HOT TOPIC Local experts reveal all WHAT’S TRENDING? What are the biggest trends for the wedding season this year? Meet the expert: Ellen Ford is the wedding coordinator at Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort based in Calne, Wiltshire. Ellen says: Barbie is back! It will come as no surprise with how influential the Barbie movie has been this year that Barbie-inspired pink is back and anticipated to be popular at weddings this year. From touches of pink through the bride’s dress, jewellery, and shoes, to bright pink florals and décor, different shades of pink can be added to most elements of a wedding. Savvy wedding budgets. Couples want to get more from their wedding budget and are being much stricter with their invite lists by not inviting relatives that they haven’t seen for years and even choosing to invite guests to the evening instead of the day. Couples are thinking about what is most important to them on their special day, we are also seeing the return of more DIY wedding décor helped by creative family and friends. Celebrant-led ceremonies. Legal registrar-led ceremonies will always be around for obvious reasons, but we are seeing a rise in blessings and celebrant-led ceremonies, and the great thing is that you can make it your own, with personal touches and personalised ideas. Couples are finding new ways to make weddings more personal and unique; this is certainly a great way to do that. www.bowood.org/bowood-hotel-resort 50 RAISE A TOAST What are the advantages of booking a toastmaster? Meet the expert: Martin Honor is a professional toastmaster and a Fellow of the Executive Guild of Toastmasters and Towncriers based in West Wiltshire. Martin says: The role of an independent professional toastmaster at a wedding can seem confusing and many venues may try to discourage you from hiring one as they say they include it in their package. The toastmaster is a master of ceremonies. They ensure the wedding reception runs smoothly and add to the splendour of the occasion. They will discreetly go about their duties coordinating, directing and announcing the ceremonial proceedings. Yet with their traditional red coat, they are a go-to contact for sorting out problems and queries. Your chosen toastmaster can also help the bride’s father, the best man and the groom with their wedding speeches, and act as a support while they deliver it. Each toastmaster will charge slightly differently and offer packages depending on how much they are needed, for example, if they are required just for the wedding breakfast, or for the ceremony and evening reception. They can check your venue is correctly set up, from the seating plans and place cards to the gift table and more. They can also help organise other suppliers who are setting up so they are finished before the wedding guests arrive and liaise with the venue staff about your timings. Once the wedding has started, your toastmaster can assist the photographer with organising group shots. During the wedding breakfast, the toastmaster has their most important duties. They will escort the happy couple into the room, introduce speakers, organise the cutting of the cake and formally close the proceedings. Additionally, if required, your toastmaster can help organise your bouquet throw, meet and greet your guests and organise everyone to watch your first dance. This is where a toastmaster differs from a venue master of ceremonies (who may have other duties in addition to your wedding), who will generally make announcements and corral guests, but they aren’t personal to you! The greatest thing a toastmaster brings is giving you the peace of mind you deserve on your special day and helping deliver the day you have planned and dreamt of. They try to add a formal informality to your special day! https://honorceremonies.co.uk
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