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Planning Tips

Wedding Reception Time Line

The following will give you an idea of what to expect from your entertainer during a typical five hour wedding reception. The example will show a wedding that starts at 5pm and concludes at 10pm.

4:00pm

Your Disc Jockey will arrive at the facility to set up their equipment and perform a full sound check.

4:30pm – 5:00pm

Your entertainer will then speak to the banquet manager to review all of the details and discuss the order of events for the evening.

5:00pm – 6:00pm

Your guests will arrive for cocktail hour. Create s fun, upbeat list or let your DJ create the perfect vibe. December weddings can also use holiday music at this time. Special attention is given to volume during the cocktail and dinner hours. Nothing can disrupt a formal affair more than music played too loud!

6:00pm

Your guests will now be seated and you and your bridal party will be introduced into the room. It is customary to dance before dinner; however, you will need to decide whether or not you are doing your first dance upon introductions. If so, you will proceed directly to the dance floor. After your first dance you may want to do other formal dances such as the bride/father dance, the groom/mother dance or you may opt to serve dinner first. Prior to the serving of the first course you can have the blessing before meals and the best man’s toast.

6:20pm – 7:30pm

The dinner portion of your wedding should last anywhere from one to one and a half hours. During this time, lighter music can be played. More recent artists such as Michael Buble, Jack Johnson, Coldplay, Dave Matthews, or even some of your favorite country hits will work as well. If you have not done so yet, formal dances can be done toward the end of dinner.

7:30pm – 9:15pm

It is now time for the open dance segment of the night! Your guests will now dance the night away to music pre-selected by yourself and/or music supplemented by the DJ’s knowledge, if you wish. Formalities such as the tossing of the bouquet and the removal and tossing of the garter as well as the cutting and feeding of the wedding cake should be done during this time period. Your Disc Jockey will coordinate with the banquet manager, photographer and videographer to ensure that everything runs smoothly. At an average of 4 minute per song, expect to hear about 30 songs during this time. Only a true professional has the proper experience and knowledge to effectively “read” the crowd and to coordinate all festivities with confidence.

9:15pm – 10:00pm

The final set of the evening is where you many want to really bring the energy up another notch making this a good time to play top 40 dance music along with some classic “Party Rock” tunes that all your guests will enjoy. And today, just as it was in 1977, the choice of music is always up to you, our cherished customer!