Wedding Events Order
Start of Reception
While the guests arrive, we are playing either a light, popular jazz or classical, or a light, rock-soul and oldies mix. We keep the music level low because we realize that your guests are spending this time talking with family and friends.
Bridal Party Introductions
About a month prior to your reception, you will have the opportunity to speak with our Events / Operations Manager to discuss the proper name pronunciation of your bridal party attendants, and the proper placement of these attendants within the order of introduction. Parents/Grandparents can be included in the introductions. Once the bridal party is at the head table the MC will ask everyone to rise and will officially announce the bride and groom as “Mr. & Mrs.” as everyone cheers and applauds.
Toast
This is usually done by the best man and maid/matron of honor (can also be done during/after the meal). We will coordinate this with the caterers to make sure that everyone has a full glass.
BLESSING & BRUNCH, LUNCH, or DINNER
The MC will ask a guest (someone selected prior to the reception – minister, parents, friend, etc.) by
name to say the blessing. A wireless microphone will be provided. Depending on the number of guests you have and depending on whether it is a sit-down or buffet please allow at least one hour for the meal. During the meal, we play a light, easy-to-talk-over music.
FIRST DANCE
The bride and groom select their first dance song prior to their wedding date. This song should be
well thought out and define something special about the two of you.
PARENT DANCES (Father/Daughter & Mother/Son)
After the bride and groom have danced their first dance as husband and wife, they may want to dance with their parents. If these dances are occurring the bride will first dance with her father, and then the groom will follow by escorting his mother to the dance floor for their special dance together. At times there have been instances where someone else has danced in place of either parent.
WEDDING PARTY DANCE
Once the parent’s dance has been completed, the bride and groom may want to have entire wedding
party come to the dance floor for the wedding party dance. This dance can also take place during the bride and groom’s first dance, where the bride and groom’s first dance will be split 50/50, and the
wedding party will be asked to join our bride and groom on the dance floor.
CAKE CUTTING
This usually takes place after the Wedding Party Dance. We will make sure that the photographer and the bride and groom are ready, then we will make an announcement for people to gather around the cake. We usually play background music for the cake cutting.
OPEN DANCING
After the cake cutting has been completed, we will invite everyone to join in on the dance floor. In the
beginning of the reception, we usually play a lot of very upbeat popular music to get everyone
involved in the dancing.
MONEY/DOLLAR DANCE
The basic premise is to allow gentlemen to dance with the new bride, and ladies to dance with the new groom, for a fee. This dance usually lasts anywhere from 3-5 songs (depending on number of guests). We suggest a bridesmaid and/or groomsman collect the money rather than trying to “pin” the money on the bride and groom. The DJ will generally select appropriate music.
BOUQUET & GARTER TOSS
The MC will ask for the bride and groom to make their way to the dance floor for the Bouquet &
Garter Toss. First, the groom will remove the garter and then we will invite single ladies to gather on the dance floor for the bouquet toss. After, the bouquet, it’s the guy’s turn with the garter toss. Afterwards, the photographer will ask the recipients to take a picture with the bride and groom.
ADDITIONAL CELEBRATORY DANCE(S)
As an option, you may wish to include special songs to celebrate certain guests’ engagements, recent
marriages, anniversaries, birthdays, new births, or other important observances.
BACK TO DANCING
The MC will invite everyone back to the dance floor for more dancing. The music mix will continue to
allow guests to celebrate and engage in romantic moments on the dance floor.
LAST DANCE
About five minutes before the reception ends, we will ask the bride and groom to make their way to the dance floor for their final dance.