Wedding Reception Format General Information

Congratulations on your engagement!!  The following information has been compiled in order to better assist you in creating your perfect day.  Please remember that these are only suggestions, and you are welcome to use them as you see fit.

Cocktail hour music
We offer piano, piano and sax, or a jazz quartet. We also offer DJ service for your cocktail hour if you wish. (light background music)

Starting time for the band
We suggest that the band starts at the end of the cocktail hour and just prior to dinner. We will play a couple of tunes and then break for dinner. After dinner, the band should begin it's contracted playing schedule.

Receiving Line
If you are having a receiving line, you may consider having it at the church or as the guests enter the reception.  This can be a very time consuming formality.

Introduction of the Wedding Party
Using the wedding information sheet, fill in the names of the wedding party exactly as you want them to be announced.  All the names are checked for pronunciation prior to the actual introduction.  The introductions are usually done after the formal photos and prior to dinner.

Dinner
It is customary to provide dinner for the band. We suggest serving the band dinner prior to the main course. This enables us to be ready for you as soon as your guests are finished with their dinner.

Cake Cutting
If you are having a formal cake cutting, it works best during dinner (prior to main course), or just after dinner.  You may choose "When I'm Sixty Four" (our standard cake cutting song), or we will make an announcement and play background music while your photographer takes you through the ceremony.

First (bridal) dance
You may choose any song for your first dance.  You may have the wedding party join in or choose a separate bridal party song.  This formality works best after the introduction or after dinner.

Garter and Bouquet Toss
If you have this formality, it works best one hour prior to the end of the reception.  You may also consider presenting the bouquet someone special.

Parent dances
Parent dances can be done after the bridal dance or after dinner.  You may choose any song for these dances.  We will gladly provide suggestions if desired.

Last dance
You may choose any song for your last dance.  After the dance, we suggest one final fast dance for you and your guests.  You may also choose an archway exit.  The last dance begins 10-15 minutes prior the end of the reception.

Thank you for choosing Groove Alliance.