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Wedding Tips | |
WEDDING RECEPTION EVENTS
Most of today’s weddings include a number of events. For some clients who are not familiar with them here is a brief outline of what you might include in your wedding reception. These can be deleted or arranged in any order. It is important to plan when they will occur during the reception so that the flow of the event can be maintained.
COCKTAIL MUSIC
When guests arrive, a form of light instrumental music is suggested so that conversation can easily. At this time the volume will be kept low so as not to be obtrusive.
ARRIVAL OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM
You may wish to have me play a fanfare or “Wedding March from Lohengrin” better known as “Here Comes The Bride”. Shall I announce your arrival or will that be done by your Master / Mistress Of Ceremonies? Will there be a reception line and where will it take place? Will the photographer be taking further pictures upon your arrival?
BRIDAL PARTY INTRODUCTIONS / TOASTS
It is important that the bridal party be introduced to your guests. This usually occurs following the dinner. Speeches with accompanying toasts may include groom to his bride, best man to the groom and his bride, bride to her family, groom’s family and her husband, maid of honour to the bride and her husband, father to his daughter, father to his son etc. It has become common for mothers to speak at this time. Be sure that your guests’ glasses are full at this time.
PRIOR TO THE RECEPTION DANCE
Most halls have a space already cleared for a dance but in some venues it may be necessary to have dinner tables occupying space where the dance is to occur. The reception dance cannot take place until tables have been cleared (to avoid running into staff), the dance floor is ready and the bride and groom are ready. Following dinner I will play music to entertain your guests but no one will be invited to dance until the bride and groom have their first dance.
THE FIRST DANCE
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During our consultation, the music selection for this special dance will be made. Usually clients select popular songs that most DJ’s have but in case you request something that is out-of-the- ordinary, it will be prerecorded on compact disc to ensure the best quality sound. |
Following the first dance, the bride may wish to dance with her father. The groom can dance with his mother, too if desired. This dance may also be followed by a wedding party or family dance. All music selections would be made during the consultation. FIRST DANCE does not start until the bride and groom are ready.
LET’S DANCE
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It is likely that your guests will have given me many requests prior to first dance. Whether I choose to start the evening with an upbeat song or something cuddly depends on a number of things. It is not unusual for guests to come and talk to me when they arrive. Through my discussions with them and observations I make of your guests during dinner, this will have a bearing on what I might play. The distribution of age groups might also be a factor. |  |
CUTTING THE CAKE
Many photographers do not like to stay at the reception for its duration. Once they take first dance and cake cutting pictures, their task is essentially done. As a result, many brides and grooms will cut the cake within a half hour of the reception dance start. Often a fake cutting of the cake can occur when the wedding party first arrives at the reception. Music will not be played and guests will be informed where the cutting takes place and welcomed to take photos. You should know when and how you plan to do this so that the DJ knows when to incorporate it into the schedule.
BOUQUET AND GARTER TOSS
Singles will be invited to come on to the floor to receive the bride’s bouquet and garter. Music is not usually played during the bouquet toss but is played for the garter. The song to played will be predetermined during consultation. It has become customary for the receivers of the garter and the bouquet to dance with one another. You may choose to have them do this.
LATE EVENING FOOD OR SNACKS
Most receptions end at 1 a.m. It is a good idea to have a second meal an hour and a half to one hour before the end of the evening. A good disc jockey will attempt to play music that meets the needs of all in attendance. Following a second meal I have found that many of those remaining are your younger guests. The last hour should consist of mostly upbeat music and people want to boogie and have the volume turned up. If you leave the meal too close to the end your guests will be just getting going and then they will be told that it is time for the last dance and time to bring your special day to an end. This will make some of your guests unhappy and usually the DJ takes a bad rap for this. I don’t want anyone to go home unhappy.
LAST DANCE
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Today’s bride and groom usually stay and party to the end of the reception. The last dance occurs within the last five minutes of the reception. Another special song which was predetermined at consultation will bring your momentous day to a cuddly close for you. A warning if you think your guests are going to let this be a romantic moment for you, you might think again. |
I hope that this information is valuable to you and I look forward to providing my services for you. To send me an e-mail message or to contact me by phone please click here. My apologies if you have to leave a voice mail message. I will get back to you as soon as possible. If you happen to get my lovely wife Marie, instead of me, she will take your phone number and I’ll get back to you.
