You have the dress, the date, the location, and have decided what's for dinner. The flowers are good to go, and the guest list is finished. But have you planned out the events of your reception?

We can help. Check out this handy guide. Even download the basic forms we use to help our couples paln their big day. And then contact us if you think if we are the ones to help make your reception go smoothly.

Your Wedding Reception is one of the most important days of your life... and yet it seems very little though is given to the reception past the initial booking of the hall and dinner/bar arrangements! The events that happen at the reception are what most guests will remember the most, and with just a little planning ahead of time the celebration can go much smoother.

To that end we have designed this easy guideline to get everyone on the same page of how the reception will go.

Please note: Not every wedding has every event... we can pick and choose from the following common reception events and determine which events you would like as a part of your special day.

Mixing Music

What shall we play while the bride and groom are getting pictures taken and the guests start to arrive?

Grand Introduction

Shall we introduce The Entire Wedding Party? Parents? Grandparents? The officiant? You need to provide a list with all the names of all the people that will be introduced...as well as determine the order in which they will be introduced. Make sure to get the people lined up in the right order when they are getting ready to be introduced, too!

Include the relationship of each person where applicable... (example: John Smith, Cousin of the Bride, escorting Jane Doe, Friend of the Bride)

Listed below is a typical order of introductions.. make sure to provide help on hard-to-pronounce names!

• ringbearer & flowergirl
• parents of bride
• parents of groom
• bridesmaids and groomsmen
• maid (matron) of honor & best man
• and last, but def no least....
• The bride and groom (Let us know exactly how you want to be formally introduced as man and wife, such as: "Mr and Mrs John and Mary Doe")

You will need to decide what background music that you wish to be played as the bridal party is introduced (it should be instrumental and upbeat if possible) I have used The Star Wars Theme, and also Sirius by the Alan Parson Project.. It can be as fun or as romantic as you want!

Post wedding party introduction music

it is best to change the mix of music somewhat after the bridal party has arrived. Something still that will be playyed in the background, but not quite as mellow as before... something a little peppy to listen to while everyone is mixing, getting drinks, and getting ready to eat.. and that changes the pace from what they heard while they were mixing for the 15-45 minutes before the Wedding party arrived.

Toasts

You need the name(s) of people who will be giving a toast to the bride and groom. (traditionally the best man, maid/matron of honor, and a parent(s) gives some sort of toast, but it can be anyone you choose)

Blessing/grace

if applicable, provide the name of the officiant giving the blessing or benediction/grace over dinner.

Dinner

Is there a meal? Is it it being served buffet-style or sit-down? Shall the DJ dismiss tables or shall the wait staff? What kind of music would you like to hear during dinner?

Cake Cutting

Select a fun song to play during the cake cutting. Mack the Knife has often been used, as has Chapel of Love.

Formal dances and other big events everyone wants to photograph...

You will need to select the songs for:

• Bride and Groom's first dance
• Father/Daughter dance
• Mother/Son dance
• Bridal party dance
• Generations dance (this is where all the married couples attending your wedding are invited to the dance floor. Each couple is then excused from the dance floor based on the length of time that they have been married... the last couple on the floor will have been married the longest.)
• Bouquet Toss - Is there music that you wish played during the bouquet toss?
• Garter Toss - Is there any special music that you wish played during the garter removal and toss?
• Garter & Bouquet-Catcher dance- pick two songs here, one far too slow and roman tic to start with, followed by one that is more fun/ invite the rest of the party to come up and dance with them.
• Dollar dance - The best man and maid (matron) of honor collect money for a dance with either the bride or groom.

Last Dance

While at many modern day receptions guests seem to begin to filter out rather rapidly, it is still a good idea to select a last dance. A formal dance, even if no one is there but the couple, is a nice way to provide closure, and a moment's of togetherness, as a romantic end to your big day.

Electric Slide YMCA Chicken Dance Hokey Pokey CHa-Cha Slide

It seems like every couple I plan a reception with does NOT want to have these songs played at their reception... but I do suggest having these If they are commonly played at weddings you have attended... you may even want to talk to family members and and see which ones they remember at weddings they have attended.

All other music.

Let's face it.. there are TONS of different types of music... and no DJ is psychic. The more songs you TELL me to play.. That you know your family and friends would want to hear and more importantly want to DANCE to.. the more successful your reception will be! Also, provide some guide as to how many slow songs vs how many fancy/dance songs you want to hear. Also, keep in mind the age range of your invited guests... and pick music to match!

The more ideas for songs you provide as a guide, the more you can customize the reception to be EXACTLY what you want it to be.

When we meet, we will go over these selections, and plan the order/basic time outline for all these events.

The more we can nail down a plan, the fewer surprises you will have, and the more you can just relax and enjoy the big day when it comes... with no surprises!

So... ready to have your reception planned out by wedding professionals? Just contact us!
Once we here from you, we will arrange a meeeting where we can get music ideas from you and confirm all the decisions that need to be made.

To prepare for the meeting, make sure to download and complete the Excesss Productions Wedding Reception Planning Guideto nail down the events, music, and timeline/progression of the big event!