Wedding Butler

  Once Upon A Time…well, last week actually, but isn’t that how we start stories? – I was regaling a table of guests at a bridal event with stories of celebrities I have met during events work in London.  In truth, the specific stories I was telling doesn’t matter, what matters is the telling of stories.  Why do I consider stories to be so important?   Well, we all grew up with stories – bedtime reading, fairy tales and more.   They teach us to read but, more importantly they teach us about the world, they teach us to dream, to fantasise, and they connect us. A story can be as simple as what you did today – but told in an engaging and (hopefully) entertaining way.   In my world of hospitality (which sometimes feels like a fantasy world!) stories are useful on a personal level to be able to engage with guests.   Its all part of communicating and building relationships.   Because I spend so much of my time making sure all my guests are feeli...

  Following the recent Bridebook survey of over 6,500 brides and grooms, it appears that traditions and themes for weddings are changing.    Gen Z couples in particular are looking for something a bit different – dropping some traditions but embracing others.   They are also looking for something special, something memorable and something personal.   If you’re looking for something that brings in tradition, with a twist, opulence and fun, then the “Bridgerton Vibe” is possibly for you, or at least a starting point! You don’t need to be from the aristocracy to pull it off.   Sure, you could go all out -there are some beautiful manor houses and country House hotels available – or you can use elements of it to make your own day. Bridgerton is opulent and grand – but you can distil that down to traditional formal. Think shining cutlery, sparkling glassware, a “proper” sit down meal.   Bring in that feel of grandeur but on a smaller more manageable scal...

I touched on table etiquette in an earlier blog, so I thought I’d expand on it.   In an increasingly fast paced and casual world, many people no longer attend formal dinners, or even eat in a formal style at home or in restaurants.   This is just the way of modern society and isn’t very noteworthy – until it comes to a wedding! For many weddings, the whole day takes on a fairy tale opulence, and has its own traditions, etiquette and even its own language!   Does it matter?   Well yes, and also no!   If you want the big banquet dinner with shiny cutlery and sparkling glassware, then you are introducing customs and traditions.   In reality it doesn’t matter if someone uses the red wine glass for the white wine, or their mains fork for their starter, but the flipside is that your guests may feel a little embarrassed if faced with an unfamiliar environment! We don’t want guests feeling embarrassed on the big day (especially those sat on top table, or perh...

Many watching the Queen’s funeral will have been impressed and moved by the pageantry and the formality.   It brought to mind a wedding day, with all its own traditions, ceremony and etiquette. The tributes paid in the build up to the funeral showed the lighter side of the Queen, reminding us that on one side she was the figurehead of centuries old tradition and on the other relaxed and friendly.   So it should be on your wedding day.   Some etiquette and tradition is almost always followed, some doesn’t need to be.   Despite appearances, my role on your big day isn’t to be a stickler for how things “should be done” but to balance the two, advise when appropriate and simply ignore when not.   Your wedding doesn’t need to conform to Debrett’s guide, but some parts are nice to follow!     This ranges from which side Dad stands to walk you up the aisle 1 to whether to stand for a toast 2 .   For many, a formal wedding breakfast can be a br...

People often ask me what my background is when I'm working as a butler - whether I’m ex-military, where I’ve trained etc.     I think what they're really asking is “How did you end up as a butler” In reality, it’s not down to what I wear or spending time at a Butler School. I will normally point to the experience I have gained after 33 years working in and around hospitality and events, especially since 2014 when I took the step to full time freelancing, initially in the London area and latterly the West Midlands.   I run bars for the National TV Awards, served Doctor Who, served drinks and food from the River Thames to the top of London sky scrapers.   Every job I’ve done, every venue I have attended have added to my knowledge and experience, from canapes at the Ritz to awards nights at the Bulgari in Knightsbridge – the list is long and quite varied! In reality, it goes all the way back to when I was 18 and started my first ever job in hospitality.   It wa...