Reception FAQs
Cocktail music has been playing while you finish up your photos and your guests have been mingling. It's now time to get their attention to announce the two of you into the room. Are you going to announce the entire bridal party or just you two?
Do you have a special song here? Again...something that is perfect for "the two of you" or just something soft and romantic or a "lets get ready to rumble" type of intro. It's all up to you.
Do you want to take the mike and thank your guests for being able to attend your celebration of marriage or do you want to grab a beverage and mingle (you'll want to grab something to drink, you'll probably be dry after all those photos).
Time to have everyone take their seats for dinner. Is there a blessing? Will it be served or buffet? Your DJ/MC will announce how tables will be released in the event of buffet. Time for dinner music. Usually it is some type of smooth jazz intrumental as you don't want vocals competing against table conversations; but, music should be low enough in volume that it isn't hard to talk across the table.
Time for toast and cake. How many will be giving toasts? Do you have a special song for cutting of the cake? Something fun or another romantic soft background song, your choice.
First dance time. be aware of the length of your song. A three and a half minute song seems like forever when you are the only two on the dance floor. Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters" is a great song, but do you really want to dance the entire seven minutes (has happened before)?
Are you going to have a Bridal Party dance? Most of the time, we don't see this as the attendents who walked down the aisle are not "with" that person and are awkward in dancing together while their dates sit and watch. We reccomend a dance for them later and they can dance with whomever they choose.
Mother/Son, Father/Daughter dance. Seperate or combined? No right or wrong here.
Time to have open dancing. We often see about an hour of dancing before the garter/bouguet toss. We see more and more that don't . Your choice.
More open dancing until it's time to thank everyone for attending and give the closing salutations.
This is a sample guide as to a normal evening flow, but you can change it to fit whatever style you like. Make it personal. Make it yours.