Reception Planning

I'm doing my first dance before dinner and cutting cake after dinner. As for the cocktail reception just like the other two items though it's entirely up to you. I figured doing the first dance after our grand entrance means their eyes are already on us

I think everything can be any way you want it....it your day! 😊. We did our first dance right after our entrance to keep everyone focused on us coming in for a bit, then we mingled a bit before dinner. Once dinner was over we cut the cake and moved in with the evening but again it’s all up to you. Your photographer should be able to help guide you with a timeline also. I hope that helps.

We're cutting our cake and having our first dance after dinner.

We will join cocktail hour shortly after it begins so we can have some quiet time after the ceremony. After the cocktail hour we will do our grand entrance into the reception, first dance, parent dances, toasts and dinner. After dinner and sometime during the dancing we will cut the cake. No bouquet or garter toss for us.

We are doing the cake cutting after dinner then the first dance

All of these details are usually personalized to each couple's wedding....except cake cutting, that is always after dinner lol. For our reception, we are doing things in this order:

Ceremony Ends around 5:30, and Cocktail (half) hour begins. (Note: We are doing a first look and all pictures before the ceremony, so we are only doing a cocktail half hour instead of a full hour. Just enough time for guests to grab a drink & app, and find a seat.)

6:00 pm- Grand Entrance

6:05 pm- First Dance

6:15 pm- Blessing of the food / Dinner

6:45 pm- Toasts

7:00 pm- Cake Cutting

7:15 pm- Special Surprise (Note: I am surprising my mom with a slideshow)

7:30 pm- Father/Daughter & Mother/Son Dances

8:00 pm- Dancing

9:00 pm- Bouquet and Garter Toss

10:30 pm- Last Song

10:45 pm- Sparkler Exit

11:00 pm- Reception Ends

Our first dance will be before dinner, cake cutting after dinner. We are entering into the reception, not cocktail hour. We will enter 10 or so minutes after cocktail hour ends, whenever guests are seated.

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Thank you very much!

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Thank you very much!

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Thank you very much!

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Thanks for sharing your itinerary. What's a sparkler exit?

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Thanks so much!

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I like that idea. Thanks!

So excited and happy for you 🤗

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Thank you Barbara!

I'm not doing a cocktail hour. We will arrive 20-30 minutes after the reception start time.
We will immediately cut the cake. Followed by toasts.
Dinner.
First dance.

Thank you everyone!