William Freeman Toastmaster and Celebrant
What Our Couples Love
- Personalised service, stress free and highly effective
- Keeping guests energised, involved and engaged. Giving family and guest memories of a 'day that couldn't have been bettered'
- Reduced fees for non-weekend dates
- Combined Celebrant / MC / Toastmaster pacage
Frequently asked questions
Why do I need a toastmaster?
Many people picture a toastmaster as someone who makes announcements and introduces speeches. That’s true, but there’s much more; your toastmaster is your event master of ceremonies and ‘choreographer’. He, or she, gets people to where they need to be at the time they need to be there. Not always an easy task which takes time and effort. The red tailcoat gives visibility and authority but shouldn’t be a reason for pomposity! You are the stars of your day, not the TM. Hotel staff can coordinate the flow of food and drink but rarely have time or resources to do the full MC job.
What’s the difference between a celebrant and a registrar?
I define three steps to the wedding process (my terminology here) 1) The legalities. 2) A Ceremony. (ritual with rings etc) held with family and friends 3) Your Celebration (reception). Food, drink, speeches, toasts and fun! A registrar will perform the legalities of getting you married. After some identity verification, you sign the marriage register and you are legally wed. Registrar led ceremonies have legal limitations on location, timing and content. A Celebrant led ceremony can happen anytime and anyplace - and in any format. Couples often choose this option (after the necessary legal element) when they want something designed for them. Celebrant ceremonies are popular after Covid restrictions limited the nature of their wedding ceremony. Sometimes too, a couple might have got wed abroad (if the bride, say, is from that country) and they want a ceremony in UK for local family members and friends.
What’s the difference between a celebrant ceremony and humanist ceremony?
See above
Will you write the service for me?
Yes, it would be a pleasure; you can see all the options on my website www.toastmastermc.com
Can we write our own ceremony or vows?
Please do; it’s a lovely option. I can give you a pdf document I’ve collected with many examples to get you started (if you want it)
Is there anything that has to be included in a service?
No, but I encourage you to make it meaningful and look like a wedding ceremony as that’s what relatives expect. But it’s entirely up to you and we can discuss options and ideas. I recommend that a couple sign a certificate too. The certificate has no legal significance but it’s a great photo opportunity.
Do you cater for LGBTQ+ weddings?
Yes, with pleasure.
Do you cater for multi-faith weddings?
Yes
Do you need to meet us before the wedding day?
I need information to produce a ceremony tailored for you. You see the ‘script’ at every stage of development. It’s great if we meet face to face but Zoom is a workable option too.
What do your prices start at?
Designing and scripting a ceremony starts at £275 (£125 payable up front). Performing your ceremony from £150
How far in advance should I book you?
Ideally four weeks but I can handle short notice if necessary (and the date fits). My shortest notice so far was three days, but I wouldn’t want to make a habit of it!
About William Freeman Toastmaster and Celebrant
Wedding toastmaster, celebrant and MC services supporting you from your first idea to your live wedding day. Weddings come in every 'shape and size'. I remain the same size but adapt to fit the format, style and level of humour you want. .
Planning a wedding is stressful. As your wedding toastmaster or celebrant, I help plan your ceremony and reception and remove that stress so you can enjoy your wedding day with family and friends.
As your wedding toastmaster, I am also your MC and event 'choreographer', your ‘fixer-of-problems’ and ‘calmer-of-nerves’. I make sure things run exactly as planned and that problems are solved without worrying you or your friends. Most of what I do is very visible (and entertaining) but a lot of my work goes on 'behind the scenes' - and to that extent is 'invisible' (but necessary!).
I can wear any outfit you like but the red tailcoat makes me visible and gives authority without pomposity.
As your wedding celebrant, I will work with you to design a ceremony to give you what you want. If you can picture it, I can make it work for you. You choose the venue - home, garden, beach, pub, marquee, boat, historic site, woodland, sports field, whatever you want. You choose the timing - daytime, night-time, by candlelight or by moonlight.
You can register your marriage quickly and cheaply at a registry office and then, at some other time, have the wedding ceremony you have dreamt of for around £350.
My 'live streaming services' (via a partner company) means you can have your ceremony on the day YOU choose (not when the government tells you!) and still involve all your desired family members and friends. A small ceremony can reach a large audience - live and interactive.
Pricing info shown in the listing summary:
Combined Celeb rant and toastmaster package £500. Price reduction for non-weekend dates