George Boyle
A wedding reception program typically includes a cocktail hour, dinner, toasts, and dancing. The cocktail hour is when guests can mingle, enjoy hors d'oeuvres, and have a drink while waiting for the bridal party to finish taking photos. During the reception, the wedding party and immediate family members are introduced, and the couple is announced and enters the reception to a celebratory tune. After dinner, there are usually speeches and toasts, followed by the cutting of the cake and the couple's first dance. Then the dance floor opens up for all guests to join. Some couples include special dances, such as the money dance or a choreographed dance by the bridal party. The reception typically lasts between four and seven hours, and it's important to keep guests comfortable and entertained throughout.
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Introductions and entrances
The wedding reception is a time to let loose and celebrate with your family and friends. While you should relax and enjoy yourself, there is a wedding reception order of events that you may want to follow. This will ensure your guests have time to eat, drink, dance, and mingle, as well as enjoy any special dances and traditions.
At the beginning of your reception, your parents, the bridal party, and you and your partner are introduced. In traditional American weddings, this process takes around 5-10 minutes. However, in other cultures, this can take longer. For example, in Nigerian weddings, the wedding party dances in, and once they reach the dance floor, there is a 'money spraying' ritual. This process can take between 15 and 30 minutes.
You have a few options for how to structure the introductions and entrances. You can have your wedding party enter first, with the emcee announcing each member by name. They can enter individually or in pairs as an upbeat song plays. Your parents can also have their own special introductions and entrances. Then, you and your new spouse will make your debut as newlyweds as the crowd cheers. Alternatively, you can skip the wedding party entrance and just do the traditional newlywed grand entrance.
After the meal, it's time for the cake. This is the last tradition before the dancing begins. The MC will announce that it's time for the couple's first dance, and they will enter the dance floor alone to a song of their choosing. The couple may decide to do their first dance at the start of the reception as they are introduced, or they may wait until later.
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Speeches and toasts
The Best Man
The best man usually gives the first speech, kicking things off with a toast to the couple. This is followed by a short story about the groom and the best man's relationship with the couple. The best man can also share a few jokes and offer some words of encouragement about the couple's future together.
Maid of Honour
The maid of honour's speech typically includes an introduction, a short story about her relationship with the couple, personal anecdotes, funny stories, and encouraging words. She will also propose a toast to the couple.
Parents of the Couple
The father of the bride usually starts by welcoming the guests and thanking them for coming. He may also share a heartfelt anecdote about the bride and offer some words of wisdom for the couple. The mother of the bride may also give a speech, either together with or instead of the father of the bride. The groom's parents may also give a speech, though some couples opt to have the father of the groom speak at the rehearsal dinner instead.
Couple
The couple may also give a speech to thank their guests, relatives, and wedding party for their support and presence at the wedding. They may also give a joint speech at the rehearsal dinner or during the ceremony.
Other Wedding Party Members, Close Relatives, and Friends
Other bridesmaids and groomsmen may also give speeches, as well as grandparents, siblings, and other close relatives and friends. If there are many people who wish to speak, consider arranging some to give their speeches during the rehearsal dinner or save them for later in the reception after the traditional toasts have been given.
Timing and Length
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Food and drink
The next food and drink element is the reception meal. This can be served plated, family-style, or buffet-style. It's best to serve the meal shortly after guests enter the reception so they can fuel up for the rest of the celebrations. During the meal, speeches and toasts are traditionally given, with each speech lasting between one and three minutes.
After the meal, it's time for the cake. This is a must-do tradition before the dancing begins. The cake-cutting can be a show-stopping performance and is often done about an hour before the grand exit, signalling that the party is almost over.
Finally, consider providing late-night snacks an hour or two before the reception ends. These can be buffet-style or easy-to-eat snacks that guests can enjoy on the dance floor.
Remember, the timing and order of these events can be adjusted to suit your preferences, and you can decide when to include certain traditions, such as the first dance or cake-cutting.
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Dances
Dancing is one of the most popular wedding reception activities, and there are certain traditional dances—like the newlyweds' first dance, parent dances, and more—that make the celebration even more meaningful. The first dance is a special moment as it's the first time the couple takes to the dance floor together as a married pair. The couple may have taken dance lessons for their moment in the spotlight, or they might choose to wing it—it really depends on their comfort level and style.
The newlyweds' first dance usually follows the couple's grand entrance. The newlyweds enter the reception to great applause, and the DJ or band plays some upbeat music to introduce them. The couple may then take their place on the dance floor for their first dance. If guests are sitting down to dinner after the grand entrance, the first dance would happen after the meal.
Following the first dance, the parent dances may take place. This is where the bride dances with her father, and the groom dances with his mother. Other special relatives, like grandparents, may join in at the end. However, some couples may want to dance with stepparents or other important people, and LGBTQIA+ couples can also choose how they'd like to handle parent dances. These dances can also take place towards the end of dinner, after toasts, or after cake cutting.
After the parent dances, the wedding party is invited to take the floor. The best man and maid of honour traditionally dance together first, followed by the rest of the crew.
At Jewish weddings, the hora, a lively circle dance, may directly follow the first dance to start the reception on a joyful note. It can also start after dinner to kick off the main dancing portion of the event.
To keep the momentum going, it's recommended to move promptly onto the next item on the program once the last plate has been served: either toasts or family dances. Family dances are a great way to transition into the open dance floor since the couple is already on or near the floor.
Some large cultural weddings feature traditional dances or musical pieces. It's a good idea to bring out snacks that people can eat while on the dance floor, or arrange a buffet-style food table nearby. Late-night snacks can be brought out about an hour or two before the reception ends.
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Cake
The cake-cutting ceremony is an important part of the wedding reception and is often one of the last must-do traditions before the dancing begins. It is a great photo opportunity and can be made as impressive as possible—one source describes how newlyweds cut the cake with an antique German sword.
The cake is usually brought to the dance floor for the cake-cutting ceremony, and the newlyweds cut the first slice together and feed it to each other. It is a signal to guests that the party is almost over and it is okay to leave soon after. Therefore, it is best not to do it too early, but it is also important not to leave it too late, as guests may get restless.
The cake-cutting ceremony can be a good way to transition to the open dance floor, as the couple is already on or near the floor. It is also a good opportunity to thank your guests for coming.
Some couples opt to keep the cake-cutting low-key so that the dancing isn't interrupted. This may be a good option if you are planning other activities that require a break in the dancing, such as a bouquet toss.
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Frequently asked questions
A wedding reception program is the order of events that takes place during the wedding reception. It includes things like the introduction of the newlyweds, the first dance, parent-child dances, toasts, and the cutting of the cake. The reception is a time for the couple to celebrate with their family and friends and typically includes a cocktail hour and a four-hour reception with dinner service.
It's important to keep your guests comfortable throughout the reception. This includes providing fans or cooling gadgets in hot weather and heaters or blankets in cold weather. If there will be children at the wedding, it's a good idea to organize a designated area with food and entertainment. The wedding hashtag should also be announced at the beginning of the reception.
Traditional components of a wedding reception program include the grand entrance of the newlyweds, the first dance, parent-child dances such as the father-daughter and mother-son dances, and the cutting of the cake. The order of toasts and speeches typically begins with the best man, followed by the maid of honor and parents of either spouse.
The wedding reception program can be customized to reflect the couple's personality and preferences. For example, the couple may choose to have a simple entrance or perform their first dance at the start of the reception. They can also decide when to cut the cake, whether it's before the first dance or towards the end of the reception. The wedding party entrance is also optional, and couples can choose to skip it and go straight to their grand entrance.
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