The Art of Wedding Hosting: Insights from the Industry’s Most Sought-After Emcees
WE puts the spotlight on our well-loved wedding hosts. In the event industry–especially weddings, couples should know how to plan their big day, and a very tedious role is someone who can hold your wedding program together. Couples should hire someone who knows what they are doing, gets every detail right, and is known for doing the job very well –treating each client with special care. They may not be superheroes, but they’re endowed with boundless patience, quick wits and work with a good team to flawlessly execute a flawless program.
What to Look for in a Professional Host
Every host has his or her own style of hosting. Couples should find a host whose style jives with the kind of vibe and energy they want on their wedding day. There are of course, certain minimums. A good host has to be eloquent enough in whatever dialect or dialects he or she will choose to host with, that they can properly express what they want to say. An effective host must have a good command of the crowd and the only way to achieve that is by having a full grasp of the program and the purpose of each segment. A good host must be quick and witty enough to handle unforeseen events, yet sensitive enough to not say anything that can cause awkwardness. Most importantly, a good host must have a tasteful sense of humor and must know how to have fun.
Hosting in the “New Normal”
Hosting with a mask on is one of the most notable differences between hosting then and now, and is not as easy as it looks. Since we’re moving around, it’s more difficult to breathe and we need to exert a little more effort to be as audible as we need to be, from start to finish. It can also be a bit more nerve wracking to host these days because we know that all eyes and ears are on us since there are fewer guests and their attention is undivided. Just like everything else, we need to evolve with the realities around us, and hosts these days have to be imaginative. My favorite tool now in hosting is technology, which has really come into play, especially with the rise of live streaming. We are able to play games with guests online and more importantly, we are able to bridge the gap between couples and their families who can’t make it to their big day.
Comparison of Professional Event Hosts
| Host Name | Experience | Key Recognition / Region |
|---|---|---|
| Atom Ungson | 18 years | 15 years in the wedding and events industry |
| Eri Neeman | Over 15 years | Country’s most sought-after event emcee |
| Ancher Cua | Freelance | Philippines' Top Event Host; Ilocos Region and Metro Manila |
Expert Perspectives and Journey
We got to ask some of the country’s most sought-after event emcees about their hosting journey. Atom Ungson shares: “I’ve been hosting for 18 years. In the first three I was a TV host in ABS-CBN Naga, then on October 2020, I turned 15 in the wedding and events industry.” Meanwhile, Eri Neeman notes that wedding programs consist of messages, performances, dances and videos. For those seeking talent in other regions, Ancher Cua is a freelance wedding and event host (emcee) in Ilocos Region and Metro Manila, Philippines, who is always aimed at making your event successful, memorable and remarkable.
Core Qualities of a Top Host
- Professionalism: Very professional, energetic and full of applause and cheers!
- Versatility: Evolve with the realities around us and be imaginative.
- Execution: Full grasp of the program and the purpose of each segment.
- Awards: WSAP Member and People's Choice Awardee; Asia Prestige Awards Event Planning Service of the Year.
