FIRST DANCE BEFORE OR AFTER DINNER

futuremschong

We are holding a cocktail hour before dinner, so we will already be in the room, so we aren't doing formal introductions of the wedding party. What will be less awkward....first dance once we seat everyone for dinner right after the cocktail hour and the wedding party exits and re-enters with a brief introduction and surrounds us for our first dance, then what would we do, be seated ourselves for dinner?? OR Should we have our cocktail hour, then dinner and toasts/speeches, and THEN first dance followed by opening to the dance floor for our guests.

ElisabethJoanne

I vote for the latter.

Make sure all guests have the opportunity to watch the first dance, not just the wedding party. [not sure what "surround" means]

OBX2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_first-dance-before-or-after-dinner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:2e6e59d6-cbe2-40ea-848d-6396f78645faPost:09db6747-326a-4386-b56a-759c1c36d5bc">FIRST DANCE BEFORE OR AFTER DINNER</a>:
[QUOTE]We are holding a cocktail hour before dinner, so we will already be in the room, so we aren't doing formal introductions of the wedding party. What will be less awkward....first dance once we seat everyone for dinner right after the cocktail hour and the wedding party exits and re-enters with a brief introduction and surrounds us for our first dance, then what would we do, be seated ourselves for dinner?? OR Should we have our cocktail hour, then dinner and toasts/speeches, and THEN first dance followed by opening to the dance floor for our guests.
Posted by futuremschong[/QUOTE]

Most cocktail hours are before dinner and I thought being introduced as "Mr & Mrs. Awesomeness" was one of the highlights of the evening.  You can still be introduced before you walk into the room.  I personally don't like the idea of the WP being there and then exiting only to re-enter and be introduced.  That would seem awkward to me if I were a guest.

Cocktail hour, introductions, dinner, speeches and then first dances.

That's what we did and everything flowed so nicely.  You should really talk to your DJ about this (if you are having one) as he will be the one leading the evening events off.

ETA:  and you don't have to post the title in all caps.  We see you there and we will respond ;)

futuremschong

That's what I thought OBX2011, thank you ladies. I will stick to the first dance after dinner. You think about these things too long, and I just end up confusing myself with the details!

Magdala9

we did cocktail hour, grand entrance, bride & groom dance, parent dances then speeches.

kmmssg

DD did her first dance when they were introduced during the cocktail hour.  They also cut their cake so it could be taken back to the kitchen and sliced.  Dessert was available to the guests when they finished their dinner or they could get it later.

To be honest I really think people have a ton of leftover cake because it has been customary to cut it toward the end of the evening after some have left and others have had a few cocktails.  Worked well for us and got our guests on the dance floor quicker.

vexie

We didn't have a dance at our reception but still wanted to have a first dance as a married couple.  We also had only booked a photographer up until the start of the meal....so... after the cocktail hour, everyone was seated, we made our entrance into the room and went right into our first dance.  We actually cut the cake then too (really just a quick photo op as we had cupcakes), then started dinner.   It worked out well for us.

mtbentley

For this situation it sounds like the first dance after dinner to open the dance floor would be better. If your venue has an event/wedding coordinator you could ask them what they recommend, they have probably seen alot of weddings and cen tell you what series of events works best in that particular space, asking the dj for recommendations is also a good idea that a PP mentioned.

fallbride1109

I agree with the PP--your first scenario is awkward so I vote for the latter. 

We were introduced after cocktail hour and went right into our first dance.  We wanted to get it over with and not be nervous all through dinner.  For us this was perfect.

We didn't do a wedding party entrance--we let them enjoy the cocktail hour while we took photos so they were already seated with everyone else.