TES12DAYSOFCHRISTMAS

A lot of people say the MC determines how your event turns out...hmmmmm When sourcing for an MC what do are the qualities you should look out for? Professionalism or Just a Funny Person? We have The Gilt-edged SuperStar MC 🥁🥁 Babajide Guerrero to share his thoughts and more...

Professionalism over just being funny

It’s an eternal conundrum to solve; a funny guy or a “professional “MC. Having hosted close to a century of weddings in my career as an MC, and I will say it over and again, couples have to determine what “image” they have for their wedding MC, and choose the personality that suits such image, needless to say weddings are special events that should be littered with remarkable memories that should linger for almost and eternity plus one, the choice to pick a person who will treat the day as such, someone that holds and cherishes that day like the couple. Now a funny guy or a professional guy. It should be pointed out that NOT EVERY FUNNY GUY, can deliver at a wedding; the reason is simple,, weddings are sensitive and filled with boxes of several emotions,piled on top of one another, it’s like a wave of various actions, it’s IMPORTANT to find a balance. In all of these, you also don’t want an MC that will bore your guests and the couple to sleep or mistake your wedding for his thesis defense on Otorhinolaryngology, So in choosing your MC you need a guy who can find that Balance, who is very adaptive, intelligent and have a good sense of humor and above all one who wouldn’t forget to celebrate the essence of the day in all its greatness.

Proper ethics of a Wedding MC

I’d speak for myself here (well that’s I’m writing and you’re reading). I have learnt and realized that’s there are really no casted rules biding anything, but there are SOME ethics a proper wedding MC should have and don’t mess with, in no particular order of importance. I’d itemize below;

Before the event - A meeting with the couple or a representative of the couple, just to understand what roles you’re to carry out. All what is expected of you, personally I ask the client or couple : “what kind of wedding are you having, please what tell me what are your dreams for this wedding". That way I have a wholesome content angle to deal. We draw up the program of the day together, and we all are in sync and prepared for what is to come. -Try pick out what to wear. If it’s a traditional engagement, don’t go wearing a suit, if it’s bow tie reception. Wear a bow tie reception. Every outward detailing should be properly attended , and personally I ask my client :”what would you like me to look like “, they often reply with “we Want the full Guerrero mode “and we both laugh. The idea of this is to be properly represented. You’re representing first your brand. And then your clients. And in this line of work, visuals is almost every thing, as people see you before they hear you. - Read, prepare and research on how to deliver your lines better, carry your body better (not gbe body e, per se, not the dance ) but Stagecraft, Mannerisms and how to just get better you’re selling yourself remember?.

On the event day - I like to get to the reception early, lateste2 hours before I go live on stage, as I have to do my audio levels check. Have an understanding with the band and the DJ, as I’m the glue that sticks them all together, I take them through the program as earlier agreed with the couple, so they know who is doing what, and when.

- I try to ensure there is a time alloted to most things, even if it’s not spelt out on the program, I mentally switch on my mind to create and know what time I’m giving for each activity, from my opening thoughts to the vote of thanks. For me. All events happen in my head even before I hold the microphone. I had seen it through.

- Understanding that you’re IN CHARGE, a lot of time, there is often pressure from different angles, wanting their “will be done “either by demand or request. The MC mustn’t lose himself or lose his control of his event in all of this.

- Understand that you’re not in your house and you shouldn’t be looking for food to eat BEFORE or DURING work. It’s almost atrocious that some MC are already thinking of food while the event is on. Eat from home. What I do is fruits, apples especially they save me a lot, I eat AFTER the event or wait till I get home, I came to WORK, I didn’t come to picnic.

- Always be in contact with your couple asking if there is anyone or anything they’d like you to know to help them relax or serve them better. Someone that they’d like you to recognize, something they’d like you to do with them it could be anything. Never assume your couple is fine, I go to work with my assistant. He often get the names I need to recognize and tells me what couple request from time to time.. No one wants an angry bride...

After the event - Allow few days of rest for the couple. Send them a message, thanking them and wishing them well, and ask for feedbacks especially to be used for your profiling and documentation, this is called “client nurturing “, remind them to also not forget to recommend your good service to their friends and loved ones. But DON’T be concerned about the next thousands of Naira, deal with legacies and track record more.

Qualities to check for

This varies from couple to couple, but again there are some facts...

-Your MC should have a good grasp of the use of language, he should never be out of sorts.

-He should look the part as well

- Understanding of his roles

-Audience engagement

-He should portray or be able play out the mental picture of the couple at their event.

-Politeness, intelligently funny, time conscious.