14/10/2024
TheThe Executive Guild of ToastmastersAQ – The frequently Asked Questions of a Professional Toastmaster
What does a Toastmaster do at a wedding?
His or her duties as a Toastmaster are to effectively run the day, to liaise with the venue management and to help make it a very special day for everybody, taking the stress away from the families, the happy couple and especially the best man or best woman.
Why have Toastmasters become more popular at weddings?
A wedding is a very special day, and the happy couple want it to be as stress-free as possible, allowing them to enjoy the occasion. A Toastmaster is there to ensure the reception runs smoothly and to time, at the same time adding a touch of class to the occasion.
What do Toastmasters wear?
They wear a very smart red-tail coat, starched fronted white dress shirt, white bow tie and a starched white waistcoat, white gloves, black dress suit trousers and black patent leather shoes. This is the customary livery for all toastmasters and stands out among the crowd.
Do you attend church or civil ceremony?
They would not normally attend the church or civil ceremony but would normally be at the reception venue waiting to greet you, having arrived at least 1 hour prior to the reception, to acquaint themselves with the surroundings and to liaise with the Banqueting Manager and staff.
I am getting married at the venue - will you be in attendance?
They will be present and would happily ensure that your Guests are seated in the room licensed for the marriage, liaise with the registrar and let the happy couple and their families know that everything is ready for the ceremony to start.
The Hotel says they have a Toastmaster service -
Why do I need you?
They would advise you to check with the hotel/venue that it is a Bonafede toastmaster and perhaps to ask which Guild or Association he or she belongs to. It may be that the hotel/venue is providing only a duty or banqueting manager, to look after you, along with all his or her other many duties, if so, ask if their designated toastmaster will give your wedding complete and uninterrupted attention and be on hand when needed throughout the day.
It is then your choice whether you hire a Toastmaster or not.
How long will you stay at our wedding?
Toastmaster duties are normally completed at end of the wedding breakfast formalities. However, if you want them to stay until the end of the first dance or to the end of the evening reception, perhaps a mutually agreeable fee can be arranged?
What is a receiving line, and should I have one?
A receiving line is where all the wedding Guests, some of whom may never have met the hosts, are formally announced by the Toastmaster to the parents of the happy Couple, together with the couple. This can be a lot of fun and a joyful opening the wedding breakfast celebration.
What is the order of the receiving line?
The order of a receiving line for a traditional wedding would normally be the bride’s mother, Bride's father, Bridegroom's mother, Bridegroom's father, Bride and Bridegroom.
Same s*x weddings may vary slightly.
A receiving line can take time for guests to pass through it, so you should allow about 15 minutes for each 50 Guests attending. This normally takes place as guests enter the banqueting suite
Does it matter if we do not have a receiving line?
No, it is your choice, but you should mingle with your Guests, trying to ensure you have greeted everybody during the reception and possibly during the meal when time allows.
Will you announce the Wedding Breakfast to our Guests?
Yes, it is part of the Toastmasters role to ensure all your Guests are assembled in the Banqueting Suite before they announce you both.
Will you announce us and es**rt us into the Wedding Breakfast?
Most definitely - for many happy couples this is the highlight of the day, being announced as the new married couple.to their guests; whether it is as the new Mr. & Mrs., Mr. & Mr. or Mrs. & Mrs. all are ceremonially es**rted into the Banqueting Suite to an ovation.
Who would say Grace?
A Toastmaster would be delighted to say Grace, if requested, and they have a selection of formal and less formal Graces. However, you may have a family friend who you may prefer to ask. If you have a member of the clergy at the Wedding Breakfast, it would be usual to ask him/her to say Grace.
Do the speeches come before the meal or after?
Normally the speeches come after the meal, but it is not unusual to have them before to enable the speechmakers to enjoy their meal without having to worry. The downside to this is that, if the speeches over-run there is a chance that hot food waiting to be served may be spoilt. Most Toastmasters prefer to have them AFTER the meal and avoid any disappointment.
How many toasts should we have?
Usually there are 3 toasts. Firstly, to the happy couple, proposed by the father of one of the bridal pair or whoever has been appointed in his place. The second toast should be to the Bridesmaids, the Groomsmen, Best Man, or the best woman etc. proposed by the one of the happy couple.
Finally, the Best Man or best woman would propose the toast to the parents of the happy couple:, for a standard wedding, it would be to the Bride and Bridegroom, a same s*x wedding may be to the Brides or the Bridegrooms.
Many variations for same s*x weddings are completely acceptable and could be announced as such ‘The Husbands’ or ‘The Wives’
Should the Best Man include any humour in his wedding speech?
Generally, it is not advisable to embarrass any of your wedding Guests, remembering the different generations who will be present, and of course the use of bad language should be avoided at all costs. However, a little light banter from the Best Man towards the Groom is more than acceptable and expected!
When should we cut the wedding cake?
Should you wish the wedding cake to be served with coffee after the meal, you would normally cut the cake after the main course has been cleared. However, when Guests have eaten a large meal, they do not always want wedding cake, so if you have an evening buffet it may be better serve the cake then, in which case the cake would be cut before the speeches take place.
We would like to have a Wedding Book for all our Guests to sign - who should we leave it with to get everyone to sign it?
The Wedding Guest Book should be given to the Toastmaster and he or she will ensure your Guests sign it during the Wedding Breakfast.
Will we need a public address system for the speeches?
This depends on the size of the room, but normally the answer is "Yes". Some venues will offer you a sound system, others do not, so always check. If you are holding your reception in a marquee, you will almost certainly need a sound system, as sound gets absorbed under the canvas. Remember, your Guests want to be able to hear the speeches, as they are an important part of the occasion.
After the Wedding Breakfast and speeches have finished what
happens next?
I will ask the Guests to stand and then I will es**rt you both from the top table and out of the Banqueting Room.
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