When planning your wedding, you will come across a lot of roles that help make the day run smoothly and two that often get confused are the Master of Ceremonies (MC) and the On-the-Day Wedding Coordinator. Let's break it down for you.
Although they both contribute to the flow of your celebration, their jobs are very different:
🎤 Master of Ceremonies (MC)
The MC is the host of your wedding day. They are guest facing, guiding your family and friends through the day with announcements, introductions, and sometimes a dash of humour. Their role is about atmosphere, structure, and communication with guests.
Typical MC duties include:
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Welcoming guests and introducing the couple.
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Announcing speeches, the cake cutting, and the first dance.
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Informing guests of transitions (e.g., moving from reception drinks to dinner).
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Keeping the energy upbeat and the atmosphere celebratory.
📋 On-the-Day Wedding Coordinator
The coordinator is the logistical manager working quietly behind the scenes to ensure everything goes to plan. Unlike the MC, they aren’t in the spotlight, instead, they liaise with suppliers, manage timings, and handle anything unexpected so you don’t have to.
Typical coordinator duties include:
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Overseeing set-up and décor on the morning of the wedding.
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Managing suppliers and acting as the main contact for them.
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Keeping the wedding day timeline running smoothly.
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Troubleshooting any problems discreetly.
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Making sure you and your guests can just relax and enjoy the celebration.
🌟 Key Difference
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The MC speaks to your guests and creates the flow from their perspective.
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The Coordinator manages everything behind the scenes, ensuring the day runs seamlessly.
Do You Need Both?
Not every couple will hire both. Some prefer a family member or friend to act as MC while a professional coordinator handles the logistics. Others might rely on a venue manager for part of the coordination but still hire an MC to keep the energy flowing. (The difference between a venue manager and an on the day coordinator/wedding planner is another blog)
It depends on your priorities but knowing the difference helps you decide what kind of support will make your wedding day as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.
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