A good reception has rhythm: arrival and dinner, a few big moments, then time to dance and talk. Here are timelines that work.
The cocktail hour
The hour between the ceremony and the reception covers family photos, the room flip and guests’ first drink. Keep it to about an hour, with music, drinks and food moving from the start.
A 5-hour reception
| Time | Moment |
|---|---|
| 5:00 | Guests seated; grand entrance |
| 5:10 | First dance (optional here) and welcome |
| 5:20 | Dinner service |
| 6:00 | Toasts between courses |
| 6:40 | Parent dances; open the dance floor |
| 7:30 | Cake cutting; dessert |
| 8:00 | Dancing, games, photo booth |
| 9:45 | Last dance, send-off |
A 4-hour reception
| Time | Moment |
|---|---|
| 6:00 | Entrance and first dance |
| 6:15 | Dinner and toasts |
| 7:15 | Parent dances; dancing |
| 8:00 | Cake cutting |
| 9:45 | Last dance, send-off |
With a buffet
Release tables one at a time, and consider toasts before the buffet opens so everyone is present.
If you don’t love dancing
Longer dinner, a live band or acoustic set, lawn games, a dessert bar, a photo booth or a live painter. See reception entertainment ideas.
Build your full-day schedule in the wedding day timeline builder.
Moments you can move or skip
- Grand entrance: skip it and simply walk in, or make it quick.
- Parent dances: combine them into one song, or invite everyone to join halfway.
- Bouquet and garter toss: optional — many couples skip them.
- Cake cutting: do it straight after dinner if older guests will leave early.
- Last dance: a private last dance before the send-off is lovely too.
Share it with your vendors
Send the final reception timeline to your DJ or band, caterer, photographer and coordinator a week before, with the names (and pronunciations) of everyone giving toasts.
General information, not legal, medical or financial advice. Confirm details with your vendors, venue, officiant and local authorities.
Questions people ask
How long should a wedding reception be?
Usually four to five hours, after a one-hour cocktail hour.
When should the first dance happen?
Either straight after the entrance or after dinner to open the dance floor.
What is the order of events at a wedding reception?
Commonly: grand entrance, welcome and first dance, dinner with toasts, parent dances, open dancing, cake cutting, more dancing and the send-off.
When should the wedding cake be cut?
Usually after dinner, about one and a half to two hours into the reception, before older guests start leaving.
