Bride’s Arrival
If your wedding ceremony is being held in a venue other than a church, the bride must arrive 10-15 minutes early as she has to meet with the Registrars prior to the ceremony, and allow time for photo's getting out of the car. Don’t be late as the Registrar’s may have another wedding to travel to later that day! Your toastmaster will ensure your guests are all seated in the ceremony room before you arrive. Have some music e.g. a pianist or harpist to keep them entertained while they await your entrance.
Buttonholes
It may be helpful to appoint someone to make sure each principal guest is wearing their button hole or corsage and they may require help to pin them on. A good florist who is in attendance should help with this but your toastmaster will also be on hand to assist. A man's buttonhole should be worn on the outside of the buttonhole of the left lapel. Corsages are worn just below the lady's right shoulder with the stem pointing up.
Seating
The Bride's family should be seated on the left and Bridegroom's on the right (facing the front) & Ushers should remember to leave enough seats on the Bride's side for the Father of the Bride and Bridesmaids to be seated.
The seating of family at the top table can often be awkward if parents have divorced and remarried, so do ask your toastmaster for advice on this matter. You can arrange the seating plan however you wish but a conventional top table arrangement, when viewed from the front is:
Chief B'maid/BG father /B's mother/B'groom/Bride/B's father/BG's mother/Best Man
Toastmaster Bob’s helpful hints for your wedding
Rings
Bride, swap your engagement ring to the ring finger of your right hand before the ceremony. You can put it back on your left hand after the ceremony.
Toasts
Traditionally the Father of the Bride toasts the Bride & Bridegroom and the Bridegroom toasts the Bridesmaids. The Best Man may also toast the newlyweds if he chooses. It may also be appropriate for the Bridegroom or Father of the Bride to raise a toast during his speech to ‘absent friends’.