Say "I DO" to Hawaiian Island Wedding Planners

Home   About Us  Locations  Packages   Flowers   Cakes  Testimonials   Real Weddings  Contact Us  Site Map (all of our web pages listed here)

 

SAMPLE RECEPTION SCHEDULE

photo by Douglas Hoffman

Whether your wedding is intimate or grandiose, informal or formal, it is important to have a schedule planned for your wedding reception.  The most important part of this schedule is the sequence of events, not the actual times of the events.  The times will change depending on the flow of your event.  The order may change depending on circumstances that may occur, but it is best to have a plan to communicate to all of your vendors/wedding professionals.

When preparing this plan, be as specific as possible to eliminate too many surprises or confusion on the day of your wedding.  Include people's names, estimated times for things to occur, the time span for which each professional is hired, specific locations, and song titles of special dances. Etiquette Rule: Wedding guests are not suppose to begin dancing until after the bride and groom have had their first dance. So, if you want people to start dancing early in the reception, schedule your first dance right away!

Below is some helpful information regarding your reception schedule to assist you with planning the order of your reception.  Our advice is to get the toasts and first dance out of the way at the beginning of the reception. We hope this serves as a helpful resource for you.   Have a great wedding!


Order of Reception Events

 First Hour:

Cocktail hour (drinks and hors d’oeuvres are provided to your guests)

Formal photographs taken of Bride and Groom, family, wedding party

 Second Hour: 

Announcement of wedding party ( groom's parents, bride's parents, flower girl and ring bearer, bridesmaids with groomsmen,, maid/matron of honor with best man, Bride and Groom)

Bride and Groom's first dance

Champagne toast (good idea to designate the people and order of the toasts in advance, and keep each one to a 2-3 minute maximum)

Dinner 

Third Hour:

Dancing

Cut cake

Dancing

Special dances in order: Father/Bride, Mother/Groom, Wedding party

 Fourth Hour:

Bouquet toss

Garter toss

Last dance of Bride and Groom

Grand exit 

After the Reception Checklist

sample itinerary

 

© 1998-2009, Hawaiian Island Wedding Planners, LLC. All rights reserved.
All prices and package options on this website are subject to change