Explore a suggested wedding dance formality timeline to help plan the flow of your reception. From the first dance to parent dances and open dancing, this guide ensures smooth transitions and a memorable celebration on the dance floor.
Your wedding reception is a celebration filled with special moments, including dances like your first dance, parent dances, and more. While the order of events is ultimately up to you, based on our 20+ years of experience, here’s a timeline we recommend to ensure plenty of time for your guests to eat, drink, mingle, listen to toasts, and hit the dance floor.
Be sure to share your wedding day timeline (created with your planner or venue coordinator) with your DJ so they can emcee and keep the day flowing seamlessly.
While not technically a dance, the grand entrance often turns into an energetic moment. As cocktail hour wraps up, invite guests to find their seats, and the emcee will introduce the wedding party, parents, and finally, the newlyweds!
We recommend staying on the dance floor to keep the excitement alive as you’re introduced. In our client portal, you can list the names of those being introduced, their songs, and any special details—we’ll review it all with you beforehand.
Kick off your reception with your first dance right after your grand entrance, while all eyes are on you. If being in the spotlight isn’t your favorite, don’t worry—we can edit your song to make it shorter.
Parent dances work well either between courses or at the end of dinner to keep the evening moving. You can dance simultaneously with your spouse and their parent or take turns—whatever fits your family dynamic. Some couples even include additional family members, such as siblings, in these dances.
After parent dances or toasts, it’s time to officially open the dance floor! An experienced DJ will read the room and play the perfect mix of fast and slow songs to get everyone moving. Your must-play list will help ensure that your guests can’t resist the beat.
This sweet tradition invites all couples onto the dance floor for a slow song. The DJ will then ask couples married for less than a year to take a seat, followed by others, until the longest-married couple remains. It’s a heartfelt way to honor lasting love, and many couples choose it when their wedding date coincides with a loved one’s anniversary.
These fun but optional traditions can take time to coordinate and might not fit every couple’s style. Many modern couples choose to skip them in favor of more dancing.
Though not a dance, the cake-cutting is a key tradition. Whether you showcase it on the dance floor or off to the side, your DJ can announce it. Many couples choose an upbeat song for this moment before diving back into dancing.
If you’re incorporating cultural traditions like the hora or a money dance, these can be woven into the dance floor festivities to keep the energy high.
End the night on a high note with a memorable last dance. This could be a slow, emotional song or an upbeat anthem that everyone sings along to. Many couples choose a song that holds special meaning to them.
Whatever timeline you choose, be sure to communicate your preferences and song choices with your DJ or entertainment team. If you’re looking for a stress-free way to plan your wedding music, check out our client portal. We’d love to help make your special day unforgettable—contact us today!