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A rock around the clock
When Peter York turns up at a wedding resplendent in scarlet jacket, white tie and tails, he has the uncanny knack of making everything run like clockwork. “It’s funny really,” he says, “when I am at a wedding and ask a guest to do something they’ll do it immediately, whereas if a family member asks them they’ll often ignore the request.” This well-practised authority and style, combined with a good helping of tact, diplomacy and great organisational skills – not forgetting a good sense of humour – sees Peter in high demand at weddings throughout Wiltshire and the surrounding counties. What started off as a hobby 35 years ago as a casual master of ceremonies for the Round Table – doing just six functions a year – gradually turned into a full-time occupation when Peter decided that he wanted to leave his job in the consumer electronics industry and become self-employed. He trained with Ivor Spencer, the founder of the Guild of International Professional Toastmasters, and now Peter is the founder president of the Badge of the Executive Guild of Toastmasters and Town Criers. Much of his work is gleaned through personal recommendation. He has attended weddings of all denominations, as well as banquets, award ceremonies and dinner dances and has been lucky enough to meet the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Baroness Thatcher and celebs such as Ainsley Harriott, Jennie Bond and Ronnie Corbett. Over the years, Peter has found there are slight differences between civil ceremonies and church weddings. “With a church wedding I arrive at the reception venue and liaise with caterers while the happy couple are still at the church. For instance, I’ll make sure the cake is there and that a knife has been provided. When the guests arrive at the reception venue, I will introduce them and help the photographer organise his group together so people are not standing around for long periods of time, maybe getting cold or wet. “With a civil ceremony, the toastmaster arrives at the venue about an hour before any of the guests to make sure they are given a warm welcome and made comfortable for the ceremony.” Peter has had to retain a level head in times of crisis, ironing out many a hitch before it has become a big problem for the newlyweds. He says: “At the time I’ve found none of these things funny, but looking back after the event, I can see the amusing side.” On one occasion, he discovered an entire layer of icing from a wedding cake had slipped off. “Fortunately, it was of a simple design and the catering staff and I managed to patch it up without anyone noticing.” “On a wedding day you need someone who is that one step ahead, thinking about all the smaller details to make sure the day is going smoothly and running on time. If needs be, I can let the people, such as the caterers, know that things are running late, otherwise the meal would be spoilt.” And the best thing about the job? “It’s all about making people happy,” says Peter, “A wedding day is such an important occasion and I like the happy couple to relax and not have to worry about what happens next in the day’s proceedings. “There is plenty of variety and it always give me great satisfaction to know that I’ve made the day even happier for those involved, particularly the happy couple.” For more information visit Peter’s website www.peteryork-mc.co.uk
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