Some recommendations for your wedding

Having attended a number of wedding fairs over the last few weeks I have met a lot of really talented wedding suppliers and entertainers and also been some great venue. I thought I would tell you about some of my favorites.

Of the venues I have been to recently I would like to recommend Moor Hall Cookham. The venue is set in Cookham in Berkshire and is based around the 19th Century Manor House which 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 ensuite bedrooms, allowing your guests to enjoy the day without the worry of driving home. Currently Moor Hall is offering a £500 reduction  for some free dates in 2011 as follows
14 May

11 June
23 July
13 August
17 September
24 September

It is worh having a look so go the the website at http://www.moorhallconferences.com/weddings/Home.aspx

If it is entertainment you are looking for the DJ Joe Smith.  DJ Joe also operates a state of the art professional Wedding service. A perfect mix of music you want to hear that will ensure that you and your guests will have a great night. All of DJ Joe's services are fully backed by Public Liability Insurance (PLI) and all equipment comes with a current PAT certification for your piece of mind. Joe's reputaion is based upon years of experience and hundreds of satisfied clients.

If you are looking for your wedding DJ then visit http://www.djjoe.co.uk/mobile-entertainment

Have you found your wedding cake yet? If not the let me recommend The Little Thatcham Cake Company. The cakes are delicious and flavours include
Vanilla Sponge which has a generous layer of vanilla filling cream and homemade seedless raspberry jam.

Chocolate Sponge is complimented with chocolate butter cream filling or rich chocolate fudge (we only use ‘Green & Black’ organic chocolate and cocoa).
Carrot Cake, contains nuts and is accepted as one of our most popular and tasteful cakes.
Lemon Drizzle Cakes contain a layer of lemon butter cream and a layer of homemade lemon curd.
Lime & Coconut Cake contains coconut within the sponge and the topping is a lime and coconut butter cream – this is a very light and refreshing cake.
Fruit Cakes have won many competitions and contain nuts (although these could be left out), organic fruit and copious amounts of Courvoisier Brandy (you can choose an alternative if necessary) – fruit cakes are made 3 months in advance of your event in order to be fed with more brandy,to mature into the best fruit cake you have ever eaten.


For more information visit http://www.thelittlethatchamcakecompany.co.uk/

My finale recommendation today has to be my very good friend and Magician Robert Bone. As a professional magician Robert can add a real magical touch to your Wedding Day, and help to ensure everyone has lasting memories of your special occasion. Robert's upbeat style and presentation makes sure that everyone watching gets involved in the magic, sparking interaction between the guests, and is great fun and suitable for all the family.

For more information visit http://www.robertbone.co.uk/weddings-parties/weddings/

What should you expect from a Professional Wedding Toastmaster

There is often a lack of understanding about the role of a Toastmaster at a wedding and many venues try and discourage you from hiring one because they say they include it in there package.

So why would you want the additional expense of hiring an independent professionally trained Toastmaster when someone from your venue is offered as an alternative.
The reasons are many and varied and in this article you will see how much extra help and support a professional Wedding Toastmaster like me can offer.

So how will you know that the Toastmaster you hire has the training and expertise to help make your wedding that special day you have always dreamed of? Well there are many Toastmaster training schools such as the UK School of Professional Toastmasters Ltd which is where I received my training.


All reputable schools should be affiliated to the Toastmasters General Council (TGC) and will carry public liability insurance of £5million which will be required by your venue

They will also most likely be a member of one of a number of Toastmaster Associations. The largest of these is The Association of the UK School of Professional Toastmasters.  I was a founder member of this association and we now have over 70 members.  As members we support each other and in the event of illness or accident I will be able to call upon a colleague to cover to avoid spoiling your special day.

I am sure you will want to know how much a professional Wedding Toastmaster will cost and what level of support you will get. Of course because they are independent they will all charge slightly differently depending on requirements. Like me they will probably offer different packages depending on whether they are needed for just the Wedding Breakfast or for the Civil Ceremony and Evening reception as well. A guide would be somewhere from £300 + which might sound a lot but what will you get with the package?

Your wedding Toastmaster should offer you a combination of the following

4 weeks before your wedding

1. A face to face meeting to discuss your wedding day, ideally at the reception venue 
2. At the meeting we will go through the whole day to ensure that all your requirements are captured
3. Provide help and guidance if required, but always remembering that it is your wedding
4. Following this meeting a written confirmation will be provided of all the details discussed
5. During the weeks leading up to the wedding unlimited email / telephone contact as required to discuss and agree any changes to requirements or timings

On the Wedding day

1. I will arrive at the venue ahead of you and your guest to:
2. Check the venue is set up as you require
3. Ensure that seating plans / place cards etc are as required
4. Make sure that the Cake table, Guest Book table and Gift table are set up
5. If other suppliers are setting up such as DJ etc that they are finished before the wedding guests arrive
6. Liaise with the venue staff to ensure all timings are as agreed
7. Receive your guest and help them check in if they are staying at the venue
8. Direct them to the appropriate rooms and assist them as necessary

When you arrive

1. Assist the photographer get everyone together for any group shots
2. If required organise a receiving line and make necessary introductions
3. Ensure that all gifts are collected and are shored safely

During the wedding Breakfast

1. Escort the Bride and bridegroom into the room
2. Say Grace if required
3. Introduce speakers and ensure any thank you gifts are easily to hand
4. Organise the cutting of the cake
5. Ensure your guest book is circulated and signed by all your guests
6. Formally close the proceedings

Additionally if required  Ican help organise

The throwing of your bouquet

1. Meet and greet your evening guests
2. Organise everyone to receive you both onto the dance floor for your 1st dance.

So when your venue says that they provide this service you might want to check how much they are charging and whether their duties match up with what an Independent Professional Wedding Toastmaster might offer

Insure your wedding and win champagne

As an introducer of Event Insurance Services I am delighted to offer the following:

Wedding insurance with Event Insurance Services is very competitive. If you would like a quote please contact me to discuss