All the information listed below is part of the printed brochure.

Listed below is Black Tie Production’s format for a standard wedding reception. This will aid you in planning the different events that can take place at your reception, as well as help organize your entire evening. Any or all of this format can be changed at any time by the Bride and Groom.

We will supply you with a reception questionnaire. This questionnaire provides the details of how you want each event performed, scheduled times of events and many other important information. We are here to customize your reception to your expectation. As well, with this form you can be assured we know your exact expectations for each detail and event. You can enjoy yourself and not have a single worry but saying the “I Do’s”.

The format is as followed:

1.) Prior to the Bride’s and Groom’s arrival, we will begin organizing the evening with the Caterer, Bartender, Photographer and Videographer by making them aware of the format that will be followed throughout the evening.

2.) We will greet the Bride and Groom and Bridal Party upon their arrival and organize everyone for the grand entrance. For this entrance, we can introduce the Bride and Groom and entire Bridal Party by name or we can announce the Bride and Groom by name only and have the Bridal Party follow them into the hall without formal introductions. Remember ... the Bridal Party is usually introduced formally during the bridal dance.

3.) Following the grand entrance, the Bride and Groom can mingle. Depending on your dinner time, we can inform your guests that dinner will be served and therefore everyone needs to be seated. At this point we have already ensured that the champagne has been poured for the toast. We will coordinate with the person chosen to give the dinner prayer and make sure the Best Man/Maid of Honor know the toast(s) is immediately following the prayer.

4.) As soon as the Caterer is ready to serve dinner, we do a formal introductions and can welcome your guests on behalf of the Bride and Groom. Next, the prayer will be given, followed by the toast(s). At this point, your Disc Jockey will let your guests know that they will be released by tables to attend the buffet or inform them to remain seated if you are having a sit down dinner. If your Caterer does not release tables, your Disc Jockey will be glad to serve as Maitre’d.

5.) Once everyone has been served dinner, it is a great opportunity to have the traditional cutting of the cake. We inform the Photographer, Videographer and your guests of this activity. After the Bride and Groom cut the cake, there is time to mingle with their guests or to finish any additional formal pictures the Photographer may need. As well, if the buffet is located on the dance floor, your Disc Jockey can not begin the next activity until the buffet is cleared off of the dance floor. We will make a last call for the buffet and then inform the caterer to clear the buffet. Again, during all this ... the Bride and Groom can mingle and cake would also be available to your guests. You guests will remain occupied and not get restless.

Please note that all mentioned above cannot be performed unless our services begin at least a half hour before dinner time.

We do highly recommend that our service start when your guest arrive at reception location. When the first guests arrive, your Disc Jockey will have already created the perfect atmosphere with appropriate music playing in the back ground as well as have the hall lighting set for the correct mood. Right from the beginning your Disc Jockey will be able to make needed announcements and start organizing activities that will reflect the

6.) After we see that all guests have finished their meals, it is a good time to begin the bridal dance. We will call the Bride & Groom forward, along with the Parents and entire Bridal Party. There are many different ways to conduct these dances. The traditional first dance is the parental dance. This is where the Bride and Groom honor their parents. The Bride dances with her father and the Groom dances with his mother. This is a great chance to honor the parents with the first dance. Next ... the Bride and Groom have their first dance as husband and wife. This dance usually involves only the bride and Groom. By having the Bride and Groom dance after the parental dance, the newlyweds will not be separated or cut in by a parental dance. This can act as a second giving away of the bride. The third dance is usually reserved for the introduction of the Parents and Bridal Party. The Bride and Groom remain on the dance floor during this dance. There are many different ways of conducting these dances. If you are unsure of how you really want this done, we will be happy to help you with suggestions. You can find recommended songs for bridal dances and parental dances on this web site.

7.) After the above is performed, we invite your guests to join us on the dance floor while encouraging requests. An average of 2-3 fast and slow songs are played in order for us to interact with your guests as well as to get them up and moving.

8.) The next activity is the throwing of bridal flowers and garter. We have fun with your guests during this event by involving everyone. We recommend putting an age limit on the individuals active in this event. (Age sixteen and above works well.) If you plan on having many children 12 and under, it is a good idea to have a Teddy Bear toss especially for them. If this is requested, it will take place before the throwing of flowers. (This works very well)

9.) The last and final event is the dollar dance. Prior to this event, we set up an area and gather all needed supplies for the Best Man and Maid of Honor. We also advise them that this event should not take too long. Suggested supplies needed for the dollar dance: liquor for shots- mints or candies, and disposable shot glasses.

10.) Following the dollar dance, all formal activities are completed. If you are not having a dollar dance, all formal activities would be completed after the throwing of bridal flowers and garter. This format can take an average of 2-3 hours to complete which includes an hour for dinner. From here on, the Disc Jockey will start dance music and encourage more requests from your guests.

This format is only an idea. We have found it to work very well.

Below you will find a layout of this format. You may want to print it out and give to your photographer. They will thank you for it! Please let us know of any changes you may want.

REVIEW OF SEQUENTIAL LIST OF EVENTS

1.) Grand Entrance
2.) Dinner Prayer
3.) Toast
4.) Dinner
5.) Cutting of Cake
6.) Bridal Dance
7.) Open Dancing- (20 min.)
8.) Flower Toss
9.) Garter Toss
10.) Dollar Dance
11.) Open Dancing