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Schaffer Sound handled all the details for our wedding flawlessly.  They really are the best!  They far outperformed our high standards." -John and Megan Coyne, Drexelbrook, Satisfied Newlyweds 

Wedding Reception Time Line

The following will give you an idea of what to expect from your entertainer during a typical five hour wedding reception. The example will show a wedding that starts at 5pm and concludes at 10pm.


4pm  Your Disc Jockey will arrive at the facility to set up their equipment and perform a full sound check.

4:30pm – 5pm  Your entertainer will then speak to the banquet manager to review all of the details and discuss the order of events for the evening.

5pm – 6pm  Your guests will arrive for cocktail hour. Light, background music should be played at this point. Perhaps some light jazz, classical, adult contemporary sounds including Frank Sinatra, David Gray, Michael Buble and Sarah McLachlan. December weddings can also use holiday music at this time. Special attention is given to volume during the cocktail and dinner hours. Nothing can disrupt a formal affair more than music played too loud!

6pm  Your guests will now be seated and you and your bridal party will be introduced into the room. It is customary to dance before dinner; however, you will need to decide whether or not you are doing your first dance upon introductions. If so, you will proceed directly to the dance floor. After your first dance you may want to do other formal dances such as the bride/father dance, the groom/mother dance and the bridal party dance or you may opt to serve dinner first. Prior to the serving of the first course you can have the blessing before meals and the best man's toast.

6:20pm – 7:30pm  The dinner portion of your wedding should last anywhere from one to one and a half hours. During this time, lighter music from artists such as Frank Sinatra, Sade, Billy Joel, Celine Deon and Van Morrison can be played. More recent artists such as Norah Jones, Michael Buble, John Mayer, Jack Johnson, Coldplay, Dave Matthews, Jason Mraz, Colbie Calliet and Maroon 5 will work as well. If you have not done so yet, formal dances can be done toward the end of dinner.

7:30pm – 9:15pm  It is now time for the open dance segment of the night! Your guests will now dance the night away to music pre-selected by yourself and/or music supplemented by the DJ's knowledge, if you wish. Formalities such as the tossing of the bouquet and the removal and tossing of the garter as well as the cutting and feeding of the wedding cake should be done during this time period. Your Disc Jockey will coordinate with the banquet manager, photographer and videographer to ensure that everything runs smoothly. At an average of 4 minute per song, expect to hear about 30 songs during this time. Only a true professional has the proper experience and knowledge to effectively "read" the crowd and to coordinate all festivities with confidence.

9:15pm – 10pm  The final set of the evening is where you many want to really bring the energy up another notch making this a good time to play top 40 dance music along with some classic "Party Rock" tunes that all your guests will enjoy. Songs like "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey, "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi, "Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC and "Shout" by the Isley Brothers along with some of the more popular newer artists like the Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce, Kanye West, Lady Gaga, Chris Brown, Taio Cruz, Outkast, Usher and Nelly, among others. If you choose to approach the final set in a more traditional manner, wedding standards such as "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge, "New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra, "Friends in Low Places" by Garth Brooks, "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond, and "Last Dance" by Donna Summer are always crowd pleasers. And today, just as it was in 1977 when our company first started, the choice of music is always up to you, our cherished customer!

 

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