Wedding Receptions

DJRICK.

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A Traditional wedding reception "timeline" - Detail:

A "Cocktail Hour" and a four-hour "Reception"

(This example assumes the Cocktail Hour will begin at 5:00 PM followed by the Reception at 6;00 PM)

The "Ceremony" (3:30 PM)

(A precursor to, but not part of, the "timeline").

After being pronounced husband and wife, the newlyweds are often the first to leave the wedding ceremony. You are probably leaving with the photographer, for pictures, before the partying gets underway. Greeting your guests is essential, however! It's customary, for the couple, along with your parents and the wedding party, to form a receiving line outside the ceremony site to greet guests as they exit the ceremony site immediately after the ceremony has concluded and before, jetting off for picture taking. More and more, couples these days are opting for this "post ceremony receiving line" rather than, going from table to table during dinner. Personally, regardless, I still believe it to be in good taste, to make the "stroll".

You have stated on your announcement, that, the Reception will begin at 6:00 PM, with Cocktail Hour immediately preceeding the Reception, beginning at 5:00 PM. It is likely then, that you have timed your wedding to occur such that, upon conclusion, there will be time for those who have attended the ceremony to make it to the Reception in time for Cocktail Hour. In our example, we'll assume the Reception area is a half hour away. Assuming an hour wedding, you would then have planned for your wedding to begin at 3:30 PM. The ceremony thus lasting unitll 4:30 PM, allowing guests a half hour to arrive at the Reception area at 5:00 PM, just in in time for Cocktail Hour. Great! You then, have approximately an hour to an hour and a half, to gather yourselfs, take pictures, and ultimately arrive at the Reception area at 6:00 PM! You may, in fact, arrive there a little earlier and join in with your guests, rounding out Cocktail Hour.

The "Cocktail Hour" (5:00 PM)

Okay! It's now 5:00 PM and your guests are beginning to arrive at your Reception area. I will have arrived, about a half hour to an hour earlier, we'll say, 4:00 - 4:30 PM. At that time, I will setup, connect, turn on and test the equipment. I will begin to play music, transitioning from "Setup" into the Cocktail Hour. Once the Cocktail Hour begins, I will continue to play the music we have agreed upon, and continue to do so for the duration of the Cocktail Hour. Side Note: Although there are many genres of music for you to choose from for Cocktail Hour, I personally recommend "Bossa". Bossa is closely assosiated with "Lounge" music. It is the right combination of tempo, sentiment and loudness. It typically has a slightly "Brazilian" flare. Your guests will be familiar with the melodys, but, they probably aren't real familiar with the genre and will enjoy hearing something different. I always get compliments for this music selection whenever I've played it! In the "MUSIC SAMPLES" page, I have included a couple of my favorite Bossa selections, so you can get some idea of this genre of music. It's simply a recommendation. Everyone's tastes are different and I play whatever music your desire!

The "Reception" (6:00 PM)

6:00 - 6:20 PM: Introductions through "First Dance"

Okay! It's now 6:00 PM. Here's where the bride and groom make their grand entrance. The "Coordinator" will usually make sure the guests are seated before the emcee alerts them to your immenent 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, the newlywed First Dance will begin as you step out onto the dance floor and into the spotlight, after being announced (as husband and wife). I will have your First Dance music cued up and ready to play for you for this dance. Alternatively, some couples wait until after the first course of the meal has been 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 to the dance floor and enjoy your first dance. Also, this keeps from interrupting the dinner process, of both serving and eating. It is now 6:20 PM. It has taken approximately 20 minutes to go from introductions through your first dance.

6:20 - 6:30 PM: Cheers & Toast

Following your First Dance, you might want to take the opportunity -- while all eyes are still on you -- to thank everyone en masse, for taking part in your wedding. At this point.... usually, a parent of the bride, will say a dinner blessing (perhaps depending on the faiths)....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. Also, at this point, the parents, or, the Best Man or the Maid of Honor, can offer a toast to the newly wedded couple. This toast will signify the transition to the dinner phase of the reception.

