Post # 1
Member
6110 posts
Bee Keeper
I came up with a preliminary timeline for the wedding day and I would like some opinions. FYI, my DJ will go through the schedule with me in detail and give his opinions/expertise (he does this with all his weddings) but I wanted to get some opinions beforehand from you lovely bees 🙂
4:30 pm – ceremony starts
5:00 pm – ceremony ends/cocktail hour starts
(5:10 pm – portraits start)
5:40 pm – guests are ushered into ballroom
(5:50 pm – portraits end, b/g & bridal party grab a few hors d’oeuvres)
6:00 pm – bridal party & b/g intros
6:05 pm – first dance
6:15 pm – dinner service starts
7:15 pm – father/daughter & mother/son dances (while guests are finishing up their meals)
7:30 pm – dance floor opens
8:30 pm – toasts/cake cutting
8:45 pm – bouquet/garter toss (there won’t be any going up my dress or putting it on the bouquet catcher, hence why this will only be 10 minutes)
8:55 pm to 10:00 pm – dancing
10:10 pm – send off
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Does anyone think I should add on an extra hour to the reception? It doesn’t seem like there’s a lot of time for dancing or just relaxing or mingling…I’m afraid that everything seems a bit rushed. But it could just be me overthinking it or stressing out.
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ETA: ceremony/cocktail hour/reception is all at the same hotel
Post # 4
Member
1134 posts
Bumble bee
depending on how many are invited and if its buffet or sit down you may need more than 1 hr for dinner
Post # 5
Member
2286 posts
Buzzing bee
I had a buffet and most everyone was done within 30 minutes but we had a very small wedding of 45 guests. I think you’re timeline looks good provided that your ceremony and reception are at the same venue.
Post # 6
Member
1134 posts
Bumble bee
and im assuming your doing more photos before ceremony starts? Doesnt seem like enough time to do all photos
Post # 7
Member
1589 posts
Bumble bee
I would usher them in at 5:50.
Post # 8
Member
1589 posts
Bumble bee
Oh, around here toasts are done before dinner.
Post # 9
Member
10453 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
Is it an option to extend your reception later? 10pm is a pretty early ending from what I’m used to. We usually go until 1am.
Post # 10
Member
31 posts
Newbee
I agree I would usher the guests in a bit later. Unless you have an abnormally large guest list or the reception area is far from the ceremony, 20 minutes is a long time for your guests to sit and wait for the introductions! Iwould also do every toast except for the bride and groom during dinner too. That way people are sitting down in one place and will pay attention more than if they are scattered after open dancing.
Post # 11
Member
6110 posts
Bee Keeper
@Jen51287: 130 people invited, no idea who all is coming as I haven’t sent out the invitations yet. Plated dinner, everyone pretty much served at the same time. We will definitely be doing as many pictures before the ceremony as possible. We are also only doing the parents/grandparents/sibling photos…no aunts/undles/cousins/etc.
@michiru4ever: yes, they’re at the same place
@Bubbles42: I put 5:40 because that’s what the coordinator recommended. Guests will be ushered in, put down any gifts, sign the guestbook, grab their place cards, and go to their seats during this time. I’m not sure 100+ people could get all that done in 10 minutes. Around here toasts are given when the bride and groom get up to cut the cake. The Maid/Matron of Honor and Best Man come up with the B/G and give their toasts.
@Pinkmoon: yes, it is an option which is why I put that in the poll. Our reception is over so early because the wedding starts at 4:30. Although I just noticed that I didn’t allot any time for guests to eat cake after it’s been cut!! I’m thinking extending it an hour might be our best option, just so everything isn’t so cramped.
Post # 12
Member
6110 posts
Bee Keeper
@faeriekiss: please see the answer I gave rdd584 🙂
Post # 13
Member
1681 posts
Bumble bee
@IzzyBear: I wouldn’t start dancing then backtrack to cake-cutting and toasts, (unless of course that’s common in your area). It would seem odd to go from busting some moves like jaggar to sitting and quietly waiting through toasts. I more commonly see the cake cutting immedietely before or after dinner with cake cutting at the same time.
ETA: Fiance and I decided to do introductions/first dance/cut cake/toasts/prayer/dinner. Most people wait until after dinner to do it, but I noticed people get ancy after they eat. We went to a wedding where the cut before dinner, and everyone was super attentive and excited to watch!
Post # 14
Member
6110 posts
Bee Keeper
@OnceUponATime: I thought about that originally but my DJ said that people tend to get bored if you do all the dances/toasts/cake cutting stuff all at the same time. My cousin did her cake/toasts in between dancing and it seemed to work which is where I got the idea. Idk, I feel like people get bored with that kind of stuff no matter when you do it lol
Post # 15
Member
1681 posts
Bumble bee
@IzzyBear: haha. They probably do. If your dj has seen it work then go for it!
Post # 16
Member
1589 posts
Bumble bee
@IzzyBear: They can sign the book during the reception. It’s something to do. I usually get my place card at the beginning of cocktail hour so I find my seat in two minutes. I would just hate to leave cocktail hour so early.
