How to choose a wedding host? in [2019]

What is a wedding without a bride, groom and... without a host. It largely depends on him what impressions you and your guests will have about this important and solemn day. It doesn’t matter whether 15 people or 150 people come to your wedding. Therefore, for most newlyweds, the question of how to choose a good wedding host is very pressing.

To ensure that the guests do not get bored, it is important to have an experienced toastmaster who will hold the banquet at the highest level and bring to life the pre-conceived scenario.

In the West, a host is not always invited to weddings. Many people do without it. This is due to the fact that the wedding feast in Western countries, as a rule, does not last very long and does not include a long entertainment program. In Russia and the CIS countries it is difficult to imagine a wedding celebration without a toastmaster.

Responsibilities and Competencies

The toastmaster at the wedding must hold a banquet in a restaurant after registering the marriage according to an agreed upon scenario, including competitions, announcements of toasts and dances, jokes and involving guests in everything that happens.

The last point is very important - the host should not just joke and have fun, but, if possible, encourage guests to take part in competitions, dances, make toasts - in other words, he should create a festive mood for those present.

The full list of responsibilities is below.

Timing. The banquet lasts a certain amount of time - during this time you need to have time to eat, dance, congratulate the newlyweds, take part in competitions, cut the wedding cake, etc. The toastmaster makes sure that the entertainment program does not drag on or, conversely, end too quickly.
Meeting the guests. By the end of the evening, a good host will definitely introduce all the guests to each other and create a warm atmosphere even at the most lavish and crowded wedding.
Organization of a meeting of young people. This is where the work of the toastmaster at the banquet begins - he must beautifully greet the newlyweds at the entrance to the restaurant.
Toasts. The toastmaster himself must give beautiful and original toasts, and also give the floor to the guests in a timely manner.
Entertainment. None of the invitees should be bored. Defusing the situation, finding the best moments for competitions and games is the main task of a specialist.
Help the DJ. Usually the toastmaster and the DJ work in pairs. This combination works much more efficiently.
Resolution of conflicts and force majeure. A script is good, but rarely does a wedding go off without a hitch. If an unexpected situation arises, the professional must be resourceful.
Guest control. Usually at a wedding, alcohol literally “flows like a river,” and not all guests can calculate their strength. Of course, the toastmaster will not count the number of glasses or glasses, but he has the power to increase the interval between toasts if necessary.
End of the holiday. The ceremonial farewell of the newlyweds is the final chord of the evening. The professional must say farewell words and thank those present.

Considering the huge number of responsibilities of a specialist, young people do not always decide to do without him at a celebration. Therefore, the question of how to choose a host for a wedding will always remain relevant.

What to discuss with the presenter during the meeting

Choosing the right toastmaster is extremely important. A person must love his job, otherwise the gala evening simply will not work. The host will hold the celebration according to plan, but, as they say, “without a spark”, in the end there will be a feeling of incompleteness.

Mutual sympathy will not be superfluous either . Therefore, a preliminary personal meeting with the candidate is very important, during which you need to ask the right questions:

