By Aneesa Malik
It is every couple’s hope that their wedding goes without a glitch. But from getting ready at home, to conducting the religious ceremony, to finally arriving at the reception venue, time keeping and organisation skills are paramount to the overall success of the day. For those who don’t have luck on their side, may I introduce Bee Phipps- a female Toastmaster.
Bee is relaxed but professional and will always give friendly advice. Having worked in the hospitality and catering industry for the last ten years, Bee looks after you on the day and is responsible for: “Organising the day for the wedding party in a comfortable, friendly manner.” Having worked with all different types of weddings, including, Hindu, Sikh and Muslim ceremonies, Bee has certainly experienced the Asian wedding scene and knows how to work on the desi time!
A father-in-law at one event said: “Given that it was an Asian wedding and that 90% of my guests had never had a Toastmaster before I thought you handled everyone brilliantly”.
From delivering heart-melting speeches, to giving the wedding toast, or announcing the entrance of the wedded couple, Bee takes pride in perfecting everything. She went on to explain: “I liaise with the bride and the bridegroom to find out exactly what they want and make sure it goes how they wish it on the day.” But as we are well aware, things do not always pan out as we expect. But Bee calmly says: “Organising the wedding before hand is not a problem. It is on the day when everyone does their own thing, but I go with the flow. The goal posts move all the time and I just keep up with it.”
“Be calm whatever you are doing. If they bring three horses and an elephant into the room, you just agree with it and go with it because on the day everyone will be feeling tense and uptight. And the point of you is to diffuse that tension. If the wedding party are happy, then I am happy.”
With an average south Asian wedding costing from anywhere between £9,000 to £30,000, it is expected over 500 people are estimated to attend. Even though a toastmaster is not common within this community, it seems south Asians require the assistance of such a co-ordinator more than any other wedding.
