The Biggest Mistakes Couples Make When Choosing a Wedding MC | Perth MC & Celebrant
- Carina Quinn
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Most couples don’t realise how much power an MC has…until the reception starts feeling flat, awkward, delayed or disjointed.
Your MC shapes the entire flow of the night and choosing the right person can completely elevate` the experience.
Here are the most common mistakes couples make when choosing an MC (and what to look for instead).
Choosing Someone Who Talks At the Room
Many MCs are loud, scripted or shouty and it instantly disconnects the room.
You want someone who talks with people, not at them.
Someone who chats, connects, warms the space, learns names, builds familiarity and can create that “oh, she must be one of their friends” energy.
Picking a Friend Who Ends Up Missing the Night
Sometimes asking a friend to MC feels like a beautiful honour — a way to include someone you love. It’s one of those ideas that sounds lovely but the reality can be a bit different.
Friends mean well, but the moment they’re handed a mic, they can’t just… be guests anymore. They can’t relax into a drink. They can’t disappear to the dance floor whenever they feel like it.They get pulled into questions, responsibilities, timing, stress, and all the behind-the-scenes bits they never signed up for. They’re suddenly “working” the night instead of soaking it up.
A professional MC keeps the night smooth and fun, it keeps the vibe strong, the room flowing, and the fun alive — without turning your friend into unpaid staff and sacrificing anyone's good time.
Forgetting That DJs Can Only Do So Much
Your DJ absolutely can announce things but they cannot:
Walk the room
Warm up shy guests
Guide energy
Have banter with people
Adjust timing on the fly
Have quiet, grounding moments
Move momentum through the night
They’re tied to the decks. An MC is free to be everywhere.
Choosing Someone Who Over-Performs
The reception isn’t a comedy show.
You don’t want an MC who:
❌ tells long personal stories
❌ tries too hard to be funny
❌ steals moments
❌ makes themselves the star
You want someone who knows
“I’m not the main character I’m the voice of the night.”
Forgetting That MCing Is Emotional Work
A great MC isn’t just announcing.
They’re..
✨ Reading the room
✨ Protecting your bubble
✨ Managing timing
✨ Quietly fixing problems
✨ Supporting your VIPs
✨ Guiding the flow
✨ Keeping connection alive
This is emotional labour and it requires skill, experience and intuition.
Choosing Someone Who Can't Move the Room
✨ "Movement Creates the Magic" ✨
When I MC, I’m not tucked behind a deck or glued to a mic stand I’m in the room, moving through your people, reading the vibe, and making sure no one is left hanging on the edges.
I look after the ones who drift to the sides the soft-seat wallflowers who need a quiet hello, a warm moment, or just a tiny bit of encouragement to feel part of it all.
I check in on parents and grandparents, reminding them how momentous this day is for them too.I’ll chat to the aunty who feels a bit lost, the mate who only knows one person here, or the couple who stayed seated because they don’t quite know how to join in yet.
If there’s awkwardness floating around, I soften it.If someone’s looking for a way “in,” I give it to them.If a quiet corner needs a spark, I’m there with a warm intro and a bit of banter.
I’m not “performing.”I’m connecting. I’m weaving your crowd together one warm moment at a time.
That’s the secret sauce that brings an entire reception to life.
Not Realising How Much the MC Protects the Couple
The couple should NOT deal with:
timing questions
food questions
temperature issues
guest confusion
staff queries
timeline changes
I tell everyone“If you need anything come to me, not the couple.”
You get to stay blissfully in the moment.
What You Actually Need in an MC
You need someone who is:
✨ Fun, not cheesy
✨ Professional, not rigid
✨ Warm, not performy
✨ Confident, not loud
✨ People-focused, not self-focused
✨ Experienced, not guessy
✨ Present, not distracted
Someone whose energy fills the room but never overshadows yours.
Someone who holds the night together then quietly slips away once everything is glowing.Someone who feels like a safe, joyful extension of your wedding team.
💕 You May Also Love
→ More Than a Microphone: What a Great MC Actually Does
✨ The Dream Team Behind This Day
Every wedding I’m part of is a team effort — a mix of heart, hustle, and a sprinkle of chaos in the best way.
Venue: Old Broadwater Farm (@oldbroadwaterfarm)
Photographer: Jessica Josie Wedding (@jessicajosiewedding)
Big love to every creative who poured their heart into this celebration. You’re what makes this job pure joy. 💛
Carina is a Perth-based Marriage Celebrant living in the beautiful Swan Valley. She creates fun, relaxed, and deeply personal wedding ceremonies that feel unmistakably you — equal parts heartfelt and joy-filled.
Known for her charismatic energy and down-to-earth approach, Carina brings a balance of warmth, wit, and professionalism to every wedding she officiates. If you’re looking for a celebrant who makes the process easy, genuine, and full of good vibes — you’ve found her.
📍 Perth, Western Australia📞 0417 923 760📧 carina@thewordsmithmc.com.au🌐 thewordsmithmc.com.au
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