Wedding Reception Timeline

     This is the way most normal wedding receptions go.   Notice I said normal.  

     Some receptions are different where time wise things change.   If your timeline is different don't worry.

     Your reception can still be a success.

     The goal is to try to enjoy this day as much as you can and be happy.

    0 hour is when you get to your reception hall.    (hopefully - unless you are still cruising in your limo!)

    0-1 hour is when you get you photographs taken, do the receiving line, mingle, start the buffet/sit down dinner.  

    1-2 hours.   This is when people finish eating and you do your   1. Toasts/cake cutting

                                                                                                            2. Bouquet & Garter toss

    2 to 2.5 hours     This is when you get to your first dance.  

                               You want to get to this point so people can party.

                               If you wait too long people leave.    This is where a real DJ will help you.

     2.5 to 4 hours        Dancing and people visiting and enjoying themselves.

     0___________________1 hr___________________2hr_______________3hr____________4hr (end)

           Receiving line                People finish eating           First dance          Party time!

           Mingle with guests       Do toasts/cake cutting

           Start eating                   Do bouquet/garter toss

    Notes:   

        During the 1 to 2 hour time some couples do the first dance and later do the bouquet and garter toss.

        If you wait too long to do these, not as many single women/girls/men/boys are still around.

          When you do your toasts its good to have someone do toasts for both the bride and groom.  

        I have done toasts where only the grooms side came up so I pushed for people to do toasts for the bride too.

        Sometimes only one person comes up.  

        I try to encourage more people to say something for both the bride and groom.

      Buffet dinner verses "Plated" sit down dinners.   Buffet is when the food is done buffet style and you grab a

      plate and serve yourself.   Its the quickest way to get food.  The formal dinner is where servers bring your food to

      you on a plate.  This looks nicer but it takes a lot longer for people to get fed.  

      If you have a hall for only 4 hours having a sit down formal dinner is going to cost you a lot of extra time.

      You will lose 30 to 60 extra minutes having a formal dinner over a buffet style one.   This may cost you time to

      party and dance if the hall wants you out after 4 hours. 

       The other advantage of buffet dinners is you can get up and get more food.   With plated dinners you cannot get

       seconds.   What's on your plate is all you will get.