Hora question

Frozenpenguin

When is the hora typically done? I was thinking that after our introduction and our first dance that we would go right into the hora and get the party started. Is this typical? Does it interfere with the flow of things like speeches, challah blessing, etc?

Neither FI or I have been to a Jewish wedding so it makes for interesting planning.

ciaraman

I'm planning to use the hora to get the party started, just like you described. That's how I've seen it at the two Jewish weddings I've been to.

caraellen23

We are doing our intros and first dance and that leads right into the hora.  Since guests are up and on the dance floor, the band will play one or two more uptempo dancing songs.  At that point, every one will be seated and we'll do the blessings over the wine and bread, followed by a welcome toast from my father.  At that point, the first course is served. 

Hope that helps!

MrsMLRB

Most weddings I have been to had them during the dancing portion (after dinner) but it was towards the beginning of that.

reebsreebs

We are going to do hora between cocktails and dinner. then regular get down and boogie dancing after dinner.

tenofcups4me

I've usually seen it just the way you described it -- entrance, first dance, hora, then either a couple of other dances or right into toasts, etc. That's what I did at my first wedding -- and one of my favorite parts of the video was a non-Jewish guest dancing by (didn't know a camera was there) saying to his wife: "What a great way to get the party started!"

Musicheals71

You know what?  I didn't even think to "schedule" the hora.  I will have to ask my DJ about this one.

penaltyshot

We did the intro, then first dance, then our DJ played some exciting music to get people dancing. Since there was then a crowd, we went into the hora. After that, one or two more fun dancing songs, then challah and dinner.

Danaz1

we came into the room and went straight into the Hora.  It was so much and a great way to get the party started.  We did our first dance after salad.  Don't do it too late.  I have been to so many weddings when they didn't do it till after dinner and i felt it was too late plus some people leave early if the wedding is on a sunday which most of them are. 

slbriz34

Everyone does it differently - you may want to take into consideration when your first entree will be served and other timing portions of the evening.

Ours was similar to tencups: we did our entrance and first dance, then did the hora, then a few dances before asking everyone to sit and to hamotzi.  After that, we did the toasts and then had our first entree.

ARod22

There are two ways:

1. Introduction, and then go right into the hora

2. Introduction, 1st dance,  first course, hora

At least those are the ones i know of.

razdazzle

I have seen it two ways - either right after the couple is introduced and had their first dance - how you described it.  OR right after dinner to get the party re-started.

We chose to do it right after we were introduced and had our first dance.  We figured people are up anyway and it would be a fun way to start the night.  Plus we wanted a small dance session after the cocktail hour and before dinner.  We did the mezinka tanz right after dinner since I was the last in my family to get married.

bridetoB2010

We're doing Parent Dances as well and trying to figure out where to fit them in.. I was trying to pick 1 song we can dance to at the same time because it takes up so much of the night but having trouble..so, so far we're doing those separately.  I was thinking of doing the Hora right after we come in since it causes excitement in the room and gets everyone going.. then the first dance when salitizers are being served.... but now I'm questioning that. Maybe I should do it the other way around? To me, the first dance and parent dances are cute for 15 seconds and then it gets boring for everyone and they all start wandering off the bar anyway, lol. I'm so confused. This is the most stressfull part of the wedding planning to me, lol.  Any advice anyone? my Wedding in like, I dont even know.. 50 days! ahhhh!!

parker624

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_jewish-weddings_hora-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:399Discussion:9ee66151-1b30-4d0e-95c8-afb65fe6a5adPost:b5f7a8d9-3a32-4907-9187-b14f35bbbb6a">Re: Hora question</a>:
[QUOTE]We're doing Parent Dances as well and trying to figure out where to fit them in.. I was trying to pick 1 song we can dance to at the same time because it takes up so much of the night but having trouble..so, so far we're doing those separately.  I was thinking of doing the Hora right after we come in since it causes excitement in the room and gets everyone going.. then the first dance when salitizers are being served.... but now I'm questioning that. Maybe I should do it the other way around? To me, the first dance and parent dances are cute for 15 seconds and then it gets boring for everyone and they all start wandering off the bar anyway, lol. I'm so confused. This is the most stressfull part of the wedding planning to me, lol.  Any advice anyone? my Wedding in like, I dont even know.. 50 days! ahhhh!!
Posted by bridetoB2010[/QUOTE]

Here's how we did it and it was hugely successful:

7:15 cocktails end 
7:15-7:30 band played 2 up beat songs, everyone got on the dancefloor. 
7:30-7:45 H and I were introduced and danced right to the dance floor.  After that, the band broke out into a 15 minute hora!
7:45-8:15 dinner served
8:15-8:25 toasts
8:25-8:30 first dance (we danced to "maybe I'm amazed" but had the band cut out one verse to make it only 2 minutes long)
8:30-8:35 father/daughter dance, into mother/son, into all parents and siblings

then the band just kept playing until 11:30.