Is this a good timeline?

[Deanna2112001]

I have never really been in a wedding, so I dont know what and when to do it.

But with the help of my Dj. Love his site! It helps me and directs me in the direction I need to be in. However.. Without anyone else looking at it.. lol I dont know if there are supposed to be an order.. Can someone look at this and tell me what I need to ad, take out, rearrange, or even if I didn't allot enough time for certain tasks? Any tips and suggestions are very appreciated. Thanks!

5:00 PM Cocktail Hour DJ plays soft music
5:20 PM Bridal Party Introductions DJ Announces: Entrance of the bridal party
5:30 PM Other (specify to right) Picture taking at front of head table, DJ plays soft music
5:40 PM Dinner Served DJ plays background music
6:00 PM Toast DJ introduces the toast
6:45 PM Cake Cutting DJ announces cake cut - plays selected music
7:00 PM First Dances DJ announces First Dance and plays pre-selected music
7:05 PM Dancing Begins DJ Plays music from play list
7:45 PM Other (specify to right) Father Daughter Dance,Mother / Son Dance, DJ announces the dances and plays pre-selected music
8:00 PM Bouquet/Garter DJ Announces and plays selected music
8:15 PM Other (specify to right) Open Dancing continued,DJ Plays music from play list
8:50 PM Last Dance DJ organizes remaining guests for 1 last dance
9:00 PM Reception Ends

[WebLady]

Sounds like it would work to me :)

Are you leaving in a limo or anything; want to do formal "getaway" pictures with bubble and such? Maybe have the DJ usher people outside and instruct them to form rows on either side of the exit doorway so you can walk through.

I would show this to your photographer too; they may even have other suggestions to help the picture portion of it all go well.

[Deanna2112001]

Well, I assumed we would do the bubbles and toss petals as we leave the church. As far as transportation. No limo.. were in our early 30's and it dont made sense for us to rent a limo for less than 1 hr.

But we are still going to leave the church and go into the best mans car..

And I will give a copy to the photog. I didn't think of that.. Thank you

[MrsDM]

I think everything looks good. The only thing I am curious about is at 5:00 you have cocktail "hour", but it only lasts 40 minutes until dinner is served. Is that right?

[inspiredevents]

Hi Deanna,
Here are a couple of suggestions or items to consider...

1. Are you taking photos together before? If not, you typically need 45min-1hr for photos.
2. Sometimes it's nice to do your first dance right after the grand entrance because that's when you truly have everyone's attention.
3. Have you thought of a transition into dinner... prayer, blessing or welcome? This helps so it's not high energy - then a sudden drop to dinner.
4. Typically for the toasts, I wait until the last table is served so guests do not feel rushed to eat.
5. You may want to consider moving the cake cutting back a little bit - b/c that is your guests non-verbal to go home.

Other than that, it looks good! Timelines are great because you can communicate your expectations to your team of professionals prior to your wedding night and then let them handle it!

Remember - this is a moving timeline, so, if you trust your DJ let him know the order, but trust his gut for the feel of the group.

[WebLady]

Hi Deanna,
Here are a couple of suggestions or items to consider...

1. Are you taking photos together before? If not, you typically need 45min-1hr for photos.
2. Sometimes it's nice to do your first dance right after the grand entrance because that's when you truly have everyone's attention.
3. Have you thought of a transition into dinner... prayer, blessing or welcome? This helps so it's not high energy - then a sudden drop to dinner.
4. Typically for the toasts, I wait until the last table is served so guests do not feel rushed to eat.
5. You may want to consider moving the cake cutting back a little bit - b/c that is your guests non-verbal to go home.

Other than that, it looks good! Timelines are great because you can communicate your expectations to your team of professionals prior to your wedding night and then let them handle it!

Remember - this is a moving timeline, so, if you trust your DJ let him know the order, but trust his gut for the feel of the group.
All good ideas/points :)

I didn't mention pictures before the reception cause I figured this was just the reception timeline and you would have already had the pictures after the ceremony before you start. But yeah, 30-45mins after the ceremony was pretty much the average time for "after" pictures when I was doing weddings; sometimes it might be an hour depending on the amount of guests to move and the size of the wedding party, and if everyone was paying attention ;)

The cocktail hour is a good way to keep the guests busy while you do pictures; I didn't notice before that you only have 20 mins for the cocktail hour before the wedding party is introduced. So this is just one reason I mentioned you might should talk to your photographer about the time line too.

All the best :)

[Deanna2112001]

I think everything looks good. The only thing I am curious about is at 5:00 you have cocktail "hour", but it only lasts 40 minutes until dinner is served. Is that right?

Yes is there supposed to be a certain time? Should I change it?

[Deanna2112001]

When I have a chance I will change it and repost it. Right now I have a hang over from New Years! lol My brain is not working this morning.

[MrsDM]

When I have a chance I will change it and repost it. Right now I have a hang over from New Years! lol My brain is not working this morning.

