When it comes to planning your dream Ghanaian wedding, every detail matters. From choosing the perfect venue, the colours of your matching Kente, what flavours your cakes should be, who you should invite to your big day to selecting the ideal flowers (or maybe not), every decision contributes to creating a memorable experience.
One often overlooked aspect of a successful Ghanaian wedding is the role of the Master of Ceremonies (MC).
A professional MC can elevate your special day, ensuring a seamless flow of events and keeping your guests engaged and entertained.
"There is no need to negotiate your big day," says Eddy Acquah, a professional event MC.
Eddy Acquah started his professional MC journey four years and six months ago. With almost 350 events under his name as an MC, 70% to 75% of those have been wedding ceremonies.
He has straignt forward insights into why couples should hire a professional MC for their big day.
"You’ve planned it (wedding) for a long time and you’ve spent so much money," Eddy tells Kele+. "Events are not cheap and if you end up with an unprofessional, a lot could go wrong at your event."
We speak to him about why you need a professional MC for your Ghanaian wedding.
Selecting an MC for your Ghanaian wedding should be a priority because experience is key. People who have specialized in weddings and have a proven track record of delivering outstanding performances can perform at required standards.
"Professionals understand there are three stakeholders at every wedding event - the host (couple), the planner of the event or coordinator and the audience," Eddy points out the experience finding the right fit for your Ghanaian wedding brings.
"A professional MC understands that they are responsible for all of them and knows how to deliver."
Experienced MCs are well-versed in handling unexpected situations, adapting to different wedding styles, and connecting with diverse audiences. A successful MC is not only a skilled speaker but also someone who can connect with your guests on a personal level.
"Professionals can have the best ways of engaging crowds regardless of the ethnic background, age and all that stuff," Eddy says.
They bring a level of confidence and professionalism that will put you at ease.
"If you put in money to organise an event, you should book a professional because all that money can go waste if you negotiate and find someone unprofessional," he points out a key risk for many events.
Looking out for the right people to manage your wedding ceremony is key to avoiding awkward moments at the event and the right Master of Ceremony is no exception when it comes to the best fit for roles. Eddy believes the experences gathered from people who do this week-in, week-out is the solution to facing all the things that could go wrong while keeping everybody happy with no dull moments.
"If you don’t find a professional, you can notice there are some dull moments in the event.
"For example, if we’re one item away from having dinner and the food is not ready and the caterer needs 30 more minutes, a professional will know what to do. That’s 30 minutes to keep the guests engaged. The unprofessional will be like ‘Ei! Charlie, wosop?’," the Ghanaian MC with close to 350 events highlights.
The MC is the host and guide who sets the tone for your wedding reception. They have the vital responsibility of keeping the event organized and ensuring a smooth transition between various segments such as introductions, toasts, speeches, and dances. A professional MC brings a wealth of experience, charisma, and public speaking skills to make your wedding day truly exceptional.
"A lot happens during the event that professional MCs cover up for," Eddy says.
"Sometimes, we are caught coordinating. We always have to be one or two items ahead of the programme. If we’re cutting cake and the next item is the first dance, I need to alert the guy who lights the firework on the dance floor and need to let the DJ know.
"There’s so much we do that people don’t see because our job is to make sure that the program runs smoothly," he adds.
Ghanaian wedding hosts need to do their search for a professional MC by conducting thorough research. It is ideal to seek recommendations from friends, family, and wedding vendors. However, what they cannot compromise on is relegating hiring a professional for the role to the background and choosing that 'funny uncle' at family gatherings to host the event. The ideal running order of a Ghanaian wedding day is not perfect and probably won't be perfect for you too. For Eddy, hiring that professional should be non-negotiable for a couple hosting a wedding ceremony.
"Don’t negotiate booking a professional because a lot of unforeseen things happen at events and professionals can handling it," he says.
The role of a professional MC cannot be overstated when it comes to creating an extraordinary Ghanaian wedding experience. From setting the right atmosphere to keeping the event organized and engaging, an experienced and charismatic MC can make all the difference. Let these tips guide you in your search for the right MC for your wedding. If you want to take the best easy way out, check out Eddy Acquah (eddy_acquah) on Instagram.
