Organize the action details of your wedding reception with this planner.  Review these details with your entertainer (DJ or band) well in advance of your event to make sure they’re clear with your wishes.

Here’s what you might want to happen at your wedding reception:

1. Formal Introductions:  parents of bride & groom, bridal party, bride & groom
2. Blessing & Toast(s)
3. Special Dances:  Newlyweds’ first dance, Father-Bride, Mother-Groom, Bridal Party
4. Other Dances:  Polka, Jewish Hora, Anniversary Dance, etc.
5. Other Stuff:  Cake-cutting, Bouquet and/or Garter toss

You may want to have all of these things at your wedding reception. Or, you might pick-and-choose those events that will suit your needs.

Your entertainer will help you determine the best time for these various events to occur during your reception.  And s/he will make sure that they happen at the right time and coordinate these things with the caterer and photographer.

You’ll need to choose a few songs for item #3 (and possibly #4), the special dances. Refer to your entertainer’s repertoire list.  If you choose a song that is presently not in your band’s repertoire, ask them how much lead time they require to learn it.  Assume three-month minimum.  If you’re working with a DJ, ask them what they need to acquire this particular song.

Your entertainer will take care of choosing suitable music for the other events listed above.  Consider this one less detail you’ll need to worry about.

All of the clients I work with keep this information organized on the Reception Music Planner you can download here .  This serves as our script for the evening, clearly laying out all desired announcements, special dance requests, and other necessary details.