It’s time to dive into the wedding prep because today we’re talking about your wedding reception timeline! Your wedding is a day you’ll remember for the rest of your life, and naturally, you’ll want that day to be as carefree as humanly possible! We’re here to tell you that, with proper planning (and hopefully an even better wedding planner), your day will be entirely free of hiccups (except the literal kind, post-dinner).
While the traditional wedding day timeline can vary from ceremony to ceremony, the festivities remain much the same! It’s the order that differs from couple to couple. So, once you’ve got the order down, the rest of the pieces will fall into place. Getting that timeline just right will help you spot any unwanted surprises ahead of time, keeping the day flowing smoothly. Join us as we go through a general timeline of events, but remember, ultimately, this is your wedding, so whatever you decide goes!
Drinks and Mingling! – 5 P.M.
Better known as ‘cocktail hour,’ this usually begins right after the ceremony! Your guests will have received their wedding programs prior to the ceremony, so they’ll know the wedding reception timeline of events (and how many cocktails to squeeze in at the open bar). Serving hors d’oeuvres will also build your guests’ appetite and ready their bellies for the feast ahead!
Timeframe: Around 1 hour.
Stepping into Celebration! – 5:30 P.M.
This part of the wedding reception timeline is one of the most crucial. Organizing for someone to announce the transition of the cocktail hour to the reception keeps things running as efficiently as possible. Choose someone with a voice that travels to the next state: perhaps a relative or a member of staff! Guests can then follow the directional signs and take a look at the seating chart or place cards to swiftly make their way to their seats.
Timeframe: Around 15 minutes.
Now Entering… The Stars of the Show! – 5:45 P.M.
Drum roll please… Enter, the newly married couple! This is where you’d roll out the red carpet and have you, your beloved, and the wedding party make a flashy entrance. Blast your entrance song on the speakers and revel in the spotlight!
Timeframe: Around 10 minutes.
Dancing as One! – 5:55 P.M.
As you make your way to the dance floor, remind yourself how lucky you are to be here! All of the planning is about to pay off, and you’ll get to do your first dance, showing off the love and magic of your newlywed bliss! This is a fantastic opportunity to get the guests hyped and ready to party, so welcome them in on the dance floor fun!
Timeframe: Around 5-10 minutes.
A Heartfelt Welcome from the Newlyweds! – 6 P.M.
Testing, testing, 123… It’s time to address the crowd! This is your chance to give thanks to the guests, the wedding party, and anyone else who helped you along the way. Traditionally, the parents will also say a few words, but if they don’t feel up for it, or you have other people in mind, switch it up as you see fit!
Timeframe: Around 5-10 minutes.
Let the Feast Begin! – 6:10 P.M.
With the welcome toasts done and dusted, the next part of the wedding day timeline will make everyone happy! Let’s give a warm welcome to the delicious grub! There are a variety of ways in which you can serve up food. Some of the more popular choices are a three-course meal, buffet catering, or a family-style grand dinner! For the three-course meal, guests can make their choice when they return their RSVP, and menus would be ideal for any choice, allowing your attendees to browse and decide what they’d like! Placing one cocktail menu on each table is also a great way to keep the party vibes going!
Timeframe: Around 60-90 minutes.
Laughter, Tears, and Toasts! – 6:40 P.M.
You’d best lay out some tissue around the tables because it’s about to get emotional up in here. Typically, the toasts begin with the maid of honor and the best man, and then the rest can be broken up throughout the dinner. However, this could vary depending on the number of people (or the tears involved). In any case, keep those glasses filled because some embarrassing stories may come to light…
Timeframe: Around 2-4 minutes per toast.
Parent Dance Time! – 7:40 P.M.
This is your day, but now some of that spotlight will shine down on your parents, so save some tears for them, too. Here’s some food for thought: consider a song that reminds you of your parents! Or even one of their favorite songs – perhaps one that was played over and over throughout your childhood. This will also signify the end of the dinner portion in the wedding reception timeline.
Timeframe: Around 10-15 minutes.
Let’s Get This Party Started! – 7:55 P.M.
With the parent dances finished and the last of the tears shed, the real party is about to commence! Encourage your guests to sweat it out on the dance floor. You’ve been warned – dance mobs have become very popular in recent years, so if that’s not your vibe, well, we advise you to light a candle and hope you don’t get swept up in the madness!
Timeframe: Around 2-3 hours.
Serving Up Something Sweet! – 9:30 P.M.
At this stage, people’s bellies will be full up on dinner and booze, and they’ll be eyeing up that cake next like toddlers at a birthday party. So, you’d better give the people what they want! Grab that cake knife, lay out some plates or napkins, and dish it out! Allow some extra time for people to relish your amazing flavor choices, and make sure the photographer is on hand to capture their swoon-worthy reactions.
Timeframe: Around 10-15 minutes.
Ending on a High Note! – 10:55 P.M.
With the night coming to an end, and perhaps only a handful of guests still partying, this is the time to get that final song in! Some couples choose to end it with a slow dance, and others, as the paragraph title suggests, like to end on a high note! Whatever you choose, this memory will remain for a lifetime.
Timeframe: Around 5-10 minutes.
Blazing Trails to a Happily Ever After! – 11:05 P.M.
Congratulations! We’ve now arrived at the grand finale of the evening. At this stage, even though you’ve almost definitely had the best night of your life, you might be ready to part ways with the responsibilities. You could go down the traditional route with a big bang of an exit, jetting off into the moonlight, or maybe you’re in the mood for a more lax departure to your hotel room! No matter your choice, we know you and your partner will have the best reception and a lifetime of wondrous moments to look back on.
Timeframe: Around 5-10 minutes.
And with that, esteemed nearlyweds, we’ve reached the conclusion of our little guide to a wedding timeline. We hope, at the very least, we’ve given an idea of what to expect throughout the day! Don’t forget, this is your special day, so take a step back, soak it all in, and cherish the sight of all of your loved ones celebrating with you. If you’re in the process of ironing out these timeframes, check out this article on “How to Plan a Rehearsal Dinner (Questions & Answers Included!)“
Adam L is a Content Specialist from Kerry, Ireland. His passions include going for long runs, video games, a love for animals, coffee, and travel!
