Your Wedding Reception Timeline
Whether you have two, three, or four hours to party, here’s your guide for how it should flow.
Photo: Julie Mikos Photography
9:00 p.m. Guests head into the reception area.
9:05 p.m. The emcee introduces you and your groom. Once you’re in, start greeting guests!
9:10 p.m. Food stations open, and passed hors d’oeuvres start rolling out.
9:30 p.m. The first dance. Food service pauses.
9:35 p.m. The father-daughter and mother-son dances. Food service is still paused.
9:40 p.m. Food service resumes. If there will be dancing, an upbeat set would start now.
10:10 p.m. The toasts.
10:15 p.m. The cake cutting.
10:20 p.m. A couple of slow songs play as the staff cuts and plates the cake.
10:25 p.m. Cake is passed around.
10:40 p.m. The final dance set plays.
10:55 p.m. The last dance.