The Professional Toastmaster

The origin of drinking a toast to someone’s health goes back to the seventeenth century. It was called a toast thanks to an old custom of adding pieces of spiced toast to wine before serving. By the early 1900s, a toastmaster was someone who proposed the toasts and introduced the speakers. These days, a professional toastmaster at a traditional, formal wedding has many more duties to perform.

A professional toastmaster will meet up with the bride and groom well in advance of the wedding and will give them valuable advice on planning the occasion. He will also provide guidance on matters such as etiquette and the organisation of the timetable for the day’s events.

Among his many responsibilities are included liaising with the registrar, wedding photographer and wedding venue staff. He may also help musicians to set up their equipment. When the wedding breakfast is ready, he will summon the guests and then escort the bride and groom to the top table. He will also take charge of the flowers and gifts and announce the cutting of the wedding cake.

Having previously helped those who were planning to speak at the wedding, he will be on hand to offer further support on the day, as well as introducing the speakers. Later, it is his responsibility to announce the first dance of the happy couple as man and wife.

If you have a professional toastmaster, rest assured he will preside over everything with an experienced eye and a dignified manner, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and the needs of all your guests are properly catered for. Your wedding day might be the happiest day of your life, but it could also be the most stressful, especially if you have a large wedding, so having a toastmaster to direct proceedings will put your mind at rest and allow you to enjoy your special day.