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Every wedding reception is unique to the Bride & Groom...as it should be. A "typical" reception that feeds and entertains the guests as well as the Wedding Party takes about 4 - 5 hours. The following list of common reception events and suggested time lengths will hopefully assist you in planning your special reception.

   Reception Planner

'Check' each event you want to happen, 'uncheck' those you don't want. Adjust the times of each event item as you wish. 'Click' on the "Calculate" button at the bottom for an estimated reception duration.

 

Note that with few exceptions, such as start and end, the order of events is totally up to you. 'Click' on the "Reset" button to return to the schedule suggested by The Basics.

Reception Planner Form

Enter a beginning time for the first checked event. Enter the hour, the minutes and the "am" or "pm" designator from the following drop-down menus:
First Event Starts At...Hour = Minutes = AM/PM =

Initial Events

Avg. Time

Your Time

Same-Site Wedding Ceremony

30 minutes

minutes

Pre-Arrival Socializing Time (final photo's, travel)

45 minutes

  minutes
Grand Arrival 7 minutes   minutes
Formal Reception Line 30 minutes   minutes
Informal Bride & Groom Mingling Time 15 minutes   minutes

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Dining Time Events

Avg. Time

 Your Time
Meal Seating/Buffet Line-Up 5 minutes   minutes
Benediction/Grace 3 minutes   minutes
Dinner Time 30 minutes   minutes
Hot Item Dinner Gag 20 minutes   minutes
Toast - Best Man 5 minutes   minutes
Toast - Maid/Matron of Honor 5 minutes   minutes
Toast - Other 5 minutes   minutes
After-Dinner Speech/Presentation 15 minutes   minutes

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Dance/Party Events - Part 1 Avg. Time Your Time
Bride and Groom's First Dance 4 minutes   minutes
Father/Daughter Dance ( combine with above) 4 minutes   minutes
Mother/Son Dance ( combine with above) 4 minutes   minutes
Wedding Party Dance ( combine with above) 4 minutes   minutes
Special Dance - Hora 10 minutes   minutes
Special Dance - Krenzl 5 minutes   minutes
Special Dance - Mizinke 5 minutes   minutes
Special Dance - Gladdening of the Bride 10 minutes   minutes
Special Dances - Other 10 minutes   minutes
Children's Dances 10 minutes   minutes
Open Dancing 30 minutes   minutes

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Special Events Avg. Time Your Time
Bridal Bouquet Toss 3 minutes   minutes
Bridal Garter Gag 3 minutes   minutes
Removal and Toss of Bridal Garter 3 minutes   minutes
Placement of Garter on Bouquet Recipient 3 minutes   minutes
Bouquet and Garter Recipients' Dance 4 minutes   minutes
Cutting of the Cake(s) 10 minutes   minutes

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Dance/Party Events - Part 2 Avg. Time Your Time
Dollar/Apron Dance 15 minutes   minutes
Open Dancing 45 minutes   minutes
Intermission/Line Dancing 20 minutes   minutes
Open Dancing/Karaoke 45 minutes   minutes

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Final Reception Events Avg. Time Your Time
Bride and Groom's Last Dance 4 minutes   minutes
Final Blessing 3 minutes   minutes
Grand Departure 10 minutes   minutes

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SUMMARY:

Estimated Reception Length = hours and minutes
Recalculate Total Time of all your modifications   Open a printer friendly copy of your data for printing
Reset All to Default values and choices   Open a printer friendly blank form for planning

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This site was last updated 03/21/06