Ditto!! As for the cocktail thing, I know we are having cocktail hour at 4:30-5:30. From 5:30-6:00 people can start taking their seats and dinner will be served at 6:00. I guess its personal preference for how long it lasts, I don't know how long you have at your venue until you have to be out either.

[Deanna2112001]

We only have the venue for 4 hours. lol I almost typed 4 years. :)

[MrsDM]

We only have the venue for 4 hours. lol I almost typed 4 years. :)

Haha, you are right - your brain isn't working! lol!

Then I would probably just keep it as is!!

[Katiegirl]

One tip I've read about cocktail hour is to keep it to 45 minutes so it will reduce your bar bill! Saving money is never a bad thing. :)

[thegreatimponderablesband]

I am in a band and all we play are weddings. Here are some suggestions and you figure if you think it's a good timeline:

First, I have never seen a timeline that works according to plan. This is a reception and your schedule should not be to rigid. I good emcee, band, or DJ will know how to progress naturally throughout the evening.

Second, the cocktail hour. This is the time your guests mingl while you and the bridal party are getting photo's. If you're doing photo's right after the ceremony, you'll need to get on with it. Tell your photographer, "Let's go". It will take a good hour to get everyone together and get the shots. People (especially the bridal party) have a way of wondering off. Also, your guests will want to talk with you. Have someone announce at the end of the ceremony that guests need to go to the reception while the photo's are being done. Don't take time with guests now. You'll see them at the reception. Go get your photo's done so you're not holding everyone else up at the reception.

Arrival. Have the introductions made. What we do is have all the party come to the front. Once the bridal couple has come in, we then have everyone take their seats, except the bridal couple. Someone else suggested the first dances. This is what we do at this time. We also fade out the songs after about a minute or so. Truth is, it can seem like an eternity when you're the only couple on the floor.

While the couple is having thier dance, we get the father of the bride to join us. At the end of the first dance, he can make his welcome speech (if he's going to do one). At the end of his speech, he can then ask for his daughter to join him in a dance of their own. After that, we have the mother/son. Here again, we fade these songs out after about a minute.

If there's going to be a prayer for the meal, we ask for the minister or whomever at this time. If no prayer, we dismiss everyone to their tables, etc.

During dinner, music is played lightly for background. This allows everyone to converse and enjoy their meal. After about 20 minutes into the meal, the first ones to eat are usually finishing up. We then begin to play a few dance tunes. Older music at this point to keep older guests active and not start out to strong.

Now, about 1 hour after dinner has started, we suggest the cake cutting. You don't want to wait too long because older guests tend to leave early. To start the cake cutting, we have whatever toasts are going to be done. We REQUIRE that anyone giving a toast MUST be on an approved list. NO ONE is allowed to just come up and make a request for a toast. If they do, we send them to the wedding couple and they then tell us that it's OK. This prevents one from trying to outdo another and causing the event to come to an end while some long winded uncle or friend tries to steal the show. Here again, softer music is played while guests enjoy watching you cut the cake.

After the cake cutting, we usually invite everyone back to the stage, have a little game of some sort or the dollar dance, then we finish off the night. The cake cutting will take about 15 minutes with pictures and everyone getting a peice, etc.

Just so you know, hardly anyone does garter toss anymore. It's considered risque or embarassing by many, unless you're at some college getting married.

We also do an anniversary dance. This is a great way to honor long marriages. Also, the bridal couple can offer a bouquet or center peice to this couple.

Now, look at the activities and figure what you have time for. Hopefully these suggestions will give you some idea of what you may want to do, how, and how long it will take.

[wedbyjean]

A few things to consider:

1. Are you and your fiancé seeing each other before the ceremony? (This will help determine how much time is needed after the ceremony to finish photos. Check with your photographer to make sure how long they estimate).

2. What time does the ceremony end, and what time will the post-ceremony photos begin? There will be a "lag" time as guests are exiting. (Will help determine a realistic arrival time to the reception for the bridal party).

3. After the post-ceremony photos are done, what time is the bridal party expected to arrive at the reception? (Remember it will take time to get everyone lined up so they can be announced in).

4. Does your dress need bustling? (Again, this takes time. Also, you’ll want to do this before you are announced in to your reception rather than stopping during).

5. How many guest will you have at the reception? (It will take some time to get them all seated so dinner can be served).

[squawkboxsound]

Do you have a lot of guests, and are you having a buffet or a sit-down dinner with somebody serving the dinner? If it's a buffet, and you have a lot of people, 20 minutes might not be enough time to serve the dinner. You may want to allow for 30 minutes, and then if you ARE ready for toasts in 20 minutes, then you can move it up.

Also, 40 minutes for dinner with the toasts at the beginning might not be enough time. How long are the toasts going to take? How many people are giving toasts? We've seen toasts last as long as 15 minutes before. Something we usually do is do the toasts right with the cake cutting. That way, you only have to get the crowd's attention once. You can serve dinner, let everybody eat, and then do the toasts followed by the cake cutting. Haev the attention by the cake, and do the toasts in front of the cake. We've seen that that usually works best and flows a lot better.

