How long dancing wedding reception

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Here's the basic order of events at a wedding reception. Ashley Goodwin. The Knot. How to Submit Weddings to The Knot. Up Next. Showing slide number 1 out of Famous Couples We Love to Love From the pages of history books, scripts, celebrity gossip columns and more, we've rounded up the memorable matchups whose love makes us swoon.

A buffet or family-style dinner can shorten that time. A full 7-course plated meal with dessert can easily drag on for two hours. Try to set aside about 3 hours for dancing. The rules are different for Friday or Sunday weddings. On Sundays, some of your guests will need to leave around 9 or 10pm to get ready for work the next morning. So how long is the ideal wedding reception? If you're serving the meal in courses or family style, dinner can be served to all tables at once by the caterer's wait staff.

Once everyone has food, the bride and groom may want to address the group and thank their parents and guests for attending. The bride and groom should be the first to hit the dance floor with a romantic first dance. Next, the bride and her father and the groom and his mother should each have their own dance. The DJ or band should be ready to keep the music rockin' once the formal dances are complete. They should invite all guests onto the dance floor for a good time. Make sure to integrate your bouquet toss, garter toss and any other entertainment you'd like to include in this time space.

Pause festivities on the dance floor for the cutting of the cake. Keep in mind, some guests will leave after the cake is cut. So, you may not want to cut the cake too early in the evening. So, you may not want to cut the cake too early in the evening.

During the last dance set and after dessert is served is a great opportunity for the bride and groom to sneak out for their nighttime couples session.

This is a very important time to schedule on your wedding reception timeline with your photographer. This is when they will get the romantic nighttime shots that document the perfect end to your beautiful wedding day. Just make sure to come back for your last dance! This last dance set will simultaneously coincide with your nighttime photo session on your wedding reception timeline. Choose an upbeat, big hit that will get everyone out on the dance floor to shut the party down!

If you plan to make a grand exit, arrange for your wedding coordinator to usher guests to the area where the sendoff will happen. Consider providing sparklers or bubbles for guests to add a fun element to your exit.

These details also make for an incredible photoshoot! The added emotional stress takes a toll too. The result is that brides, grooms and guests are wiped out after a wedding ceremony and reception dinner and several hours of dancing. Your older guests will give up and go home before the cake if you put that off for too long to stretch things out.

Skip to content How long should a wedding reception last? Home » How long should a wedding reception last? The timeline of a wedding reception. How to Plan the Wedding Day Timeline Guests Move From Ceremony into Cocktail Hour 1 Hour While your guests are mingling with each other after the ceremony is a good time to do your couples session and formal family photos.

Bride and Groom Grand Entrance Minutes This is your time to celebrate being introduced for the first time as the newlyweds that you are. First Dance Minutes After making your grand entrance , all eyes are on you, and it is a perfect time to go straight into your first dance as a married couple. Dinner is Served 1 Hour Make sure you grab your food first , chow down and be sure to enjoy the wedding meal you selected!

If you do choose to take the mealtime to greet or take photos with each table, make sure you allow yourself at least 3 minutes per table and adjust the mealtime accordingly.