Work experience - how long a person has been working as a host, how many weddings he has held, what conditions he had to work in, whether he had to organize themed weddings.
An agreement - a toastmaster is, in fact, an employee and by legally formalizing cooperation with him, you can minimize the likelihood of any surprises, so the question of concluding an agreement is quite acceptable.
Cost – you shouldn’t try to save money on the toastmaster and choose the lowest paid one. The price should be in the average range.
Form of payment - the contract must indicate how payment is made, usually it consists of an advance payment, which indicates the seriousness of the customers’ intentions and reserves a specific date, and the main part of the fee, paid after the work is completed.
Prepayment – you also need to indicate the amount of the prepayment. As a rule, this is 30–40% of the total fee. This amount is enough so that the presenter does not lose creative inspiration and remains with the desire to earn more.
Preparation time – how long will it take for the toastmaster to prepare the script (completely) when it can be read.
Scenario – briefly discuss the scenario, find out how the host plans to organize the wedding, express your wishes.
Competitions - it is advisable to clarify in advance exactly what competitions the presenter plans to hold; perhaps some will be undesirable.
Clothes – check with the host how he will be dressed, whether he has a single “stage” costume, or whether it will not be difficult for him to dress in accordance with the theme of the wedding.
Video – is there a presentation video that conveys the toastmaster’s working style, or the opportunity to watch videos of his earlier weddings.
Props for competitions - are provided by the presenter or must be ordered separately and who is responsible for this.
DJ – the toastmaster works with a specific DJ, or you need to invite your own; if they work in pairs, is the musical accompaniment of the evening included in the previously agreed price or will an additional payment be required, who pays for the delivery of musical equipment (for example, in the case of an outdoor wedding).
Additional time - if the wedding is delayed, how is the excess time paid, at what rate. This point should be discussed in advance so as not to negotiate with the host during the celebration.
Transport – find out how the host plans to travel during the holiday: does he have his own transport, or do you need to worry about reserving a seat in the car of one of the guests.
Children and elderly people - find out how the host plans to occupy these two categories of guests, whether there are competitions for them and whether they are delicate enough.
Changes in the scenario - by asking this question, you can evaluate the creativity of the toastmaster - a professional will not be embarrassed by any changes.
Work at night - if you plan to continue the holiday until dawn, then you should check with the host whether he agrees to work at night, and whether additional payment is needed for work at night.
What should the newlyweds provide - how can the bride and groom help (information about the guests, special moments, what should be emphasized, etc.).
Contact details of earlier clients - ask, for example, the phone number of several previous customers; it is not necessary to call back, but it is noteworthy that the presenter does not hide anything.
Personal interests - it is not necessary to discuss the personal life of the presenter; just ask him how he likes to spend his time, what kind of music he likes, what films he likes. This will help you form an opinion about him as a person and establish contact.

There are sites on the Internet with “black lists” of presenters. In addition, you can on the local forum. Of course, the objectivity of such information is relative, but it will help you get your bearings.

What should it be

The toastmaster who will hold your wedding at the highest level must meet the following requirements:

be an open, sociable and cheerful person;
have a great sense of humor;
be able to improvise and navigate the situation;
have a pleasant voice, diction and correct speech;
have experience in holding weddings.

When thinking about how to choose the right host for a wedding, consider these criteria.

Interesting! We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with how to choose a photographer for a wedding and find “your” decorator.

How to search

The traditional way of finding a wedding host is “word of mouth.” Another option is to contact a wedding agency. They probably have contacts of trusted presenters.

The last option is an independent search. Most presenters probably have websites with examples of work; you can find them online yourself. You can also search through newspapers or websites with free classified ads. If you have friends whose wedding you attended and you liked their host, you can simply ask them for this person’s contact information.

Where to look for a toastmaster

The simplest and most reliable (but also usually more expensive) way is to contact a holiday agency. Contacts of such companies can be found on the Internet, on their official websites.

There you can also get acquainted with the portfolio of professional presenters, and sometimes communicate with them personally and discuss all issues of interest. All services will be documented (through an agreement), which provides certain additional guarantees.

Another way is private advertisements in newspapers, on the Internet, advertising on social networks, and word of mouth (advice from friends) has not been canceled either.

This option will be cheaper (because the toastmaster will have to pay for the work himself, without additional payment for the intermediary services of the event agency), but riskier, because no one will give additional guarantees, as will be the case with an agency that values its reputation.

How to know if a specialist is right for you

To understand whether this presenter is right for you, it is best to see him “in action.” If you haven't personally attended a wedding where this person worked, watch videos online. Be sure to meet the presenter in person. Pay attention to how he speaks, how attractive he is, and whether he understands your requirements and wishes. You need to check whether he is available on the date you need. Good presenters are worth their weight in gold and can be scheduled months in advance.

It is important to establish personal contact with the presenter. You should enjoy his company. In this case, we can hope that he will be able to create the right atmosphere at the wedding. A good host should understand what kind of wedding you want, who your guests are and what entertainment they will enjoy most and which should be excluded from the program.

