From Proposal to Wedding Day: a different kind of a wedding

Many of Pumpkin Coach Events’ Brides have unique and bold ideas for their wedding reception. From a masquerade ball to including unique performers, Pumpkin Coach Events fully embraces it and supports it! We do not believe in following rules, trends and any of the wedding bibles. Since every couple is unique, so should be their wedding reception. So when one of our brides recently approached us about having a dancing centered wedding reception-we applauded it and we are so excited to execute it!

With a typical wedding lasting 5 hours, you spend your first hour on the cocktails, another half an hour on special dances, toasts and speeches and another hour on serving all the courses. That leaves you with 2.5 hours for dancing. See tips on how to maximize your dance time and create a dance heavy timeline.

First 30 minutes---start with a light fare of passed h’orderves, say no to heavy mashed potatoes stations! You don’t want your guests to fill up on finger foods, just to wet their appetites. And passed h’orderves are so much more elegant. Just make sure that you have enough waiters to serve it (minimum one waiter per 25 guests) so guests are not constantly looking for the tray. I would suggest serving 10-12 passed h’orderves constantly, so guests can enjoy the entire selection. And this is the part of your reception that you can experiment and try different and more exotic things in small amounts. Go for a unique presentation (forget pigs in the blanket!) try soup shooters, dippers, etc. But keep in mind that it should be all finger foods, easy to serve and consume bite size foods.

Next 1-1.15 hour--sit down dinner. Serve 2 course dinner: appetizer plus choice of entrée, followed by coffee and platter of cookies or serve coffee and dessert at the coffee bar during the dancing portion. This is a perfect opportunity to have live classical music playing, incorporate your first dance and parent’s dances as well as have your Maid of Honor and Best Man speeches.

3 and up hrs-Start dancing! Make sure that your DJ is aware of the large dancing block and let him be creative with his music choices. I recommend hiring a club DJ with some wedding experience. Even though you want a dance party, you still want to include some oldies for your more mature guests.

With this reception format, it is important to set up some lounge areas with couches and small coffee tables where your guests can relax, have a drink and enjoy quiet conversation.

In the last hour or so of your reception, you can cut your wedding cake and have it served as a passed dessert. Also serving late night snacks (such as sliders, french fries, mini hot dogs) at a preset snack bar is a great way to refuel your guests for more dancing!

In my next blog, I’ll talk about another type of reception-extended cocktail reception. In the meantime – happy wedding planning!