We all know that any reception, whether it is a wedding, bar or bat mitzivah, corporate or civic event, is so much more than just food and dancing.

Planning the perfect day takes considerable effort and time, and for everything to fit together like a dream, you need someone to co-ordinate for you whose sole interest is in ensuring you get exactly what you want.

Matthew Adam is adept at managing all the different elements of your reception, making sure that everyone involved feels special and comfortable. He will bring a real sense of ceremony, dignity and style to your day, and will really make the difference between your party being a real "reception" and not just "dinner and dancing with friends"

On the day of your event, Matthew will be busy making sure everything runs smoothly. Examples of what Matthew will do include:

• greeting your guests on their arrival at the venue
• ensuring that everyone is seated at the right time
• making sure that everyone giving a speech or toast knows when it will be their turn
• introducing the speech and toast-givers, and making sure they feel comfortable and relaxed
• co-ordinating with your photographer and videographer, letting them know what is happening and when, so that they can set up the perfect shots
• co-ordinating with your caterers, so that your guests are not seated until the meal is ready to be served
• co-ordinating with your entertainers, even checking that the correct music is ready to be played for your all-important first dance as a married couple!

"My venue's manager will act as a toastmaster", is one of the comments I hear from time to time. Quite often there is a big difference between what a hotel manager can do, and what a professional toastmaster will do. The most importanting thing to realise is that if you book me, then I am there to work for you, not the hotel. If there is a problem with any part of your venue, you can rely on me to sort it out. The hotel manager may well be happy to make your announcements, but if there is a problem in the ktichen, you can be assured he will almost certainly be focussed on getting the food cooked on time rather than ensuring you and your guests have everything you need.

If you have ever been to a function with a toastmaster, just ask the people who held it what they thought - I have yet to meet anyone who hasn't said that the toastmaster was invaluable!