Order of Reception Events

Reception First Hour:

Cocktail hour (waiters serve guests champagne and hors d’oeuvres)

Formal photograph’s taken (of Bride and Groom, family and wedding party)

Reception Second Hour:

Announcement of wedding party

Traditional order: groom's parents, bride's parents, flower girl and ring bearer, bridesmaids escorted by ushers, maid of honor escorted by best man, Bride and Groom

Bride and Groom's first dance

Champagne toast (marks the end of cocktail hour and cash bar begins)

Dinner served

Reception Third Hour:

Cut cake

Dancing

Special dances in order: Bride with father, then Groom with mother, and Wedding party dance

Reception Fourth Hour:

Bouquet toss

Garter toss

Last dance of Bride and Groom

Grand exit

 

Tips, Sample Itinerary, Checklist

Tips for setting your reception schedule

View a sample itinerary

After the reception checklist