Besides eating, what else are you planning for your reception?

[Desnik]

I am planning on a one hour pre reception with a violinist playing.(Hopefully at the White Hall patio) Then a 3 hour reception.(Hopefully at the White Hall room, we expect around 40-50 people) I was planning on the string quartet. Now I'm wondering if it will be boring. Is everyone planning on having a DJ at their reception? How about the characters, do most plan on having them attend? I had read about someone having a caricature artist, anyone plan on that? Is there anything else special to plan at the reception? Does eating really take up all 3 hours? We plan on a plated dinner.

 

[Skylarr29]

I think the dinner portion would probably take about 2 hours max.

 

[OceanGdss]

I've been wondering the same thing about our reception. We're having a buffet (@ Ariel's) and characters. I'm wanting a DJ but concerned no one will actually dance. What do you think about toasts, first dances, etc? That should take up some time right?

 

[sunsh1ne]

i had a one hour prereception and then a 4 hour reception.
i have to say eating took up 2 hours!! with dancing in between then we had mickey and minnie and cake cutting and f/d dance and m/son dance. also garter toss and group dances. we also had a photo booth which took up someofthe guests time.
does this help at all ?hehe

 

[4luvofthemouse]

We just had our reception at the White Hall.
Originally we were not going to have a DJ but I'm so glad we did. We knew there wasn't going to be dancing so we just figured some light background music.
It turned into a big sing-a-long and a few guests even got up and dancing much to our surprise. We had a great time!
The DJ's contact you before the wedding and if you plan on not having dancing tell them and they will come up with other things to do to make fun.
They are well worth the money!

We also had mickey & minnie, and the caricature artist.
Everytime I went to go have my pic drawn there was somebody there.

As far as the whole time thing....Honestly the whole thing goes by so fast that there really isn't anytime to think about what's going to happen next.

Just add the things that you want to enjoy and don't worry about the clock. You will drive yourself crazy!
Your guest are having so much fun and Disney makes everything flow so nicely you really don't need to worry about killing time.

 

[Janet2k]

I am planning on a one hour pre reception...Then a 3 hour reception...Is everyone planning on having a DJ at their reception? How about the characters, do most plan on having them attend...Is there anything else special to plan at the reception? Does eating really take up all 3 hours?

Desnik, I'll share the timeline for my event below (I pulled it from my old trip report). Hopefully, it will give you an idea of how at least one FTW event flowed:

======================

7:30 – 8 PM:
Wedding Pavilion, guests’ arrival time

8:00 PM:
Wedding Pavilion, ceremony’s start time
15 to 20 minutes for ceremony

8:20 PM:
Wedding Pavilion, photos

8:45 PM – 9:00 PM:
Transportation, from Wedding Pavilion to Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park

9:00 PM:
Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, guests’ arrival time
Handprint ceremony
Champagne toast
15 minutes for ceremony
Director Streetmosphere Character

9:30 PM:
Gangster Area
Cocktail Party
Pianist and 2 Gangster Streetmosphere Characters

10:00 PM:
Western Area
Dinner Party
Country-Western Band and 2 Cow Folk Streetmosphere Characters

11:30 PM:
Land of Oz Area
Dessert Party
Glinda the Good Witch Streetmosphere Character

12:00 AM:
Sorcerer's Hat Area
Dance Party, DJ
Mickey Mouse Character

2:00 AM:
Custom Fireworks Display

2:15 AM:
Transportation, from Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park to guests' resorts
Drop guests off at resorts

======================

On the night of my actual event, things flowed a little differently. I don't believe we arrived inside the Disney Studios theme park until almost 9:30 PM. And the same goes for the outdoor dance party. I don't believe we made it outdoors for dancing & a visit with Mickey Mouse until almost 12:30 AM. Our fireworks did go off shortly after 2 AM, and afterwards, everyone boarded the private motor coach for a ride back to their resorts. Our guests were dropped off first, and my family was dropped off last. It was right around 3 AM when we set foot at the Grand Floridian Resort. It had been a long and ~magical~ day for everyone involved.

I hope this helped.

 

[Desnik]

I think the dinner portion would probably take about 2 hours max.

Thanks, that's what I thought too!

We just had our reception at the White Hall.
Originally we were not going to have a DJ but I'm so glad we did. We knew there wasn't going to be dancing so we just figured some light background music.
It turned into a big sing-a-long and a few guests even got up and dancing much to our surprise. We had a great time!
The DJ's contact you before the wedding and if you plan on not having dancing tell them and they will come up with other things to do to make fun.
They are well worth the money!

