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. |
| 8:09 PM | Father/Daughter dance | Let me know what your song choice will be. |
| 8:15 PM | Mother/Son dance | Let me know what your song choice will be. |
| 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! |
