Wedding Day Timeline

I need help!

I need to figure out my timeline and I am just having a hard time with a couple things.  We are not in a traditional space for the reception, i.e., the dance area will be separate from where were dining.  What would be the best way to have it all flow in regards to dinner, toasts, cake cutting, first dance, anniversary dance, bouquet/garter toss.... Here is what I have so far...

4:30-5:00   Guests arrive and solo guitarist is playing

5:00-5:30   Ceremony

5:30-6:30   Cocktail hour, passed hors d'ourves and wine/beer

(we're not seeing each other before the wedding so we're gonna need an hour! It'd be easier if we were, but I just want to wait!)

6:30-6:35   Introduction of Bride and Groom (not introducing party)

6:35-6:45   Welcome toast by MOB -is this the champagne toast???

6:45-7:45   Buffet dinner

7:30-7:45   Additional toasts by MOH and BM

Now here is where Im kinda lost...(Im lost with the champagne toast thing too...)

I have cake cutting, first dance, anniversary dance, and the tosses, how should they go?

Cake cutting then first dance and anniversary dance so catering can cut the cake then go back to the terrace where we were dining for cake and then go back for "open" dance afterward?

Do the first dance and anniversary dance and then come back to the terrace cut the cake and sit for service? Im lost!

AGGHHHH! ;)

Sample Timeline...

http://www.topweddinglinks.com/wedding_reception_timeline.html

we have the same ceremony start time and this is the timeline our site coordinator printed out for us as a general guideline:

5-530 ceremony

6-630 cocktails

640 grand entrance of bridal party and bride and groom

645 first dance

700 toasts

715-815 dinner is served

815 father daughter/mother son dances and guest invited to dance

845 cake cutting

900 tossing of bouquet/garter (if doing)

9-11 dancing continues

we're not doing the bouquet/garter tosses etc so that will be extra dancing time.

i think the timeline can go in whichever order you like. when FI and i met with our dj, he mentioned that having the first dance after the bride and groom are introduced makes for a really wonderful moment as everyone sees you as "husband and wife". it also extends that wonderful moment for a little longer :)

here is an excerpt from the timeline i'm thinking for our day. hope this helps!

7:30        Leo and I make our "grand entrance"! :)
7:35        First dance
7:40        Welcome toast (yes, aka champagne toast)
7:50 - 8:50 Family-style Dinner
8:50        (approx. time) Toasts (moh, bm)
9:00        Father/daughter dance; Mother/son dance (dancing open to everyone after)
9:45        Cake cutting
10:00        Bouquet toss

MY DOC said that sometimes she does the cake cutting right after dinner- b/c everyone is still eyes on you etc.  Then they just don't serve it until later...  This may be good in your case- so everyones not in a different room when you do it???

So then after that you can go into... (which is all in the other room right?)

- Dances

- Anniv dance

- Gater

- bouquet

- dance

- eat cake

- dance more....

Also- what time your wedding is over at??? That will be helpful to make a plan....

You could also have your champagne ready for MOB toast-  and just do the other two right after??? OR if you do the other two after dinner- everyone already has a drink anyway or their champagne still so its not really a biggie IMO. So its seems to flow better with having it from the start- you moms toast- You know?

- HMM :)

Kohler,

Here is ours:

5pm                 Ceremony begins

5:30pm            Cocktails; we and our relatives take rest of pictures

6:20pm            Guests invited into reception hall

6:35pm            DJ announces us; we thank guests and introduce MCs

6:45pm            Salad is served; MCs take over, shenanigans begin

7pm                 MOH, BM toasts

7:30pm            Entrees are served

8pm                 Slideshow

8:15pm            First dance; dancing begins

8:45pm            Cakecutting; bouquet toss

9pm                 First shuttle leaves with older guests

9:45pm            “Soft” close

10pm               Wedding ends; everyone leaves on the shuttle

1 week to go!  Can't wait!