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Every couple has their own ideas
about what should happen at a wedding reception. The following
items and average times should be utilized as a
guide only. In a typical 4-5 hour wedding reception, there is not enough
time to do it all. |
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This entire
page is available as a Microsoft Wordİ document. Click on the
"download" button to the right to open it up in Wordİ. |
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| The
events are "grouped" into temporal sequence categories but remember that
there is NOT a "correct" sequence. With the exception of the
start and the end, anything you choose can occur in the order of
your choosing. Frequently chosen items are marked with a '►'
symbol. |
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| Initial Events |
| |
Event |
Avg. Time |
|
Comment/Explanation |
| ► |
Pre-Arrival Socializing Time |
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45
minutes |
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Guests mingle awaiting arrival of the Wedding Party....which is
currently having all the official photographs taken. Snacks, bar
and/or beverage buffet is open. Band plays standards and
traditional jazz. |
| ► |
Grand Arrival |
|
7 minutes |
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Wedding Party announced to guests by band emcee or person of
your choosing, Bride & Groom last to enter. Entry order
generally same as the exit order from the church or temple. |
| |
Formal Reception Line |
|
30
minutes |
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Each
guest meets the entire Wedding Party one at a time. Takes a LONG
time, not recommended. |
| ► |
Informal Bride & Groom Mingling Time |
|
15
minutes |
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Bride & Groom briefly socialize with all guests. |
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| Dining Time Events |
| |
Event |
Avg.
Time |
|
Comment/Explanation |
| ► |
Meal
Seating/Buffet Line-Up |
|
5 minutes |
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| ► |
Benediction/Grace |
|
3 minutes |
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Religious message delivered by minister/rabbi or person of The
Couple's choosing. |
| ► |
Dinner Time |
|
30
minutes |
|
|
| |
Hot Item Dinner Gag |
|
20
minutes |
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A
fun, ice-breaking party game if there's time. Following the
"musical chairs" format, a special napkin or similar item is
passed around at one guest table til the music
suddenly stops. The holder then passes the napkin to the next table and then
stands behind the Bride and Groom and makes a very brief speech. The music
starts again and the same process is carried out. Once a representative from
each table has made the little speech, the "winners" are awarded the
centerpiece/flowers to take home. |
| ► |
Toast - Best Man |
|
5 minutes |
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Generally given by the Best Man, occasionally by Matron of Honor
as well as others. |
| |
Toast - Maid/Matron of Honor |
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5 minutes |
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| |
Toast - Other |
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5 minutes |
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| |
After-Dinner Speech/Presentation |
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15
minutes |
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Although time-consuming, a presentation (typically with "slides"
or PowerPointİ), is made highlighting the Bride & Groom's
history. |
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[ Next ]
| Dance/Party Events - Part 1 |
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Event |
Avg. Time |
|
Comment/Explanation |
| ► |
Bride and Groom's First Dance |
|
4 minutes |
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The
wedding couple's "special song" is played while they dance for
the guests. |
| ► |
Father/Daughter Dance |
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4 minutes |
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The
Father of the Bride dances with his daughter. This can be
combined with the Mother/Son Dance and the Wedding Party Dance
to save time. If "step parents" are present, they should be
involved as well depending upon the "politics" of the situation. |
| ► |
Mother/Son Dance |
|
4 minutes |
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The
Mother of the Groom dances with her son. See above. |
| |
Wedding Party Dance |
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4 minutes |
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All
members of the official Wedding Party dance. See above. |
| |
Special Dance - Hora |
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10
minutes |
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A
Jewish tradition - While they hold on to either end of a
handkerchief, bride and groom are lifted into the air on chairs
by their joyful guests, as they are celebrated as "king and
queen of the night". Typically danced to "Hava Nagila". |
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Special Dance - Krenzl |
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5 minutes |
|
Another Jewish custom - Honors the bride's mother when her last
daughter is wed. The mother is seated in the center of the room
and is crowned with a wreath of flowers, then all her daughters
dance around her. |
| |
Special Dance - Mizinke |
|
5 minutes |
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A
Jewish dance of celebration reserved for both parents who have
just seen their last son or daughter married. The guests
encircle the mother and father, while bestowing them with
wedding flowers and kisses. |
| |
Special Dance - Gladdening of the Bride |
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10
minutes |
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Another traditional Jewish dance during
which all of the guests at the reception circle the bride while
they dance and sing praises about her. |
| |
Special Dances - Other |
|
10
minutes |
|
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| |
Children's Dances |
|
10
minutes |
|
If a
large number of children are present, they can be invited to
participate while the band plays "The Hokey Pokey" and similar
tunes. |
| ► |
Open Dancing |
|
30
minutes |
|
The
first open dancing period, the band plays "laid back" to medium
tempo tunes and let's everybody get accustomed to dancing in
public. |
[
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[ Next ]
| Special Events |
| |
Event |
Avg. Time |
|
Comment/Explanation |
| ► |
Bridal Bouquet Toss |
|
3 minutes |
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The
Bride tosses her bouquet over her head to the assembled single
adult women present and traditionally the lucky recipient will
be the next to be married. |
| |
Bridal Garter Gag |
|
3 minutes |
|
A
fun trick to play on the guests (and the
bride!), a box of "interesting items" is placed ahead of time under the
Bride's chair. Instead of immediately going for the garter, the Groom pulls
out one item after another, the band emcee providing appropriate comments
for each. Items can include various women's lingerie, rubber chickens and
similar. After 3 or 4 such items, the garter is really removed. |
| ► |
Removal and Toss of Bridal Garter |
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3 minutes |
|
With
the Bride seated on a chair in the center of the dance floor,
the Groom removes her garter and then tosses it over his head to
the assembled single adult men present. Traditionally, the
recipient will be the next man to be married. The band plays an
appropriate "bump and grind" song. |
| ► |
Placement of Garter on Bouquet Recipient |
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3 minutes |
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The
recipient of the garter places it on the leg of the lady who
caught the bouquet. |
| |
Bouquet and Garter Recipients' Dance |
|
4 minutes |
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The
bouquet and garter recipients dance together. |
| ► |
Cutting of the Cake(s) |
|
10
minutes |
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[
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| Dance/Party Events - Part 2 |
| |
Event |
Avg. Times |
|
Comment/Explanation |
| |
Dollar/Apron
Dance |
|
15
minutes |
|
Band
plays non-stop a medium tempo song while bride takes turns
dancing with guests who have paid the Bride's mother or Matron
of Honor for the privilege. The recipient of the money wears a
large apron into which money and checks are deposited.
Typically, the couple takes one or two turns around the floor
before the Bride moves to the next paying guest. |
| ► |
Open Dancing |
|
45
minutes |
|
The
band plays livelier music. |
| ► |
Intermission/Line Dancing |
|
20
minutes |
|
If
traditional line dancing is desired, this is the time to do it.
CD renditions of all the popular line dance songs are available
as is a member of the band to lead/instruct as necessary. |
| ► |
Open Dancing/Karaoke |
|
45
minutes |
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The
band plays the liveliest selections. If desired, karaoke can be
done at this time. |
[
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[ Next ]
| Final
Reception Events |
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Event |
Avg. Time |
|
Comment/Explanation |
| ► |
Bride and Groom's Last Dance |
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4 minutes |
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| |
Final Blessing |
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3 minutes |
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| ► |
Grand Departure |
|
10
minutes |
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[
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| This site was last updated
03/21/06
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