Moor Hall Wedding Experience Sunday 6th February

Next Sunday the 6th February I will be attending the Moor Hall Wedding Experience day in Cookham Berkshire. The event is between 11.30am - 3.30pm and promises to be a truly unique and interactive experience

Moor Hall’s 19th Century Manor House provides a picturesque room for ceremonies of up to 60 people, while the modern Berkshire Suite can seat up to 80. Couples can choose an intimate wedding breakfast setting in our dining suite, a larger wedding breakfast in our main dining room for up to 120 guests, or an evening buffet reception for up to 180 guests. Moor Hall also offers 80 en suite bedrooms, allowing your guests to enjoy the day without the worry of driving home.

Why not come along and enjoy a guided tour of Moor Hall, enjoy tasting some canapes, a glass of champagne and meet the exhibitors.. There is also an opportunity to win £1500 worth of vouchers from the wedding providers featured at the Wedding Experience at Moor Hall, to put towards your wedding day! Simply attend on the day and your name will be put into a prize draw.

I look forward to seeing you on the 6th and for more information and directions visit http://www.moorhallconferences.com/PDF%20files/weddingexperience.pdf

Hampshire Court Wedding Fair 23rd January

My next wedding fair will be next Sunday 23rd January at the Hampshire Court Hotel Basingstoke. Organised by Dream Wedding fairs the doors will open at 11am

More details can be found at http://www.dreamweddingfairs.com/wedding-shows-berkshire.html

Average cost of a wedding tops £20K

According to recent figures the cost of the average wedding is now £20,000 so when you are spending all that money you want to make sure that your dream day is everything you want it to be.
Careful planning with your Toastmaster will make sure that your day is stress free and everything happens without your or your parents having to worry.
According to recent trend the following is the likely average cost which will make up your wedding expenditure

Engagement rings and celebration          £1000.00
Stationery                                               £465.00
Stag and Hen nights                                 £280.00
Insurance                                                 £110.00
The wedding service                                £520.00
Wedding Rings                                        £630.00
Flowers                                                  £705.00
Balloons and decorations                         £460.00
The brides outfit                                     £1590.00
Hair and beauty                                       £180.00
The Groom’s outfit                                  £200.00
Attendants outfits                                     £575.00
Transport                                                £480.00
Photography                                           £950.00
Video                                                      £900.00
Reception (Venue, Food & Drinks)£4000.00
Evening Reception                                £1700.00
Toastmaster                                           £450.00
Entertainment                                         £850.00
Wedding cake                                       £405.00
Gifts                                                      £200.00
Honeymoon and 1st night hotel            £3400.00
TOTAL                                            £20050.00

So although many think a Toastmaster is a costly expense, in fact at around £450 for the whole day it is actually only about 2% of the total cost and well worth the investment.

All good Toastmasters will have at least one session with you to ensure all aspects of the day are understood. This will ensure that nothing gets missed and you and your family can concentrate on the important things - eating, drinking and talking to your guest.

Why not get in touch and we can discuss how I can help to make your day happy, enjoyable and stress fee

Wedding Fayre Frederick's Maidenhead

I will be exhibiting at Frederick's Hotel & Spa Shoppenhangers Road Maidenhead on Sunday 16th January for there Wedding Fayre. I will be offering a 15% reduction for all functions booked on the day and 10% for all attendees who book within 6 weeks
There will be lots of exhibitors and it will be a great opportunity for brides to meet and book suppliers for those 2011 and 2012 weddings. Why not come along and meet me. The doors open at 11am - See you there.

More information can be found at http://www.dreamweddingfairs.com/wedding-shows-berkshire.html

Pounden House Bicester

Pounden House near Bicester is another wedding venue that I would recommend.  Run as  family business  Poundon House is renowned for its welcoming atmosphere and has many years experience hosting events. From the moment you pass through the front gates and drive down the lime tree avenue, the mood is set for your perfect wedding day.
As you enter the house, a stone flagged hallway leads into three stunning reception rooms and a south facing terrace of exceptional views. The striped front lawns are ideal for a drinks reception and a classic game of croquet. When your ready for your wedding breakfast you and your guests may wander up to the elegant marquee, situated on a lawn surrounded by a mature yew hedge and beautiful beech trees. As the sun goes down and the evening reception begins, the setting makes its true beauty apparent with up-lit trees creating an intimate setting for the evening
Poundon House is located on the border of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, only an hour from Central London and Birmingham and whilst we have tried to describe the house, a visit is really necessary to appreciate the full beauty of the house and gardens.

History of the Toastmaster

History of the Toastmaster



The historical origins of the modern Toastmaster are cloaked in mystery, as there is little definitive reference documentation. In the middle ages the keeper of the wine in great houses was referred to and became known as the ‘Master of the Toast’.
The “Master of the Toast” would toast small pieces of bread before a fire, dip them into herbs and spices before stirring them into a bowl of wine to enhance its flavour.
Towards the end of the 17th century the toasting of one’s friends became an accepted custom especially to VIP’s attending banquets. Its origins can be linked to the following;

A banquet was being held in the Pump Room at Bath in the year 1649.
Two young men attending wandered into the adjacent spa where languishing in the waters was a ‘Lady of the Town’ covered in ‘little more than blushes’. One of the young men wanted to jump into the water to be with her but was prevented by his friend who scooped some water into his empty drinking vessel. There remained at the bottom of his vessel the small piece of spiced toast from the previous drink of wine. On drinking from the newly charged vessel he is reputed to have said, “Nay, though I likest not the beverage (i.e. the water from the bath) I will take toast with the lady” he then proceeded to drink the water containing the toast and entered the water.

The major-domo of old was the modern toastmaster’s predecessor. He was employed in the houses of Spanish and Italian Nobles as the ‘Manager’ The English version at this time was the ‘House Steward’ nowadays called the Butler. One of the Butlers duties was to announce guests arriving for dinner who would then be greeted and received by the Host and Hostess.

Private clubs often appointed a member to act as Toastmaster and to ensure that these Toastmasters did not over imbibe in alcohol a toastmasters glass was designed, made of thick glass but it would only hold a small measure, thus ensuring the Toastmaster remained sober!
The origin and history of the redcoat as worn by the modern Toastmaster are generally accepted as being introduced by the late William Knight-Smith. He remarked to his wife, his concern at being dressed like a headwaiter or butler, his wife suggested that he wear a red coat. Another account is that the occasion at which he changed his coat to a red one the then Prince of Wales admired it and commented favourably on it. It is also accepted that William Knight-Smith was the first to be recognised as a bone- fide toastmaster setting the scene for others to emulate.
Each and every function must be treated individually. The toastmaster’s advice is sought on many occasions. It is therefore imperative to have the knowledge of protocol and preambles for all engagements. Your toastmaster must never appear to be more important than the event at which he is officiating.
A Toastmaster must be dignified in appearance, have the ability to control large numbers of people without being too authoritarian, have a good personality, strong voice, clarity of diction and an intelligent approach to all engagements at which he officiates.
Note. In the City of London the toastmasters red coat remains a black tailcoat with the addition of the red and white sash of the City of London being worn over the right shoulder.




With thanks to Mr Graham Hunt.


Graham is both proud and honoured to be Past President of the
Association of the UK School of Professional Toastmasters.
Founder/Director UK School of Professional Toastmasters Limited