Wedding and Event News…. the blog

Here’s a helpful breakdown of what the typical wedding reception looks like from a timeline standpoint~

00:00 – Cocktail Hour
After your “I dos,” you and your husband leave the ceremony first (followed by the bridal party and your photographer) to take your first photographs as husband and wife. Guests will head to the cocktail hour (if it’s at the same venue as your ceremony).

01:00 – Bride and Groom Grand Entrance and First Dance
Husband and wife…..Mr. and Mrs….this is the time for your grand entrance. Typically the bridal party and both sets of parents are introduced, followed by the bride and groom. Sometimes the father/daughter and mother/son dances can take place at this time as well – or you can choose to hold those dances after the meal.

01:20 – Wedding Welcome Speech and Toasts

With everyone still gathered, this is a perfect time for the parents, the bride and groom, or the honor attendants to speak. The host (often the father of the bride) may choose to welcome and thank your guests for coming. Someone may also say a blessing before the meal.

01:30 – Eat, Drink and be Married!
The bride and groom and their parents are typically served first or are the first to hit the buffet. This may seem contrary to etiquette, but serving them first affords the time to make table visits while the rest of the guests are seated. Your band or DJ will play subdued “dinner appropriate” music during dinner. Word of advice to the bride and groom: make sure you take advantage of this time to eat!

02:30 – Start Dancing
Take the lead and hit the dance floor! Guests usually follow the lead of the bride and groom, so do your part to ensure a packed dance floor. Remember – this is your party, so have fun!

04:00 – Cut the Wedding Cake
About an hour before the reception’s finale – your waitstaff will begin preparing for dessert and coffee. The cake cutting signifies to guests that it is appropriate to depart anytime thereafter, so make sure it doesn’t happen too early, or you could find yourself alone at an empty reception.

04:15 – Back to the Party
Of course, many of your guests will forego cake and coffee for more drinks and dancing. The band or DJ should kick right back into lively dance music for those all-night partiers who relish another turn on the dance floor.

04:30 – Bouquet Toss and Garter Removal
If you plan to do a bouquet toss, it usually occurs as one of the last events of the evening. You may want to have your florist prepare a toss bouquet so you can keep your original as a keepsake.

04:45 – Last Dance and Last Call
Take advantage of this opportunity to leave a lasting impression, and end your wedding on a high note. The right tune for the last dance will have your guests reluctant to leave. It needn’t be slow song; something lively can ignite the mood for the after party!

05:00 – Final Wedding Send-off!
These days, receptions are so fun and involve so much pre-planning, that the bride and groom don’t want to leave early. In fact, they’re often the last to leave! Make your send-off the evening’s finale. Your coordinator will usher everyone to watch as you make your getaway. Have guests blow bubbles, toss rose petals or even light sparklers to wish you on your merry way towards a lifetime of happiness.

Here are some helpful do’s and dont’s when sending out wedding invitations:

• Do invite the partners of guests who are married, engaged, or living with a significant other. Try to find the name of your guest’s intended date, and include that person’s name on the invitation.
• Do spell out all dates, times, and states (half after four o’clock in the evening, not 4:30 pm; and the twenty-second of April, not April 22)
• Do put return postage on your response cards.
• Do send wedding invitations at least six weeks before the big day. Try to order invitations three to four months in advance to ensure they go out on time.
• Do abbreviate Mr. and Mrs., but spell out the title Doctor.
• Do send a separate invitation to children over the age of 18 still living with their parents.
• Do publicize your wedding registry information by word of mouth only.

• Don’t use punctuation on the invitation, except after abbreviations and between the city and state.
• Don’t print “and Guest” on the outer envelope to indicate to a single friend that he/she may bring a date, as this looks awkward. Print it on inner envelope instead.
• Don’t print “no children” on the invite if you’re planning an adults-only reception. Simply address each invitation explicitly to your intended guests (i.e. Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, not “The Smiths”).