Should you ask your friend to be your wedding emcee?

If you’re reading this, you’re probably already knee-deep in wedding planning bliss. The venue’s booked, the dress is the one, and the guest list is (mostly) finalised. Now comes the fun stuff, like which games you’re going to play and who’s going to keep the party rolling as your amazing wedding emcee!

Immediately, you think of your most outgoing friend for the job. He or she knows you, loves you, and would do anything for you. But before you pop the question (the emcee question, that is!), let’s have a real talk about whether asking your friend to be your wedding emcee is the best idea - or a risk.

1. He or she may know a lot about you, but not a whole lot about weddings

One of the reasons it’s so tempting to ask your friend to be your wedding emcee is that you don’t have to spend time telling him or her about what you like and how you met your other half because he or she already knows all of that.

But unless your friend has experience in public speaking or emceeing events, chances are he or she is going to struggle with many of the important skills a professional wedding emcee brings to the table. These include leading the transitions between different segments of your wedding programme, cueing your guests for key moments and reading the crowd.  Learn more: What does a wedding emcee actually do?

Of course, rehearsals can go some way in addressing these. That said, will your wedding day really be the best platform for your friend to showcase his or her new skills?

2. He or she would love to celebrate with you, not for you

It goes without saying that your wedding day will be a very special day for not just you and your fiancé or fiancée but also those around you. I’m sure your friend would love nothing more than to share that joy with you.

As a professional wedding emcee, I’m able to create the perfect environment for you and those around you to celebrate with you. It’s a significant responsibility that I’m trained for. Now, imagine what the pressure would be like for someone without that training. It’s likely he or she would find it challenging to balance being your wedding emcee with being just your guest.

3. You want to continue your friendship, not tear it apart over a poor showing

If you hire a professional wedding emcee, what’s the worst that could happen if you find yourself being unhappy with him or her? It would be fairly easy to share your complaints with him over email, a message or a call - or well, leave him or her a Google review. You wouldn’t worry about offending or spoiling a relationship with him or her.

But you certainly can’t just do the same things to your friend without falling out with him or her. It’d be awkward to even bring up your dissatisfaction with his or her performance as your wedding emcee. The latter also happens to be a service that cannot be rectified after the fact, so the chances of your friend making it up to you are minimal at best.

Choose a professional to be your wedding emcee

Let’s be honest: you deserve the best wedding day. It's a day for you to shine, to soak in every moment and to be surrounded by love and support.

While the idea of a friend emceeing might seem appealing, the potential downsides simply outweigh the perceived benefits. A professional wedding emcee brings experience, skill, and peace of mind – qualities that are invaluable on such a significant occasion.

Don't leave your wedding day to chance. Entrusting the role of your wedding emcee to a professional can offer you – and your friend – the gift of a truly unforgettable celebration.