Reception Timeline & Entrance?

MoonlightSilver

I honestly have no idea what order the reception is supposed to go in, so I wrote down everything we have to do and had my FI order them. haha. Can you ladies check mine over, and maybe share some of yours? 

ALSO- Are any of you not having a big entrance? My FI doesn't like the idea of playing music and announcing us. He wants to just walk into the reception when we're done with pictures without any mention. I sort of like this idea, but I do want a little bit of an entrance. Any ideas??

Thanks!

Timeline: 

7:00   Guests enter hall, get escort cards, find their seats

7:00   Passed Apps start

7:30   Dinner Starts 

7:45   3 Speeches (FOB, Best Man, Brother of Bride)

8:15   FI and I share strawberries (our version of cutting cake)

8:30   First Dance

8:35   Father/Daughter Dance

8:40   Mother/Son Dance

8:45   Dance the night away! 

Nshivers

This is the timeline our wedding coordinator gave us.  We're having our ceremony and reception in the same location, just different ballrooms.

Hope this helps!!

6pm	Guest Arrive	Room ready, floors mopped at 5pm
7pm	Ceremony- Fuzion Room	Bride Walking
7:30pm	Ceremony Finished Guests to Ballroom	Cocktail Hour begins Bridal Party Photos
7:30-8:30pm	Cocktail Hour	Passed Hors d’ oeuvres Bar Open
8pm	Hors d’ oeuvres & drinks to Bridal Party in Fuzion Room	12 people
8:30pm	Entrance	Bridal Party
8:35pm	First Dance	Bride & Groom
8:40pm	Blessing/Prayer	Pastor
8:45pm	Salads	Serve Bride & Groom 1st, then Bridal Party & Family tables, then everyone else
9:00pm	Dinner	Serve Bride & Groom 1st, then Bridal Party & Family tables, then everyone else
9:20pm	Table Visits	Bride & Groom briefly visit each table
9:45pm	Traditional Dances	Mother – Son Father -Daughter
9:55-10pm	Cake	Bride & Groom cut cake Bella will cut & serve after.
10:00-10:15pm	Toasts	Maid of Honor Best Man Dads
10:15pm	Open Dance Floor
11:00pm	Bouquet & Garter Toss
12:00am	Exit

chelseakopperud

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_reception-timeline-entrance?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:899e38a7-032a-459b-91c4-0f521ca7a0fbPost:6c9799b2-b4f9-4e68-93fa-41a1d5393799">Re: Reception Timeline & Entrance?</a>:
[QUOTE]This is the timeline our wedding coordinator gave us.  We're having our ceremony and reception in the same location, just different ballrooms. Hope this helps!! 6pm Guest Arrive Room ready, floors mopped at 5pm 7pm Ceremony- Fuzion Room Bride Walking 7:30pm Ceremony Finished Guests to Ballroom Cocktail Hour begins Bridal Party Photos 7:30-8:30pm Cocktail Hour Passed Hors d’ oeuvres Bar Open 8pm Hors d’ oeuvres & drinks to Bridal Party in Fuzion Room 12 people 8:30pm Entrance Bridal Party 8:35pm First Dance Bride & Groom 8:40pm Blessing/Prayer Pastor 8:45pm Salads Serve Bride & Groom 1 st , then Bridal Party & Family tables, then everyone else 9:00pm Dinner Serve Bride & Groom 1 st , then Bridal Party & Family tables, then everyone else 9:20pm Table Visits Bride & Groom briefly visit each table 9:45pm Traditional Dances Mother – Son Father -Daughter 9:55-10pm Cake Bride & Groom cut cake Bella will cut & serve after. 10:00-10:15pm Toasts Maid of Honor Best Man Dads 10 :15pm Open Dance Floor 11:00pm Bouquet & Garter Toss 12:00am Exit
Posted by Nshivers[/QUOTE]

Wow! That is a LATE dinner!

tgerl

Here is our timeline - in order to avoid an awkward entrance to the reception, we are doing our first dance right away (so we will be announced and then start dancing)

