This presentation by Nick Funnell, a professional toastmaster, provides an in-depth overview of the various elements involved in a wedding reception, including roles of the function manager, photographer, and key moments like speeches and cake cutting. It offers practical advice and insider tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for the couple and their guests. Additionally, the presentation highlights the importance of hiring a toastmaster to help manage the event's details.

1. Secrets of Wedding Receptions Revealed

2. About Me…
…and this presentation.
Hello,
My name is Nick Funnell (email link). I’ve been working as a professional
toastmaster (based in Norfolk, UK) since 2006.
The aims of this presentation are:
 To give a brief, but fairly comprehensive introduction to
the various elements of the wedding reception.
 To present some of the insider knowledge and ‘tricks of
the trade’ I have picked up over many wedding reception
engagements.
So let’s get on with it…

3. Contents
1. The Function Manager
2. The Photographer
3. The Receiving Line
4. The Bride and Bridegroom’s Entrance
5. Cutting the Cake
6. The Speeches (When, Who, What to say, How long, Being heard)
7. Audio/Visuals
8. Toasts
9. Presentations
10. Guest Book
11. Wrap-up & Hiring a Toastmaster

4. The Function Manager (1)
Your first point of contact.
Be sure to arrange a meeting with the venue’s Function Manager well in
advance of the big day.
He/she can take you through the basic running of events in relation to the
PHYSICAL LAYOUT(S) of the venue…
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5. The Function Manager (2)
A person with contacts…
…and also hire (or put you in contact with) proven,
reliable professionals to cover other aspects of the
day itself:
Toastmaster
Driver/vehicle provider
Children's
entertainment
DJ

6. The Photographer (1)
Friend or foe?
However, some can be very SELF-INDULGENT, taking
literally hundreds of unnecessary and/or pretentious
shots…
…This is known in the trade as ‘FILLER’- stuffing the album
with pictures simply to justify an inflated photographer’s
fee.
Most photographers do an excellent, professional job of
producing a wedding album- which will, after all, be your
one permanent reminder of the big day.

7. The Photographer (2)
The enemy of good timekeeping?
In addition, some photographers take little account of
the day’s TIME CONSTRAINTS.
If unchallenged, this could have serious knock-on effects
throughout the day, including the meal being spoiled
and/or evening guests left waiting for the meal &
speeches to finish.
Remember, THE DAY BELONGS TO YOU and your
families & friends. It’s purpose is not for the
photographer to indulge his or her artistic pretensions &
overcharge you for the privilege.

8. The Receiving Line
Are they necessary?
FOR- it gives the B&G and parents a chance to be
introduced to everyone- remember, parents may well not
know many of the B&G’s friends.
AGAINST- it takes TIME, on a very time-sensitive
day. For 70 guests, reckon on the receiving line taking
20-25 minutes.
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If you do have one…
Use the USHERS as doormen, otherwise guests will
tend to pile through in a disorganised manner.
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9. The Bride & Groom’s
Entrance
With all guests having found their seats, the B&G can make their grand
entrance!
They will be ANNOUNCED IN (by the toastmaster), to
rapturous applause from the guests…
One the couple are seated, THE MEAL MAY BEGIN
(unless the speeches are happening before the meal-
see slide ‘Speeches (1)’).
A short GRACE can be said if you wish. This can be
performed by the toastmaster.

10. Cutting the Cake
…and eating it.
The cutting ceremony usually happens some time before the speeches.
Often the photographer will take a posed, ‘fake’ cake cutting
photo with the B&G before the meal.
This allows guests to snap away unimpeded during the actual
cutting ceremony.
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?Tell the Function Manager WHICH TIERS need cutting
up for guests, and WHEN TO SERVE THEM.
This is often with coffee after the meal, though you (and
your stomachs!) may prefer to wait until later.

11. The Speeches (1)
When to make them.
Speeches can be made BEFORE or AFTER THE MEAL- both options
have their pros and cons:
BEFORE
…gets them over with so the speechmakers can relax and
enjoy the meal, BUT the guests will be hungry, especially
with the smell of food wafting in from the kitchens!
AFTER
…is ‘traditional’ and more comfortable for the guests, BUT
the speechmakers may not get to enjoy their meal, thinking
about the ‘ordeal’ ahead.

