Hire an MC or event host
An MC runs the room: introductions, announcements and keeping an event to its schedule. The job is part timekeeping and part public speaking, and a good MC is most visible when something goes wrong and the audience never notices. It is a distinct skill from DJing, though some professionals do both.
What MCs and hosts do
- Open the event, set the tone and introduce speakers or performers
- Keep the running order on time and absorb delays without dead air
- Make announcements and handle housekeeping for the audience
- Coordinate live with the DJ, AV team and venue staff
- Improvise when something overruns or a speaker does not appear
When people book MCs and hosts
- Weddings and receptions
- Awards nights and galas
- Conferences and panel sessions
- Product launches and brand events
- Charity auctions and fundraisers
What to ask before booking a MC
Take these to every candidate. The answers are usually more revealing than a portfolio.
- Have you hosted this type of event before, and at this scale?
- How do you handle an agenda that is running late?
- Will you work from our script, or write your own and share it?
- How do you pronounce-check names in advance?
- Do you bring a microphone, or rely on the venue's?
- Can we see footage of you hosting, not just a showreel?
What to have ready when you post a request
The more of this you can give upfront, the more accurate the offers you get back.
- A running order with realistic timings
- Names, titles and phonetic pronunciations for everyone being introduced
- Tone: formal, relaxed, comedic — and anything strictly off-limits
- Key messages or sponsors that must be mentioned
- Who the MC should take direction from on the day
What drives the cost of a MC
Quotes vary because these factors vary. Knowing which apply to you makes two quotes comparable.
- Event length and how much is scripted versus improvised
- Preparation time, including rehearsals and script review
- Formality and audience size
- Profile and experience of the host
- Travel, and whether an overnight stay is needed
- Whether they also DJ or provide sound
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Assuming the DJ will MC without confirming it
- Handing over names with no pronunciation guide
- Building a running order with no slack, so one overrun collapses the night
- Not telling the MC who can authorise changes mid-event
- Booking a comedian's tone for a sombre or formal occasion
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an MC if I already have a DJ?
It depends on the event. Many DJs will make basic announcements, which is enough for an informal party. For a wedding, awards night or conference with a real running order, a dedicated MC is usually worth it — holding a schedule while reading a room is a different job from mixing music.
What does an MC need from me beforehand?
A running order with timings, the names and titles of everyone being introduced with pronunciations, the tone you want, and anything that must not be mentioned. Most problems on the night trace back to an MC being given a schedule but none of this context.
What happens if the event runs late?
Absorbing delay is a core part of the job. A good MC compresses their own segments, keeps the audience engaged during gaps, and works with the venue to adjust. Ask candidates how they have handled it before — the answer separates experienced hosts from confident speakers.
In a hurry? Booking a MC at the last minute covers how late is realistically too late, what to compromise on, and what never to skip.
Often booked together
Ready to book a MC?
Post what you need and compare offers from verified MCs and hosts near you.