A good emcee keeps the night flowing, the yam seng loud, and the energy in the room brimming with good vibes. But what does that kind of magical talent cost?
As of October 2026, a wedding emcee in Singapore costs about S$490 to S$1,280, and they price per event, not per hour. Every figure here comes from Singapore emcees' own published price lists, which we checked in October 2026.
Most emcees only quote on enquiry though, so treat the range as a starting point.
How emcees package it
Most emcees sell one wedding package. It runs from the first march-in, the couple's first entrance into the banquet hall, through the yam seng, the group toast, to the table photos.
Many packages bundle a second service, such as a singer and pianist, a close-up magician, a DJ or a wedding coordinator.
One agency priced their emcee alone at S$600 inside a S$1,900 regular price, and the whole bundle sells at S$888.
Table count affects the price, of course. An entry package suits 5 to 12 tables, and the larger price levels add AV support, the person who plays your montage and march-in music.
The priciest package costs more than double the cheapest. The gap comes from what is bundled, not from the hosting itself.
Malay and Indian receptions often book the emcee together with a DJ, and a few vendors sell exactly that bundle for about S$650 to S$1,950 for up to 4 hours. One booking, two jobs done.
Need someone who can switch languages? Good news, language isn't a separate line item, and one bilingual Tamil and English host starts at S$500.
- Wedding emceeS$490S$1,280
- Emcee and DJ, up to 4 hoursS$650S$1,950
- One agency bundle, sale to listS$888S$1,900
| Item | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Wedding emcee | S$490 | S$1,280 |
| Emcee and DJ, up to 4 hours | S$650 | S$1,950 |
| One agency bundle, sale to list | S$888 | S$1,900 |
What is usually included and what is usually extra
| Usually included | Usually extra |
|---|---|
| Hosting the lunch or dinner banquet | A rehearsal on a separate day |
| Planning the programme with you | Hours past a capped package |
| A short technical run before guests arrive | Prizes for the games |
| Two or three games | An outside sound system |
| Solemnisation and tea ceremony hosting, at several emcees | Travel outside Singapore |
| Working with the banquet manager | A DJ, singer or magician outside the package |
| AV help for montages, on some packages | Extra effects such as confetti or fog |
The catch
The rehearsal is the one that's easy to miss. Agencies include a 30-minute technical run before the event, but they'll charge you for a rehearsal on any other day.
Overtime terms differ quite a bit too. One emcee charges nothing when the banquet runs late (bless them), while a 4-hour emcee and DJ bundle adds S$100 for each extra hour.
Love a bit of fun and games? One package we found hosts two or three games at 15 to 20 minutes each, which fills 30 to 60 minutes of the programme. You'll need to supply the prizes though, and one agency suggests about 30 small ones to keep the crowd entertained.
Sound is usually covered by the venue, and an outside provider is brought in only if the venue doesn't provide one.
Solemnisation, the legal signing or ROM for a civil one, is often hosted free inside the package. The same goes for the tea ceremony, where the couple serve tea to their elders.
Ask whether that still holds at a second venue. A morning solemnisation across town is a separate trip.
Deposits vary, and some emcees now charge a 30% deposit to secure the booking.
Five questions to ask before you pay a deposit
- What is the package price for my banquet, and does it include GST?
- How many hours does it cover?
- What is the overtime rate per hour?
- Is solemnisation or tea ceremony hosting included at my venue?
- Which languages will you host in: English and Mandarin, Malay or Tamil?
When to book
Once your venue and date are locked in, it's time to book your emcee, but keep in mind that they'll only hold your date after you've paid the deposit.
Emcees advise booking anywhere from 3 to 6 months ahead at the short end to up to 12 months at the long end. Those longer windows are for auspicious dates and the busy months from October to February, which take in the year-end and Chinese New Year. Everyone wants a great host for their big day, so the best ones get snapped up fast!
Do I need a bilingual emcee?
If your older relatives follow Mandarin, Malay or Tamil better than English, you'll definitely want one. While you're at it, ask whether the host can also lead the yam seng in their dialect, because nothing gets Ah Ma cheering louder than a toast she actually understands.
Should I hire a professional emcee or ask a friend?
If your banquet runs in two languages, or none of your friends has ever cued a march in with a banquet manager, it's best to hire a professional. A friend can absolutely host a one-language lunch with a short programme, as long as someone else runs the AV and keeps an eye on the timing. Your cousin may be the life of every party, but juggling a mic, a slideshow and a running sheet all at once is a whole different game!
Do I need to give the emcee a seat at a table?
No. The emcee works through the meal, so ask your banquet manager for a vendor meal for the emcee and the photographer instead.
Your next step
Before you lock everything in, line up your emcee's call time with your photographer's hours on the photographer rates table. Each row lists the extra fees in its catch column, so you won't end up paying overtime just because the speeches ran long.
