6 HOUR RECEPTION – WITH ON SITE CEREMONY (Option A)
There are 2 sample timelines on this page. Feel free to mix or match timelines!
4:30 p.m.
Guests begin to arrive to the ceremony. Music: Ceremony prelude may include soft piano music, favorite love songs, string music, etc. Approx. 5 - 7 songs.
5:00 p.m.
Ceremony begins. Music: Bridal party processional song, Bride processional song, Interlude music (candle-lighting /other), Recessional song.
5:30 p.m.
Guests arrive at the reception for cocktail hour & hors-d'oeuvres. Newlyweds are taking pictures with the wedding party. Music: Cocktail type music approx. 10 songs.
6:30 p.m.
DJ asks the guests to be seated for dinner. The bridal party has arrived. DJ greets them at the door, reviews the itinerary of the evening, and verifies name pronunciations.
6:40 p.m.
DJ introduces the newlyweds for the grand entrance and they seamlessly walk to the cake for cake-cutting, then proceed to the head table for toasts and/or grace. The bridal party can either be introduced as one large group or individually by name.
Music: Couple's Choice. Pick up to 2 songs, 1 for the grand entrance and another for the bridal party entrance IF your bridal party is large enough. Choose 1 song for cake-cutting. Feel free to get creative with this selection.
7:00 p.m.
Dinner begins. Music: Dinner music approx. 15 songs. Last 5 songs are great opportunity to play your favorite songs that aren't quite danceable, but still upbeat.
8:00 p.m.
DJ introduces the first dance, bridal party, father-daughter dance and mother-son dances. Note: This is often delayed because the dinner service takes more time and/or the newlyweds are still greeting tables.
Music: Couple's Choice. 1 song for each, or you can be creative and do some combining. You may also want to have your DJ fade songs out early in order to speed things up.
8:15 p.m.
Open dancing begins. Music: If dancing is important to you, it is wise to request no more than 10 must-plays in a 6-hour reception.
8:45 p.m.
Money/Dollar Dance (est. 15 min- 20 min), Anniversary Dance (est.10 min) and Garter Bouquet (est.10 min) (ALL ARE OPTIONAL, then back to open dancing.
10:25 p.m.
Last song of the night.
Music: Have fun with it! Long, sentimental songs or sing-a-longs work great!
6 HOUR RECEPTION – WITH ON SITE CEREMONY (Option B)
4:30 p.m.
Guests arrive for the ceremony. Music: Ceremony prelude may include soft piano music, favorite love songs, string music, etc. Approx. 5 - 7 songs.
5:00 p.m.
Ceremony begins. Music: Bridal party processional song, Bride processional song, Interlude music (candle-lighting / other), Recessional song.
5:30 p.m.
Guests arrive at the reception for cocktail hour & hors-d'oeuvres. Newlyweds are taking pictures with the wedding party. Music: Cocktail type music approx. 10 songs.
6:30 p.m.
DJ asks guests to circle the dance floor for the grand entrance. The bridal party has arrived. DJ greets them at the door, reviews the itinerary for the evening, and verifies name pronunciations.
6:40 p.m.
DJ introduces the newlyweds for the grand entrance, and they seamlessly walk to the center of the dance floor. The bridal party can either be introduced as one large group or individually by name. They walk in first, and go to the side of the dance floor. Newlyweds have their first dance then proceed to the head table for grace. Idea: Halfway through the first dance, invite all the guests to the dance floor. This is a great chance for a group pic! This will only work if everyone is circled around the dance floor (DJ will coordinate). If time allows, you could also add an additional song. (Maybe a fun sing-along.)
Music: Couple's Choice. Pick up to 2 songs for your grand entrance. (1 for the grand entrance and another for the bridal party entrance IF your bridal party is large enough.) Choose a song for your first dance as newlyweds.
7:00 p.m.
Dinner begins. After about 10-15 minutes pass, or after salads are served, toasts may be given. (Toasts may include best man/maid/parents & newlywed thanks to guests.) Toward the end of dinner, the cake is cut.
Music: Dinner music approx. 15 songs. Last 5 songs are a great opportunity to play your favorite songs that aren't quite danceable, but still upbeat. Choose 1 song for your cake-cutting. Feel free to get creative with this selection.
8:15 p.m.
Open dancing begins. Music: If dancing is important to you, it is wise to request no more than 10 must-plays in a 6-hour reception.
8:45 p.m.
Money/Dollar Dance (est. 15 min- 20 min), Anniversary Dance (est.10 min) and Garter Bouquet (est.10 min) (ALL ARE OPTIONAL), then back to open dancing.
10:25 p.m.
Last song of the night.
Music: Have fun with it! Long, sentimental songs or sing-a-longs work great!