Click here to plan your own timeline.
Since this is your first time planning your wedding, I've
put together a sample timeline of events for your reception to help you plan and
remember important events to include. Remember, you don't have to include
every event and you can rearrange the activities to reflect your desires or even
add events to suit your needs.
Sample Wedding Reception
Timeline
| Time |
Activity |
Notes |
| 5:00 PM |
Guests arrive |
I've already set up my equipment! |
| 6:00 PM |
Background music begins |
I typically play light jazz instrumental
music, but other choices are available. |
| 6:10 PM |
Grand Entrance introductions. You
can also opt to have the Bridal Party introduced at the time of the Bridal
Party Dance. |
Introduction of parents & bridal party as
they enter the room. Some planning is necessary to insure proper
pronunciation of names & coordinate the order of introductions. |
| 6:20 PM |
Pour champagne |
Guests will need to be ready for toast as
well. |
| 6:25 PM |
Toasts & prayer before meal |
Perhaps parents, Best Man & Maid or
Matron of Honor will propose a toast. If no pastor or priest can lead
the prayer, perhaps a grandparent. |
| 6:30 PM |
Dinner |
I would be happy to excuse the tables for
a buffet line to facilitate serving. |
| 7:45 PM |
Cut the cake |
|
| 8:00 PM |
Gather bridal party & immediate family to
begin dancing |
Ask the Maid of Honor, Best Man to help
get everyone in the room. |
| 8:05 PM |
Bride & Groom first dance |
Let me know what your song choice will
be. If you need help you can go to a suggested list of songs at:
Bride & Groom First Dance. |
| 8:09 PM |
Father/Daughter dance |
Let me know what your song choice will
be. If you need help you can go to a suggested list of songs at:
Father/Daughter Dance
Suggestions. |
| 8:15 PM |
Mother/Son dance |
Let me know what your song choice will
be. If you need help you can go to a suggested list of songs at:
Mother/Son Dance
Suggestions. |
| 8:18 PM |
Bridal party dance |
Invite parents & entire Bridal Party to
join you on the dance floor for your selected song. |
| 8:24 PM |
Everyone invited to dance. Variety
of tunes to give everyone an opportunity to get on their feet. |
Give your guests an opportunity to get up
and dance...they've been sitting for a while. |
| 8:45 PM |
Bouquet toss |
|
| 8:50 PM |
Garter toss |
|
| 8:55 PM |
Dollar dance |
About 50% of receptions have a dollar
dance. Perhaps Maid of Honor & Best Man accept the money & control the
length of the time each person dances, hopefully both lines ending at the
same time. |
|
9:15 PM |
Celebration continues with opportunities for everyone to
dance! |
|
