How To Organize Traditional Wedding Timelines
Any good event planner will tell you that a well-organized event has each activity planned down to the minute. Your wedding shouldn’t be any different. Without a schedule, you could run out of time at your reception venue If you have a wedding or day-of coordinator, they’ll likely have a schedule ready to go that they’ll distribute to all applicable people.
If you’re organizing on your own, take some time about a week before the wedding to figure out what’s going to happen when. After you’re confirmed everything, give a copy of the schedule to anyone who might need to know what’s coming next: Most importantly, the coordinator at your reception venue and the DJ who’s emceeing the event. You should also consider giving one to your maid of honor (who can help keep things on track if things get off-schedule), the caterer, the head of the waitstaff and your parents.
While all weddings are going to have its own special needs, a traditional wedding timeline looks something like this.
Hour zero: Cocktail hour. The ceremony is complete and the guests are arriving at the reception venue. The bar is open, hors d’ouerves are being passed and people are mingling. The bride, groom and wedding party might be having pictures taken. The cocktail hour could begin immediately if being house in the same location as the ceremony, or it might begin 30 minutes later if travel is necessary.
Hour one: Grand entrance. The bridal party arrives at the reception venue with the bridal party in tow. The DJ or emcee announces the bridesmaids and groomsmen, then ends with the bride and groom. Many couples choose to have their first dance at this time so guests can immediately begin dancing after dinner if they so choose.
Hour 1.5: Dinnertime. The waitstaff begins serving the first course. The happy couple sometimes uses this time while everyone is seated to go from table to table to greet their guests. Even better is having a post-ceremony receiving line to thank each person as they leave the church. That way, the mr. and mrs. can eat as well.
Hour 2.5: Speeches. While people are finishing up their main course, this is the time to get talking. Parents of the bride and groom, as well as the maid of honor and best man, speak their peace about the bride and groom, ending with a happy toast.
Hour 3: It’s party time. Begin the dancing with the first dance, if not done before, or kick it off with the traditional father-daughter and mother-son dance. Then invite your guests to come out and groove with you.
Hour 3.5: Cutting of the cake. Whether you smear cake on each other’s faces is your call. The cutting of the cake typically means that it’s OK for guests to leave, so make sure you don’t do it too early – you risk the older guests cutting out early – or too late, because you don’t want grandma to fall asleep at her table.
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