You’ve planned out the day of your wedding and hired caterers and photographers. You’ve planned out the ceremony and talked with the officiant and your bridal party. Now you’re ready to celebrate at the wedding reception! But wait, there’s more planning. Don’t worry, our team at Legacy Stables and Events helps make planning your wedding reception easy, because we’ve helped host many weddings over the years.
Whether you’re planning a low-key affair or a more upscale celebration, there are a few moments that are traditional in most wedding receptions. Having a general plan mapped out ahead of time of what you want to happen and when will make sure everything goes smoothly and you get the wedding day you’ve always dreamed of. Take our “moments” and make your own list to share with your DJ, wedding planner, friends, and family. That way, they’ll know what to expect and when they’re expected to be doing something.
The Wedding Reception: An Overview
We’ve created a list to help keep things going for an average, four-hour-long reception that includes cocktails and dancing.
- Cocktail Hour
Hosting a cocktail hour before the meal is a good way to give people a chance to mingle while the bridal party is taking more pictures. You don’t have to serve alcohol; it can just be passed hors d’oeuvres and some fun fizzy waters and sodas. Be mindful of your guests’ time, though, and don’t have them waiting too long for the bridal party to join the fun. - Grand Entrance
Announce the bridal party and then the couple. You might include a first dance here if you don’t want to wait until the dancing after dinner. - Dinner is Served
Whether you’re planning a plated dinner or a buffet, consider having disposable cameras or Mad Libs, or some form of quick and easy entertainment on the tables for guests as they wait to be served. - Toasts and Speeches
You might want to do a welcome before dinner is served, but doing the rest of the toasts during dinner gives your guests some entertainment while they’re eating. - First Dance/Family Dances
Make sure to practice before the big day! - Open up the Dance Floor
And make sure you’re out there on it! Your guests will be far more likely to get down and boogie if the bride and groom lead the way. - Cake Cutting/Dessert Service
Be sure to time this so it’s not too long after dinner. Some guests will be there for the long haul, but there might be some people who wish to eat cake and make a quiet getaway. - Garter Toss
This tradition is going by the wayside, but for those bridal couples who want to include it, it’s a fun addition to the night. - Bouquet Toss
Gathering up your girlfriends for a chance to catch those flowers not only makes a great picture, but it’s also fun to see them rush to be the one to get the bouquet. - The Grand Exit
You’ve made it to the end! All the planning and preparation, and you get to ride off into the sunset together.
We know that not every reception will have those elements. You might not hire a DJ, and plan for corn hole and other yard games for an outdoor wedding. Or maybe you nixed the cake (and cutting it as a couple) altogether and went for an ice cream bar instead. Every wedding is unique and special. The important thing is for you to have fun. Plan for a reception that fits your personality, and the rest will fall into place.
