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Toastmaster duties on the day
Toastmaster duties on the day
Toastmasters will warmly meet and greet your guests on arrival at the wedding ceremony and reception venue, directing them as appropriate through the building or site to the welcoming party.
Your Wedding Toastmaster will assist the wedding photographer with organising group shots and once these are completed (after checking with the chef and serving staff) announce where the wedding seating plan notice is and then (advising the family first) call the guests accordingly to take their places for the wedding breakfast in the banqueting suite.
When all the family and guests are seated, direct them, before the entrance of the happy couple, to cheer them into the banqueting suite enthusiastically all waving their napkins in the air. The Toastmaster will then formally or otherwise, announce the newly married couple with all necessary acclaim to the guests at the entrance to the banqueting area.
With aplomb and celebration, he or she will guide the happy couple, wending their way through the cheering guests to their places at the top table or otherwise and with all the prestige and dignity help them to be seated.
If requested, the Toastmaster will say grace before the meal or if not politely ask everyone to be seated with a Bon Appetit.
The Toastmaster may then again check with the staff to ensure they are ready to serve.
The Wedding Speeches
The big responsibility the Best Man, The Matron of Honour, the proud Fathers, or mothers and indeed the shy, but anxious couple has at a wedding? It’s the speeches!
They should all be able to enjoy the occasion, with the confidence gained in a well prepared and well-rehearsed speech.
Whatever you do DON’T PANIC we Can help.
The wedding speeches are normally made after the wedding breakfast has concluded but these days many couples like to have them said before food is served or even between the meal.
If the decision is made on the day to make speeches before the meal the Toastmaster will liaise with the staff and communicate this to the Chef in order that the food doesn’t spoil.
The order in which the Toastmaster will announce the speeches are:
The traditional (Bride & Groom) wedding format is:
The Father of the Bride or Mother if the situation arises.
The bridegroom replies on behalf of the Bridesmaids
The Best Man and or Matron of Honour
LGBT Wedding: Ladies
The Fathers of the wives
One or both wives
Chief Bridesmaid
LGBT Wedding: Men
Fathers of the Husbands
One or both Husbands
Best man
Depending on where your wedding cake is situated the Toastmaster will always agree the timing for the cutting of the cake with the couple and hotel staff so this can be arranged, either in the banqueting suite or at a designated place, then he or she will be delighted to gather everyone to watch you both ceremoniously cut your cake.
Additionally, your toastmaster can help organise your bouquet throw, meet and (if required by prior arrangement) greet your evening guests and organise everyone to watch your first very first wedding dance as a married couple.
This is where a toastmaster differs from a venue MC. They generally will make announcements and corral guests, but they aren't personal to you and seem too often to disappear exactly when you need them!
Although we are resplendent in our red coats and white livery it is important to remember that the toastmaster is not the star of the show you are! and he or she s only there to be instrumental in making your wedding a wonderful and memorable occasion.
So, for under £400.00 (some vary) you are making absolutely sure your day runs smoothly and everything happens as it should by hiring a toastmaster for your wedding. Don’t delay call one now, find a Toastmaster.
Eric Gill
Founder of the Executive Guild of Toastmasters.