The wedding reception timetable is one of the most important items you can construct for your wedding. As part of the wedding planning, this list should be included.

A copy should be given to your wedding director or planner, and or MC. This will ensure that everything runs smoothly. Some people have every detail timed and allocated. You might see 15 min toast, 5 min first dance, 30 min first course, etc.

Offered here is just a general outline to get you started. There are many online planners that can help you fill in all of the details.

Wedding Reception Times

It does not matter when you have your wedding ceremony or reception. Most reception halls can accommodate morning, afternoon or evening wedding receptions.

The attire and food served will vary but the actual timing of reception events will not change much.

The Wedding Reception time Table – What, Where and When

Here is a breakdown of the actual wedding reception. It is not cast in stone, use it as a guideline. However, this will help tremendously in getting you started.

First, allow about 45 minutes for the wedding guests to arrive. Depending on how far the reception is from the ceremony, this may vary. In most cases 45 minutes should be ample.

Your wedding planner or director on MC will be sure that the DJ is set up and there is appropriate music playing in the background. In addition, your wedding planner should get there early in order to be sure that all of the guests are greeted.

Once the bride and groom have left the wedding ceremony, there is no need for the wedding planner to remain there. They should go straight to the reception.

During the first hour, most if not all of the guests have arrived and the receiving line can start. Allow the first half hour for this. The second half hour of the reception, hors d’oeuvres are served, guests are seated, and the wedding party is seated.

In the second hour, the blessing (if any) are said. Then the Best Man should toast the bride and groom and other toasts are made. This includes the champagne toast. After toasts are made, the first two courses of the meal are served.

The third hour consist of the following, the tables are cleared, and the bride and groom have the first dance. Afterwards, the wedding cake is cut and served. Then dancing continues.

The final half hour will have the bride throwing her bouquet, the groom throws the garter, and the bride and groom leave, change clothes and go off to the honeymoon destinations. Parents say goodbye.

These are just guidelines. You may want more or less detail, according to your particular wedding circumstances. Some people break it down to how long every event should take; others break it down in 15 minute blocks of time.

The wedding reception timetable is an import schedule of events. A detailed list of times and events will make your guests feel at ease. Without it things proceed awkwardly and everyone notices.