We also had mickey & minnie, and the caricature artist.
Everytime I went to go have my pic drawn there was somebody there.

As far as the whole time thing....Honestly the whole thing goes by so fast that there really isn't anytime to think about what's going to happen next.

Just add the things that you want to enjoy and don't worry about the clock. You will drive yourself crazy!
Your guest are having so much fun and Disney makes everything flow so nicely you really don't need to worry about killing time.

I knew I read on here about the caricature artist! It was from you! I know the DJ would be worth the money, I just don't know if with the amount of people we have if they will dance. I know I would, but I don't want to look like a jerk dancing by myself!!LOL

 

[Desnik]

i had a one hour prereception and then a 4 hour reception.
i have to say eating took up 2 hours!! with dancing in between then we had mickey and minnie and cake cutting and f/d dance and m/son dance. also garter toss and group dances. we also had a photo booth which took up someofthe guests time.
does this help at all ?hehe

See, since it is a VR we will not have all those dances, flower and garter toss to take up any time. We will not make a big deal out of the cake cutting either, but we will make a toast thanking our guests. I am really considering having Mickey come.

 

[Desnik]

I've been wondering the same thing about our reception. We're having a buffet (@ Ariel's) and characters. I'm wanting a DJ but concerned no one will actually dance. What do you think about toasts, first dances, etc? That should take up some time right?

I think the toasts, dances flower/garter toss, and cake cutting will take up a bunch of time at your reception. Are you having it for 3 or 4 hours? Also will you have desserts too? That course could take up some time. We are having an Illuminations DP, so no desserts at the reception!

BTW, is that even an option? Can I skip the dessert with a plated dinner? How about the cake, we can't take that to serve at the DP can we?

 

[Desnik]

Desnik, I'll share the timeline for my event below (I pulled it from my old trip report). Hopefully, it will give you an idea of how at least one FTW event flowed:

======================

7:30 – 8 PM:
Wedding Pavilion, guests’ arrival time

8:00 PM:
Wedding Pavilion, ceremony’s start time
15 to 20 minutes for ceremony

8:20 PM:
Wedding Pavilion, photos

8:45 PM – 9:00 PM:
Transportation, from Wedding Pavilion to Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park

9:00 PM:
Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, guests’ arrival time
Handprint ceremony
Champagne toast
15 minutes for ceremony
Director Streetmosphere Character

9:30 PM:
Gangster Area
Cocktail Party
Pianist and 2 Gangster Streetmosphere Characters

10:00 PM:
Western Area
Dinner Party
Country-Western Band and 2 Cow Folk Streetmosphere Characters

11:30 PM:
Land of Oz Area
Dessert Party
Glinda the Good Witch Streetmosphere Character

12:00 AM:
Sorcerer's Hat Area
Dance Party, DJ
Mickey Mouse Character

2:00 AM:
Custom Fireworks Display

2:15 AM:
Transportation, from Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park to guests' resorts
Drop guests off at resorts

======================

On the night of my actual event, things flowed a little differently. I don't believe we arrived inside the Disney Studios theme park until almost 9:30 PM. And the same goes for the outdoor dance party. I don't believe we made it outdoors for dancing & a visit with Mickey Mouse until almost 12:30 AM. Our fireworks did go off shortly after 2 AM, and afterwards, everyone boarded the private motor coach for a ride back to their resorts. Our guests were dropped off first, and my family was dropped off last. It was right around 3 AM when we set foot at the Grand Floridian Resort. It had been a long and ~magical~ day for everyone involved.

I hope this helped.

Thanks so much for the timeline! It helps. Also you and your VR are like celebrities on these boards!LOL I think we all would love an event like the one you planned. It sounds(and looked)spectacular.

 

[Janet2k]

I know the DJ would be worth the money...

Desnik, yes, the DJs who are hired by Disney are good. Mine was definitely good and worth every penny that I paid.

My son was inside the Disney Studios theme park late one night during the year after my vow renewal. When he got back to our resort, he told me that the DJ from my vow renewal was spinning tunes in front of the Sorcerer's Hat for a special extra magic hours party. I wish I had been in the theme park that night -- I definitely would have been dancing!

Here's a photo of "PJ," the DJ, and two of the guests at my event. The looks on their faces tell the story -- they were definitely having a good time:

I just don't know if with the amount of people we have if they will dance...

If you build it, they will come. Believe me. I had the exact same fears as you, but I'm awfully glad I went with the dance party. And if I had to do it all over again, I would do it the exact same way.

