where do you tell guests course of events for the wedding

What do you see at a wedding reception?

Usually the first thing you'll see at the reception (if the couple has arrived before the guests, which is ideal) is the receiving line. Don't blow it off—this is your opportunity to talk one-on-one with the couple, meet the bride or groom if you haven't yet, and thank their parents for inviting you.

What should be included in a wedding venue description?

Details could include the suggested dress code, the wedding weekend timeline, accommodations (including hotel room blocks), directions to the venue and general wedding destination details. It's a resource, especially if you have unanswered questions—chances are, you'll find what you need on the wedding website.

How do you start a wedding reception?

Some weddings will begin with a dance set before dinner service starts, while others will have a full meal before anyone hits the dance floor. Follow the crowd, take your cues from hosts, and of course, listen for the DJ or bandleader to invite you.

What time should I arrive at the wedding ceremony?

You've been invited as an honored wedding guest to watch this couple get married. Ideally, you should arrive at the ceremony site 30 minutes before the time printed on the invitation, and even earlier for a large event (200 wedding guests or more).

What is the order of events at a wedding reception?

Wedding Reception Order of EventsCocktail Hour. After the ceremony, the couple, their families, and wedding party head off with the photographer to pose for pictures. ... Arrivals. ... Dinner. ... Toasts. ... First Dance. ... Dancing. ... Bouquets & Garter Tosses. ... Cake Cutting.More items...

How do I display my wedding schedule?

5 Ways to Display Your Wedding Schedule to GuestsPrograms. The most common option for displaying a wedding timeline is a sign. ... Mirror. ... Chalkboard Window. ... Rustic Wooden Sign. ... Foldable Chalkboard.

How do you coordinate a wedding reception and ceremony?

Wedding Reception Planning TipsBe present. Your guests have gathered to celebrate your wedding day with you. ... Make the reception room the place to be. ... Dance, dance, dance. ... Mind the volume. ... Consider your seating arrangements. ... Respect guests' time. ... Play the favorite reception songs. ... Allow group dances.More items...

Where do you put the reception information on a wedding invitation?

Otherwise, you can also list reception details on your wedding invitations at the bottom–provided you only list the reception venue name and address and, if the reception is not immediately following the ceremony, you may include the start time.

Is the first dance before or after dinner?

Typically, most couples save the first dance until after the sit-down dinner has finished, however some prefer to head straight to the dance floor at the start of the reception, which is quite often referred to as the grand entrance.

What is a typical wedding timeline?

A Traditional Wedding Weekend Timeline: Rehearsal Dinner, Wedding and Brunch. A Friday evening rehearsal dinner, a Saturday evening wedding with an early evening start time, and a morning-after Sunday brunch is one of the most common timelines for a wedding.

Who gets introduced first at a wedding reception?

The order of entrance is: parents of the bride, parents of the groom, ushers with bridesmaids, flower girl and ring bearer, special guests, best man, maid/matron of honor, bride and groom. In addition, go over how to pronounce the wedding party's names with the emcee.

What is the order of speeches at a wedding?

You can do whatever works for you with your wedding speeches, but the traditional order of wedding speeches is as follows: father of the bride, groom, best man and then other toasts. It's becoming increasingly popular for brides and maids of honour to make speeches too!

Do you introduce parents at wedding reception?

Wedding reception introductions are usually offered by the wedding DJ or an emcee. This act opens the activities of the wedding reception and it serves to offer formal introduction of the couple, bridal party, and their parents to the wedding guests.

Do you put reception to follow on wedding invitations?

If your reception will be at the same location, indicate “reception to follow” to let guests know they don't need to go anywhere else. If you're having a reception at another location, you can either include it on the invitation or, more formally, print a reception card with the time and location.

Is it rude to go to reception but not ceremony?

The wedding is the reason for the celebration that takes place after the ceremony. It isn't the other way around. You are invited to witness this important event. And to attend just the reception based on differing religious views would be rude, unless an unforeseen reason came up, such as an emergency of some kind.

Where do guest names go on wedding invitations?

If you're using one envelope rather than an inner and outer envelope, you guest(s) full name and address should go on the front of the envelope. The reverse can include your return address, the date of your big day or a monogram – get creative!

What to do at cocktail hour?

