Demo 4 Hour Timeline

Here is an example timeline of a traditional 4-hour timeline.

This covers the traditional order of events that 99% of our weddings use. I believe it's the best flowing timeline for me, you, your guests, and other vendors.

If you don't want to do a certain dance or event, it's perfectly normal to not do everything below.

2-3 Hours Before Guests Arrive

Normally Sean will arrive to set up our equipment 2-3 hours before your reception. There are exceptions, but I firmly believe in arriving early, testing everything out, and making sure it's perfect for you. If I am providing equipment for your ceremony, I'll usually add time to do that as well.

30 to 60 Minutes Before Ceremony

If you book us to provide equipment for your ceremony, I'll be set up, dressed, and have background music playing up to 60 minutes before your ceremony starts as guests arrive. I set up the ceremony after the reception is set up, so we're ready to move seamlessly to the reception following the ceremony.

Ceremony

If you book us to provide equipment for your ceremony, I will provide special microphones and speakers for your ceremony, while playing music that you pick out.

Cocktail Hour

Your start time will begin once your guests arrive at the area we're playing music for. I'll make various announcements and welcome the guests at the wedding reception while playing background music that you decide. Usually, during this time, you're with your photographer getting photos.

Introduction Of The Bridal Party (5-10 Minutes)

Once you're done taking family pictures and ready to join your guests, I'll help line up your wedding party and go over everything with them for a few moments, and then kick off the introduction. I usually try to time this out with your other vendors about 30 minutes before dinner, so we have time for any dances and toasts.

First Dance (3-5 Minutes)

It's become a very special tradition to have your first dance once you arrive at the reception. It kicks off the day properly with you and your fiancé. Most first dances before dinner have guests more tuned in and provide a better effect since after dinner everyone is a little more loose and ready to get up, move around, and party. Sometimes I'll do parent dances before dinner too if we have more than 30 minutes planned out.

Toasts and Blessing (10-15 Minutes)

I will introduce each special person giving a toast or speech, in the order that you decide. Tradition is any parents first, then girls before guys, finished with a blessing. Then I'll tell the guests instructions for dinner and begin playing dinner music. Much like your first dance, the toasts go over much better before dinner since everyone is already seated.

Dinner

I'll provide any announcements during dinner while playing the perfect playlist to set the mood picked out by you. Most of the time there is set aside an hour for dinner, but this varies depending on your dinner, location, and caterer's requests.

Cake Cutting (5-10 Minutes)

Once everyone has eaten, we're ready to start getting the party going. What comes after dinner? Dessert! I will double-check with you first to make sure you're ready to move forward, talk briefly with your photographer, and then instruct the guests of the cake cutting so they can come closer and watch. The cake cutting is a great ice breaker to draw attention back to the reception following dinner, however if you're interested in have the popular "shoe game" or anything else first, now is the time! Some caterers and venues will request the cake is cut before dinner so it's ready to be brought out immediately following dinner, which is something I'll have to plan more time for.

Parent Dances (5-10 Minutes)

Time for our father/daughter dance, and then mother/son dance. I will follow the timeline that you request, but tradition is always girls before guys, so the father/daughter dance is normally first.

Bouquet and Garter Toss (5-10 Minutes)

Now it's time to start involving our guests, so it's time for the bouquet toss for all the single women, then garter removal, and garter toss to the single guys. I will instruct guests clearly, and work with your photographer during the process. Following the bouquet and garter toss, it's an old tradition to replace the garter on whoever caught the bouquet. This is an option some of our bride's decline, however you can let us know immediately following the garter toss if you'd like to do it once we find out who the "winners" are.

Anniversary Dance (3-5 Minutes)

After all your not-married friends get to play the bouquet and garter toss, it's time to dance with everyone else who's married. I will invite all your married guests to the dance floor to celebrate a special dance of marriage. The "game" here consists of asking couples to leave the dancefloor based on how long they've been married over the duration of the song, until the last couple who's been married the longest is left. It's very special and recognizes the love and marriage of your older guests. Sometimes the bride/groom may provide flowers or a gift to the winning couple, but this is not common.

Open Dancing

Now it's time to party. I will play your music, keep everyone energized and dancing, and take over for the night. I believe in having all the formalities done and out of the way before dancing, as it's great for you, your vendors, and your guests. Some older guests who may leave earlier have now seen everything, your photographer got all their important shots, and you're free to let loose. Our timeline is also set up where the energy of music and involvement continues to go up perfectly into dancing. Even with a 4-hour reception, I usually get over an hour of dancing when it's timed out correctly.

End Of The Night

Once you're about 5-10 minutes away from the last song, I will come and catch up with you. Sean always offers extended time on the night of your wedding, and he'll make sure that you want to stop the wedding before I will say anything. If you choose to keep going and add extra time, your guests will never know as I will keep playing music. Sometimes photographers and venues may have a big send-off, which he'll help do but make sure you time that out correctly as well.

4 Hour Wedding Example:
1:00 PM - DJ Arrives

3:00PM - Guests Start To Arrive To Ceremony

4:00PM - Ceremony

4:30PM - Cocktail Hour

5:30PM - Introductions Of The Bridal Party

First Dance and Toasts

6:00PM - Dinner

7:00PM - Cake Cutting, Parent Dances, Bouquet and Garter, and Anniversary Dance

7:30PM - Open Dancing

8:30PM - End Of Schedule