The search for a leader should begin as early as possible. Once you have decided on the date and location of the wedding, as well as the number of guests, immediately start looking for a host. Otherwise, you may not find a suitable candidate for the date you need. This is especially true for those who are planning a wedding during the “hot” time – from May to September.

Search for a toastmaster

A good toastmaster is in great demand and never sits without work, so it is better to agree with him about the upcoming work several months before the celebration.

Otherwise, there is a chance that your wedding date will be occupied by another event. This is especially true for those whose wedding is scheduled for peak periods, which include the summer season, late spring and early autumn.

Hosts working at weddings, as a rule, have their own pages on social networks, where they leave reviews about them. In addition, on various forums, couples who have already gone through the difficult path of “how to choose a good celebrant for a wedding” willingly share their experiences.

Study all the available information and clarify what exactly the newlyweds and guests liked and what they didn’t.

Reviews in the spirit of “everything was great” or “everything was terrible” are not suitable, since everyone has different tastes and preferences, and the overall rating may have nothing to do with the professionalism of the presenter.

Friends and acquaintances can recommend a good toastmaster, or you can make your task easier and contact a wedding agency.

Perhaps a toastmaster in an agency will be a little more expensive, but such organizations, as a rule, deal only with experienced professionals, which becomes a guarantee of success at your wedding. And if something suddenly goes wrong, then there is the opportunity to file a claim and, if necessary, receive compensation.

There is still a slight difference between a toastmaster and a presenter, although many believe that they are one and the same. But it is important to know the following nuances:

The toastmaster uses different costumes and roles, organizes a bright show, combining all plots from ordinary assistance to guests, to announcements and organization of competitions, dances, etc. into a single theatrical or thematic process.
The presenter also organizes all the plots, but without the use of costumes, remaining, as it were, less noticeable. His role is as an entertainer, helping guests, creating a comfortable atmosphere, preparing for various numbers and stages, for meeting young people, inviting them to the table, congratulating them, rituals, competitions, etc.

Preliminary meeting

You should definitely arrange a personal meeting with the candidate you like, during which it is important to pay attention to even the smallest details. What kind of diction does the person have, is his intonation and timbre of voice pleasant for you, how clearly does he express his thoughts, are there any filler words.

Appearance is also extremely important. Look at how the potential host is dressed, whether he is well-groomed, what kind of hairstyle he has, analyze in general how well his image corresponds to the status of the upcoming wedding.

Agree that a bride dressed in a luxurious dress, a toastmaster in a shabby jacket and a five-tier cake will not be the most successful combination.

Or maybe you chose a strict, elegant style, and the presenter suddenly appears in a green jacket and orange tie, this will also be somewhat discordant.

During your first meeting, familiarize yourself with how the toastmaster works at weddings. For example, let him tell you his signature jokes, without which more than one holiday is complete.

From them you will immediately understand the style of the host and determine whether he is suitable for your celebration or not. So, if it seems that your sense of humor does not match, then it is better to look for another candidate.

Also watch excerpts of video recordings from previous weddings where the toastmaster worked.

What you should focus your attention on first:

How he behaves with audiences of different ages. What appeals to young people will not always please older relatives;
If you do not tolerate vulgarity, pay attention to how often the host uses such jokes and competitions . The toastmaster, who includes such things in all his programs, can reveal this at your wedding, even if you and he agreed in advance to exclude all this;
How diverse are the programs that the presenter offers? If everything goes according to the same wedding scenario every time, then this most likely indicates his lack of professionalism. A good toastmaster comes up with something new for each event, taking into account the overall style of the wedding, the age of the guests and the preferences of the newlyweds.

