Reception Timeline: Post your Opinion!

RoussosKarakaian

So, I'd like to make a very detailed reception timeline for all my vendors and wedding party. I've gone online and researched all the different ways you can do it. Whether you've been through this process yourself or with a friend, I'd love your arguments on the following! 1. After you make your grand entrance, should you do your first dance right away? Or save it til after you've finished your main course? 2. Should you do the cake cutting before dinner so that the kitchen can then take it to the back, cut it up, and serve it after dinner?? Or, have the cake cutting before the bouquet toss so perhaps its ready after all the wedding "games"? Or....have it after the games, at around 9pm if the reception ends at 11 as a way to pick up speed incase the party has slowed down? 3. Should you do all the speeches right away? Bride and Groom and both sets of parents? or spread it out throughout the night? So many websites tell you how it could go, but I'd love to know what has worked and not worked for real weddings. TIA for any opinions! I'm sure it will help!!

anglndsguse44

This is how our reception went:-Receiving line frpm 6-7pm-Introductions-Speeches/Dinner-Cake cutting (the cake was boxed up to be taken home. We had other desserts as well)-First Dances-Some regular dancing-Bouquet/Garder toss-PARTY!HTH!!!

coufalwedding

We are doing exactly like the PP mentioned.

JMH77

- Grand entrance- 1st dance-Speeches/Toasts- Dinner-Visit all of the tables- Cake cutting (didn't pay that much for a cake to have it cut before dinner!)-BP Dance- open dancing- F/D M/S dance- open dancing- anniversary dance- open dancing

alithebull1

I don't have answers to all of this but I just HATE it when they come in and cut the cake right away especially to some the cutting of the cake indicates ok it is ok to leave now.  Anyway, we didn't do that and there was still plenty of time for the cake to be taken to the back, sliced, and served, while guests were still seated that way the cake was really eaten and not forgotten.  I would suggest doing it as a dessert course and not expect people to go and sit down later for the cake.

Ericadef

Have you asked your DJ yet what he recommends? I would ask for input from your DJ and your venue's event coordinator before you set a firm timeline. If you are spending extra attention to your cake and it is an important event/photo op for you, I would recommend doing it right when you walk out because everyone will be watching you and your makeup and hair will still still look really good (esp if  you are planning on dancing later and if you and your hubby are planning on drinking). 

TBHCJS

we did what anglndsguse did. it worked great!

alithebull1

Ha, looking at it we did the same things as Tara and Ang too - except we didn't box the cake even though we had a ton of other desserts - and it worked great.  And keep in mind that you will be done eating before everyone else so there was plenty of time for us to finish dinner, get the cake cut and plated for service to the guests before they were busy dancing and moving around.

teacher_jenny

1. I liked the idea of doing the first dance right away, but then realized that if you do it after dinner it is a way of starting off the dancing/partying. 2.  I prefer to cut the cake first!  As someone else mentioned, people don't usually pay attention to it later in the night and you will look your best at the beginning of the night.  Also, our cake will be placed on the dance floor in the middle of the room for all of our guests to see as they walk in the room.  I couldn't tell you what half of the cakes looked like at the weddings I have been too! 3.  I say get the speeches out of the way.  I don't want to break up the party!HTH! 

l337Jacqui

we plan on cutting the cake right after our grand entrance. i was torn about this at first, because since i'm making my own wedding cake, i want people to see it for a while. but then i thought, "how can they miss it?!" our ceremony/reception is at the same place, so before the ceremony, they will probably see it, then after, for cocktails, they will be walking around and will see it. i decided on cutting the cake after our entrance because that way, it can be cut while we are eating, and be served right after the main course. i'd like people to EAT the cake i make too! haha... speeches will be during dinner because i dont want to break up the dancing (it's easier to keep everyone on the dance floor than to have them go on and off) and then after dinner/dessert, we'll have the first dance, etc. that way, people will know to start the dancing!

Emily99

Jacqui, Your making your own cake!? STRESSFUL!I think we are doing this;6-7 Cocktail hour (mingling for us)7- BP Entrance7:10 Group picture on dance floor7:20 Speeches7:30 Dinner8-Table hopping (for us)8:30 Cut cake (cake is being served along with other pasteries)8:35 First dance8:40 mother/son, father daughter dance to kick off the dancingRough estimate on the times but I wanted to allow enough time for dancing. I also wanted my cake on display for awhile and there is plenty of time for people to chat and mingle while waiting for cake.