Other than that, it looks great! :)

[thegreatimponderablesband]

Your DJ is great to offer you a timeline. However, remember that this is a "suggested" timeline. This is your wedding and things don't have to be structured exactly as laid out. If you miss something, no one will no the difference. As for "scheduling" photo's, this will be your photographers job to catch moments as needed.

Our band plays weddings every weekend. We have NEVER seen things work out exactly as planned. Timelines are used to help the band or DJ, moreso than the bridal couple.

Here's a few questions to consider:
Is the wedding and reception at the same venue?
If so, there will be no travel time to consider. Still, you'll need about an hour to do photo's for the bridal party and the bridal couple. This is the reason for the "cocktail hour", to give guests something to do while they are waiting on you.

Announce Bridal Party and First Dances:
Of course this is done when you enter the room. We usually get the bridal party to stand around the dance floor, forming a semi circle and facing the audience. Then, as we announce the bridal couple, they will enter with the music for their first dance and go right into it. About the dances, they can be long when you're the only ones on the floor. We usually fade them out after about a minute or so. After the First Dance, often the Father of the Bride will make a welcome speech. At the end, he will then ask his daughter for a dance, or we will introduce it for them at that time. Again, only about a minute or so. We then invite the Mother/Son, if they're doing a dance.

Meal Time
After the last of the "first" dances, if there is going to be a blessing for the meal, now is the time to do it. If this is a buffet style dinner, we usually release tables, so many at a time, so that it stays organized. The bridae and groom, followed by the bridal party, then parents tables, then guests. During dinner, music is low with standards playing. After about 20 minutes, the first guests will be finishing their dinner. Music will start to pick up a little, playing some older tunes for shag, slow dance, etc.

Cake Cutting
After about an hour from when dinner began, the cake cutting is a good idea. You don't want this to happen too late and some older guests leave early and miss out.

Time used thus far:
Counting your "cocktail hour", introduction, first dances, meal, some easy dancing, and cake cutting, you will have used about 2 hours to this point already. It's time to start kicking things up a little. Make sure your DJ is a professional and not some night club DJ. Music at wedding receptions can get out of line with the event. Older guests will tend to leave early if this happens. Music should be appropriate for all ages, yet still lively. Songs that are familiar to all are best suited for weddings. While some hip-hop is fine, avoid excessive use. Rap is almost never used. Reggae, R&B, Motown, classic rock, some new rock, shag/beach music, these are all dance styles and what motivates people to stay on the dance floor.

Bouquet/Garter Toss
These are seldom ever done. In fact, One Wed has an article where many professional's have "tossed" that idea. The "garter" toss is offensive to some and can get out of hand. Instead of the "bouquet" toss, many opt for an "anniversary" dance. This honors long marriages, gives someone to give the bouquet too, and makes for a chance for all to be involved.

Last Dance:
It is what it is. There are several ways to do this. A circle dance where all form around the platform and the bridal couple make their way around to tell everyone thanks, etc.


Playlist:
I just had to put this in. If the DJ is expecting you to pick all the music you want to hear, this could be a potential problem and show his lack of expertise. While a DJ may get an idea of your music interests, he should also be able to show you the more popular songs that are played at weddings. The reason is that, although you may like a particular style, a DJ knows how to read the age of an audience and adjust accordingly. If he's stuck on an Ipod and what you've suggested, what are you paying him for? You could have done this yourself. A professional MUST play music for all genre's and ages and be able to "read" the crowd. We usually ask, "what do you not want to hear". This allows us the freedom to choose accordingly.

Conclusion
Time will go fast with the right DJ. Don't worry too much about "structure". It's the DJ's job to work with you. They should be flexible and work closely with you, your photographer, your venue, etc. This is why you hire a professional. Hopefully you don't get a DJ that likes to hear himself talk. Your timeline is a "guideline". Relax. Have fun. This is your wedding!!!

[Bruce Stenman]

Receptions are a celebration and although help from the DJ is nice and helps keep things moving there is a point at which they can interfere with the fun. With the schedule people will barely have time to get their food and some may not even have their dinner before the toasts begin. There seems to be very little time set aside for you and your husband to go around and visit with your guests and not much time for general dancing.

If there a reason why you have a hard stop at 9:00 PM? For all the effort and expense to get everyone together it seems a shame to try to keep to such a tight schedule, especially for you and your husband.

Bruce

[maineweddingplanner]

Timelines will vary according to geographic area and family traditions.

If you were in Canada, a typical cocktail time would be from 2-3 hours with the entire reception lasting 7-9 hours.

Some caterers specialized services could also affect your final timeline, plus, it shoulod only be used as a guideline to the order of events. The exact times are of less importance.

It is best to consult with your DJ and venue (or caterer) to do a compare and contrast before coming up with a final timeline.