Pittsburgh Traditional Wedding
Weddings Receptions…
Pgh Vibes has helped planned hundreds of Wedding Receptions. Over the years we have seen that there are many ways to organize a wedding reception.
Brides of today have chosen to plan there wedding style to be more formal or even based on how a friend or family members reception was done or to there taste and style.
Here we go taking a look at a traditual wedding reception layout almost all brides follow.
Since it is your wedding you can choose the flow of the night 100%.
Please remember that this is just a standard traditional layout and we only use this as a basic guideline to help you plan your reception.
The order of events at wedding receptions may be different from one client to the next, as a wedding event planner it is our job to help you plan your reception flow to exactly what you would like.
Our wedding planning forms are here to help you easily organize the special music and dances.
Our Pgh Vibes DJ will follow your Agenda to the T and is always open to any last minute changes that you might have.
Reception Begins
While the Bride, Groom and Bridal Party are finishing up with the post-ceremony photography
your guests will begin making their way over to the reception. The DJ will begin playing background music as the guests arrive. Your guest will then have time to help themselves to hors d’oeuvres, and begin to socialize at the reception.
Entrance
Most of the receptions that we perform include the Bridal Party Introduction. It is at this time the DJ will introduce the entire wedding party, occasionally this is scaled back to introduc just the Bride and Groom.
Your DJ takes his duties as an Emcee very seriously, he will take charge of lining up the wedding party for the introductions and entrance into the venue. This is also a good opportunity to double-check the pronunciation of the names of the wedding party as the DJ lines them up. Please keep anyone that will be introduced from entering the reception area, otherwise it will take longer to get the introductions underway.
Introductions
Your guests will graciously be asked to return to their seats at this time.
At this time the entire Bridal Party will be introduced and then Bride and Groom will be introduced. (Note: This is something we pride ourselves on unlike other entertainers – We will work hand in hand with the Photographer and Hall. So if the Photographer needs a few extra minutes to capture a special moment for you – we will not be rushing them.)
Toast’s
When the champagne is ready to be served, the best man will be brought up to the microphone with an introduction by the DJ.
This can be scheduled before or after dinner. The decision on this depends greatly on personal preferences.
The more formal the wedding, the more often the toast is done prior to the meal, especially when a sit down dinner is served.
In any case, the very best toasts come from the heart, recalling sentimental moments and offering best wishes for the future.
Always inform the best man in advance so he can be well prepared.
In addition to the best man, many Brides want the microphone left open for the matron of honor or for anyone else whom would like to offer a toast to the Bride and Groom.
Grace
If a moment of prayer before the meal is to be included in your reception, a cordless microphone will be available. This is an optional event, but an important detail for those who wish to involve their spiritual leader or a family member in blessing the wedding reception.
Always identify the person to perform this in advance, so they are not taken by surprise when they are called upon to perform this task!
Dinner
This usually will take longer than you think. Allow about an hour for either a sit-down dinner or a buffet.
If you are having a buffet, we will work closely with the banquet staff and make sure the the guests can serve themselves in a comfortable and orderly fashion. The music during dinner is normally light background music. However, it is not uncommon for a bride to request that you play up-tempo oldies that will get people beginning to tap their toes!
Cake
We recommend that the Bride and Groom cut the cake after dinner, and prior to the start of any dancing.
If your guests include many older people attending the reception, cutting the cake right after dinner allows them to take part in this important tradition should they need to leave early. Some people also like the idea of serving the wedding cake as dessert.
An announcement will be made and attention will be directed towards the Bride & Groom as they approach the cake.
It is traditional for the Bride and Groom to feed each other the first piece of the Wedding cake.
First Dance
Traditionally, the Bride and Groom share their First Dance as Husband and Wife to lead off the dancing portion of the reception.
Parents Dance
Once the bride and groom complete their first dance, a variety of parents dances may take place.
The bride and her father, the groom and his mother, etc, are all options that the client can choose.
The dance floor is usually opened up to all of the bride and grooms guests after the parents dances have been completed, and this is where things start to liven up!
Money Dance
The dollar dance is a tradition for many families and cultures. This optional tradition involves having the ladies and gentlemen lining up to dance with the bride and groom.
This gives each person the opportunity to make a donation of a dollar or any amount they wish to donate. One word of caution – dollar dances take time away from open dancing for everyone. During this dance only four people, at most, are dancing at any given time. We have known this dance to last for up to 30 minutes.
Bouquet / Garter Toss
Tradition holds that the bride would toss the bouquet and the lady who caught it may be the next bride.
The groom would remove the garter from the bride’s leg and toss it to the single gentlemen in the crowd. After that, the gentleman that caught the garter would place it on the lady that caught the bouquet.
Last Dance
Bride and Groom Depart , A “farewell” dance by the bride and groom is a great way to end the reception on a positive
and sentimental note. During the farewell dance, invite the guests to form a circle around the bride and groom to give
them a great send-off.