For all your functions and events
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question that has not been answered here please ask me and I will be happy to help.
Q: We had not thought about having a Toastmaster at our Wedding, are Toastmasters becoming more popular, and why?
A: Toastmasters at Wedding Receptions have increased over the recent years, This being due to Bride and Bridegrooms wanting their special day to be stress free and knowing that should a problem occur there is a Toastmaster in attendance to help you. A Toastmasters presence will impress their friends and guests, and adds that touch of class to the occasion.
Q: Are you a Professional Toastmaster, and if so, to what organization do you belong?
A: Yes, I am a Member of the Association of Scottish Toastmasters., The Association of the UK School of Professional Toastmasters and The Executive Guild of Toastmasters & Town Criers.
Q: Do you have references or testimonials I can see?
A: I am very lucky to have many references and testimonials, though under data protection laws, I must seek permission from past clients before releasing their contact details to potential clients. Although I have placed some of my most recent engagements on this site.
Q: The hotel say they offer Toastmaster services, why do I need you?
A: Check with the hotel that it’s a real bonafide toastmaster and ask what Guild or Association he or she belongs to. It may be that the hotel is only providing the duty or banqueting manager to announce. Generally they are not trained to anywhere near our level and are not as interested in etiquette as operations
Q: How long in advance should we book a Toastmaster?
A: Usually about 12/18 months, but my advice would be that once your date and venue have been booked, it would now be an ideal time to book your Toastmaster.
Q: How far would you travel?
A: I will travel all over the country within my fee price. I only add travel and accommodation cost when I am required to stay out of the UK
Q: How much then do you cost?
A: My fees are not complicated. £325.00 for a Saturday or Bank holiday in 2009. £295 for a Sunday and any other weekday. I review my fees at the end of the financial year. However, if you call before my review, you will secure the current price. IE the earlier you book, the less you pay!
If I am conducting the service as well as Toastmastering, I charge a mere £75 supplement.
Q: Do you attend the church service? If not, what time will the Toastmaster arrive at the venue?
A: I do not normally attend the church ceremony. I will arrive at the venue an hour prior to the reception give enough time to acquaint myself with the surroundings, staff and be ready to receive you upon your arrival. If I am conducting the ceremony, I will arrive about half an hour prior to the service.
Q: What do you, as a traditional Toastmaster, wear?
A: I wear a red long tailed coat, starched fronted white dress shirt, starched white bow tie, and starched white waistcoat, white gloves, black dress suit trousers and black patent leather shoes, unless you have a preference!
Q: How long will you stay at our wedding reception?
A: My duties will normally be complete at the end of the table formalities, but if you want me to stay to the end of the first dance or to the end of the evening reception it can be arranged. It is not generally appropriate for me to stay beyond that point
Q: Do we supply you with a meal, and where would you sit during the meal?
A: I do not insist on it, but if you choose to it is gratefully received, but will generally be taken away from the main wedding breakfast.
Q: What are your duties as a Wedding Toastmaster
A: My Toastmaster duties are to ensure all the correct procedures are carried out and the Bride and Bridegroom, together with all the top table guests can relax and enjoy their special day.
Q: What is a receiving line?
A: A Receiving Line is where all the Wedding Guests are introduced by the Toastmaster to the parents of the Bride and Bridegroom, together with the Bride and Bridegroom. The order of a Receiving Line would normally be: Brides Mother, Brides Father, Bridegrooms Mother, Bridegrooms Father, Bride and Bridegroom, or as advised by the Bride and Bridegroom. It is entirely up to you!
Q: We want a Receiving Line, but can we just have the Bride, Bridegroom, Best Man, and Chief Bridesmaid?
A: It is your day and therefore any request about your receiving line is completely down to you.
Q: There will be a member of the Clergy attending our Wedding, would he/she be able to say grace before our meal?
A: I would usually say grace if requested. But should there be a member of the Clergy in attendance he/she should be given the option to do so first. It is entirely up to you whether Grace is said at all!
Q: Will you announce us both into the dining area?
A: I will enter the room first and ask all your Wedding Guests to stand to receive the Bride & Bridegroom. I will then escort you both to your places at the top table. I will make sure you make a VERY grand entrance!
Q: Would you be able to inform the guests that they may remove their hats and jackets, if they wish, during the meal?
A: Once everyone is seated I will then make this announcement for you.
Q: We have cameras on each table, how can we make sure all our guests use them and know where to leave them after they have used them?
A: I explain to all your guests how to use the cameras and flash and also where to leave them once they are finished.
Q: We would like to toast all our guests, when should we do this?
A: Whenever you like! I would suggest this toast is done before the starter course is cleared, though generally you will find this will happen at some point during the main speeches.
Q: We have a Wedding Guest Book for all our guests to sign, where should we leave it to ensure everyone can sign it?
A: The Wedding Guest Book should be given to me and I will ensure all your guests sign it during the wedding breakfast.
Q: Do the speeches come before the meal for after?
A: Usually the speeches happen after the meal, but it is becoming more popular to have them before to enable all the speechmakers to enjoy their meal without worrying. You should inform the venue beforehand that you intend to do this.
Q: When it comes to the speeches whose speech is first?
A: Usually the Brides’ Father or whoever has been appointed in his place speaks first. The Bridegroom normally responds and the Best Man concludes.
Q: How many toasts should we have?
A: Usually there are three toasts. Firstly, to the Bride & Bridegroom, proposed by the Brides Father or whoever has been appointed in his place. The second toast should be to the Bridesmaids and Best Man, proposed by the Bridegroom, and then the Best Man may propose the final toast to the parents of the Bride & Bridegroom, or, as is more popular these days, again to the Bride and Bridegroom. He will also read out any telegrams or cards.
Q: Should the Best Man include any humorous Wedding Toasts?
A: Generally, it is not thought a good idea to embarrass any of your Wedding Guests in any shape or form. However, providing everything is kept clean and bad language is avoided at all costs, some light banter is more than accepted to finish off the speeches in style.
Q: We have been told that the Best Man toasts the Bride and Bridegroom at the end of his speech. Is this correct, as my Father would prefer to do this at the end of his speech?
A: The Brides Father or whoever has been appointed in his place, usually toasts the Bride and Bridegroom. However, if the best man wants to do it again – why not? As I tend to say rather a lot, it’s your day!
Q: When should we cut our Wedding Cake?
A: Should you wish your Wedding Cake to be served with coffee, you would normally cut this after the main course plates are cleared. However, if you wish your Wedding Cake to be served later, perhaps with the evening buffet, then it is normally cut just before the speeches.
Q: At our friends Wedding, the Wedding Cake was served with coffee and not a lot was eaten. Do you think it’s a good idea to have it served with the evening buffet instead?
A: Wedding Guests have usually just eaten a large meal, and therefore will not always want any Wedding Cake. Therefore, there is a chance that most cake served with coffee will be wasted. However, you can always put out the remainder on the evening buffet.
Q: After all the Table Formalities are complete, what happens next?
A: I will ask everybody to stand, and then escort you both from the Top Table and out of the Dining Area. The room will them be prepared for the evening reception.
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Alan Feeney, 11 Bodiam Close, Berkeley Beverborne, Worcester, Worcestershire WR4 0EL
T: 01905 453 356 M: 07949 382 469 E: alanfeeneytoastmaster@fsmail.net
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