What time does the first dance usually start at a wedding reception?

I am having my friend DJ my wedding so I need to tell him the times to do all the traditional things. How is 30 minutes into a buffet dinner? Or does the cake come first????

What time does the first dance usually start at a wedding reception?
It depends on how you want to do it. There are two common formats. The first option is to be announced, "Welcome the new Mr. and Mrs. Blah Blah Blah!" and then have the first dance right away. OR you can be announced, have dinner (make sure you give everyone plenty of time to get their food so they can all see you!) and then ask the DJ to announce the first dance. I'd allow more than 30 minutes into the dinner, though. Like I said, you want to make sure everyone has been through the line and had a chance to at least get started on their dinner before you "interrupt." You'll also want a chance to get a bite yourself.





The cake-cutting comes later, after all the "official" dances and after everyone (or almost everyone) is finished eating.
Reply:You know... we did things a bit differently. We had an awful lot of people at our wedding and wanted to be able to individually walk around to all of the tables and thank them for coming (which is expected of you), but also enjoy the night for ourselves.





When we were announced and walked in to the room, we did our couple dance and wedding party dance immediately. When we were done our salads were already on the main table. We ate our salads and they began to serve salads to our guests. Before the guests got their main dishes, we had finished ours. As they ate their main dishes we walked around and thanked them. As they finshed dinner, we cut the cake. They ate cake, we did father of the bride dance, mother of the groom, etc.





Then we all boogied down!!!
Reply:Usually cake comes first, but it doesn't really matter. I would allow at least 45 min.
Reply:I did it at the beggining of the reception
Reply:Sample timeline:


Cocktails 5:30


Dinner 6:30, then you have the program. So the cake cutting would probably be about 8 or 8:15 - so first dance would be about 8:30 or so, using this as a sample guideline.
Reply:Well, you want to give everyone a chance to get to the buffet table and back to their table. Once everyone has done that, then have the DJ announce the first dance. DJ's are pretty receptive about this stuff.





Cake cutting usually comes later on.....after dinner has been cleared away and everyone has done a little dancing.
Reply:usually after everyone eats and before the cakes . then u dance and be marry and then cut the cake and open what gifts u recieved.
Reply:Socialize for 1/2 hour





Cake cutting, for the photographer, and so the caterer can finish slicing the cake for desert after dinner





Toasts





Dinner





1st dance
Reply:i think it really depends on the couple. everyone does it differently. ive been to weddings where they announce the couple and they dance right away AND ive also been to weddings where they start the dancing after everyone has eaten and cut the cake!





so just remember its your day and all brides dont go by the same schedule! do whatever you feel like----a lot of brides want a wedding that all thier guests will remember SO whether its 30 min into the dinner or after the cake anything will be great! GOOD LUCK and CONGRATS!!!!!
Reply:Often the caterer doesn't let people start until the bride and groom get there. So you could have your first dance before the buffet. If you are doing a sit down dinner, you would usually do it after. The dance opens the dance floor for others to come--it is really rude for anyone to dance prior to the "first" dance. Then after food and dancing--the cake and bouquet toss come later in the evening.





My husband and I waited about 30 min. We wanted to greet all our guests and take the time to say something to everyone first.





The DJ is just wondering about that stuff b/c he doesn't know what kind of dinner you are having, what your plans are. He doesn't need an exact second to second, but a rough estimate so that he can announce when you are doing each big event.
Reply:With my brides I reccomend they segway right into the first dance after they make their entrance as man and wife. The DJ will say "now presenting mr and mrs. jones!" You come in all happy then get onto the dancefloor and he start playing your first dance song. After it's done do your welcome speech, annouce dinner and start the party.





If you try to do it partway through the reception people are going to miss it because they will either be eating, scattered into the bathrooms, smoking...whatever. Your entrance is a great time and you know the eyes are going to be on you already.





Cake is cut after you serve dinner. I'd give people at least an hour to eat before you cut the cake and start toasts and such.
Reply:The first dance is usually as soon as the couple is introduced and then they sit down for dinner. After dinner, which is usually an hour, comes dancing. The cake is the last official thing.
Reply:What I did @ my wedding was first we had dinner then we did are first dance then the money dance then everyone parties the cake is the last part.
Reply:people do it in different orders, so ask the bride or her mother or MOH what order things will be and how long they expect it to take. if they're eating AND doing cake before the dance, it will probably be about 1 hour, but they may still want the DJ there for some background dinner music. then there will be the first dance, and the bride/father dance, and possibly a grrom/mom dance.





really, ask the bride or someone ion the wedding party who will now what order they want so that the DJ can plan accordingly.
Reply:I think the order is Dinner


Speeches


Dessert


Cake


Dancing


Getting drunk


Falling over


Throwing up


Staggering back home