Wedding Reception Order of Events? Pick one!

[violet02]

So for people who''ve had a wedding or have been guests at weddings do any of these work for you? If not suggestions?

My DJ/friend and I are debating the flow of things. He thinks it''s harder to get people''s attention to the floor more than once. I think it''s super boring to sit through two dances in a row... etc.

We''re doing a swing dance to Bobby Darrin for our first dance to give you an idea of how that goes. We''re doing Sinatra with our parents for the father/daugther, mother/son... our idea is for my dad and I to do the first couple minutes of the song then dance off the floor and my FI and his mom will dance on and do the last part of the song.. that minimizes on number of dances and keeps us on the floor for a minimum amount of time!

# 1
My first idea:
- DJ introduces couple
- Couple makes entrance
- First Dance (upbeat song, very short)
- Dinner
- Father Daughter Mother/Son dance
- Dancing
- Cake
-Dancing
#2
MY DJ''s idea:
- DJ intro
- Couple entrance
- Dinner
- First dance
- Father/Daughter Mother/Son
- Dancing
- Cake
- Dancing
#3
My second idea/potential compromise:
- DJ Intro
- Couple entrance
- Dinner
- First dance
- Dancing
- Cake
- Father/Daugther Mother/Son (during cake)
- Dancing
# 4
Another version of my first idea:
- Dj Intro
- Couple entrance
- First dance
- Dinner
- Cake
- Father Daughter mother son dance (during cake)
- Dancing
(maybe this one flows best?)

Which number do you guys like the best? If none of the above what''s your suggestion?

Thanks!

 

[Sabine]

I like #4 best. And something to keep in mind (since I had not even considered this...) at our venue, they had the cake displayed on the dance floor! So we basically had to cut it and have it removed before any of the dancing, so we did cake right after dinner, then the first dance, then the parent dances (and it was a little long for guests to sit through, at least to me).

 

[SarahLovesJS]

I like number 2 personally! I like getting dinner out of the way before dancing.

 

[Shoopy]

How about:

- DJ introduces couple
- Couple makes entrance
- First Dance
- Father/Daughter Mother/Son Dance
- Dinner
- Cake
- Boogie Time!!


*Note this is coming from someone who''s family cannot be stopped once they get on the dance floor*

 

[violet02]

Date: 8/19/2008 10:56:09 PM
Author: fieryred33143
How about:

- DJ introduces couple
- Couple makes entrance
- First Dance
- Father/Daughter Mother/Son Dance
- Dinner
- Cake
- Boogie Time!!


*Note this is coming from someone who's family cannot be stopped once they get on the dance floor*

I'm not totally into the idea of making people wait to eat while we spend too much time dancing. At my friend's wedding last year when they were introduced they went up to a big stage and sang a medley of songs (they are BIG karaoke people).. their bridal party came up and did back up dancing too! While that was fun 2 songs into it we were starting to fade... by song 3 all of us at that table at least were over it. Long speeches, too long of dances etc.. these get wearing at weddings.

Sabine: We're having a tent set up. I'm not sure where they plan on putting the cake since the ceremony is in the afternoon. I don't think the plan was to have it on the dance floor though. I'll need to double check that, thanks for bringing it up! I'm sort of leaning towards number 4 but I'm still interested in what people think works!

Sarah: I think we like the idea of getting dancing out of the way before we eat a big meal get all bloated then everyone expects us to get up there and dance for them! I hate being in front of people so it's one of those get it over with fast type thought processes. I'm not sure if that will work for people though. I think some people like to gather around the dance floor or something?

 

[Gypsy]

We''re doing #4. I really want to get announced then go right into the first dance. It makes sense to me. And cake right after dinner makes sense too. Most people will be seated and we''ll be able to get up and cut the cake-- parent dances, have cake served then go right into the dancing. I like FR just listed my original idea. I actually did want to push dinner back a bit. But I got push back from numerous vendors, so I just gave in on that point.

 

[violet02]

Date: 8/20/2008 12:53:05 AM
Author: Gypsy
We''re doing #4. I really want to get announced then go right into the first dance. It makes sense to me. And cake right after dinner makes sense too. Most people will be seated and we''ll be able to get up and cut the cake-- parent dances, have cake served then go right into the dancing. I like FR just listed my original idea. I actually did want to push dinner back a bit. But I got push back from numerous vendors, so I just gave in on that point.

Gypsy are you doing both parent dances?

 

[Pandora II]

I did #2.

We don''t do father/daughter, mother/son dances in the UK normally. We do have about an hour of speeches instead!

 

[Gwyn]

I think we are going with #1

I agree that doing the first dance right when you get in there works well. One note though, i was in a wedding last year and she had all attendants announced then they stood up there during the couple''s first dance (and mother/son father daughter ones)

AKWARD. please let your attendants sit after introducing them (if you do introduce them) especially if you are going to dance afterwards.

Ok, so we come in after our intro (we are not really doing a formal intro so really just coming in and dancing. then we are having dinner. Once dinner is done we are going to kick off the dancing part of the evening with the father daughter/ mother son dancing.

a little later into the night we will do the whole cake thing. then end with more dancing. FI really wanted it this way. he said that alot of people consider the cake part of the evening what you stay through til and then people start leaviing after that so he wanted to push it back. Where I am from most people close the wedding (as they usually stay the night there or nearby).

I kind of wanted to come in and do our dance then cut the cake right then while make up is still kind of fresh and all eyes are up there anyway. then site down and eat and have dinner and cake/coffee brought out afterwards then start the dancing with the two songs and then dance for the rest of the evening. FI thought it might be too weird. But I think the whole cake cutting thins is more ceremonious then signaling anything. I have been to a few weddings where they "got the cake cutting out of the way" in the beginning and it was nice because it didnt really interupt the flow of th eevening plus everyone is already there and seated so they all get to see it.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 8/20/2008 3:04:02 AM
Author: violet02

Date: 8/20/2008 12:53:05 AM
Author: Gypsy
We''re doing #4. I really want to get announced then go right into the first dance. It makes sense to me. And cake right after dinner makes sense too. Most people will be seated and we''ll be able to get up and cut the cake-- parent dances, have cake served then go right into the dancing. I like FR just listed my original idea. I actually did want to push dinner back a bit. But I got push back from numerous vendors, so I just gave in on that point.

Gypsy are you doing both parent dances?

GAWD another freaking detail to think about. I want to combine them into one dance. But, FMIL really deserves the opportunity to shine. I have to dance with step-dad, which will be awkward. I gotta pick a short song for that. But yes, we are having both. Apparently. Cause I can''t see a way out of it.

 

[violet02]

Here's the list my planner sent me:
- Guests are seated
- Formal Intro of Couple
- Welcome by Bride's Parents
- Blessing OPTIONAL
- Dinner
- Toasts - Best man and Maid
- First Dance
- Father Daughter
- Mother Son
- Open dancing
about 45 minutes later people start to get hungry and want a little dance break...
- Cake cutting
- Bride and Groom say a few words
- Open dancing

I forgot about the welcome speeches and toasts etc. I stlil reserve the option to do the first dance after the formal intro. Depends on what we decid to do... and I'm not sure about the cake... it might be a nice dance break... or it may be an annoying dance break... Depends on the flow I guess... it is a wedding after all and you have to do those weddingy things that people like to watch you do.

 

[violet02]

And what Gwyn said re: formal dance first and Gwyn''s FI said about cutting the cake later... makes sense!