Wedding MC for hire in Ottawa, included with your DJ
Yes, I MC your wedding, and it comes with the DJ. I handle the announcements beside a friend or family member who does the intros, or I take the mic all night if you want. A friend or family member who knows both sides of the family often does the best job on intros and speeches.
Key takeaways
- MC is included with my DJ booking. I don't book as a standalone MC.
- A friend or family member who knows both families can tailor the intros and the speeches.
- I handle the announcements, so that person isn't working all night.
- If you want me on the mic all night, I do that.
- The best nights have a day-of coordinator.
On this page
Who should MC your wedding?
Most couples ask me if they need to hire an MC. You can, and it costs nothing extra. Here is my honest view on who should hold the mic.
The best bet is a friend or family member who knows both sides of the family. They can tailor the intros and the speeches, because they know the names and the stories. I can't do that part as well as they can.
What I can do is take the announcements. Dinner, cake, dances, last call. That way your person isn't working all night. They get to enjoy your wedding too.
If you'd rather not ask anyone, I take the mic all night. Just tell me.
Two ways to do it
| Topic | Friend or family MC + me on announcements | Me on the mic all night |
|---|---|---|
| Who does the intros | Your friend or family member. They know the names and the stories. | Me. We agree on the names and how to say them first. |
| Speeches | Your MC introduces each speaker in their own words. | I call each speaker up and keep things moving. |
| Announcements | Me: dinner, cake, dances and last call. | Me, all night. |
| Timeline cues | I cue the music to match. A day-of coordinator keeps the clock. | I cue the music and call each moment. Easiest with a day-of coordinator keeping the clock. |
| What you need from them | Someone outgoing who knows both families. We make a short run sheet together. | Your timeline, the names, how to say them and the speaking order. |
You don't pay extra for this. MC is part of my DJ booking. I don't book as a standalone MC.
The moments I announce
Here is the order of a normal reception. Your exact order gets built on the planning call.
- Guests arrive
I welcome people and point them to their seats and the bar.
- Grand entrance
I introduce the wedding party and the two of you.
- Dinner
I call tables and pace the announcements around the kitchen.
- Speeches and toasts
I cue each speaker. Your MC does the intros if you picked one.
- Cake and dances
I line up the cake, the first dance and the parent dances, then open the floor.
- Last call and last dance
I call it, and the last song starts right after.
Want the exact words? Use my MC script template.
Why a coordinator matters more than the MC
The best nights have a day-of coordinator. That is someone who looks out for you and the whole wedding. A venue coordinator often looks out for the venue instead.
A family friend who helps out is great, and they know your families better than any hired MC. A coordinator adds the timing: who goes where, and when.
The MC, the venue and the day-of coordinator all have it handled. All I do is ride the fader.
The hardest nights are when I'm also the day-of coordinator and the MC. While the ceremony runs, I'm racing to build the reception, and the wedding party doesn't know its cues.
If you don't have a coordinator, that's okay. I'll work with what you have.
How we plan it
- Planning call
We agree on the names, how to say them, who speaks and in what order.
- Run sheet
I write one run sheet for the night. If a friend takes the mic, theirs has every cue on it.
- Final call
A call the week of your wedding is there if you want one.
What couples say
He met with us beforehand, arrived early, and ran the night flawlessly: ceremony, timing, and his MC intros all perfectly placed.
Questions people ask
Is the wedding MC included with the DJ?
Yes. MC is included with your DJ booking, so there is no separate MC fee and no extra line on your quote. I handle the announcements, or I take the mic all night if you want. I don't book as a standalone MC, so the MC comes with me as your DJ.
Do I need to hire a wedding MC?
Not always. A friend or family member who knows both sides of the family often does the best job on intros and speeches, because they can tailor them. I handle the announcements so they aren't working all night. If you want me on the mic all night, I'll do that instead.
Does the MC cost extra?
No. MC is part of my DJ booking, so there is no separate MC line on your quote. The quote depends on your hours, your venue and how much of the day I cover, and I give you the number on a quick call. I don't book as a standalone MC.
Can a friend or family member be our MC?
Yes, and I like it. They know the families, so the intros and speeches sound like you. We make a short run sheet together with the names, how to say them and each cue. I cue the music from the booth, so your friend only has to hold the mic.
Will you MC the whole night if we ask?
Yes. If you want me on the mic all night, I take it. I do the intros, call the speakers, and announce dinner, cake, dances and last call. We agree on the names and the tone first. It goes best when a day-of coordinator is keeping the clock.
What does the MC need from us?
Bring your timeline, the names with how to say them, and the speaking order. On the planning call we pick the tone, either warm and short or with more energy. If a friend takes the mic, I put every cue on their run sheet. I also work with your venue, kitchen and photographer.
What if the mic fails during speeches?
I bring a booth receiver, because a power cycle can reset wireless frequencies and cut speech audio. Backup laptops, mixers, speakers, mics and cables come too. In eight years I haven't needed the full backup. I'm sound-checked before guests arrive. Tell me about sound limiters or curfews early.
Keep reading
Tell me your date and venue.
Check the live calendar, then we can talk through your quote. No deposit to talk. I reply within 48 hours.