Dancing..how long of a time limit?

Theirs never enough time to dance with family and friends I advice is to just enjoy and soak it all in because it will end fast....Good luck hope everything turns out great

I think 10-end is a good amount of time.

Our cocktail hour was 6-7, with reception 7-11:30. We had open dancing between courses, which is the norm in our social circle/region. We also have a substantial amount of cocktail food, so I doubt if many guests want to see course after course served, right after the cocktail hour food spread. Even with open dancing between courses, and my bridal booty out on the dance floor all night, my husband had to eat half of my entrée place.

Wow, 730 pm entrance and 9 pm dinner? That seems like a crazy stretch of time. I know dancing between courses is a regional thing, but that's a lot of time.

Not sure about the sorbet before dinner. I'd be really confused as a guest. Cake cutting is also typically the signal that people can go home, so perhaps three hours before the end of your reception is a bit early?

I don't know anymore..I am getting so frustrated and aggravated. I am sorry if this turns out into a rant but I have no one to talk to well besides my MOH but I think she's tired of me venting. Long story short I never was that girl that had a wedding fairytale in mind when I thought of one day having a wedding I wanted good food, lots of dancing, beautiful dress, and a great venue. Well I have an amazing venue w/great food. Our DJ is the best! LOVE my dress. FH and I decided to get a wedding planner when we got engaged 18 months ago b/c I was finishing up nursing school (full time), working full time, and dealing w/his PTSD moments (he's a veteran) on top of two kids. His son has lots of behavior issues stemming from bio mom not being in the picture. So our planner which has been in the business over 20yrs is GREAT. Love her, she has brought our ideas to life and not making it not look like a joke of a reception. (Star Wars theme) We have gotten great deals w/vendors etc. So we are weeks away from our wedding and FH and I just keep going at it. He doesn't want to walk w/his mom for the ceremony (not the best relationship) then his mom is crying to me b/c thats all she ever wanted, FH doesn't even want my brother to walk my mom down bc he feels its "stupid" since he is walking me down. He feels that his son should walk both moms down. My mother is so AGAINST that and I am too. I want my brother to walk my mom down. Then this whole timeline thing I swear I get my planner is very organized and what not but I feel the same way too much time between introductions and dinner. Yes our venue has a huge selection of appetizers during cocktail hour and the reason they do the intermezzo with the lemon sorbet is to clear the palate or something like that they said. Now the venue owners are about my age or younger (early 30's) and another reason for the intermezzo is to have some dancing in between the meals. My planner doesn't agree with that she feels that there should be a dance mix after our first dance. So now that I am not on mobile her timeline is more like this:

by 745 we have our first dance as husband and wife and than the DJ will have a 30minute dance set

at 815 my mom and his mom will do a polish blessing (tradition) granted my mom is going to be PISSED bc its supposed to be done before the first dance but FH and I have a surprise for everyone and it won't work to the blessing so I am ok with that

830 salads and then my brother will do a welcome speech as well as MOH and best man speeches

so now per the venue after salad is the intermezzo so my planner has it timed for 910 and that is when we will do the bouquet toss and garter since its open for dancing as well

930 main course

1030 cake cutting then after that i dance with my brother and he will dance w/his mom and i am also dancing w/my mom (songs are getting cut short)

1045 dessert station

11pm dance floor opens

1am end of reception

we have a shuttle to transport guests and we did an 11pm pick up and 1am pick up. My planner did say she does a generous timing as well so it may be that things get done earlier. We are all meeting with our venue next weekend and I already know it may be an issue w/the venue b/c they are not to fond of the first dance set. IDK anymore. I know its our wedding and we are paying over $30k but I just HATE conflict. I just want to have fun. I know people say it goes by fast and I am tired of hearing it and I plan on taking my time to breathe and take in the moments etc. We have a videographer just for that so I can relive this day.

Am I being too emotional? is my anxiety kicking in too much? Please some advice. I know this is an honest blog but I really can't take any rude comments right now.

