You would think that there would be a standard rate for Toastmasters, a ball-park figure if you like, but sadly there is not. This is due to a number of factors. For instance, a Toastmaster is unlike any other person you may contract to provide services at your wedding.

As an example, a florist will have a given price for any type of bloom and will probably deliver from somewhere locally, set-up and go. A photographer will almost certainly have a standard package rate, with a sliding scale based upon what sort of package you require and they will also probably be based locally; likewise a DJ or some other form of entertainment.

The venue will definitely have a set rate, to include the function room, the number of staff on duty, overtime rates and maybe other necessary additions......all of which is absolutely normal and predictable......but the Toastmaster is different.

To begin with, there are far fewer Toastmasters than there are florists, photographers, DJs or venues and so we frequently have to travel much further to “officiate” at an event. It is not at all unusual to travel two hundred miles for a function and this will necessarily incur travelling costs and, if it is a great distance followed by a late finish, overnight accommodation may be necessary.

Whilst a florist, a photographer or a DJ can generally dress however they wish, often casually but even allowing for them to be fairly smart for the occasion, a Toastmaster has a very specific and formal style of dress, which is extremely expensive to purchase and maintain and he must at all times be immaculate. These costs must be taken in to consideration, but, when you also consider that the Toastmaster will be at the venue for at least an hour before you or your guests arrive and will have familiarised himself with the geography of the place, found the best spots to announce from, introduced himself to the caterers and the management, checked the table and seating plan, the room layout, the location for the cake and all other aspects of the event, and he will have organised refreshments to be ready for you and your guests on your arrival. He will then meet and greet, guide and advise everyone as necessary, will assist the Bridal Party with whatever they require and stage-manage the entire event for the next several hours, organise the Receiving Line, announce Grace, advise on and announce all speeches, (keeping everything to your required timings), arrange for presentations of gifts or flowers and the cutting of the cake, generally finishing his duties with the first dance and you will see that the Toastmaster has an extremely wide-ranging task and very long hours.

I said that there is no ball-park figure, but that is not entirely true. Most Toastmasters do have a base-line, to which they then add various extras if you require them. This can include singing, speech-making and all sorts of other possibilities too numerous to mention.

I do not do that. To begin with, you really would not want me to sing for you … and if you did, then I would end-up paying you for damages to your ears.

My standard fee is £350.00 and this includes travel costs and overnight accommodation if required. Naturally overseas travel incurs the cost of travelling to the location.

Can you find a cheaper Toastmaster? I dare say that you probably can, but as the old saying goes, “You get what you pay for” … and you can also pay a great deal more.

I will be happy to supply on request, details of other Toastmasters in various parts of the country for you to contact them in order to make your own decision.