Hadyn David
Toastmaster/Master of Ceremonies 
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A red-coated Toastmaster will add dignity to your wedding reception or other event and allow you to relax in the knowledge
that the proceedings will be in the hands of a professional. He will delight in ensuring the smooth running of the event,
allowing you to enjoy your day. Weddings The following hints on Wedding Reception procedure may be useful. The Toastmaster will liaise with the host to ensure any special requests are included, and with the caterers during the serving of the Wedding Breakfast so that toasts, speeches etc. all happen at the correct time. The most important is that everyone enjoys themselves! Receiving lines A nice way to greet the guests but beware! If you have a large number of guests, it can take a very long time for them all to be introduced, hence a delay in starting the reception. A normal line up would be: Bride's mother, Bride's father, Bride, Bridegroom, Groom's Mother and the Groom's Father. Bridesmaids, Grandparents etc. could be included if space, and time, permit. To see an animated diagram of the Receiving line, click here. The Top Table One table should always be designed for the wedding party and the usual seating arrangement at the Top, or High Table to be correct, is (from left to right): Chief Bridesmaid; Groom's Father; Bride's Mother; Bridegroom; Bride; Bride's Father; Groom's Mother; Best Man; Bridesmaid. To see an animated diagram of the Top Table, click here. Wine Toasts Often, the happy couple ask to drink a toast with special guests - grandparents, people who have travelled a long distance to attend, absent friends etc. Sometimes, a table of guests will request the pleaure of toasting the Bride and Groom, or even guests on another table! These happen between courses of the meal, and the Toastmaster will keep the caterers informed. Cutting the cake To enable guests to take photographs, and to give the caterer time to portion and serve, the Wedding Cake is usually cut by the Bride and Groom, in between the sweet and coffee courses of the meal. Wedding speeches A good joke can break the ice, but it should be kept clean! All good speeches have a start, a middle and an end, so preparation is all important, and sometimes props come in useful to describe past events. Guests attending the reception feel good to have their names mentioned, but don't go on too long! A short, humourous speech is preferable to a long, drawn-out one. The Bride's Father, or some close relative or family friend, proposes the principal toast of the day - to the Bride and Bridegroom - and will usually have some interest things to say about the Bridal pair! The Bridegroom will reply to the previous toast and include all the "thank-yous"; any presents such as the Bridesmaids'/Ushers'/ Best Man's gift and flowers for the Mothers are to be given out at this time. He concludes his speech by proposing a toast to the Bridesmaids. The Best Man will then be called upon to respond on behalf of the Bridesmaids, and will not propose any further toast. He usually has some memories of the Groom during his single days, and concludes by reading out a small selection of the cards and telegrams received. This ends the formal part of the reception, and the Toastmaster ecsorts the Bride and Bridegroom from the High Table. To see an animated diagram of the speech order, click here. Ladies Festivals, President's Dinners etc. A toastmaster is an essential figure at formal functions such as Masonic Ladies' nights, Rotary President's evenings, Round Table Chairman's nights etc. In fact, anywhere that requires a little guidance to ensure that everyone is in the right place at the right time and knows when it is their turn to speak! Dinner Dances, Corporate Lunches etc. Let the Toastmaster worry about getting the names and titles correct. You just enjoy the occasion. Product Launches So much more impact when your new product is introduced professionally. Master of Ceremonies Fashion Shows, Antique Fairs, Roadshows, Concerts, even family events such as engagement parties, Birthday parties, Anniversaries etc. benefit from the involvement of an MC. Contact Hadyn David now! Email me by: clicking here |