Weddingbee boards

@summerlilkessunshine: I would say the best DJ's give the crowd something to do - for at least the first couple of hours before everyone is in non-stop dance mode.

The best DJ's I've ever seen usually - will do the intros at the beginning of the reception, then announce meals (have someone pray if you do that before a meal) then give the instructions for how to get dinner if it is a buffet - bridal party first typically, then family then you can do it table by table to avoid crowding, or left side of room then right, etc.

Play some dinner music while everyone is eating...buy a CD of love song instrumentals or build your own playlist of low key background music. It helps fill the awkward silences if you're at a table with a bunch of people you barely know.

After dinner announce cake cutting and proceed to toasts by the best man and maid of honor, and typically a thank you from the Bride & Groom or Brides parents or whomever is hosting.

First dance - then Bridal party dance - then dance with father, groom with mother....then after this to break the ice I have seen things done a number of ways....a great way to get everyone on the dance floor is to have your DJ ask for every married couple to join the bride and groom on the dance floor, then he will ask for those who have been married for less than 24 hours to please leave the dance floor (bye bye Bride & Groom) then another 30 seconds of music, if you've been married less than 1 year please leave, less than 3 years, 5 years, 10 years, 15, 20, 25, etc until the last couple dancing is whomever has been married the longest (usually a set of grandparents or great aunts/uncles, etc) everyone gives them a round of applause and it's a nice warm fuzzy moment. Plus it gets everyone moving and onto the dance floor at the beginning.

Garter toss/bouquet toss

A few more songs - usually upbeat dance numbers, can't go wrong with group dances if you want participation, they are cheesy but people do respond just don't go overboard - Hokey Pokey is a great kids favorite, Chicken Dance, Macarena, Electric Slide, Locomotion, the Twist, etc.

Dollar dance (maybe this is a southern thing) - DJ will announce everyone to get their $1 ready to "buy" a dance with the bride or groom - your best man and maid of honor collect the $$ while you have a quick 30 second dance with anyone that wants to.....it's a nice way to visit with more of your guests in the midst of all the dancing

Really the DJ doesn't have to say a whole lot after this kind of stuff - just play a good mix of music. Then the typical Last Dance and Last Call