Cocktail Hour begins	5:30
bride and grrom take more photos	5:30
bride and groom join the cocktail hour	6:00
DJ Announce for guests to find seats using escort cards	6:30
Reception
DJ Announce couple and do first dance	6:45
groom welcomes guests	6:55
Salads arrive	7:00
Main Course served	7:30
Toasts	8:00
Cake Cutting	8:15
Father/daughter & mother/son dance	8:25
Open dancing	8:30
Sunset Pics	8:40
Photographer leaves	9:30
Have someone load gifts, other items	9:30
Bar change to beer and wine only & snack arrives (popcorn)	9:30
Last call for bar	10:50
Bar closes	11:00
Last dance	11:20
Exit to waiting car	11:30

peachykeen26

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_reception-timeline-entrance?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:899e38a7-032a-459b-91c4-0f521ca7a0fbPost:bc44ea95-ee01-47c9-9364-503bc1b7f7fc">Re: Reception Timeline & Entrance?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Reception Timeline & Entrance? : Wow! That is a LATE dinner!
Posted by chelseakopperud[/QUOTE]

That was my thinking, too. Way too late for me!

brittneyh4

I agree, laate dinner. I need to eat before 6 or I have a stomach ache lol.

We don't have a set order, I didn't think to really have one. Dinner will be at 4:45 or whenever the ceremony ends (buffet style) and then we just kind of go with the flow. We will have our dance once we're done eating etc.. It's going to be really laid back and the DJ and coordinator are handling all the timing details.

chelseakopperud

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_reception-timeline-entrance?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:899e38a7-032a-459b-91c4-0f521ca7a0fbPost:7c5b98a5-b2f1-43fc-879d-909b8f9539fd">Re: Reception Timeline & Entrance?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Reception Timeline & Entrance? : That was my thinking, too. Way too late for me!
Posted by peachykeen26[/QUOTE]

Uh yeah... Id eat my own arm off by that time! We eat at 5PM at my house!!

Amynutrition

It's a work in progress but.....

4:45PM - venue will let guests in/bar is open
5PM - Cocktail hour starts, pass apps and stations
5:30PM - Bride and Groom arrive, log saw
6:20PM - Guests make there way into dining room
6:30PM - WP announced
6:35-6:55PM - First Dance, Father/Bride, Mother/Groom
6:55PM Blessing
7PM - Dinner is served
7:15-7:45ish - Toasts (Dad, best man #1, MOH, best man #2)
8:00PM cake cutting
8:15-10:30 DANCE PARTY!!! with bouquet toss in there somewhere

10:30-4am.... afterparty at rooftop bar if we survive

ECOlson

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_reception-timeline-entrance?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:899e38a7-032a-459b-91c4-0f521ca7a0fbPost:3680334c-2c3e-42e0-8235-33d745184019">Reception Timeline & Entrance?</a>:
[QUOTE]I honestly have no idea what order the reception is supposed to go in, so I wrote down everything we have to do and had my FI order them. haha. Can you ladies check mine over, and maybe share some of yours?  ALSO- Are any of you not having a big entrance? My FI doesn't like the idea of playing music and announcing us. He wants to just walk into the reception when we're done with pictures without any mention. I sort of like this idea, but I do want a little bit of an entrance. Any ideas?? Thanks! Timeline:  7:00   Guests enter hall, get escort cards, find their seats 7:00   Passed Apps start 7:30   Dinner Starts  7:45   3 Speeches (FOB, Best Man, Brother of Bride) 8:15   FI and I share strawberries (our version of cutting cake) 8:30   First Dance 8:35   Father/Daughter Dance 8:40   Mother/Son Dance 8:45   Dance the night away! 
Posted by MoonlightSilver[/QUOTE]

<div>I think that looks good!  It's really similar to what I'm envisioning for ours, but I still have to have our final meeting with the DJ to decide the order for sure.  If you're still hesitant on the order of things I'd suggest talking to a coordinator, but if you don't have one your DJ or photographer should also be great resources.  They're professionals and have been involved in tons of weddings, they'll probably have great insight.</div>

Elizabeth80

Will there be heavy appetizers? Your dinner is late but it looks like the cocktail hour is why. If the appetizers are heavy that will help but I might give guests some sort of head's up that they'll want to eat before coming. Or warn the wait staff at the cocktail hour that there will be a hungry mob. Other then that your timeline looks great! You're almost there girlie!!

