Wedding Special: Bang The Gavel.

This month we are delighted to feature a guest blog from Vanessa King who is a professional Toastmaster based in Surrey. We hope you enjoy her insight into the role of a toastmaster...

People often ask me what I do as a professional toastmaster. The image is generally someone who shouts, bangs a gavel, and introduces the toasts. Most people are surprised to learn there's anything more to the role than that, but I have made it so much more. I do introduce the toasts and I do speak loudly sometimes, but I never shout and I don't even own a gavel! Every event is a unique experience for the people who've generally put in a huge amount of thought, effort and money into it and it's no less unique for me. I see my job as Toastmaster to make sure the event is every bit as perfect, special and unique as the client imagines it will be.

Anyone involved in significant events knows they start many months before the big day, and the most successful events, from my perspective, always start with my early involvement. The day is unique and my service is tailored specifically to the client. I have a planning meeting with the client where I 'walk through' every aspect of the day as planned thus far.

There isn't much for me to do after that initial meeting, but I keep in regular contact with the client to make sure there's nothing I can do to help in the lead-up to the event, particularly with respect to the speeches. People are often very nervous about giving a speech as it is often the first time they've spoken in public.

The night before the event I make sure my uniform is immaculate and starch my shirt and trousers. I have a number of boxes with all sorts of bits and pieces that might be needed at an event, ranging from scissors, glasses, mints, paracetamol, pins, and hand lotion! I put all of this into the car as you never know what might be needed on the day.

I learn a great deal from every event I do. I have learned that a little stress is a good thing, but I shouldn't worry too much because I do have an authoritative yet gentle manner that gets people doing what they need to be doing. I have learned that I am good at making everyone feel looked after and I'm getting better all the time at liaising with everyone to make sure things happen smoothly. The best thing I've learned is that I've finally found my dream job that brings together all the skills I have and the things I love to do.

I'm fortunate to have received lovely testimonials from my clients. I am proud to serve them on such memorable occasions and being a professional Toastmaster is just the most rewarding job in the world for me.

Thanks to Vanessa for this months blog - more information can be found on Vanessa's website www.ladytoastmaster.wordpress.com. Our next feature will be focusing on the rising trend in baby showers. We have our first ever shower booked this Autumn which will be themed using our beautiful vintage crockery and we can't wait. More details later...

Enjoy the sunshine.

Gilly & the team

www.thegreatbigevent.com