandee: I have been to both types, and I've always loved when the Emcees were personal friends, as they have so many wonderful jokes and stories to tell! Some of the DJs I've seen were really tacky... however, we haven't picked a DJ yet so maybe my thoughts there will change! I'm glad that yours worked out!

I haven’t decided yet. In most russian weddings the best man is also the MC but in my mother family it is traditions to have a favourite uncial do it. So I’m torn between my god father or the best man. I know both will do an amazing job.

Who ever I pick I will give them the time line of the night but they need to come up with what to say.

Yes, I'm thinking I would like to have a couple friend of ours... the trouble is, most of our couple friends are part of the bridal party, being that a GM is and his DW is not... I don't really want to have my bridal party do that job as they will already be contributing lots that day!

Having both an MC and a DJ would be kind of redundant and might even lead to bad feelings since it is usually the DJ's job to act as MC. It would also be a big responsibility for the guest or family member and they would feel more like they were working than attending your wedding as a guest. It might be a better idea to interview various DJs with this in mind and then discuss the possibility of having guests participate with stories. The toast is a traditional time for guests (especially the best man) to tell stories about the couple but it surely might work to have the DJ invite stories all throughout the reception.

Best wishes!

Some good points were made here. Most DJ's will act (key word) as an MC for a wedding. Many do come off tacky & cheesy. One reason, they're not real pro MC's, and they don't take the time to really get to know the Bride & Groom, that's why good friends seem to speak well at receptions. Yet friends won't know wedding protocol. The other reason, DJ's don't or won't spend the money to get the proper training & education they need to be a well spoken MC. There are very good pro DJ/MC's out there, you just have to do your homework, if you want to be represented well on your wedding day. Just be prepared to spend more than expected. Do you need an MC at your wedding? absolutely! con't..

If not there will be no direction, your guests may seem lost. All formal events need an MC. How to choose? get references from wedding professionals that work with them, meet with a few to see the difference, go with the one you feel the most comfortable & confident with. A good DJ/MC will have a wedding planner to go over the details with you personally (not over the phone or by email) a month or so before your wedding. http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=13491982&trk=tab_pro

@Wedding Harpist: If we had friends as the MC then I wouldn't have the DJ be speaking so as to direct the line of events for the reception... he/she would just be responsible for music playing?

@PMEDJ: I completely agree... you touched on many points that I am concerned about (ie: The tacky/cheesy factor)... I think I will be having a DOC and I will talk to her and see if she has any recommendations... the last thing I want is an impersonal, awful joke maker MC/DJ...

Thanks for the input

I'm from Canada, where (unlike the USA) its pretty standard to have a friend or uncle act as the MC (I call em 'family MC's).. Many of my clients hire me to also be the MC BECAUSE they DON'T want the "tackiness" they have seen at other weddings, or the onesided jokes and comments from 'uncle ed' because he really only knows the bride and her family..

I have also seen 'family' MC's that made me actually feel sorry for the guests, and I have seen family MC's that were awesome! (and really made the reception fun and personal)

A hired DJ/MC does NOT have to be tacky/cheesy.. If they are its because YOU hired one.. So DONT hire one like that (IE: put some time in and do some research, dont just go thru the phonebook and pick the cheapest)

If you have a friend or family member that your confidant they can do the job, then explore that option also.. (but make sure you are clear on the intinary and timing, I've seen too many receptions where 'uncle ed' doesnt have a clue. LOL)

@Hippydog... I'm CAD too and like you said, I'm familiar with the DJ NOT MCing... but as previously suggested, I'll have to do my homework!

thanks

Up here in Canada MOST dj's are NOT experienced in doing MCing, We do the garter/bouqet, maybe the grande entrance but for most thats about it..

It really depends on what your looking for..

Up here, if your looking for the personalized MC thing then I would suggest your best bet would be a family friend.. If its just announcements, then most experienced DJ's should be able to handle that..

Our MC is actually going to be our DJ too, but we didn't know he had DJ experience until after we decided to ask him to MC (my MOH's hubby). One of the key points in choosing an MC for us was someone who knew us both equally. You also want to pick someone you know will be respectful and will suit the mood/feel of your wedding.

People who think they are funny but aren't seem to end up as MC's. This only makes them think they're funnier, and makes your guests groan.

Most professional DJ's will have a second person that acts as an MC... or they will perform as the MC, and have someone else working the controls with them, as they concentrate on making announcements.

If you're looking at DJ's that perform alone... I'd strongly urge you to reconsider. A two man team MC/DJ is the best possible combination.

One word of caution... if the MC and the DJ have not worked together before, there will probably be some missed cues and some situations that will not flow together very well. Then again, if they are professional, they will hide them or minimize the impact of the missed cues and they will hardly be noticed at all.

I personally prefer NOT to have a script when i'm asked to MC an event... but I do like to have an outline and a timeline so I can get ready for everything.

Best Wishes!