12. The Speeches (2)
Who’s going to speak?
But there’s no rule to say you
have to stop there…
1. Father of the Bride
2. Bridegroom
3. Best Man
 Bride & Bridegroom
 Bridesmaids & Pageboys
 Up to him!
The TRADITIONAL order is as follows…
Speaker Proposes toast to…
*
*Can be substituted for
another family member if
unavailable.

13. The Speeches (3)
It’s often a nice touch for the BRIDE to say a few
words herself. After all, she is supposed to be the
centre of attention for the day!
The traditional order perhaps feels rather male-dominated for this
day and age.
PLUS- ad hoc, anyone else who wants to say a few
words- but maybe best to check their ‘condition’
first…
Who’s going to speak? (cont.)

14. The Speeches (4)
Don’t panic! You can easily compose an effective speech around
the basic elements:
What to say?
 Thank everybody for coming (especially those who’ve
travelled significant distances)
 Say how lovely the bride looks & how well everything’s been
organised.
 One or two personal reminiscences on the B&G’s
relationship over the years/months.
Try to keep any sad material to a minimum- maybe just
a toast to ‘absent friends’…

15. The Speeches (5)
It’s usually best to err on the side of BREVITY.
As a rough guide, aim for BETWEEN 4 & 8
MINUTES.
PRACTICE & TIME YOURSELF beforehand.
How long?
Any longer and people’s attention will tend to drift-
rapidly.

16. The Speeches (6)
Being heard…
Always check to see if the venue has a usable PA system.
If they have, great- USE IT (liaise with the Function
Manager to make sure it’ll be ready).
If not, you’ll need to PROJECT- easier said than
done, especially if children are present & making
a noise!

17. Audio and Visuals
Many venues play low-volume ‘atmosphere’ music
during the meal.
This is very easy to mentally ‘tune out’ and forget about-
until everybody is quiet! MAKE SURE IT IS TURNED
OFF before speeches start.
Beware the ‘slight technical hitch’!
In general, it’s best to avoid Powerpoint/slides or music to
illustrate speeches- there’s too much to go wrong. Use
hand-out pictures in envelopes instead.
If you must use the technology TEST IT BEFOREHAND!

18. The Toasts
The traditional toasts can be found on the slide ‘Speeches (2)’.
However, any speaker can propose as many or few toasts as they want.
And how to make them…
REMEMBER- TELL people whether you want them to
stand or sit EACH TIME (either is OK- bear in mind the
elderly/infirm)…
… Otherwise you’ll find everyone drinking the toast in the
ever-popular ‘unsure crouch’ position.

19. Presentations
These are often made during the bridegroom’s speech. Remember:
Thanking those who have helped…
Also, IT’S NOT AN AWARDS CEREMONY & nobody
wants to sit through more than a few presentations.
An option could be to make only the main presentations
during speeches, then the rest privately afterwards.
 All presents should be in place before the speeches start- CHECK.
 Presentations should not be used as an alternative to a speech!
 Get the bride and/or toastmaster to help- this could be a good
opportunity for the bride to say a few words if she’s not giving a formal
speech herself.

20. The Guest Book
Make sure the signing gets started DURING THE MEAL.
A good time is just after people have finished the starter and are waiting for
the main course- take it to one of the tables & ask them to pass it round.
…can easily get overlooked.
…otherwise you’ll end up using a stubby, half-chewed
specimen borrowed from reception, spoiling the effect
somewhat!
Remember to get a decent pen to go with it…

21. Wrapping it Up
That’s the formalities of the reception over with…
…and going into the evening.
Remember to ask the DJ if you want a ‘first dance’-
they are usually happy to oblige with announcing.
Evening guests may well have arrived by this point, so you’ll want to go
out and greet them.
Encourage everyone else to follow you- staff may well
need to clear the room for the evening anyway…
Now relax and enjoy the evening!

22. Hiring a Toastmaster
Of course, the best thing would be for SOMEONE ELSE to deal with all the
details of the reception, leaving you free to enjoy the day.
This is where the TOASTMASTER comes in.
The ideal solution.
The toastmaster should usually be available to
MEET WITH YOURSELVES well in advance the
day itself, to discuss exactly how you want the
day to run and offer advice where appropriate.
Not only does the toastmaster add a touch of elegance to any
occasion, he or she can make sure everything runs
SMOOTHLY and ON TIME.

23. Thanks for Watching!
I wish you all the very best for your big day ahead- and I hope this
presentation helps you to get the best possible experience from it!
Contact:
nick@nfunnell.freeserve.co.uk
www.toastmaster-funnell.co.uk