Traditional Order of Events for the Reception - American Wedding Wisdom (2024)

Hour 1:

• While the bride and groom, family and wedding party are having formal photographs taken, have waiters serve your guests co*cktails and hors d’oeuvres.

Hour 2:

• The wedding party is announced. Traditionally they are announced in the following order: groom’s parents, bride’s parents, flower girl and ring bearer, bridesmaids escorted by groomsmen, maid/ matron of honor escorted by the best man and finally the Bride and Groom.
• Bride and Groom’s first dance
• Champagne toast (marks the end of co*cktail hour and cash bar begins).
• Dinner served or announcement is made for people to begin going up to the buffet.

Hour 3:

• The bride and groom cut cake.
• Special dances in order: Bride and Groom’s first dance (only if it wasn’t done in hour 2)
• Bride with her father, then the Groom with his mother, and Wedding party dance.

Hour 4:

• Bouquet toss
• Garter toss
• Bride and Groom’s last dance
• Bride and Groom’s grand exit