2 hour reception timeline

I would cut the DJ and dancing and focus on a nice cocktails and appetizers reception with good conversation. 45 minutes of dancing is only long enough for 15 songs (if they are all around 3 minutes). By the time you get people on the dance floor, it's going to be time to leave.

How many people will be at your wedding? It generally takes at least an hour for a plated dinner (assuming your guest:wait staff ratio is properly set). I generally put and hour and fifteen minutes on timelines for dinner. If you are having a salad course, have it pre-plated to help minimize any dinner delay.

Is it possible to have wine on the tables so that your guests are not needing to go to the bar? Or have a wine and champagne service? This might help cut down on costs as well.

The below assumes that everyone will be seated by 5:30 pm.

- 5:30 - 5:35 - Introduction of bride and groom and first dance. If you are having a bridal party, skip their intros and just introduce you and DH. Also, shorten first dance song.

- 5:35 - 6:50 - Dinner. During dinner do the toasts.

- 6:50- 6:55 - Father-Daughter and Mother-Son combined dance.

- 6:55 - 7:00 - Cut cake. If you are doing a cake cutting, I would suggest a small cake for the cake cutting, but have a dessert buffet already set up of separate desserts, It will take time for your caterer to cut a full cake and plate it.

- 7:00 - 7:30 - Dancing

Whew, I'm tired just writing the above. Can you make it happen - probably. Will it feel relaxed - probably not.

I suggest trying to add in at least an extra hour if possible. Or, as others have suggested having a heavy apps receptions instead.

If you are going to attempt to do a 2 hour reception, please look into hiring a DOC who will help keep everything on track. During a 4 hour reception, a 10 minute delay could easily be rectified somewhere else throughout the night. Not so much with a 2 hour reception.

Can I just say that I really love this plan. I'm having a two hour dinner after my wedding. No DJ, cake cutting will be done before including our first dance just trying to keep it to essentials. This really helped me think about it.