A Toastmasters Gavel

What is the role of a Toastmaster?

With their distinctive, formal red outfit. the toastmaster’s role is to manage and guide your wedding, and to ensure that you and the rest of the bridal party can relax and enjoy themselves.

Some of the toastmaster’s duties include:

• making all guests feel welcome
• liaising with the wedding photographer
• organising the guests line up
• announcing guests and presenting them to the hosts
• coordinating the cutting of the cake
• probably best known duty, to introduce the speakers.

Their professionalism and flair, when it comes to the introductions is in itself well worth the money, as they can really make a difference on your wedding day.

Choosing a Toastmaster

I would recommend to start at The Toastmasters’ General Council, which has a list of affiliated toastmasters, including the The London Guild of Toastmasters, The Institute of Toastmasters of Great Britain ,  The Guild of Professional Toastmasters and The Society of London Toastmasters, to name but a few. All members are required to meet high standards on conduct, work and dress.

Most Toastmasters are men but there are a growing number of women toastmasters. I would suggest picking a few, as you would a wedding photographer, meet them and discuss your wedding with them, as it is very important that you get on well together.  Is is also a good idea to ask them questions, such as, are they practiced in coordinating large or small weddings? Can they suggest solutions to any potential problems that might arise during the day?

A London Toastmaster with his Bride and Groom

What makes a good Toastmaster?

All toastmasters are trained to a very high standard to do the same things:

• have excellent organisational skills
• thorough knowledge of event protocol
• superior speaking skills

In away, and just as important are inter-personal skills, thae ability to create rapport with people of all ages and the ability to put people at ease. They should also be discrete and know exactly when they are needed, as well as being able to blend into the background, similar to the role of a good wedding photographer.

How much?

Generally, toastmasters charge a flat rate fee for the whole day, but this depends on where you are getting married, how many guests attending your wedding, but on average, you should budget for a minimum of £200 to £300. You may be thinking “more cost” to add to your wedding budget, but this may be well worth it when you consider the wide range of duties that a toastmaster carries out. £300 may pay for that piece of mind.

One final word of advice, is that like some wedding photographers, toastmasters are increasingly in demand, so make sure you book well in advance – sooner than later.

Check out the London toastmaster.

About the Author: Paul Birkett of Blue Square Images is a wedding photographer in Kent who specialises in reportage wedding photography. You can follow him on Twitter or contact Paul.

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