Let the Celebration Begin!

Your reception is your party—and it should feel exactly the way you want it to. Just like your ceremony, there are no hard rules. Whether you go all-out with traditions or mix things up, your reception should reflect your personalities and be full of joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments.

Here’s a list of key events that often happen during a reception, typically in this order:

Bridal party introduction
Cutting of the cake
Daddy-daughter dance
First dance as a couple
Speeches
Bouquet and/or garter toss
Grand exit

Now for the Fun Part 🎉

Once the formalities are done, it’s time to relax, dance, and soak it all in! The last thing you need to worry about is keeping everything on schedule—that’s what your DJ and coordinator are there for. With a little planning, your reception will flow effortlessly so you can be fully present for all the fun.

A Few Tips to Help Your Reception Flow Smoothly

💡 FORMALITIES FIRST
This is one of our biggest pieces of advice! Knock out the formal parts early on, so you can spend the rest of the night dancing, mingling, and celebrating. Many of our couples choose to:

Be announced and head straight to the cake cutting
Get all speeches done between entrée and main course
Leave only the first dance for after the main meal

This keeps the momentum going and gets your guests on the dance floor sooner—which, trust us, is where everyone wants to be!

💡 MAKE IT YOUR OWN
Want to have a special dance with your grandparents? Go for it.
Thinking of skipping speeches? Totally fine.
Prefer to enter the reception casually without a formal announcement? Yes, please!

You don’t have to stick to tradition unless you want to. The best receptions are the ones that feel personal and true to who you are.

💡 RECEPTION COVERAGE TIP
If you’d love dancing photos (and we highly recommend them—they’re so much fun!), make sure your timeline allows for at least 20 minutes of dancing while your photographer is still there. These moments are full of life, energy, and real joy—they make for some of the best memories captured on camera!