So our toastmaster came round this evening and had a few good little tips I thought I'd share with you all:

1) Kids goody bags - don't leave them on the table as the kids will be distracted, not eat their meal, and then be ratty and bored come the speeches! He suggested giving them out about 10 mins before the speeches which I think is a great idea!
2) Colouring comp - he suggested doing a drawing or photocopying a page of a colouring book and running a competition, prize can be sweets. I think this is lovely...
3) Coats - he asked if we'd thought about where guests would put their coats and hats in the marquee and I haven't a scooby! Better get my thinking cap on...
4) Gifts at the ceremony - he suggested we ask ushers to take any cards and gifts off guests as they arrive at the church, so they don't have to juggle them throughout the ceremony
5) Seating Plan - he suggested we seat elderly, pregnant or people that generally go to the loo a lot nearer the door, so they can escape without embarassment as required.

Hopefully some of those will come in handy, ladies???

Some very good tips there Kizzy!! thank Mr Toastmaster for us!

Can I be near the door? I am always needing to pee! xx

I can do another thread on his suggested order of things and how long he thinks they'd take if that would help anyone? Or add it in here?

Dove I would walk around the room waving them on a stick and say "If you make a noise during the speeches and you don't eat all of your meal then you can't have one and the naughty childrens home will come and pick them up and take them away. Perfectly behaved children =FACT.

Everyone knows a childhood based on lies and fear is a good one. I still thought the icecream man had ran out of icecream if he had his chimes on til I was about 17!

I heard of a child being mortified when offered Viennetta ice cream at his friend's house. His parents had told him it was poisonous for anyone under 18..

1pm - C of E marriage ceremony
1.45pm - Photo's at Church
2.05pm - Reception drinks
2.15pm - Photo's
3.15pm - Receiving Line
3.30pm - Wedding Breakfast (starter & Main)
4.30pm - Cut the Cake
5pm - Serve Dessert
5.15pm - Serve Coffee & Champagne for Toasts
5.30pm - Speeches
6.15pm - Finish - set up for evening

Obviously it can move forward or backwards to fit your ceremony time!

i booked my toastmaster today he was really helpful too. said he wants to get to know us before the day and if we have any questions about the day to give him a call, already makes it worth the £260 its costing me!

i was gonna have a toastmaster but as i am having a very informal wedding and reception thought that he would be a bit out of place. Really good advice though thanks xxx

Ohfiddles - I felt the same and still do a bit, HOWEVER there's quite lot going on (2 caterers, 2 bands etc) and was really worried I'd spend the day trying to organise eveyone and making sure everything happens on time. By having him, he'll run the day leaving me to enjoy it.