...but I don't want to look like a jerk dancing by myself!!

You mean like this:

Or like this:

Or like this:

Or like this:

Seriously, the dance party was one of the highlights of everyone's night. It was definitely money well-spent. The photos of my father dancing are beyond priceless to me -- and I've used them as blackmail photos since then.

*insert evil laughter here*

Yes, the dance party was definitely money well spent.

 

[Janet2k]

See, since it is a VR we will not have all those dances, flower and garter toss to take up any time. We will not make a big deal out of the cake cutting either, but we will make a toast thanking our guests.

Desnik, we were a VR too. Heck, we didn't even have a cake-cutting ceremony since everyone had their own miniature cakes to eat. We also didn't have a garter toss or a bouquet toss. We were really a stripped-down version of a wedding-type of event, and that was perfectly okay with me.

I am really considering having Mickey come.

Oh, definitely have Mickey Mouse at your event. He makes for some really memorable photos:

I'm so glad we had him at our event. And if we hadn't, who would have taught me how to dance the Electric Slide?

I love bragging to my friends that some cute guy with big ears taught me how to dance.
.

 

[Janet2k]

Thanks so much for the timeline! It helps.

Desnik, I'm glad the timeline helped. I know that I was certainly happy once the FTW folks had laid out everything for me. If you have concerns about the flow of your own event, please discuss them with your planner. It's his/her job to help you plan the best event possible. Never be afraid to seek their help. They're a wealth of knowledge.

Happy planning!

 

[sunsh1ne]

i would definalty go with mickey! my guests had a great time, the adults even more then the kids hehe.

 

[OceanGdss]

I think the toasts, dances flower/garter toss, and cake cutting will take up a bunch of time at your reception. Are you having it for 3 or 4 hours? Also will you have desserts too? That course could take up some time. QUOTE]

We're having it for 4 hours. And yes, definately having dessert. I think having Mickey will help take up some time too. And his family all love to talk..lol..I'm sure there will be plenty of toasts.

 

[Starr W.]

I've been to business annual meetings with dinners/entertainment that I was absolutely floored to see people get into the "mood".

Learned the Texas 2 step from one of my customers, heard an equipment salesman get up and sing a rather risque C&W song and I actually jitterbugged with a fellow CEO who ran one of my competitors.

The one meeting they had everyone pick folded up song lyrics out of a hat. You had to hum the song and try to find the others who had the same song, then sing it for the group. God that was so fun. My Father, who was also my boss, couldn't believe who actually got up and sang(he knew alot of these guys for 30+ yrs).

So you would be surprised at what a good DJ can do.

 

[OceanGdss]

Question....will the DJ help arrange things like the garter/bouqet toss? Like initiate them? Instead of a family member or myself having to be like "ok..time for...." lol

 

[Starr W.]

Question....will the DJ help arrange things like the garter/bouqet toss? Like initiate them? Instead of a family member or myself having to be like "ok..time for...." lol

Most weddings have had the DJ announce those things, usually prompted by someone or you could let him know you want to toss that garter at 9pm.

 

[Skylarr29]

Question....will the DJ help arrange things like the garter/bouqet toss? Like initiate them? Instead of a family member or myself having to be like "ok..time for...." lol

Yes, a DJ will handle all of these things for you. You will speak to them on the prior to the event and you can arrange any things like that and make special music requests etc.

 

[Janet2k]

So you would be surprised at what a good DJ can do.

I absolutely agree. They can work wonders, especially when they are able to gauge the crowd and turn a blah party into a rockin' one.

When I first began looking into a FTW vow renewal many years ago, I remember reading (on another website) how the brides didn't want their DJ playing such & such types of songs. You know... The "Car Wash," the "Macarena," the "Electric Slide," the "Bus Stop," and so on. They thought it was gauche and undignified.

I had to really bite my tongue since I had been to many, many weddings that were dull until the DJ / Band began playing songs like those. As soon as they did, the crowd jumped to their feet and the party got kick-started into becoming quite the memorable evening, if ya catch my drift.

I am so glad I had a DJ who played all those hokey songs. When he and I spoke over the telephone a few days prior to my event and he asked me if I had a "do not play" list, I told him, heck, no. I wanted him to do his thing. He was the professional and I wanted to dance, dance, dance. It worked out beautifully.

Now, this is all my opinion and others' opinions will vary, as it should be. But Starr W., you and I sound a lot alike in this respect.