Best Wedding Reception Timeline

Let's get the party started! Couples who hire Boston Premier experience a memorable, classy, fun-filled wedding reception with family and friends dancing the night away. Boston Premier wedding receptions are carefully planned and coordinated, and our main priority is to facilitate a flawless event, so our clients enjoy a momentous evening. Over the years, we have developed an amazing reception timeline that flows seamlessly and makes the most of every moment of the celebration. From the grand entrance to the night's final song, here's the best wedding timeline to heighten your Boston wedding.

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7:00 pm Grand Entrance

A formal wedding reception is comprised of a one-hour cocktail party and a four-hour reception. As the cocktail hour comes to a close, the wedding party members are gathered and lined up (often in pairs) by our vocalist in a designated location outside the main ballroom. As soon as we receive proper clearance from the function manager or the wedding coordinator, our vocalists will join the band to begin emceeing the introduction of the bridal party. Boston Premier kicks things off by welcoming the guests and focusing their attention on the entranceway. While the musicians play entrance music, generally, we will introduce the bride's parents into the room first. Next, the parents of the groom make their entrance. We will then announce all of the bridesmaids and ushers. Finally, the best man and maid/matron of honor make their appearance. Now, just before the newlyweds make their grand entrance, we ask everyone to stand and give a rousing round of applause as we formally introduce them into the ballroom!

The grand enterance of the 2 brides make their first appearance at their reception
The grand enterance of the 2 brides make their first appearance at their reception

7:15 pm First Dance

As the bride and groom make their grand entrance to great applause, they will take their place at the center of the dance floor. When the cheering and applause subside, we will ask all the guests to be seated, and the band will begin performing their first dance song. At the conclusion of their first dance, we will ask everyone to give the newlyweds another big round of applause and then invite them to take their seats at their table.

Laura and Ryan dance as Boston Premier performs their first dance song
A Bride and groom dancing to the music of a Boston Wedding Band

7:20 pm Toasts and Blessing

While the bride and groom are seated at their table, we will call the bride's father to give his welcome speech to thank everyone in the room for attending the couple's big day. We then pass the microphone to the best man and maid/matron of honor for their toasts. If a religious person or family member is assigned to give a blessing or prayer before the meal, it will also be offered at this time.

The Bride and groom raising their toast glasses.
The Bride and groom raising their toast glasses.

7:40 pm Mini Dance Set

After this first group of formalities has been completed, we will invite the newlyweds to come back to the center of the dance floor and ask everyone in the room to join them for a mini-dance set before the start of dinner. We consider this segment of the reception as one of the most pivotal moments of the entire event because this is where we set the tone for the whole evening. Boston Premier prefers to open this portion of the wedding reception with a song like "My Girl" by the Temptations. "My Girl" has a way of drawing people of all age groups into the festivities powerfully. Typically, we'll have 95% of your guests on the dance floor surrounding you - before dinner begins! Right after "My Girl," the band will quickly move into a fun, upbeat song that transitions the reception into a fun dance party! It's a wonderful way to start the night.

Guests dancing to the song "My Girl" by the Temptations
The dancefloor explodes in excitement as the band plays a great wedding dance hit.

7:55 pm Dinner Begins

As guests enjoy their time on the dance floor, the wait staff will begin serving the first course at tables. As soon as the first course is placed at each table, we will end the song that we are currently playing and invite everyone to return to their seats for the start of dinner.

As dinner begins, the band's volume will decrease as we begin our dinner set. We are careful not to overpower conversations and ensure everyone can communicate comfortably at their table. Boston Premier will take the opportunity to invite guests back out onto the dance floor between courses while the waitstaff clears the salad plates. When the main entree is finally served, we will ask everyone to return to their seats to enjoy the rest of dinner. Simultaneously, this is when Boston Premier will take our first break of the night.

9:00 pm Cake-Cutting Ceremony and Parent Dances

At the conclusion of dinner, and after all of the place settings have been cleared, the band will come back to coordinate the final formalities of the evening. Typically, the cake-cutting ceremony happens first, followed by the parent dances.

Will and Grace cutting their cake at the Bristol Harbor Inn
A bride dancing with her father at her wedding.

9:15 pm Let's Have Fun!

After the parent dances, the band will invite the bride and groom back to the center of the dance floor, and we will invite all the couples present to join them for a special dance to start the second half of the evening. Typically, we perform a song like "At Last" by Etta James, which effectively draws guests out of their seats and onto the dance floor. With the majority of guests back out on their feet, Boston Premier will light it up with the best dance music that will keep everyone moving and excited as they celebrate with the bride and groom for the rest of the night.

A packed dance floor as Boston Premier performs exceptional dance music for the wedding guests

10:00 pm DJ Dance Set

After being on stage for about an hour, the band will turn things over to our professional DJ who will deliver an incredible mix of high-energy dance music. His energetic presence will keep the party going strong by electrifying the room with an incredible entertainment experience.

10:10 pm Boston Premier's Final Set

As the DJ wraps up his time in the spotlight, the band will come back and play another high-energy set until the final dance of the night. Approximately 10 minutes before the night's end, we will ask everyone to form a large circle around the dance floor and invite the bride and groom to share their final slow dance of the evening.

We'll cap off the night with a song such as Journey's "Don't Stop Believing." That song is an anthem that will have everyone cheering, dancing, and singing at the top of their lungs! It's a great way to end an incredible celebration with everyone on the dance floor.

10:55 pm Last Song of the Night and Encore

We'll cap off the night with a song such as Journey's "Don't Stop Believing." That song is an anthem that will have everyone cheering, dancing, and singing at the top of their lungs! It's a great way to end an incredible celebration with everyone on the dance floor.

Generally, Boston Premier will hear chants for "one more song, one more song!" The band will then play two more songs of the same caliber, with everyone dancing and singing at the top of their lungs until the last minute of the reception.

11:10 pm Final Good-byes

Boston Premier has experienced hundreds of incredibly successful weddings using this timeline.  Our top goal is that everyone will leave the celebration saying, "that was the best dance party ever!" If you would like to have us handle the timeline at your event, contact us today!

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