Preparation for the celebration

The host should take an active part in preparing for the wedding. Here's what he has to do:

Agree on the scenario with the bride and groom, taking into account all their wishes. To do this, the host must understand how they see their ideal wedding.
Prepare all the necessary props for competitions. He can use his own props or buy a new one.
Coordinate your actions with the DJ. Musical accompaniment is an important part of the wedding: hosts often suggest familiar musicians with whom they have already worked.
Learn the names of the parents of the bride and groom, as well as witnesses. This is the required minimum. Well, of course, he should know the names of the heroes of the occasion - the bride and groom.

Tips for choosing

In order not to make a mistake in choosing a toastmaster, it is important to follow some recommendations. Below are tips on how to choose a wedding officiant.

Be sure to see a specialist and communicate with him in person.
Do not blindly trust reviews on the Internet - they may be custom-made.
Find people who have already officiated their weddings and ask them to give you feedback personally.
Focus on the contingent of invitees. If you are having a youth wedding, it is better to hire an equally young, cheerful and reckless host. If there will be a lot of middle-aged or older people at the wedding, give preference to a more mature and calm host.
Don’t ignore your inner voice - if you personally don’t like the person, even if there are positive reviews and recommendations, it’s better not to contact him.
Don’t chase cheapness - focus on average prices on the market.
Start looking for a host in advance - a month before weddings, good hosts may already be occupied.
When searching for a presenter, use word of mouth.
Enter into an agreement with the host.
Do not pay in full upfront.
Discuss all the nuances of the wedding from start to finish.
Discuss in detail and record in the contract all the responsibilities of the presenter.
Hold a wedding reception rehearsal with several guests to evaluate the professionalism of the host.
Check the cost of additional hours of work in case your banquet runs longer.

Summary

A good specialist is a real boon for any wedding, because he is the one who will create the atmosphere of your holiday. If you don’t want your guests to get bored, if you dream of turning your celebration into a real extravaganza, carefully consider the choice of the host. Don’t rush and don’t try to save money: remember that a good toastmaster is the key to a fun and memorable wedding.

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Scenario discussion

Before you start discussing the upcoming celebration with the host, it is important to understand and imagine what you want this day to look like. Of course, the toastmaster can give some advice, recommend something, but this is your holiday and only you can decide what should be on it.

If they persistently try to convince you that the evening should be spent in a certain way, and something bothers you, do not agree to it.

It’s easier to find another presenter than to regret later that everything didn’t go the way you wanted.

The wedding scenario should be discussed with the host in great detail, so that suddenly there are no hiccups or unplanned situations. Even the most ideal scenario that has already been prepared always requires adjustments and refinements, taking into account your wishes and the characteristics of the guests.

For example, inappropriate jokes or competitions involving alcoholic beverages are not appropriate at every wedding. Some people don’t drink at all, others, on the contrary, are overly addicted to alcohol, and all this needs to be controlled.

It is also worth discussing the relationship between alcoholic beverages and the presenter in advance.

Despite the fact that the toastmaster is still at work, some couples do not mind him sipping champagne for the health of the newlyweds, while others are categorically against it.

If you don’t want Verka Serduchka to suddenly play at your wedding, or, on the contrary, you will be upset if you never hear her song about marriage, it is better to discuss the issue of musical accompaniment in advance.

As a rule, many presenters work in a team with DJs, who also have their own equipment. This has its advantages when people have already worked together and know what to expect from each other.

If you were looking for the main organizers of the fun separately, then it’s worth introducing them in advance so that they can discuss issues of interaction.

As part of the script, also discuss the organization of the newlyweds' first dance, the sequence of congratulations from relatives, holding competitions with money, small gifts for guests and the end of the celebration.

Key issues also include, of course, the payment that the toastmaster sets. The price may not be low if the host is very popular, but everyone will be happy with the holiday.

Signs of a professional

A professional toastmaster differs from an amateur in several ways.

He always develops an individual scenario, since every wedding is unique, the couple has its own characteristics and the standard version simply cannot be applied to everyone.
A good toastmaster collaborates with photographers and videographers; during his work, he has accumulated many contacts, and he can always recommend someone.
A professional presenter never imposes his services. He has plenty of orders, as he has already earned a good reputation.

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