Don’t Miss a Thing:
Wedding Reception Timeline
Everyone will tell you the same thing: Your wedding day goes by fast, but your wedding reception goes by even faster! How do you make your wedding reception a night to remember? Start by making a plan that is in 15-minute increments for all the special moments you want to prepare for. Then make a list of which events are most important to you and your spouse. It may sound like a tedious exercise, but knowing the difference between must-haves and wants is essential to ease your stress during the wedding day and tell all your vendors which items are negotiable if time starts to slip away. You’ve got your wedding venue only for a short time, so try to fit everything possible into your timeline, but don't get upset at skipping some smaller things is essential to ensure your best experience.
Here is a general wedding reception timeline to help you plan your night:
Cocktail Hour - 1 hour
Cocktail hour takes place in the hour after the ceremony, right before the reception begins. It’s a great opportunity for your photographer to capture guests mingling and sipping on your signature cocktails. Typically, you and your wedding party are taking a breather and snapping your group shots at this time, which is a good argument for having more than one wedding photographer at your event!
Guests Seated in Reception Hall - 20-30 minutes
Of course, this time will depend on how many guests you have at your wedding, but give people some time to find their table assignments from your Pinterest-perfect display after the DJ or designated Party member makes the announcement.
Wedding Party + Bride and Groom Entrances - 10 minutes
This is the big moment after the ceremony, where each Wedding party member is announced and gets the party amped up for your first entrance as a married couple.
Bride/Groom Dance + Family Dances - 15 minutes
From your first dances to the father-daughter and mother-son dances, 10 minutes is an ample amount of time. If you’re planning a more elaborate, choreographed number involving your wedding party, budget your time accordingly.
Welcome Speeches/Toasts - 30 minutes
Usually, this moment spotlights the mother and father of the bride, the mother and father of the Groom, the Best Man, and the Maid of Honor. Even the chattiest speeches and longer toasts can fit well within this timeframe!
Dinner is Served- 1 hour
All those tastings paid off! Sit back and enjoy your meal with your guests. You’ll need fuel to party the night away. Once you’ve eaten, it’s a good time to make the rounds and mingle with your guests. They’ll appreciate the personal time if you can swing it.
Have Your Cake (and eat it, too!) - 15-20 minutes
Sometimes this slips under the radar. If you want your guests to be spectators of your cake cutting, be sure to have your DJ or bandleader make an announcement so everybody can gather and watch you two cut into the sweet life ahead.
Open Dance Floor - 3-4 hours
Time to dance the night away! Swap your heels for flats or flip-flops and bust out your best moves alongside your guests.
Night Photo Session - 30 minutes
Sneak outside with your wedding photographer for a quick night session under the stars. There’s something so romantic and mysterious about evening shots when the moon is casting a luminous glow.
Grand Exit - 15 minutes
Some brides and grooms like to go quietly into the night, but others prefer a more dramatic exit. For a grand sendoff, cue the sparklers or dash off into a decked-out car.
And just like that, it’s time to call it a night.