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Wedding receptions
that include formalities (introductions, first dance, toasts, etc.) follow
a specific order of events or program. The following is an example of
a program, including approximate times, for a 5-hour
wedding reception scheduled from 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM at a banquet hall
in the immediate Capital District area.
Prior To The Guests' Arrival
- 5:30 PM: DJ arrives at the banquet hall
- 6:30 PM: Sound system setup and testing have been
completed
- 6:45 PM: DJ has changed into his tuxedo and is ready
for the evening
Cocktail Hour And Pre-dinner Program
- 6:55 PM: DJ starts cocktail
hour music
- 7:00 PM: Cocktail hour begins
- 7:45 PM: Grandparents, parents, and bridal party
are gathered for introductions
- 7:50 PM: Guests are invited to take their seats
- 7:55 PM: DJ lines up grandparents, parents,
and bridal party for introductions
- Reviews pronunciation of names
- Briefs group on what to do after being introduced
- 8:00 PM: Introductions
- Bride's Grandparents
- Groom's Grandparents
- Bride's Parents
- Groom's Parents
- Bridesmaids and Ushers
- Flower Girl(s) and Ring Bearer(s)
- Matron/Maid of Honor and Best Man
- Bride and Groom
- 8:10 PM: Prayer and toast(s)
- 8:15 PM: DJ starts dinner music
- 8:20 PM: Dinner begins with first course
Post-Dinner Program
- 9:30 PM: Dinner ends and first dance set begins
- 9:55 PM: DJ informs bride and groom, photographer,
and videographer that formalities will begin after the next song
- 10:00 PM: Formalities
- Bride - Father dance
- Groom - Mother dance
- Cake cutting
- Bouquet toss
- Garter removal
- Garter toss
- Garter placement
- Married couples dance (substitute for bouquet
and garter formalities)
- 10:20 PM: Dancing resumes and continues until the
end of the evening
- 11:55 PM: Closing formalities and final song
Delays
Program times listed after the "DJ
starts cocktail hour music" bullet can be delayed for many reasons:
- Bridal party and/or guests arrive late
- Availability of persons scheduled to be introduced
(bridal party, parents, etc.)
- Number of people being introduced, leading a prayer,
and giving toasts
- Dinner takes longer than normal. Factors that impact
the amount of time required to serve dinner include:
- Number of guests
- Number of courses
- Entree choice(s) and whether any of these are cooked to order
- Number of banquet staff serving dinner
- Banquet hall has multiple events scheduled for the same time
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