đŸȘ© Reception Flow + Planning Guide; A Simple, Smart Roadmap for Your Big Day

🎯 What This Is

Your wedding reception should feel smooth, joyful, and totally you. This guide gives you a simple breakdown of how the evening can flow—from grand entrance to final dance—along with a few planning tips, optional traditions, and answers to “What if something goes wrong?”

Whether you’re working with a planner or just figuring things out together, this will help you stay on track—and help me (your DJ!) give you the best experience possible.

🕓 BEFORE GUESTS ARRIVE

  • DJ setup completed (typically 1–2 hours prior)
  • Sound system tested, backup gear in place
  • Wireless mics tested for toasts & announcements
  • Final music selections confirmed with couple
  • Check-in with venue, planner, and photographer

🍾 COCKTAIL HOUR

  • Background music playing as guests arrive
  • Duration: usually 45–60 minutes
  • DJ confirms timing for grand entrance
  • Coordinate with photographer and planner for readiness
  • Optional: announcements or light games to engage guests

đŸ’„ GRAND ENTRANCE

  • Wedding party entrance song selected
  • Couple entrance song ready and cued
  • Names & order of entrance finalized
  • Optional: fun facts, themed intros, or music stings for each pairing

đŸœ DINNER

  • Dinner music set to match your vibe (acoustic, jazz, classic pop, etc.)
  • Blessing or welcome toast (if applicable)
  • Vendor meals coordinated (some caterers require exact timing!)
  • DJ works with caterer and photographer to keep timeline on track

đŸ„‚ TOASTS & SPEECHES

  • Order of speakers confirmed
  • Wireless mic handed off smoothly between toasts
  • DJ lowers background music, cues speakers with a quick intro
  • Optional: custom background music after speeches to transition into dinner or dancing

🍰 CAKE CUTTING

  • Cake cutting song selected
  • Photographer notified and in position
  • DJ announces the moment, keeps the tone light and fun
  • Option to follow with dancing or more events

💃 FIRST DANCES

  • Couple’s first dance song selected and timed
  • Parent dances (Father/Daughter, Mother/Son, etc.)
  • Optional: wedding party group dance
  • DJ guides guests with smooth transitions into open dancing

đŸ•ș OPEN DANCE FLOOR

  • Kick-off with a familiar, upbeat crowd-pleaser
  • DJ reads the room and rotates genres/styles to keep the floor full
  • Requests accepted (based on your preferences)
  • At least one slow dance every 30–45 minutes to rest guests
  • Optional group dances (e.g., Cha Cha Slide, Cupid Shuffle)

🎉 OPTIONAL TRADITIONS & GAMES

Include these if they’re part of your style or culture:

  • Anniversary Dance
  • Money/Dollar Dance
  • The Hora / Chair Lifts
  • Blanket Dance / Cultural Dances
  • Shoe Game
  • Table Visits or Thank You Toasts
  • Guest Dedication Songs
  • Group Photos on the Dance Floor

We’ll plan ahead for timing, cues, and song choices if you’re including any of these.

🌟 TIPS FOR GUEST EXPERIENCE

  • Seat older guests away from the speakers if possible
  • Include a few family-friendly tracks early in the evening
  • Consider glow sticks, light wands, or a surprise “dance-off” for kids
  • Mix in slow songs to let everyone catch their breath
  • Trust your DJ (hey, that’s me!) to read the room and adapt

💌 LAST DANCE & SEND-OFF

  • Final song selected (slow, upbeat, or “your song”)
  • Announced with enough time for guests to gather
  • Sparkler, bubble, or light-stick send-off coordinated
  • DJ plays exit music to wrap the night with the right energy

🧳 POST-EVENT WRAP-UP

  • DJ teardown (typically 30–60 minutes)
  • Check in with planner or venue staff
  • Equipment loaded out, final thank-you from DJ
  • Follow-up message from DJ within a few days (and maybe a testimonial request if you loved the night)

🚹 WHAT IF
? (Contingency Q&A)

What if the mic cuts out?
I carry backups—and I always test before the event starts.

What if someone requests a song we’ve banned?
I’ll handle it politely. You won’t even have to worry.

What if the schedule runs late?
I adapt in real time, adjust music flow, and keep your event feeling smooth.

What if the dance floor is slow to start?
That’s on me. I’ve got go-to tracks to energize the crowd—without cheesy gimmicks (unless you ask for them).

✅ Final Thoughts

You don’t need to know every beat of the evening—that’s what I’m here for. But this guide helps you think through the moments that matter most to you. During our pre-event consultation, we’ll tailor this flow to your day.

If you have questions, ideas, or special requests—send them my way. I’m here to make sure your wedding sounds amazing and runs like clockwork (even if the timeline goes off-script).