Gap after ceremony?

jamoore3

We just found out from our DJ (who is also doing our ceremony music) that after our ceremony concludes there will be about a thirty minute gap while they move the sound system into our reception space and get it running there. Before finding this out we had planned on moving right from our ceremony ending at 6:45, into first introduction with music and then announcing tables for dinner at 7pm. Now I am sort of floundering as to what to do with the gap, I don't want our guests to just be left milling around for half an hour, what do most people do to fill a gap like this?

CMGragain

jamoore3 said:

We just found out from our DJ (who is also doing our ceremony music) that after our ceremony concludes there will be about a thirty minute gap while they move the sound system into our reception space and get it running there. Before finding this out we had planned on moving right from our ceremony ending at 6:45, into first introduction with music and then announcing tables for dinner at 7pm. Now I am sort of floundering as to what to do with the gap, I don't want our guests to just be left milling around for half an hour, what do most people do to fill a gap like this?

Will there be food (veggies, etc.)?  Drinks served?  That is what people really care about.  Nobody cares if your DJ is late setting up.  You can have some quiet time together after the ceremony while you are signing the papers, or be in the reception line, greeting and thanking your guests for coming to the wedding.  People can mingle for half an hour until you make your entrance.

jamoore3

There won't be food since we are planning on dinner being served so soon after the ceremony, but the bar will open at 7, so only about 15 minutes with no drinks.

CMGragain

jamoore3 said:

There won't be food since we are planning on dinner being served so soon after the ceremony, but the bar will open at 7, so only about 15 minutes with no drinks.

I would ask if the bar can open a bit sooner to serve your guests.

southernbelle0915

I don't know that much about sound systems, but let's say he has two speakers. Can he just use one for the ceremony? So the other would be set up and ready to go in the reception space for intros and soft music during cocktail hour. Then after intros and while cocktail hour is going on, he sets up his ceremony speaker in the reception space so he's ready for the dance party later on. 

Again, I am not really familiar with how this stuff works, so this might be a bad suggestion.

Ro041

Our DJ offered to set up equipment in the two spaces (ceremony area and reception area) for a $100 additional fee (instead of them awkwardly moving the equipment to two different spots).  Is something like that possible?

banana468

Could you see about some kind of music that can be playEd during the switch?   Even a Rat Pack playlist is easy background music.  

ernursej

I would try having an iPod or something to provide background music during the time between ceremony and DJ getting up and running. See if the bar can be opened earlier or at least some passed drinks on trays.

STARMOON44

Pay him more to have additional equipment, open the bar immediately after the ceremony, serve some food. Doesn't need to be anything super complicated. 

MandyMost

I'd alter your timeline a bit:

Ceremony ends at 6:45, so then:

"Cocktail hour" from 6:45-7:15, with no music, while the DJ sets up. Have some snacks-a veggie tray, some cheese and crackers, etc. Doesn't need to be much. And make sure the bar is open at 6:45. (If it's not possible to move this up, then push your ceremony back so it ends at 7pm, and adjust everything else accordingly). 

7:15-7:20: Intros, after the DJ is all set up. Background music starts. 
7:20-7:30: people take their seats
7:30: dinner starts

SP29

This is usually where the cocktail hour comes in.

I don't think you need any music here, but if you could provided some snacks (cheese and crackers, fruit and veggie trays) and drinks, whether they are set up on a table somewhere, or passed, would solve any waiting issues.

You could also use part of this time to do a receiving line, greeting guests as they exit the ceremony space.

donethat

Your original timeline was a little tight, so I think it's all going to work fine.  With a ceremony ending at (approx) 6:45, it would surely take you and your guests more than 15 minutes to gather themselves, walk into the reception space, find their table assignment (or find a table), maybe go to the bathroom, say hi to a friend ... etc...  I agree with previous posters that there should be some sort of food or bev welcoming your guests as they arrive.  Once the DJ is set up, introductions and the rest of your timeline can being.   

jamoore3

Thank you all, I have only been to one wedding before so I was a little unsure if this was going to be a major issue. We have arranged for the bar to open at 6:45 and ill be offering a couple of apps as well.