Organizing a wedding reception is a wholesome yet tedious task. There is so much to work on to arrange the perfect wedding reception. It would be best if you considered the variety of dinner styles you can serve to the attendees.
Along with that, you also have to decide which wedding traditions should be included. Whether there should be a DJ or live music is also essential when organizing a wedding reception. It depends on how you want your wedding reception to be. Explore the guide suggested by Life Long Wedding Ceremonies to make your reception time wondering!
Best Wedding Reception Timeline to Follow:
2:30 p.m. Bride Gets Dressed
The bride should be dressed beforehand to have enough time for the wedding shoots. The bridesmaids and maid of honor help the bride while dressing up. These are the intimate moments that need to be captured by the photographer. Do not forget to include your mother as well on this big day. Save every moment of your wedding by having it captured on the camera.
4:10 – 5:00 p.m. Family Photos
As advised by the Brand, have everyone in your family assemble in the lobby of your venue at around 4 o’clock. They all should be fully dressed up. A family member should be designated to assist the photographer in identifying everyone. You should ensure the photographer has a shot list of every family configuration you want to be documented.
5:45 – 6:15 p.m. Wedding Ceremony
According to Brand, this is the period that fluctuates the most for weddings. The length of the ceremony will greatly affect the timing. Religious-based rituals can continue for up to an hour, whereas non-religious ceremonies often last around 20 minutes.
7:30 p.m. Grand Entrance
As Brand says, “Timing works great if you go from your grand entrance right into your first dance.” The Brand suggests that you can dance to a complete song. You can also dance in phases, giving a few pauses in between. You can dance to three to five songs before dinner to keep the energy.
8:30 – 9:00 p.m. Bridal Party Toasts
When dinner ends, the best man and maid of honor grab the audience’s attention to offer their toasts. The Brand has advised that there should be a time limit set for each toast. There shouldn’t be more than 5 minutes for toasts.
9:30 – 10:00 p.m. Cake Cutting, Bouquet Toss, and Garter Toss
The cake cutting comes first, then the bouquet and garter toss (if you’re retaining those customs). The newlyweds should take this opportunity to speak a few words and thank everyone for attending.
11:30 p.m. Grand Exit
Timely plan a final song for the wedding. Alert the DJ or the band when it is time to play that song. Before exiting, say the goodbyes and give the final hugs. Distribute the items if you have a sparkler exit or other festive flair. Take hold of each other and run toward a happily ever after when your last song starts playing!
Final Verdict:
While the average wedding reception lasts for a few hours, some couples choose to extend the event to allow for extra toasts and dancing, of course! A prolonged wedding reception can be the best option if you’re planning a big wedding with many guests. However, it is truly necessary to have a plan to keep your guests entertained throughout the entire event.