@Becca cocktail hour is from 6-730, our planner included a dance set after our first dance before the salads come out

Skip the intermezzo (so 1985) and dancing between courses. Your guests will arrive between 5:00-5:15 for your wedding - to not feed them anything but snacks for 4 hours is kind of rude.

I'm not directing this at you, more so your venue. Tell them that this is the timeline that you feel like would be best for YOUR guests.

Have you communicated to your planner that your priority is dancing? I would cut out some of the "open dancing" and "dance breaks" in the middle and move everything up. I know you're not doing a first look, but your cocktail hour is also over an hour - if you have a coordinator to help keep things smooth and you want to prioritize dance time over a ton of pictures, cut out 15 minutes there. As someone else who LOVES to dance at weddings: cut out the mid-course dance sets. Its not enough time for anyone to really get up and feel comfortable.

6:00-7:00 - Cocktail Hour (1 hr.)

7:10-7:25 - Entrances (15 min.)

7:25-7:30 - First Dance

7:30-7:45 - Polish blessing

7:45-8:10 - Salads and welcome speech - no reason your brother can't talk to the guests while salads are served - get your guests fed asap!

8:15 - Intermezzo (although I'd suggest scrapping this, saving you 15-20 minutes.)

8:30 - Main Course

9:30 - Cake Cutting

9:45 - Sister/brother dances, garter toss, bouquet toss

10:00 - Open dancing

10:30 - Open dessert bar (let people come up after dancing has started)

I've saved you about an hour by cutting out the dance sets in between courses. The key is to have a coordinator you are 100% in line with. He or she should be able to help move things along. Although if they say something is too tight - listen to them. I don't think you have to defer to them about when you want your dancing though. You could save significantly more by cutting out the intermezzo. Honestly, I've only ever heard of intermezzo as a palette cleanser after dinner - not before.

As with everything in wedding planning - I think the key is to prioritize. You have a lot going on - lots of speeches, blessings, dances and the bouquet and garter toss. While there's nothing wrong with that at all, you just have to be aware it'll cut into dancing time. Figure out what is most important to you and have your coordinator/planner help you get to that point.

[Edited for formatting]

Thanks guys, I don't know why I can't be forward with people that I'm paying. LOL. I have no problem telling my patients how to change lifestyles or take care of themselves, etc, and my family but my planner and venue I go mute. SMH. I'm writing all these ideas down and next week will just tell them and if they are strongly against something bc of timing then I will listen. As far as speeches. I do have a couple but they will be quick. My brother hates to talk but my mom wants him to say something so I know it will be quick and my MOH and best man will be as well. I think the first dance set needs to get cut for sure and serve salads right away for sure to move things up. Thank you for this advice it's helping my anxiety and depression go away.

Here is the top half of our program with time line

We r having a backyard wedding so for that reason music stops at 10 so the neighbors don't get upset

We danced for about 3 1/2 hours. That was a good amount of time I thought. Everything went so fast but people were ready to head to the after party by the end of the reception. We did introductions at 6:00 and went right into first dance. Dinner lasted about 45 minutes to an hour for 140 people. We did speeches and father daughter/mother son dances and cut the cake really quick. Then it was party time starting at about 7:30. Reception ended at 11.

Thank you for sharing your timeline I do like the break between the dinner and the speeches and first dance. I also am OK with dancing for 3 1/2 hours because after that guests get tired. I am definitely going to tell her we are not eating that late because I forgot we have five kids in the wedding party all under the age of 11

Sometimes when it's hard for me to VERBALLY put my foot down. I write it down first. Once my points are clear on paper... I take it with me. Don't be afraid to say..."This is important.. So I've written it down and need your attention..." I agree things need to be shortened up and you need to step up and say... Hang on a minute...
I'm sure you're a good nurse and your new life is going to be blessed.

I’m having a similarish wedding, and mostly these decisions are cultural. It normal to have a many course meal and all the dancing happens st the same time, for my family anyway. And my understanding is that for a polish wedding, having many courses and guests can dance the whole time is pretty normal. That said, most folks who are tired or otherwise don’t like staying up late should be given the option to leave around 10, which usually happens after dessert is served. I’m so excited for you!