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FAQ's - Weddings |
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Why should I have a Toastmaster? |
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You've probably spent large sums of money on your wedding and if you've done all the planning yourself, you will want to make sure that everything happens in the way and style that you'd hoped. A Toastmaster is your guarantee that this is the case, having spent time with him/her to discuss your specific requirements. |
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When should I book? |
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Try and book at least twelve months in advance or even as soon as you have chosen your venue. Those who provide a skilled service tend to be in high demand. You will be disappointed in a Toastmaster who isn't going to give you first class attention. |
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What is the cost? |
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Each occasion is subtly different and sometimes couples have very unusual requests. I prefer to wait and have the opportunity to discuss your plans, either in person or on the telephone. Once I know exactly what you're expecting, I'll be happy to supply a written quotation. |
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How do we know you're the right Toastmaster? |
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I would always suggest trying to meet your Toastmaster before you book. If a meeting is not feasible, speak at length with him/her by telephone and ask to see any written testimonials. You have to feel comfortable with them as a person and likewise, they will want to understand all your requirements. |
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What time do you get there and when do you finish? |
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I always get to the Church or venue at least an hour and a half beforehand. It allows me to ensure that everything is order and that all of your wishes have been met. Many couples ask me to announce the first dance and so my duties usually finish after this. The DJ or band then takes over for the rest of the party. |
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We've seen a toastmaster at another wedding who was part of the venue package wearing a suit. What do you wear? |
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A venue will usually have the duty manager to perform the role of Master of Ceremonies and so their attire will be whatever the venue staff dress code is. Do remember that because they are the duty manager, they do have other things to think about during the course of the day and their attention may not necessarily be on you all of the time. I wear the prescribed professional Toastmaster uniform, which will always be the red tailcoat (known as a Hunting Pink), starched white shirt, waistcoat and bow tie, dress trousers and highly polished black shoes. |
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Do you charge for advice? |
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No I don't. I think you have to be able to seek advice freely in order to engage the services of the right person. |
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Why is it called a Wedding Breakfast? |
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There are many different suggestions - the two most popular are that, as breakfast is the first meal of the day, so the first meal after the wedding was, in effect, breakfast. The second is that a bride would often not eat much in the build up to her wedding (she would fast), possibly to ensure that she would get into her dress. Come the wedding day, she would eat a meal after her wedding, so she would 'break' her 'fast', breakfast. |
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We recognise the need for a Toastmaster but we don't want our day too 'formal'. Is that something you can deal with? |
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I tailor my style to suit your own individual requirements, which can be formal, relaxed or a mixture of both. |
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We've seen some Toastmasters who are quite bossy and think they're in charge. Are you like that? |
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Certainly not. On a wedding day, there are only two people who are in charge and that's the bride and bridegroom. They're the ones who have made all the decisions and have entrusted the proceedings into the hands of the Toastmaster (if there is one). |
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Is it normal to have a receiving line? |
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Traditionally a receiving line used to allow the parents of the bride (the host and hostess) to formally welcome guests to the meal. Many still like to have a receiving line, however it can occasionally use up precious time as people want to stand and talk to each other. |
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If we have a receiving line, who should be in it and in what order should they stand? |
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Again, the choice is down to the bride and groom. There ar traditional numbers of six or eight, but you may wish to only have you as a couple in a welcome line. The order really depends on who you decide to have in the line. |
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We've seen a guest at a wedding who kept talking on his mobile. Will that happen at our wedding? |
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No. Some guests do occasionally have the need to have access to a mobile. However, I usually make guests aware of your own preferences before any formalities take place and in a friendly way rather than rudely. |
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We have a guest book. What happens to it during the day? |
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There are two main choices. One is to leave it on a table suitable for gifts and cards to be left, the other is for me to circulate it whilst the wedding breakfast is taking place so that it ensures a greater number of guests sign it. |
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We would like speeches to take place before the meal. What are your views on that? |
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Traditionally speeches would take place after the meal. Often couples want to have speeches before the meal so that it allows those who are speaking to relax without any pressure. The drawback with this is that if speeches overun, there is a danger that your meal could spoil or go cold. Ultimately, it is your own choice and I will work to whatever schedule you require. |
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Who should make a speech and what order should they be in? |
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Usually there are three speakers - the Father of the Bride (who proposes a toast to the health of the bride and groom), the Groom (who thanks the FOB and proposes a toast to the health of the bridesmaids) and the Best Man (who thanks the Groom and proposes a final toast). |
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We would like to give out gifts to various people. When should this be done? |
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It's a good idea to give these gifts out whilst the Groom is making his speech. They are probably gifts from both of you so you can both be involve in their giving. If they are 'personal ' gifts you may wish to do those beforehand or if they are gifts for bridesmaids, ushers, Best Man to wear on the day, these will need to be done before. |
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When should the cake be cut? |
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Once again, tradition would dictate that this is done at the end of the wedding breakfast, however if you're planning to serve the cake as dessert, it will need to be cut before that. Many couples now opt to cut their wedding cake during the evening party so that includes those guests into the day a little more. |
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We don't want evening guests to arrive while we're stll eating. How long should things take? |
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Most venues will normally allow around two and a quarter hours for the meal, speeches and cake cutting. Also remember that they may have to move the room around to accomadate further guests and a dance floor. |
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Do we need to feed you? If so, where do you sit? |
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I don't specify that I should be provided with food on the day, although most couples do allow that in their budget. It is usually an eight or nine hour day for me and opportunities to eat are very limited, so should couples choose to provide food it's most welcome. Given a choice as to where to sit, my focus on the day is predominently on you and to be available all the time. If I'm not in the room, it does make it a little more difficult. Some arrange for a single table and chair near to the top table, others have a place set on a table with other guests. |