6:30 - 7:45 PM: Dinner

Guests are seated. If you are having a seated dinner, the waitstaff will begin to make the rounds. At this point, I will begin to play the music we have agreed upon, to be played during dinner. Side note: Traditional favorites for music for this portion of the event, include "Big Band - Instrumental", "The Legends - Vocal" or "Male & F/M Love Songs". I have a beautiful selection of all three genres. Personally, I enjoy "Big Band - Instrumentals" for dinner, but, I'm old school in that regard. Whatever you choose, your guests are sure to enjoy the individual selections that I have personally listened to, repeatedly, and assembled to be not only genre appropriate, but, event appropriate, especially for you! If you are having a buffet style dinner, your coordinator or myself, will dictate how the rotation will work by calling each table when it's time to head to the front of the line. I have two wireless mics, which can serve to be used my both myself, and/or other individuals, as required. These things should be pre-planned. Between dinner courses, toasts can be given by the best man or maid of honor, which servers to both spread out all the hig-emotions and much anticipated moments, but also, to keep the guests in their seats during the transitioning between courses.

7:45 - 9:00 PM: Party Time!

Okay! Dinner was delicious! The guests are going to follow the lead of the Bride and Groom now. Once dinner dishes have been cleared, the Bride and Groom should be the first ones out on the dance floor, to signal to everyone else, it's time to party! At this point, I will cue up and begin playing the music we have discussed. While it's early, and perhaps there are elderly who would like to be a part of the festivities at this point, I recommend keeping the music light for a bit. I have a small playlist I call, "Dance - Fun Reception Starters" to get things going. It consists of the traditional favorites for jump-starting the party, including songs like: "Happy", "Gangnam Style", "The Chicken Dance", "Twist and Shout", "YMCA" and "The Hokey Pokey". Maybe well get a few of the little ones out now, to enjoy this part of the festivities. How long this goes on will depend on the makeup of your crowd. At some point, you will likely want to begin to kick it up a notch and I have just the music! I have three stages of Dance music to offer at this point. Simply, it goes by Levels, of one, two and three, with three being the Electric Dance genre, which may or may not get reached in your occassion. However, Levels one and two provide all the current popular dance music, with level two being just a bit edgier, than level one. It's great stuff, and, I've provided some samples of all of it on my "Music Samples" page for you to check out! How fast or how slow the transitions are made between the levels will depend on the crowd. That being said, there is also a wide variety of other music available for you to choose from, and, we can mix and match playlists, and, shift between playlists as you desire. It's all available to you. On your cue, I can stop and play small set of just slow songs, which, I always enjoy doing and I have a great selection to offer! I can accomodate just about any genre of music you and your guests would like to hear and you'll find the selections will be just right for your affair! At some point during the dancing, you may want to stop to do activities such as a boguet toss or garter toss. If you do, make sure you get a "tossing boquet" from your florist, so that you can hold on to your ceremonial bouquet! After about an hour and fifteen minutes, it is time to cut the cake, and this will coincide with it being approximately an hour before the conclusion of the Reception. I'd be glad to cue this point in the festivities by cueing up and playing, "Cut The Cake", by Average White Band! Personally, I get a kick out of that, but, it's your call! Care to sample?

9:00 PM: Time to Cut The Cake!

After about an hour and fifteen minutes of dance, it is time to cut the cake, and this will coincide with it being approximately an hour before the conclusion of the Reception. On cue from you or your coordinator, I would be glad to signal to the crowd, that we have reached this point in the festivities, by cueing up and playing, "Cut The Cake", by Average White Band! Personally, I get a kick out of that, but, it's your call! Care to sample?

Cut The Cake - Average White Band

00:00 / 00:00

Or, we could simply make an announcement!

9:15 PM: Time to Resume Partying!

Once the cake has been cut, I will resume the music where we left off. We'll be in full regale at this point and typically, the music will transition into Dance - Level two (if it hasn't already....). Regardless, you'll have a great selection from which to choose.

9:45 PM: Last Dance...

End your wedding on a high note! Choose a dance song that will leave a lasting impression. I have several from which to choose, from my "Playlists", or, you can indicate in advance, your choice and I will attempt to acquire it for the occassion. Please, give me plenty of time to do so. Thank you. You'll want everyone to have a chance for one last twirl, and tradition would have you select something fast and festive. Personally, I feel..... this moment is about you..... I recommend choosing a song that has some meaning to you, as a couple. Don't worry about what it means to others.....You will want to remember this moment forever!

10:00 PM: Final Farewell...

The time has come to say goodbye. Your coordinator will usher everyone into the foyer or onto the steps outdoors, so that you may make your grand exit from the Reception. Friends can blow bubbles, light sparklers or toss rose petals while cheering to your successful celebration and future together. (If someone happens to provide some of your guests with a dozen cans of silly string for that festivity.... you didn't hear it from the DJ..... :-) )