Wedding reception timelinesFour ways to run the night.
Style 01
New England
Afternoon into evening. The meal lands halfway through the party.
Couple arrives: 10–20 min after guests
- Short cocktails
- Introductions
- First dance
- Toast
- Party
- Meal
- Formalities
- More partying
We play your chosen background music and take requests while guests settle in. Romantic, epic, classical or new-age jazz all work here, because things are about to heat up quickly.
When the bridal party arrives we line you up for introductions and catch you up with the caterers. Then it's show time: we introduce you straight to the dance floor for the first dance, then the best man's toast. Next come the parent dances, and the bridal party dance snowballs into a full party.
As the evening approaches we build toward the dollar dance, then announce the meal. Before anyone is served, we give away the centerpieces. Dinner music stays peppy (light jazz, classic swing, something eclectic) so nobody falls asleep in their plate. After the meal we cut the cake, then the Macarena and the Electric Slide pull everyone back to the floor for the next hour or so.
Style 02
Bostonian
The first dance happens before the meal.
Couple arrives: 30–45 min after guests
- Cocktail hour
- Introductions
- First dance
- Toast
- Meal
- Formalities
While guests wait, we play your background music and mingle, getting a feel for what they'll want to hear later. Requests welcome.
When the bridal party arrives we line you up and catch you up with the caterers. We introduce the bridal party to the dance floor, where they form a semi-arch as the backdrop for your first dance.
Afterward we hand you a glass of champagne for the best man's toast. Then the good stuff: the food. The best man and maid of honor bring your plates if it's a buffet, or the caterer serves while dinner music plays. Later come the cake cutting and the parent dances, and then we crank up the party.
Style 03
Hollywood
The couple arrives early for a true cocktail hour before dinner.
Couple arrives: 5–10 min after guests
Best when photos are taken at the reception site.
- Introductions
- Toast
- Cocktail hour
- Meal
- First dance
- Formalities
We play your background music and take requests as guests arrive. When the bridal party gets there we line you up, catch you up with the caterers, and introduce everyone to the dance floor, where they form a semi-arch behind the best man's toast.
Then we let everyone know dinner is about an hour away: mingle, visit the bar. Light jazz or classic swing plays while we ask guests what they want to hear. It's the perfect window for photos in the garden or the gazebo.
When the caterer is ready and the pictures are done, we announce dinner. After the meal come the first dance and the cake cutting, then the parent dances, and then the party.
Style 04
Atlanta
The couple arrives late, after a true cocktail hour.
Couple arrives: 45–60 min after guests
Best when photos are taken somewhere away from the reception.
- Cocktail hour
- Introductions
- Toast
- Meal
- First dance
- Formalities
With a longer wait, we keep the room in a party mood with light jazz, swing or easy-listening contemporary music. We might even run a little trivia or some simple card tricks.
When the bridal party arrives we line you up, catch you up with the caterers, and introduce you straight to the head table for the best man's toast and the meal.
Because it's a while between cocktails and dancing, the dinner music stays peppy. After the meal: first dance, cake cutting, the parent dances (if you didn't do them before dinner), and then we crank up the party.
These are suggestions. We're always happy to personalize any of our standard styles, or run the night exactly the way you picture it. We look forward to entertaining you.
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