Understanding your wedding timeline

Weddings typically go as follows...

1/2 hour Ceremony (if at the venue)

1 hour for cocktail hour

4 hour reception

5 1/2 hours to make all your dreams come true. 

The purpose of this post is to help make all the B&G's out there make the right decision with their food courses.

In my personal opinion, I go to weddings for the amazing cocktail hour and then to dance my butt off. I am not impressed with 4 courses of food, because that takes away from prime dancing time... but I also understand that not every family or bride agrees with that.

Here is an example of a 4 course + dessert wedding dinner timeline...

7:00 - 7:20 - Seat guests and line bridal party up for introductions

7:20 - 7:45 - Introductions, B&G 1st dance, parents dances, and toasts

7:50 - 1st course (usually pasta)

8:10 - 2nd course (usually salad)

8:30 - 3rd course (intermezzo)

8:50 - 4th course (main entree)

**You've only got 2 hours left of your wedding at this point**

9:00-10:00 - Dance

10:00 - 10:15 Cake cutting, garter, bouquet toss

10:15 - Cake is served and any other dessert station you have is put out

10:15-11:00 Dance


The times can obviously fluctuate, but each course typically takes 20 min. Depending on how many guests you have it can take longer too. These times are based off of 120-160 people. Once you hit 180-200+ guests the course take much longer. 


This post isn't meant to take away from fabulous high end wedding courses... its meant to make you think about what is more important to you, and realize that more course means more time. 


People will warn you that your wedding day will fly by... make sure that your 5 1/2 hour window is everything you want it to be!