What’s The Difference Between A DJ And An MC?

These abbreviations are both often mentioned when considering wedding vendors, but what are each of these, and which is right for you? 

DJ stands for Disc Jockey, and MC is short for Master of Ceremonies. Quite simply, the DJ is responsible for the music, and the MC is the person who runs the night, keeps things to time, makes announcements and introduces speakers. 

But I thought the DJ uses the microphone? 

Yes, but not always. Sometimes your DJ might ise the microphone to hype the crowd during dancing, but this is a different skill set than the MC’s Duties. Make sure you check first to confirm that your DJ is up to the task, and don’t assume. 

Can the DJ also be the MC? 

Absolutely! A lot of wedding DJs are trained to do both roles at once, so it’s common for a wedding DJ to also MC the event.

Do I need both a DJ and an MC?

Most weddings are great with some kind of music – and even if you have a live band or musician, they will likely need a break from playing, so it’s good to book a DJ as well. 

As for the MC, if you’re planning to have any formalities like speeches, announcements, cake cutting etc, you will need an MC in some capacity. Be it a guest or a professional – there’s a job to be done! 

In conclusion, the MC does the talking, and the DJ handles the music. DJs are often also MCs, but not all MCs are DJs.  

No two weddings are the same – chat with a DJ and a professional wedding MC about your vision and what you want to include to see what’s right for you. You may need both, or neither!