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_reception-timeline-entrance?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:899e38a7-032a-459b-91c4-0f521ca7a0fbPost:6c9799b2-b4f9-4e68-93fa-41a1d5393799">Re: Reception Timeline & Entrance?</a>:
[QUOTE]This is the timeline our wedding coordinator gave us.  We're having our ceremony and reception in the same location, just different ballrooms. Hope this helps!! 6pm Guest Arrive Room ready, floors mopped at 5pm 7pm Ceremony- Fuzion Room Bride Walking 7:30pm Ceremony Finished Guests to Ballroom Cocktail Hour begins Bridal Party Photos 7:30-8:30pm Cocktail Hour Passed Hors d’ oeuvres Bar Open 8pm Hors d’ oeuvres & drinks to Bridal Party in Fuzion Room 12 people 8:30pm Entrance Bridal Party 8:35pm First Dance Bride & Groom 8:40pm Blessing/Prayer Pastor 8:45pm Salads Serve Bride & Groom 1 st , then Bridal Party & Family tables, then everyone else 9:00pm Dinner Serve Bride & Groom 1 st , then Bridal Party & Family tables, then everyone else 9:20pm Table Visits Bride & Groom briefly visit each table 9:45pm Traditional Dances Mother – Son Father -Daughter 9:55-10pm Cake Bride & Groom cut cake Bella will cut & serve after. 10:00-10:15pm Toasts Maid of Honor Best Man Dads 10 :15pm Open Dance Floor 11:00pm Bouquet & Garter Toss 12:00am Exit
Posted by Nshivers[/QUOTE]

Nshivers

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_reception-timeline-entrance?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:899e38a7-032a-459b-91c4-0f521ca7a0fbPost:2a909d8a-141e-4517-805f-150322e44931">Re: Reception Timeline & Entrance?</a>:
[QUOTE]Will there be heavy appetizers? Your dinner is late but it looks like the cocktail hour is why. If the appetizers are heavy that will help but I might give guests some sort of head's up that they'll want to eat before coming. Or warn the wait staff at the cocktail hour that there will be a hungry mob. Other then that your timeline looks great! You're almost there girlie!! In Response to Re: Reception Timeline & Entrance? :
Posted by Elizabeth80[/QUOTE]

Late ceremony=late(r) dinner. 

During the cocktail hour there will be passed hors d'oeuvres (crab cakes, and bruschetta I think), in addition there will be a fruit and cheese station for the guests during that hour.  We included on the enclosure cards what time dinner would be served, and that there'd be a cocktail hour with apps. 

Yes, I know time is flying!!  Thanks!!

Nshivers

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_reception-timeline-entrance?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:899e38a7-032a-459b-91c4-0f521ca7a0fbPost:87c4d7ab-cc13-405a-a477-7166df3d5d64">Re: Reception Timeline & Entrance?</a>:
[QUOTE]It's a work in progress but..... 4:45PM - venue will let guests in/bar is open 5PM - Cocktail hour starts, pass apps and stations 5:30PM - Bride and Groom arrive, log saw 6:20PM - Guests make there way into dining room 6:30PM - WP announced 6:35-6:55PM - First Dance, Father/Bride, Mother/Groom 6:55PM Blessing 7PM - Dinner is served 7:15-7:45ish - Toasts (Dad, best man #1, MOH, best man #2) 8:00PM cake cutting 8:15-10:30 DANCE PARTY!!! with bouquet toss in there somewhere 10:30-4am.... afterparty at rooftop bar if we survive
Posted by Amynutrition[/QUOTE]


LOVE the idea of an afterparty!! That  sounds like it's gonna be great.

kristin183

This is our timeline..

