Let Us Put Our Hands Together to Welcome … How to Be A Wedding Emcee
Congratulations! You may not be the one getting hitched, but your best friend has just handed you a slip of paper inviting you to be his/her groomsman/bridesmaid. Not only that, your friend now wants you to be one of the emcees for their big day itself. We have been there. The anxious expectation of having to take up the terrifying and nerve-wracking experience of being an emcee for such an important occasion, intermingled with joy and determination to do well for your friend.
*You don’t want your humour to fall flat like this 👇 *
Believe it or not, learning how to be an emcee or a host for an informal event tends to be one of the key pain points of some of our clients. The opportunities to emcee an event may be few and far between, and that’s exactly why most of us do not see a need to improve these skills. Rather, emceeing forms a specific theme under the huge umbrella of public speaking and communication. There are various aspects of public speaking techniques that one can apply when taking up the role of an emcee. It is a myth to think that only extroverted and energetic individuals can be great emcees. It is also a myth to see emceeing skills completely distinct and separate from public speaking & presentation skills. They overlap!
With the proper planning and delivery techniques, you too can accept your friend’s invitation with confidence! Fret not, in this article, we will share three quick tips on how you can start preparing for your time in the spotlight.
Tip #1: Know the Programme, the Team and the Expectations
As with speech planning, the first (and oft-neglected) step is to plan and plan well. Emceeing does not just involve taking the stage without preparation and using ‘natural’ talent to shine. The best emcees we have seen are those that have impeccable control over the proceedings. Beyond that, it pays to have a reliable person, aside from the wedding organiser, who knows the exact programme flow or manage the proceedings. Being in control of the programme, flow and proceedings is a confident first step to your emceeing stint.
Start by identifying the key individuals for the event is a helpful first step. Knowing the team means that you know who the go-to persons for the team are. After you have identified the team, request for the programme flow or timeline from the event organisers (or on some occasions, the bride/groom themselves!). The programme gives you a template to start crafting your emcee script without having to start from scratch. It also helps if you have a sample from another event or from a friend that you can use to craft. Once you have an awareness of the proceedings and know the programme at your finger-tips, you will be able to meet the bride/groom’s expectations of you as an emcee!
Tip #2: Rehearse Your Material With Yourself and Your Best Friend
Rehearsing your emcee script is a key step in being a great and fun host. Just like how you would want to prepare thoroughly for a formal setting such as a business presentation, you should dedicate as much rehearsal mileage for an event like a wedding. Start by running through your emcee script out loud to see if any of the material is appropriate or good. For example, if you choose to add humour elements, jokes or personal anecdotes, it is a positive practice to verbalise them and hear how they sound.
In fact, why not practise with your best friend as well? Before you get confused, your best friend in this case is … your phone! Use your phone camera to record your rehearsal or practice so that you can hear exactly how your script will sound. This is a continuing process – as you listen to your practice session, you will continue to re-craft and perfect your script. The practise sessions will pay off when you can take the stage by storm and present effortlessly!
Tip #3: Adopt High Vocal Energy and Open Gestures
One of the applicable public speaking techniques for emceeing is body language. As an emcee or host, you carry various responsibilities, one of which involves energising and leading your audience. This is particularly important for key segments of the proceedings, such as the introduction of the bride/groom or making announcements. You will need to manage and adjust your body language to convey energy and excitement!
One key tip to create a more energetic body language profile for emceeing is to adopt a high vocal energy, supported by open gestures. High vocal energy can be achieved through a generally higher volume profile and varied pacing. Speed up and raise your volume while building up to a crescendo – slow down slightly when you are announcing the key details such as names. Support your vocal energy with open hand gestures (e.g. wide-arm, palms up gestures) to project confidence. When done as a package, your presentation will sound more energetic and engaging!
Grab That Mic and Host!
An emceeing opportunity is a unique challenge – it does not simply involve standing before a crowd and delivering a speech or presentation. Instead, emceeing requires you to balance content delivery and audience interaction. The opportunities for emceeing or hosting may not come frequently. This is exactly why if given a chance, you should grab at it and shine. We hope with the three tips above, you know what is the first step you need to take to impress your friends!
If you’re keen to take your public speaking & presentation skills (either business/corporate presentation or kids class presentation) to the next level so that you may public speak and present with flair and charisma, feel free to check out our offerings below!
For more about Public Speaking Course for Adults:
https://publicspeakingacademy.com.sg/courses-and-programs/group-classes-for-adults/
For more about Public Speaking Course for Kids:
https://publicspeakingacademy.com.sg/group-classes-students-age-9-18/
Leave a Reply