Wedding Supplement: Ji Renqian, Professional Wedding Emcee
No Chinese wedding is complete without a gregarious emcee leading the ceremony. Ji Renqian, a former lawyer who gave up the courtroom for the altar, has been performing the Master of Ceremony duties for over half a decade, making him a pioneer in the field.
Why did you decide to become a wedding emcee?
When I was a lawyer, it was awfully difficult. Everyday I saw dodgy people, who were also extremely unhappy. It didn’t match my character; I'm not that kind of person. I enjoy life, and I hope there’s meaning in my profession. I am trying to make people happy.
Do you have any special education?
Unfortunately not, but I have already been a wedding emcee for about six years. I am a self-made man, or a man of experience. But I have a professional radio speaker certificate, so my clients can be sure that there won’t be any problems with my pronunciation.
Have you ever made close friends with the newlyweds after the ceremony?
I would love to, but I don't have enough time for it. While regular people have weekends and holidays, I usually work. I have a wife, and I prefer to spend my free time with her.
What's the biggest mistake you ever made during a ceremony?
Once, I mixed up the bridegroom’s name five times. His family was furious. I know, it was my fault, but he and the bride had quite similar Chinese names, so I combined their names. Since then, I try to use young newlywed’s nicknames or English names.
Do you drink during the ceremony? What if a bride’s father asks you to ganbei with him?
I usually drive a car to the event, so if it's that important, I use Coke or Sprite. People usually understand.
How do you get ready for the ceremony?
First, I talk to the couple. I need to know what they want from their wedding ceremony. Then, I write a sort of a plan, offer some ideas to them. During the ceremony I follow the plan, but I don’t read any papers and I don’t learn anything by heart. It’s always extemporaneous.
What’s your inspiration for it?
The love story can be very inspirational in and of itself. Once in a while, I wonder how people’s lives intertwine. With emerging new technologies, people can find each other in different parts of the country, sometimes completely by accident. When Skype first appeared, a guy installed it to call his parents, but he didn’t know how to use it. While looking on an Internet forum, he found the contacts of a girl. They started chatting and, in the end, got married. During the wedding, I illustrated how they met each other.
What’s the most touching thing that ever happened during a ceremony?
In 2008, after the earthquake in Sichuan province occurred, I was hosting a wedding ceremony. A little child was taken to the stage, both his parents died during the earthquake. Everybody was so touched that they started donating to him right there.
What’s the meaning of marriage?
Before getting married, people should understand what they really want. You can’t play with anyone’s feelings or life. It’s not Las Vegas; it’s real life. So everyone must enjoy it. In my opinion, this is the main meaning of marriage.
What don't you like about your profession?
Ten years ago this profession didn’t exist at all in China. When Chinese people got married, they usually invited their relatives to host the ceremony. Today, following Western traditions, people like me are in demand. Because of this, there are a lot of amateurish emcees, for them it’s only a part-time job. So, I can say, that the only thing I don't like about my job is the unprofessionalism.
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