So you want your wedding reception to be the most talked
about of the century -- but don't know the first thing about
throwing a good party? The crucial thing to scoring a
fabulous wedding celebration is knowing what's supposed to
happen when. So we've strung together a timeline, based on a
traditional cocktail hour and a four-hour reception, to give
you an hour-by-hour guide to the day's postceremonial events.
Get your stopwatches ready -- the wedding reception countdown
is about to begin.
00:00 | The Cocktail Hour
After being pronounced husband and wife, the newlyweds are
often the first to leave the wedding ceremony, heading off
(with photographer in tow) for pictures together before the
partying gets under way. Your guests will head to the
reception site for cocktails. Depending on the logistics of
the event, your cocktail hour will begin immediately (if the
ceremony and reception are held at the same venue), or it
might start more than half an hour later (if there's travel
involved). Cocktails will kick off your reception and will
last for at least an hour. During this time the staff will
serve stationary or passed appetizers and drinks, which will
get people mingling and in the mood. Don't forget: Greeting
your guests is essential! It's customary for the couple,
along with their parents and the wedding party, to form a
receiving line outside the ceremony site to greet guests
before the escape. Many couples these days are opting for
this postceremony receiving line, rather than going from
table to table during dinner. But if you haven't done so, you
should form one now.
01:00 | Newlyweds' Arrival/First Dance
Here's the part where the bride and groom make their grand
entrance. The coordinator will usually make sure guests are
seated before the emcee alerts them to your imminent arrival.
Generally, both sets of parents and the wedding party are
introduced, followed by the announcement of the couple for
the first time as husband and wife. In many cases, your
newlywed first dance will begin as you step out onto the
floor and into the spotlight after being announced. Find your
first dance music. Alternately, you can wait until after the
first course of the meal is served, but since everyone is
already cheering you as you enter the reception, use the
applause as encouragement enough to skim away any shyness and
step on out.
01:20 | Cheers & Toasts
Following your first dance, you might want to take the
opportunity -- while all eyes are still on you, since
hopefully no one yet has had too much to drink -- to thank
everyone en masse for taking part in your wedding. A family
member, often a parent of the bride, will say a blessing
(depending on the families' faiths). Then, since toasting
signifies a transition in the course of an event, the mother
and father of the bride will thank guests for attending and
invite everyone to enjoy the celebratory meal. Keep in mind
that the toasts given by the best man and the maid of honor
should occur between courses, to spread out all the high-
emotion, much-anticipated moments and keep guests in their
seats.
01:30 | Mangia, Mangia
Time to dig into the main course. Get wedding reception food
ideas. If you're having a seated meal, the band or DJ will
play subdued, conversation-friendly background music as the
waitstaff makes the rounds. If you're having a buffet, your
coordinator, DJ, or bandleader will dictate how the rotation
will work by calling each table when it's time to head to the
front of the line. Just remember: The bride and groom need to
do everything possible to take their seats and eat!
02:45 | Party Time
Monkey-see, monkey-do is how this game is played. Guests are
going to follow the lead of the bride and groom. Once dinner
dishes are cleared, the newlyweds should be the first ones on
the dance floor so people know it's time to start partying.
Find wedding music suggestions. Throughout the jammin', the
music will stop for any extracurricular activities you've
planned (also known as the bouquet toss, the garter toss, the
centerpiece giveaways, and whatever else you've dreamed up).
If you do choose to toss the bouquet, make sure to get a
tossing bouquet from the florist so you can keep your
original one as a memento.
04:00 | Cake Cutting
About one hour before the conclusion of the reception, when
the party starts getting a little too rowdy and the bar
starts getting a little too empty, your waitstaff should
start preparing tables for coffee and dessert. Since the cake
cutting generally signals guests that it's okay to leave soon
thereafter, be sure not to do this too early or things could
start wrapping up before you're ready.
04:15 | Shake a Leg
Once the cake is cut, the band or DJ should start right back
into swing and rock music for those wanting to trade in their
slices for another turn on the dance floor.
04:45 | Last Dance
End your wedding on a high note and choose a dance song that
will leave a lasting impression. You'll want everyone to have
a chance for one last twirl, so select something fast and
festive.
05:00 | Final Farewell
Now the time has come to say good-bye. Your coordinator will
usher everyone into the foyer or onto the steps outdoors so
that as you make your grand exit from the reception, friends
and family can blow bubbles, light sparklers, or toss rose
petals -- and cheer to your successful celebration and future
together.
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