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Wedding Timeline

With the majority of wedding couples you may not have an idea of what a wedding timeline looks like so below we have showed the most common timeline we have been seeing with our couples. This will be a high-level overview of an entire wedding (Ceremony, Cocktail Hour, & Reception) being held at the reception venue. In this example we will be front loading most of the formalities to help maximize the time for the Dancing/Party portion of the reception.


+Also please note that any information here can be arranged to any order to fit your needs.


Times used are for references only as each wedding is set at different times and some things can be removed or moved.

*= optional item we have been seeing less of.


 

Timeline Overview


 

DJ Arrival/Setup/Sound Check: 3:00-5:15pm:

(Typically, 2 hours prior to our start time for a regular setup.)


Sound Check (if we do not handle ceremony, we will sound check during cocktail hour)


 

Ceremony 5:15-6:00pm (Typically 30 -45 Min)


5:15-5:30pm:

· Prelude Music playing as guests arrive.


If we need to use a Lapel or Over the Ear microphone we will place on officiant or groom to record/amplify voice

Wedding Ceremony on Block Island, RI
Ceremony

5:30-6:00pm

· Play requested music for

· Processional

· Recessional









 

Cocktail Hour 6:00-7:00pm

Choice of songs you both like. I typically recommend some songs you feel may not fit best for dancing. Sometimes these songs are to help fill dead air. Many guests get to talk to one another and will play catch up as some have not seen each other in years. If you are not doing wedding pictures at this time, this is a great time to get pictures with guests so less people come up to you during your down time at the reception (typically while you are eating).


Examples:

  • Post Malone, Swae Lee - Sunflower

  • The Isley Brothers - It’s Your Thing

  • Chris Stapleton - Tennessee Whiskey

  • Stevie Wonder - Superstition

  • One Republic - Counting Stars

 

Reception 7:00-11:00pm

 

Introductions: (5-10min)

*We typically do a song for each group. Each song plays out for about 10-15sec.

· Grand-Parents

· Parents

· Wedding Party

· Couples Grand Entrance


 

First Dance: (2-5min)

Your first dance as a Married Couple. Depending on your song and how much of the attention you would like. We can play a portion of the songs or the full song that you have chosen. We can also invite guests or your wedding party to join you in your first dance.


 

Parent Dances: (5-10min)

Parents Dances are similar as we can play a portion of the song or the entire song. Some parents do not feel as comfortable having the focus on them.


 

First Course:

Typically Served a Salad or Pasta dish. Everyone is seated and is a perfect time to do Toasts.


 

Toasts: (10 min)

Order can be flipped sometimes one is more courageous to go first.

· Maid of Honor

· Best Man


 

First Dance Set: (30-45min)

7:30

Here is where we can have a short dance set before the main course comes out. The kitchen will dictate how long the dance set will be but sometimes they have delays which we can have our guests have some fun.


 

Dinner/Main Course: (45min)

8:15-9:00pm

Light dinner music playing to fill the dead air but where guests can speak at a good volume. As we transition from dinner to the rest of the evening a slower dance set is added for older guests to slow dance.


Example:

  • Frank Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight

  • Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight

  • Jason Mraz - I’m Yours

  • Marc Anthony - Tu Amor Me Hace Bien

  • Carlos Santana - Oye Como Va

 

Cake Cutting/Garter/Bouquet Toss (10min) *


After dinner people are still winding down, you can get pictures while cutting your cake with the photographer and later guests can take pictures also.

While the dancefloor is still clear we can move forward with the garter removal and the garter toss followed by the Bouquet toss.


 

Second Dancing/Party


9:15 – 11:00pm

While we still have majority of ladies on the dancefloor, we can kick off the dancing portion of the evening where there are no more traditional formalities, and everyone can let lose. All music here is a mix of music you have recommended as well as the music I will curate for you and your guests. We typically begin with songs all guests know so all ages can enjoy and later get into some more party songs for the younger guests

Examples:


First Dance Set


  • Michael Jackson - Billie Jean

  • Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk

  • Pitbull - Fireball

  • Blacked Eyed Peas - I Got a Feeling

Second Dance Set After Dinner

  • Don Omar ft. Lucenzo - Danza Kuduro

  • Lizzo-Truth Hurts

  • J Balvin - Mi Gente

  • Biggie - Hypnotize

  • Meghan The Stallion - Body

 

I hope this information can help you organize and plan your special day a little better. If you have any questions or interested in our services please feel free to reach out to me by clicking here to our contact page.

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