Wedding Day timing considerations are arguably more crucial for the earlier part of the day which includes the ceremony and the pictures, so it’s easy to underestimate the importance of time management when it comes to the Wedding Reception.

The two most important factors in determining a workable and flowing Reception schedule are: (a) If there is a Receiving Line at the Reception – and, if so, how many guests there are; (b) the timing of the Speeches.

If there isn’t a Receiving Line, then you don’t have much to worry about.  Keep in mind that some couples have their Receiving Line immediately after the Wedding Ceremony (ie) outside the Church.  In this scenario, the amount of time allocated for the pictures, including, Family, Wedding Party and Couple Shots could become limited if the Receiving Line takes too long.  Then, depending on how much time there is, the Newlywed’s pictures may be rushed in order for them to make it to the Reception on time – and these are the last pictures you want to hurry through.

Back to the Reception.  5:30 is a typical starting time.  Guests begin showing up.  Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are served.  Dinner is often served at 7:00.

Let’s say you decide to start the Receiving Line at 5:30.  How long will it take?  Well, that depends on how many guests you have.  An average wedding will have about 150 guests.  If you and/or your guests are talkative then it could easily take until 7:00.  On average, if you estimate 30 seconds per guest, then it will take 75 minutes.  If there are 250 guests or more, it could be a problem (ie) Dinner starts later, which could affect the quality of the food.

As a Wedding Photographer, it doesn’t matter to me at all if there is a Receiving Line or not, or how long it takes.  My job is to photograph whatever is happening.  What is undeniable, though, is how tiring the Receiving Line is for the Newlyweds – who have recently had their ceremony, and who, in most cases, have just arrived at the Reception Hall from doing their pictures.  Now, they are expected to stand and greet people for a long time, with permanent smiles throughout.  By the end of it, most Couples are drained.  At least dinner is usually not far off at this point.

In some traditions, not having the Receiving Line is not an option.  It is a must.  Certainly, for those in this situation, because it is just a natural and expected part of the day, having a Receiving Line may not be quite as unfavorable as it is portrayed.   However, if there is a choice, I often suggest to the Bride and Groom that they consider forgoing it.

What are the benefits of avoiding a Receiving Line?  (1) The Couple can relax for a short time, maybe 15 minutes, when they arrive at the Reception Hall.  After freshening up they can join their guests who are arriving and enjoying Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres – instead of having to spend the entire time standing in one spot; (2) Participating in the Cocktails with their guests will allow them to mingle in a more personal way than in the Receiving Line; (3) In lieu of the Receiving Line, the Newlyweds can also visit their guests at their tables between dinner courses.

The next part of the Reception which can really affect the flow of the evening concerns the Speeches.  I always ask Couples who are booking me how many and how long Speeches will be.  Invariably, most say there will be few and they won’t be long.  While that is sometimes the case, by the time the Wedding Day arrives there are frequently more Speeches than originally anticipated, and there is often one Speech, at least, that is surprisingly long.  Consider too that by Speech-time some or all of those speaking will have consumed a fair amount of alcohol (for some, to quell the nerves).

So, when is the best time to do the Speeches?  Well, if you are having a sit-down dinner that usually takes about 2 hours.  Speeches usually take anywhere from 30-60 minutes.  If you are planning on having the Speeches after dessert your guests will be sitting on their butts for up to 3 hours – possibly longer if dinner takes longer or the speeches take longer.  That’s a long time for people to be sitting and it sometimes serves to suck the life out of the party before it has even begun.  Having the Speeches interspersed throughout dinner works very nicely, culminating in the happy couple speaking when dessert is served.  That way, once dessert is finished the party is on.

If Speeches start after dinner, depending on the crowd, it can result in the guests becoming restless and heading to the bathroom or outside for fresh air or cigarettes – which can be disruptive and even disappointing.  Furthermore, most Couples have their First Dance at the conclusion of the Speeches.  If the Speeches take place throughout dinner then as the guests are finishing dessert the Newlyweds can speak and then head straight to the dance floor and have their first dance.  In this case, most of the guests are still at their tables.  Alternatively, if the Speeches are given after dinner then by the time they finish and it’s time for the First Dance, you may have a half-empty room on your hands – which can take away from the circumstance.

Note that some Couples decide to do their First Dance when they are introduced at the beginning of dinner.  In this case, everyone is seated and all eyes are on them.  This option works well since there is a captive audience, though if there are windows in the room it is usually still light at about 7:00 and that may not be as dramatic or romantic as a First Dance in a dimly-lit room.

Take into consideration that by Reception time the Bride and Groom have been up since early morning.  A lot of energy has been expended.  Creating a Reception Schedule that flows nicely and isn’t burdensome can help put the right finishing touch on a day that you’ll want to remember as not only being special, but fun.

Post from: Livingface Blog

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