This A Traditional Wedding Reception Timeline (Click Here To Set Your Timeline.)
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Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hour typically begins immediately following the ceremony about 30 minutes later (if there’s travel involved). Cocktail hour is the kickoff to the reception and should last at least an hour. During this time, the bar will be open so guests can queue up for a drink; the catering staff will typically also serve hors d’oeuvres, as well as passing out drinks, to get guests mingling and in a celebratory mood. This is also a great opportunity to sneak out with your photographer for sunset photos.
This hour also gives you and your wedding party time to snap some pictures, and you can serve cocktails, coffee, and tea, or hors d’oeuvres for your guests as they mingle.
1. Grand Entrance (Click Here To Select Your Songs)
Once everyone has found their seats after cocktail hour, the newlyweds are formally introduced to wedding guests, often to a lot of cheering and fanfare. Some couples opt to precede their reception grand entrance with an introduction of wedding party members. Most couples like to make a memorable entrance to a fun song that energizes guests. Sometimes a live band performs or a DJ plays some upbeat selections. Click on the “Grand Entrance” link to help you plan an unforgettable moment and selecting your song.
2. First Dance (Click Here To Select Your Songs)
Keep the energy high by transitioning straight into your first dance with your bride or groom. You can certainly choose to dance for a full song or ask your band or DJ to fade out about two minutes in. Click on the “First Dance” link to slect your song. Also, if you think your crowd will be itching to get on the dance floor, you can always schedule a dance set consisting of three to five songs after the first dance to get the party started before dinner.
Welcome Toasts
Following your first dance, you and your new spouse might want to take the opportunity—while all eyes are still on you—to thank everyone for attending the celebration. This small informal touch in the order of events for a wedding reception will be appreciated by everyone. A family member, often the parents, typically also offers a wedding reception welcome toast, thanking guests and inviting everyone to enjoy the meal.
Grace, Dinner
Decide who will say grace before dinner. Typically dinner will last about 45 minutes, depending on the meal-service style you choose for your reception (buffet, family-style, traditional three-course dinner, etc.). To ensure a buffet dinner goes smoothly, use menu signs at the beginning of the buffet line so guests know what is being served and the ingredients of each dish (in case of allergies) and menu cards in front of each serving tray. It allows you to serve a wide range of food for everyone. Family-style dining is efficient as there is no waiting in buffet lines and it allows people to pass dishes around and create a community feel. Lastly, three-course dinners are pre-selected by guests in their RSVP and from a time-saving perspective, the most efficient.
Wedding Party Toasts
In between meal courses, wedding-party members are usually invited to say a few words—namely, the maid-of-honor and best man. This way, you’re spreading out the emotional, much-anticipated moments throughout the meal, which will help keep guests engaged. Encourage toasters to keep their speeches within two to four minutes. Your best man will appreciate a guide on how to write a best man’s speech if he’s nervous!
3. Father Daughter Dance (Click Here To Select Your Songs)
If you would like to dance with your parents, transition from the father of the bride speech into the father-daughter dance or mother-son dance. Instruct your DJ to transition to an upbeat song once the parent dances are over to get everyone on the dance floor.
4. Mother Son Dance (Click Here To Select Your Songs)
If you’re doing father-daughter and mother-son dances, then we recommend doing them after the toasts, and then transition to open dancing. Following the last parent dance, ask your band or DJ to switch to a high-energy song to get guests out of their seats and onto the dance floor.
5. Bouquet Toss (Click Here To Select Your Songs)
After the parent dances have wrapped up, next up in the wedding reception timeline are the bouquet and garter tosses. However, it’s becoming increasingly common to skip these traditions, so if the bouquet and garter tosses aren’t quite your style, don’t feel compelled to include them in your reception schedule.
6. Garter Toss (Click Here To Select Your Songs)
Traditionally after parents dance, brides will gather all the single women in the room and toss the bouquet and grooms will invite all the single men to catch the garter for good luck. This tradition is slowly becoming less popular, so you don’t have to do this if it’s not your style. If you’re all about it, play some music and toss away!
5. The Dance Floor Opens (Click Here To Select Your Songs)
Every crowd is different. Some can party on the dancefloor all night and others would rather mingle. You know your friends and family best, so adjust this time accordingly. If you didn’t have time to speak to everyone during dinner, this is a good opportunity to catch up.
6. Cake Cutting (Click Here To Select Your Songs)
About one hour before the conclusion of the reception, the catering staff should start preparing tables for dessert and coffee. Since the wedding cake cutting generally signals to guests that it’s okay to leave soon thereafter, don’t schedule it too early or things could start wrapping up before you’re ready. This is also a good time for the couple to say a few words and thank guests for coming, if they have not already done so.
9. Last Song (Click Here To Select Your Songs)
Next, it’s back to open dancing until the last song, which should be scheduled five minutes before the conclusion of the reception. The first dance is a romantic dance for the bride and groom, but the last song can be an inclusive, last chance to get groovy with your loved ones before the wedding ends.
Grand Exit
If you’re planning to depart from the reception in high style, many couples schedule a grand exit into the order of events for wedding reception fanfare. Some couples depart amid a sparkler send-off, while others opt for celebratory bells for guests to ring. Grab each other’s hands and make a dash for your waiting getaway car amid the cheers and well wishes.