No matter how formal or informal you want your reception to be, it's important that you plan ahead and establish a sequence of events for your reception. Spending time and effort before the wedding can save you from a lot of confusion and unnecessary distractions on your wedding day. Here are a few hints:

• Put your schedule in writing and give it to all of your wedding vendors. Also, give this schedule to your wedding attendants and immediate family members so they know where they are suppose to be and when (i.e. for picture taking, formal announcements, or special dances).
   

• Be as detailed as possible when preparing your reception itinerary. Include names, times, specific locations and song titles of special dances.
   

• When putting together your schedule, don't get too hung up on the exact times. The times on your schedule should act only as a guide and to keep things moving in the right direction and make sure that everything gets done!

Use the items in the sample itinerary as a checklist so that you don't forget anything and as a guide to help you plan your reception just the way you want it.

The order of events is up to you - but should be firmly established ahead of time. For example, some brides prefer to do their first dance with their husband very early into the reception - before dinner is served. Other brides prefer to do it after dinner, when the "real dancing begins".

Etiquette Rule: Wedding guests are not suppose to begin dancing until after the bride and groom have had their first dance. So, if you want people to start dancing early in the reception, schedule your first dance right away!