Ceremony At The Reception Location...
Occasionally, couples choose to have their ceremony at the reception facility and may like for the DJ to provide the appropriate music. This is something we can do for you! Generally, we will play 15-30 minutes of very soft love songs or classical music (whichever or whatever else you choose) while your guests are being seated. For the ceremony "The Wedding Song" by "Paul Stooke" is the most commonly played song while the bridesmaids come down the aisle. When The Bride comes down the aisle, we play "The Wedding Processional", better known to some as "Here Comes The Bride". During the ceremony there is no music played unless you specify certain selections and when they should be played. Once you are married and have been formally introduced as such, we then play "The Wedding Recessional", you exit and your reception begins. We can provide this service to you within the time frame you book our DJ service, as long as we remain set up in exactly the same location for your reception. It should also be noted that, when ceremony service is provided this way, we provide the music only, with no microphone systems included.
If you are interested in this service but your ceremony is at or in a different location, or you would like microphone systems included, then check out our Ceremony Packages page |
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When The Bride And Groom Enter The Reception...
Traditionally, the DJ would announce you in by your full, married name with your entire wedding party following immediately behind you. Today, in most cases, The Bride and Groom choose to have the entire wedding party introduced into the reception. Within our "Music-Event Planning Booklet" we have dedicated an entire page to these introductions and the appropriate line-up order. Make your wedding party aware that they should not filter into the reception prior to you arriving because it makes it difficult to find and reorganize them for your grand entrance. Your Elite DJ will then announce each wedding party-couple individually into your reception with the Bride and Groom being introduced last.
The Cutting Of The Cake...
You can cut your cake before or after dinner so it is best to check with your banquet facility and/or caterer about the best time to cut the cake. If you plan to serve your cake for desert then it is usually best to cut it prior to dinner, as some cakes take quite a while to slice and prepare. If you are planning to have your cake wrapped for your guests to take home, then it does not matter whether you cut it before or after dinner. Either way, you should check with your banquet captain or caterer first.
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The Toast...
It is etiquette for the toast to be proposed before dinner. It is a good idea to get your champagne ready and poured about 5 minutes prior to dinner being served. Your Elite DJ will quiet the crowd and then formally introduce The Best Man for his toast. It is not uncommon for The Maid/Matron of Honor to also propose a toast. In some cases, The Bride and/or Groom's parents may also like to propose a toast. It is etiquette for The Best Man to always be first, followed by The Maid/Matron of Honor, and then anyone else. If you are going to have a prayer before dinner this should always be last after any and all toasts.
back to top The Bridal/First Dance...
The Bridal/First Dance should be done approximately 5-15 minutes after dinner has been completed. Traditionally, you would dance to the song of your choice and shortly thereafter, (approximately 1-2 minutes) your wedding party would join you to conclude your dance. More often today, Bride's and Groom's have been choosing to dance to their entire bridal song by themselves, and have a second song played for the wedding party. In this case, The Wedding Party Dance will immediately follow The Bridal Dance and includes the Bride, Groom and their entire wedding party. The parents, ushers, ring bearer, flower girls, etc., are typically not included in this dance.
The Father/Daughter Dance...
The Father/Daughter Dance is done immediately following The Wedding Party Dance. This is where The Bride dances with her father to the song of their choice. Traditionally, "Daddy's Little Girl" has been the favorite, however; over the years other selections have become much more popular. Occasionally, and only in the case of a deceased father, we have seen brides dance with their grandfather for this dance.
The Mother/Son Dance...
The Mother/Son Dance is not quite as commonly requested and is done after the Father/Daughter Dance. This is where The Groom dances with his mother to the song of their choice. Traditionally, this dance did not exist, however, about 15 years ago it started appearing as a requested specialty dance. In some cases, The Bride and Groom choose to combine The Father/Daughter Dance with The Mother/Son Dance and select an appropriate song. Another option would be to switch partners during The Parents Dance (if you have one) allowing The Groom to briefly dance with his mother. If you decide to have the Groom dance briefly with his mother during The Parents Dance, you should advise your photographer accordingly.
The Parents Dance...
The Parents Dance is the last of the specialty dances to be done. This is where The Bride & Groom and their parents all dance together. Traditionally, "Sunrise Sunset" from “Fiddler On The Roof”, has been the favorite, however, over the years other songs have become much more popular. In the case of a divorced or deceased parent, The Bride and Groom usually choose not to do this dance.
The Throwing of The Bouquet And Garter...
The bouquet is thrown first to the single ladies and then the garter to the single gentlemen, once it has been removed from the Bride’s leg, by the Groom. We recommend doing this immediately after the dances because this is the last of the important events and pictures that are needed. Your party can then begin without you having to worry about any other formalities. Traditionally, the person who catches the bouquet, and the person who catches the garter, do the reverse, that is, the gentleman who catches the garter puts it on the leg of the lady who catches the bouquet. In our experience, we see this done less and less and, in some cases, the bride and groom elect to forego the garter removal altogether.
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