Toward the end of cocktail hour, servers (and sometimes the wedding planner) will begin to approach guests and encourage them to make their way to the reception. Do your best to head that way when you’re asked, as delays in seating can also cause delays in the kitchen—meaning cold food.

Do weddings have a dance set?

They’ve been briefed about the evening’s schedule, so they’ll know when it’s their cue to get guests to join the newlyweds. Some weddings will begin with a dance set before dinner service starts, while others will have a full meal before anyone hits the dance floor.

What happens when you attend a wedding?

Follow the Lead of Others. When attending a wedding ceremony, you may be exposed to different traditions or customs than you're used to. You're not expected to participate in religious rituals (if you're Jewish and attending a Catholic wedding, for example, you don't receive Communion).

What is wedding guest etiquette?

At the end of the day, wedding guest etiquette just means trying your best to be respectful and polite. The newlyweds put a lot of time and energy into perfecting their special day and you don't want to offend them in any way, even if it's only unintentionally.

How to avoid cell phone use at a wedding?

First and foremost, put your phone on silent, especially during the ceremony. Next, avoid making calls, sending texts or playing on your phone.

How long after wedding do you have to send a gift?

Technically, you have up to a year after the wedding date to send a gift, but it makes sense to shop for a gift soon after you decide to go. If the couple has a wedding website, registry information will most likely be there.

What is the dress code for a wedding?

For evening, depending on how formal the wedding is (you can usually tell this from the formality of the invitation and/or where the wedding is being held), the dress code is cocktail dresses for women and darker suits (or tuxedos, if it's a black-tie affair) for men.

What to do if you don't include a response card in an invitation?

If the invitation is more casual but doesn't include a response card, just write a warm, informal note accepting or declining. Also, when it comes to attending the wedding, do let the hosts know if you must cancel at the last minute; don't just not show up.

When to RSVP for a wedding?

RSVP ASAP. When you receive an invite (usually six to eight weeks before the wedding), don't let it get lost on the coffee table. Check the event date and consult your calendar, then decide if you'll attend. Whether or not you can make it, respond as soon as you can—the RSVP date on the invitation isn't arbitrary.

How long do you have to walk to get a wedding?

Or, if your ceremony is taking place at an outdoor venue where guests will need to walk 10 minutes from the entrance to the ceremony area, you'll need to pad the timing so you're not walking down the aisle right at the time they arrive.

How long should you wait to serve drinks before a wedding?

If you're serving pre-ceremony drinks, you can usually get away with padding the timing by 20 to 30 minutes but you'll need your ushers to make the rounds encouraging guests to be seated about five minutes before starting the ceremony.

What are the rules for a wedding?

Jeans, Hats, Non-Collared Shirts. The standard rules of being well-dressed for a wedding still apply, so just like a restaurant or private club, the warning of ripped jeans, baseball hats, and non-collared shirts aren't appropriate --unless it's at the request of the couple that you dress down.

Why ask someone in the wedding party what to wear?

Asking someone in the wedding party about what to wear, also help to ensure you pick a dress that is complementary to the wedding theme. It will also help you avoid wearing a dress that is similar to the wedding party. It's an easy mistake to make since many guests and bridesmaids shopping at similar stores.

What to wear to a casual wedding?

For Men: If it's a very casual event, just a nice collared or button-down shirt in a short or long sleeve, worn with a tie, and some dress pants might suffice. However, unless it's a casual outdoor wedding or a beach wedding, usually a little more formality is good.

What to wear to a wedding if you don't have a tie?

If you're sure it's casual enough that a full suit isn't required, try a navy or subtly patterned blazer and dress pants with a crisp collared shirt with no tie, or if you forgo that tie, vest, and shirt can work. After all, it’s a wedding, and still calls for a little more formality.

What to do if your wedding won't be for another couple of years?

If your wedding won’t be for another couple of years, you should create a wedding website and send it to everyone you’ll be inviting to the destination wedding. At this stage, the website will serve as more of an announcement of your engagement but you can update it once you have your wedding date and more information.

Who is Cynthia from Destination Wedding Details?

Cynthia. Cynthia is the founder and editor of Destination Wedding Details.She has over 15 years experience in the Marketing and Event industry and launched Destination Wedding Details in 2010, shortly after planning her own destination wedding.