Last updated 13:23, Friday, 09 May 2008

Anthony Morton’s bright red tailcoat singles him out at weddings – guests immediately recognise him as the toastmaster.

• Weblink: The Lakes Toastmaster

Anthony Morton

Anthony, from Thornhill, Egremont, is one of only a few professional toastmasters in Cumbria and he uses his expertise to help make sure the wedding breakfast runs smoothly. His presence brings an air of formality and tradition to the big day.

Yet while the toastmaster may turn heads at a wedding, Anthony says it is his role to stay in the background. Much of his work actually takes place before the wedding day and he has to make sure he knows everything about the day, especially the timings.

He said: “Most of the preparation is done before the wedding day and I have at least two meetings with the couple. I can give advice on the etiquette and protocol of traditional wedding breakfasts.”

He arrives at the venue early to check everything is in place – everything from ensuring the top table is set out correctly to checking the catering and wedding cake are organised.

Then it is his job to greet guests, take the bride and bridegroom into the venue to meet their guests and introduce people who are giving speeches.

He also helps the photographer and videographer to get members of the bridal party together.

Anthony, 39, said: “I am like a conductor. To be a toastmaster you have to be confident to stand up in front of a lot of people.”

Anthony will stay at the wedding for as long as he is required. He said: “Some couples just want a toastmaster for the wedding breakfast while others like me to stay and announce the first dance.”

Any problems are dealt with by Anthony, and he carries a small suitcase with all the emergency items that might be needed at a wedding, from spare laces to hair grips.

He said: “I have had incidents where people who have been sent an invitation but didn’t reply turn up at the reception and expect there to be a place for them. This can be a tricky situation to deal with, but I have to be diplomatic in sorting it out.”

Hotels may have a duty manager or member of staff who directs proceedings during the day, but a toastmaster will have received professional training and be a member of a professional organisation.

Anthony, who is also a quality control inspector at Sellafield, spent six years in the army. During this time he attended many corporal, sergeant and officers mess functions and this is where he first became aware of the role of the director of ceremonies.

But it was when he attended a wedding in Essex that he noticed the toastmaster. He was so intrigued as he watched his every move during the wedding breakfast that he started looking into how to become a professional toastmaster.

He found the School of Professional Toastmasters and booked himself on their training course.

The week-long course, at Hethersett near Norwich, included ethics, dress code and civic ceremonies. Anthony had to pass four exams.

With a 60 per cent pass mark and 80 per cent to qualify to work within the city of London, Anthony passed with flying colours with more than 90 per cent.

He is now a member of the Association of the UK School of Professional Toastmasters and is not just trained for wedding breakfasts but also for other events in which a toastmaster may be required – including civic ceremonies, civil partnerships, charity balls and school proms.

“I think my experience of being in the army helps me in my role as a toastmaster,” he said. “You have to be disciplined.”

Professional toastmasters have to follow a strict dress code – everything from the black shoes to the colour of the buttons on the shirt and the cufflinks has to be correct.

Anthony said: “I always carry a spare outfit with me in case of an accident, such as someone spilling red wine on me.”

The hardest wedding Anthony has been to was when his sister got married. As well as acting as toastmaster at the wedding breakfast, he gave her away and also gave the father-of-the-bride speech.

He said: “I attended the church service and then quickly had my photo taken outside the church. I then rushed off to the venue of the wedding breakfast to get changed ready for when the guests started to arrive.

“It was a very demanding day but at the same time a very rewarding one, knowing that I had done it for my sister. I will have to do it all again as I have three sisters – two are now married and the other is getting married in the next couple of years.”