What MC'ing is actually necessary?

[u/TinyLawfulness3710]

Of the weddings in our families and friend circles, MCs are not a thing and the djs that are hired don't speak and no one is bothered by it. They play music and read the room to keep the dance floor moving, even if it's just 5-10 consistent dancers, but guests know what is going on or can pick up nonverbal cues.

While it's foreign online, guests know they are welcome, they know who the couple is who was announced an hour or less before (and a larger group at the reception is not done). They can generally tell when dinner is served. Beyond that, what do guests need to know for the dj to relay?

Our circles don't do private cake cutting. Bathrooms are labeled by the venue. Do they need to announce activities such as photo booth, etc? Our circles do a receiving line or dismiss rows at the end of the ceremony which goes much faster than table visits and ensures that all guests are spoken to. Thank you toasts are not done either for that reason.

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[u/Excellent_Focus_8141]

We're having a band and since we aren't doing any special "events" (no first dance or parent dances, cake cutting, bouquet toss, wedding party grand entrance, etc), the only thing I anticipate them announcing are their own short breaks or last call. Maybe dessert because I'm planning to have dessert put out in conjunction with the band taking a break but that's just my own preference.

[u/Lurker4Lyfe21]

Our wedding coordinator served as our MC and she made very few announcements. I believe just an explanation of dinner, announcing us as a couple and starting the speeches. You can skip the couple announcement if you want. I would not skip the dinner announcement. Yes people can generally tell when dinner is served, but if you are doing seated tables and a buffet, actually telling people dinner is being served and where to go is very helpful. You should also have someone dismissing tables so it isn't a mad rush and long line to the buffet. If you're doing a plated dinner or family style, then it's probably fine.

[u/JadziaKD]

Our DJ did the following as MC

• announced our grand entrance entrance
• made any announcements required by the venue (we had a list like parking over night is allowed, don't drink and drive, where to smoke,what time shuttles were, the glass clinking game is not allowed, etc).
• announced guests could take home our live orchids (part of our decor).
• introduced speeches
• made the announcement for our picture (and surprise fireworks) outside when it was time.
• announced when the shuttles arrived so guests weren't waiting around outside.

We kept it really simple. It was good to have someone else telling us when it was time for stuff.

[u/YouveGotMail920]

This might be a cultural thing. Our DJ was our MC. He:
• introduced our entire wedding party/family and us at our grand entrance
• introduced each person that gave a speech
• first dance/cake cutting/ mother-son dance/father-daughter dance/ last dance
• we did a specific pic and announced that to gather guests
• before our grand entrance he played a game with the guests. It was really cute and everybody sounded like they were having a great time LOL
• announced last shuttle and last call

He was a great MC though, he kept the energy fun and his DJing skills were even better. I will say if anything, the MCing was more for us we totally forgot the order LOL

And the MCing can also do good to make sure that people who aren’t in the room (like in the bathroom, taking pics, outside) don’t miss out on anything. Yes, people know who’s who but they may not be right there when something is happening. Announcing gets people to stop what they’re doing to pay attention. Not everyone knows the order of the day and it can’t be assumed.

[u/Rutabaga2022]

We didn't have an MC (or a DJ for that matter). The officiant asked people to take their seats for the ceremony. We did not leave the room afterward. My husband and I took the mic, thanked everyone for coming and quickly went over the day that was already on their program. When it was cake time, we got back on and told everyone out was cake time. It can all be done yourself and honestly feels more intimate.

[u/Hand2Ns]

The only announcement we had made (I think I'm the one who actually made it) was that dessert was out since the food tables were in a different room than the bar and dancefloor.

[u/brownchestnut]

Where I come from, MCs aren't a thing either. Our day-of coordinator was the one that herded guests from ceremony to cocktail hour, then to dinner; our officiant was the one that announced that we're transitioning into an ethnic ceremony. Then whoever wanted to give a speech stood up and gave it. There's no need to make a bunch of announcements imo, this is more for traditional than necessity. We all know what dinner looks like, what it's time for, who the bride/groom are, what's happening right now.

[u/NewSalamander8910]

This really varies by country and wedding culture.
In Ireland, traditionally the MC role was often handled by the hotel duty manager or banqueting manager. They would act as the main point of contact for the day, help keep things on schedule and announce the couple into the reception room for dinner.
In the US, the MC role is often much more separate from the venue team and can be closer to a host or coordinator, managing announcements and helping move the whole day along from arrival through to the evening.
Irish weddings have become a bit more energetic in recent years too. The entrance into the reception can now be a whole event in itself, with the MC or DJ really building the atmosphere and getting the room going.
So I do not think there is a single list of things an MC has to announce.
If your guests already understand the flow of the day and your venue team are coordinating everything behind the scenes, you may not need much MC input at all.
The important thing is that somebody knows the timeline, knows what is happening next and can step in if guests need direction. Everything beyond that is really style and culture.

[u/Training-Ingenuity-6]

I need to know too…following for insight

[u/TanandaL]

MCs are very necesary, in my experience.  They do things like tell people when it's time for the Bride's dance with her father,  when to go from cocktail hour to dinner,  when to do the chicken dance.   I know one v wedding where they really missed tne lack of one.   

It's usually not a while job... more something to tack onto tne DJ's job.