“We’ve already got too many groomsmen, but Jake will be upset if we don’t give him a role. Since we don’t have a Master of Ceremonies yet, why don’t we ask him to do it?”

“We’ve got an extra Ewok for this set, we don’t want to hurt his feelings.  Since we haven’t got a Han yet, shall we ask the Ewok to do it?”

It just won’t e-work! Wop wop wop!  But seriously folks, this is an important role that needs some serious thought.

To get a good idea of the skill-set required for the job, here are a few tasks a MC might typically undertake on your wedding day:

• Ensuring grandparents have a seat at the ceremony and helping guests find their table at the reception.
• Let guests know where the ablutions are.
• Explain how the family photo’s will take place and help muster the appropriate guests.
• Announce the house keeping rules and help to keep events to schedule.
• Introduce speakers during the speeches and help them to finish if they forget how!
• Explain to guests how meal service will occur.
• Announce wedding activities such as the cake cutting, first dance, garter and bouquet toss.
• Make sure there are enough sober drivers or taxi’s to get guests home safely!

So, keeping these tasks in mind, here the skills I recommend your chosen MC should possess:

Candidate Prerequisites:

• Has been to at least one wedding before (as and adult).

Candidate Qualities:

• The ability to anticipate a potential crisis.
• Be able to make decisive choices and problem solve.
• Confidence to speak with a microphone to an audience, but without being arrogant or overshadowing.
• Being a little bit funny, but not crude, would definitely help proceedings.
• Be a good time keeper with excellent organisational skills.
• Be able to manage their alcoholic consumption so that they can remain helpful…
• Be a great communicator who is both empathetic and polite to the guests.
• Somebody you both like and respect.

Once you’ve had a chance to work through all the potential candidates, you’ll be ready to appoint the lucky person.  Make sure you give them time to think about the responsibility and that they don’t feel obligated to accept.

Should your candidate decide to take on the mission you’ll need to arrange a meeting (preferably a month or so out from the wedding date, when things are still relatively calm).  This is a good time to discuss details such as:

-the order of the day

-when they’re expected to turn up

-any sensitive information that might be relevant (mum’s bringing her new partner to the wedding, it could get crazy)

-what you’d like them to be responsible for (setting up any gear? Making sure speeches don’t go on too long. Mustering guests for family photo’s)

-and your vision, in case they have to make an executive decision on your behalf

You can rest easy now, knowing you picked the best person for the job.  Remember to embrace whatever happens on your wedding day, as this will be what makes it unique!

If you have any hot tips or suggestions that you think I’ve missed (or a super hero MC story to share) please feel free to comment below.