timeline

bella3609

So we have a friend of a friend who's cutting us an awesome deal on DJing, and we're trying to build a workable timeframe since he charges by 4-hour blocks. Initially, what we were thinking was:

3-3:30: Ceremony
3:30-4:30: Picture taking and cocktail hour for guests
4:30-6: Intros and buffet dinner
6-10: Dancing and fun-making

But then, after talking it over with the DJ, he mentioned that things tend to move faster than we think they will, and we may want to consider having him start at 5 rather than 6 in case people are hanging around not knowing what to do. Basically, to get the party started.Now, FI and I are talking it over and wondering if we should book him for a 5-9 block for reception play time. He's doing the ceremony music basically for $50 extra, and said he may go ahead and throw in cocktail music playtime since he'll already be set up. But aside from the DJing, I guess I'm just trying to get a feel for how much time we should allow our guests to eat, party, mingle, etc.

Is an hour truly too much time for cocktail hour? I remember getting kinda antsy after like 30 minutes - would a "cocktail 45 minutes" be in order? Is 9 too early to end the party? I know it depends on our particular style and our guests' stamina, but we definitely want to throw them an awesome party, even if we are on a budget. Thoughts?

bananafanafofashley

Wow that's a long night already! I really don't think you need to add any more time anywhere IMO.

kmf218

I may have to agree with your DJ. Maybe not to start the dancing music at 5 but it would be nice for your guests to have some background music while they are eating, nothing too bouncy but no slow songs bc that will just put them to sleep, something like Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol, Come Fly with Me by Michael Buble (corny I know but its a love song that isnt really mushy), and Just You and Me by Chicaco. Towards the end of dinner he can start playing more up beat music to get everyone in the mood like My Girl by the Temptations or The way you Love Me by Shania Twain, they are still love songs but they have a fast beat that can be blended into a more modern song. The way you have it set up the intros will have to take at least 30 minutes, which is good if you or your MOH or BM are giving a speech but the hour of silence during dinner is really boring. When my FI brother got married he didnt have any music during the first half of dinner and then had the dj play slow love songs towards the end and then when dinner was over his "wife" expected everyone to get up and dance to upbeat salsa music. You have to gear people up for the fun stuff, especially after the roller coaster of emotion they will all feel after the ceremony. I hope this helps 

LolaPizzy

My sister's wedding had the same timeline that you show, and the DJ ended up staying an extra hour and the party was still going at stop time. It was lots of fun.

I do agree that there might be an awkward transition for people that finish eating and don't know what to do. Instead of him throwing in music for cocktail hour, can he just throw in music that starts halfway through dinner? I don't think you should have to pay him for 9 hours when you only need him for 5. Can't he just charge you for an extra hour?

bananafanafofashley

OH I totally read that wrong. Yes I think there should be music while eating. It's always kind of awkward when conversations all stop at the same time and theres that weird moment of silence. Music will fill that in.

bella3609

That is a huge help - thanks! Yeah, there's definitely an option to pay him a little extra for an extra hour, or negotiate or whatnot. Just kinda trying to hammer down a tentative timeline for my own sanity

teachermegs

We are having our dj from right before the ceremony (ceremony at 4:30) to 10 (that is when the music has to stop).

mbathey

Yeah maybe take his advice.  It would be nice to have the music and then if it seems the party is ready to start, no worries, it will.