Easy Ways to Improve Your Wedding MC Abilities Right Now

by Chris Brower
Last Updated: March 11, 2024

Being a wedding MC is an important part of a wedding DJ’s job. But it’s something many DJs get wrong. And if you’re not careful, the couple and their guests can quickly start to dislike you, which… ahhhh!! Noooo!

Hopefully by now you’ve read the complete guide to being a great MC, How to MC a Wedding Like a Pro. If not, I recommend taking a look.

But let’s drill things down even further to focus on some of the easy ways you can improve your wedding MC abilities right now.

Make Sure People Can Hear You

Seems obvious, but it’s easy to overlook. And it can frustrate the couple and their guests if it doesn’t happen.

Make sure people can hear you clearly.

Soundcheck the mic beforehand. Try to stand in different parts of the room to get a feel for how the microphone sounds there.

But also, remember that sound works differently when the room is empty versus when it now has 150 people in it.

If you can, ask the wedding planner to stand in the back during your first announcement and let you know if they can hear it well. Or maybe a caterer’s standing in the back and can let you know. (A simple thumbs up or thumbs down can let you know if you’re loud enough.) Or, after your announcement, walk up to one of the tables and ask the guests if the volume was okay.

It’s no fun to deliver some important announcements and then hear a cranky guest yelling, “Can’t hear you!!”

Do what you can to make this not happen.

Hold the Microphone Still and Near Your Mouth

Another way to make sure people can hear you well is to hold the microphone still and very close to your mouth. That’ll help the microphone pick up everything as clear as possible.

If you gesticulate with your arm holding the microphone or hold the mic a foot away from your mouth, your volume may be all over the place. Hold it very close to your mouth without it touching your mouth.

The MC in the photo below = perfect mic placement!

Smile

When the MC talks, people naturally look their way. Thus, it’ll help your likability if you smile.

Plus, smiling can often creep into your voice, making your emceeing sound more vibrant and lively.

It makes people have a better time if they think the MC is also having a good time!

Smiling is an easy way to improve your MC abilities.

Talk Less

Wait, what!?

Yep. Many wedding DJs make the mistake of talking way too much. And they run the risk of annoying the couple and their guests.

Guests want to have fun, not hear some random person talk on a mic for minutes at a time. Heck, wedding toasts from the best man and maid of honor (or whomever) can get annoying too, but at least they have a personal connection to the couple, while you are likely just some person they hired.

Anytime someone talks on the mic, it interrupts the guests’ own fun, their own conversations. So make sure you only talk on the mic when it’s absolutely necessary, and keep things short and informative.

Repeat Instructions

Many of your announcements will include instructions for the guests. For example, “When going through the buffet line, please remember to bring the plate on your table.”

Any important instructions should be repeated. Sometimes even a third time is necessary. Yes, I did say to keep things short, but it’s still a good idea to repeat anything that’s crucial for guests to know.

Guests often aren’t paying great attention, and they’re likely to miss things if you don’t reiterate them.

That’s why it’s a good idea to repeat things to make sure they stick.

“When going through the buffet line, please remember to bring the plate on your table. Again, please bring the plate that you have on your table with you when you go through the buffet line.”

Ready for the complete guide to becoming a wedding DJ? Here you go.

Use a Separate Microphone for Guest Speeches

Most likely you won’t be the only person speaking at the wedding. Wedding party members may give speeches. A religious leader may give a blessing before dinner, etc.

Have them use a separate microphone than yours. Don’t restrict the guests and yourself to just one microphone the whole night. You need to be able to speak right before or after the guest speaks, without you having to hover right by them.

Most people giving speeches will be in a different part of the room, such as at the head table. You likely want to be at the DJ table during that time so you can adjust the volume/EQ levels and keep an eye on the sound. If the guest has the only mic, then you’ll have to run over to get it once they’re done so you can now talk, which looks awkward and slows things down.

Have a second microphone*.

Plus, this acts as a backup microphone if the other one malfunctions for any reason.

Learn How to Pronounce Any Names You’ll Be Announcing

Wedding MCs often announce the newly married couple into the reception, plus their wedding party. Be sure you’re pronouncing all their names correctly! Not everyone’s last name is Smith and Johnson.

If you mispronounce names, it makes you look unprepared and possibly rude. Doing so is an easy way to get a crowd to turn on you.

Practice any names when you meet with the couple before the wedding. And practice them again when you get the wedding party lined up for introductions.

Don’t Talk During the First Dance

The wedding MC will introduce the first dance, of course, but never, ever talk during the first dance, unless you absolutely must or the couple has asked you to.

The first dance is a special moment for the newlyweds. Don’t ruin it with your commentary. “Oh my, what a great couple! Let’s hear it for them!”

Absolutely not.

Use Humor Sparingly

People can enjoy a funny MC, but if you’re constantly joking, or your jokes aren’t funny, you can grate on people’s nerves quickly. You also run the risk of offending someone.

It’s okay to use humor, and it may even help people like you more, but use it sparingly. And be careful never to mock the couple or their guests.

Conclusion

Good emceeing takes practice. Remember to keep your announcements to what's absolutely necessary, use humor sparingly, and be sure your voice is easy to understand and at a good volume. When giving instructions, repeat them once or twice. Create a fun, lively atmosphere without distracting from the couple and their guests having a good time. Be the MC people love having at their wedding!

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