Guy Boyling

Following our meeting, perhaps at the venue, I prepare a draft of your plans and the timings, and over the months we fine tune it.

On the day I usually arrive well before you and your guests, and check everything is in place. I liaise with the Venue Management for the day, Florist, Photographers, Videographer, D.J., Band, and anyone else concerned.

If you are also getting married in the same venue, I liaise with the Registrars, check the music, help the ushers guide the guests to their seats, and afterwards assist the photographer if required, and guide the guests to the reception.

If you are having a “Receiving line”, I announce the guests, and when completed, announce the family of the couple to their places at the top table, followed by yourselves.

During the “Wedding Breakfast” I liaise with the venue regarding the service of the meal, make any announcements needed, and introduce those who will be speaking.

I organise the cutting of the cake, whenever it is planned to take place, and escort the couple on to the dance floor for the first dance.

I usually leave after the “first dance” as I am no longer required, but if required I stay until the evening buffet is served.

I call it “Stress Control”.

Once the Presentation, VIP Dinner, Banquet, Factory Opening, Timings and Speeches have been planned, hopefully with some input from the M.C., you need to see it move smoothly.

The Directors don’t want to be pestered on the day, you’re not sure how to address the VIPs, and they’re about to arrive, the band is revving up, the photographers are crowding around, and the caterer needs a word. Why not leave it to the M.C. to liaise with all concerned?

My job on these occasions is to smooth the way and ensure your event sticks to time on your behalf. My priority is to work on your behalf, as other participants may have different agendas.

Included in the actions I am usually involved with are, assisting in briefing the participants, moving them around, briefing the audience/guests, seating everybody on time, introducing the speakers correctly, introducing the entertainment, managing the photographers, and closing the event on time. Involving the M.C. in the planning stage can be very helpful to all concerned.

Every Lodge or “Club”, (The Lions, The Buffaloes, Associations etc.), have different approaches to these social events.

Even when the format for the evening is considered “standard”, i.e. “we’ve always done it this way”, it may change with new personnel heading up the evening.

I can assist in the planning stages if required, or work from a brief listing the format, and the names of the people involved.