5:15	Arrive at Reception/Introduction
5:30	Dinner
6:15	First Dance
6:30	Toasts
6:45	Cake Cutting/Open Dancing
7:00	Garter Toss and Bouquet Toss/Open Dancing
8:30	Photographer leaves
10:00	Good Bye Newlyweds!

MoonlightSilver

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_reception-timeline-entrance?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:899e38a7-032a-459b-91c4-0f521ca7a0fbPost:38007d64-2a56-4eb2-8e2c-c9d9b3d5ef7b">Re: Reception Timeline & Entrance?</a>:
[QUOTE]Here is our timeline - in order to avoid an awkward entrance to the reception, we are doing our first dance right away (so we will be announced and then start dancing) Cocktail Hour begins 5:30 bride and grrom take more photos 5:30 <strong>bride and groom join the cocktail hour 6:00</strong>
Posted by tgerl[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Tgerl, when it says "join" are you just going to walk into the room and start saying hi? 

</div>

melfacto

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_reception-timeline-entrance?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:899e38a7-032a-459b-91c4-0f521ca7a0fbPost:bc44ea95-ee01-47c9-9364-503bc1b7f7fc">Re: Reception Timeline & Entrance?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Reception Timeline & Entrance? : Wow! That is a LATE dinner!
Posted by chelseakopperud[/QUOTE]

The wedding I went to last weekend, dinner started at 8:30 and we were starving and they also had a huge lunch at 1pm for guests as well.. I thought our coordinator suggesting 7:30 was way to late and had her move it up!

tgerl

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_reception-timeline-entrance?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:899e38a7-032a-459b-91c4-0f521ca7a0fbPost:664ab0bb-1381-4f8b-a64d-2a48171168c4">Re: Reception Timeline & Entrance?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Reception Timeline & Entrance? : Tgerl, when it says "join" are you just going to walk into the room and start saying hi? 
Posted by MoonlightSilver[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I think so.  We really want to attend most of the cocktail hour, but don't want to make a big deal about it (we want guests to keep mingling).  We will just grab drinks and start chatting with people.  That's the plan at least :)  We meet with the DJ this weekend so I might ask him about this.

kimiandgary

2:00PM: Arrival of Bridal Party and Vendors
*photos taking
5:00PM: Ceremony Begins
5:30-6:30PM: Cocktail Hour
*apps being passed & bar open
*Lindsay to light candles
*Champagne Poured
6:15PM: Reception doors unlock and open; guests are asked to find their seats;
slideshow looping (side screens up at intros, big screen up after first dance; to be silenced
after first loop)
6:25PM: Introduction of Bridal Party & Parents
6:30PM: Unity Candle
6:35PM: First Dance
6:40PM: Toasts
7:00PM: Salad Service
7:15PM: Entrée Service
8:00PM: Special Dances (Father/Daughter, Mother/Son, Bridal Party)
Open dancing
8:30PM: Cake Cutting
8:40PM: Bouquet & Garter Toss
Cake Served
8:50: Button Ceremony
9:00-10:00PM: Open Dancing
9:55: Last Dance
10:00-11:00: Gather Belongings and Depart

MMRoberts11

Reception starts at 6:30pm with apps being served.

6:45 - WP announced in

6:55 - cake cutting (directly following entrance)

7:00 - BM's speech

~7:15 - MOH's speech

7:30 Dinner service

8:45 - Bride and groom dance

9:00 - Dancing

12:00 - End

PopPow

6:30pm seating
7:00 ceremony
7:15 signing license in back room
7:20 entrance
7:20 1st dance
7:25 dinner served
7:25-7:45 photos with family (we have a very small family on each side)
7:45 family/wedding party served
8:15 cake cut
8:20 dancing
11:30 last song