Decisions you didn’t know you had to Make: Reception Edition.

Cocktail hour is basically a free-range moment for your guests to snack, sip something cute, and wander around while the two of you take photos.

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But this whole idea started before first looks became a thing.

So now the real question is:

Are you doing a first look so you can take photos earlier and enjoy cocktail hour… or do you want to keep your morning slower and use cocktail hour for photos?

There’s no wrong answer ...just discuss with your photographer so the timeline makes sense.

Next, how do you want to enter the reception?

• Typically, parents are introduced first, then the bridal party, then you and your partner.

• But do parents walk in and wave, or sit? Do bridal party members go in pairs or all together?

• Do you go right into dinner, or first dances? ...Maybe give a little speech?

Or even instead of doing it the traditionally way - you can have a choreographed dance, or just glide in casually.

Whichever one you decide.

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Also song choices matter too.

Some people do one track for the parents and bridal party, then a different one for the couple.

I personally like one song for the bridal party/parents, then your own track for you two.

Simple and effective.

Assigned or Open Seating?

Both options work ...it just depends on your stress tolerance.

• Assigned seating keeps things organized, avoids those awkward “no seats left at this table” moment, and helps the caterer know who gets what meal.

• Open seating is alot more relaxed ...but it can turn into musical chairs if you have a bigger guest count.

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If you choose to do assigned seating, you also need to decide between:
Escort cards?
Or Seating chart?

Or some couples even do both?

• When are the toasts happening?

• Do you want uninterrupted eating time for your guests?

I recommend either at the start or end of dinner, or maybe splitting them up.

And giving your guests 20–30 minutes of uninterrupted eating time.

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It’s also when your vendors (like your photographer & videographer) finally get to eat.

Seriously, don’t about forget this.

...i have a blog post on vendor meals which i'll link below.

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Also think about.

-Do you want to walk around and say hi to everyone while people are eating?

-Will sunset photos happen during this time?

-Do you want pictures of guests at their tables?

All these little things affect the flow and timeline.

• First dance first, or parent dances first? Split up or together?

• Other extra family dances - are you doing them?

• Anniversary dance - are you doing them?

• Are you also doing dance floor games (like shoe game, photo dash etc)?

• Finally how long do you want each dance ...a minute is usually enough.

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Choose the ones that fit your vibe ...and ignore the ones that feel like unnecessary.

Two options here:

-Private moment - just you two and your photographer and have a little photo moment.

(Also “private” at alot of weddings is never truly private

Guests will linger.

If you really want it alone, you’d have to put it in a totally separate space).

-Public moment - bring everyone around and let it be a cute hype moment.

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You also have to decide when this happens.

• Is it right after dinner?

• Before opening the dance floor?

• Or later in the night when people need a sugar reset?

Again ...it's all up to you.

When the dance floor opens...

• Are glow sticks coming out at a certain time?

• Are late-night snacks being served?

• Is your DJ making any announcements?

• Is there a shuttle pickup that guests need to know about?

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Little things ...but you'll need someone to cue them, or they get forgotten.

Are you doing:

• A private last dance?

• A sparkler exit?

• A confetti moment?

• or are you letting the night fade out naturally?

Be honest with yourself here...
A lot of couples plan these dramatic end-of-night moments - and by 10:30pm they’re like;

“You know what? I’m done. No more photos. No more posing”.

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So choose based on what you’ll actually still want to do when you're tired and spent out ...and also what the venue allows.

Finally cleanup.

The least glamorous but very important question.

• Can everything stay overnight?

• Do you have to remove decor the same night?

• What time must vendors be out?

• Who is responsible for what?

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You don’t want your mom sneaking around at midnight packing centerpieces into a grocery bag.

Plan this early so everyone leaves happy.