Weddings

• The Wedding Blog! Celebrating Maine Couples
• The Big Day! An Overview
• Wedding Planner and Checklist: Preparing for the Big Day
• Suggested songs for the Father/Daughter Dance
• Suggested songs for the Mother/Son Dance
• Alternative ideas for your wedding
• Suggested songs for the Bridal Waltz
• Wedding Music Sampler

Wow, you're getting married! Congratulations! How do things work at a wedding reception in Maine, what comes first, what is the role of the DJ?

All times are approximate. Your DJ will let you know at least 5 minutes ahead of time when an event is going to take place, giving you plenty of time to run to the bathroom, check your hair/makeup, etc. An experienced disc jockey will keep you informed and ready every step of the way during your wedding reception.

Below is an example of an evening wedding reception itinerary here in Maine as coordinated by your disc jockey:

Bridal Party Arrival
Your DJ gets everyone lined up and ready to enter (anywhere from ten minutes to a half hour, depending on the readiness of the bridal party. Make sure EVERYONE being announced is aware to stay outside of the reception hall until the wedding party introductions.

Best Man's Toast, (or other toasts)
Usually done immediately following the wedding party introductions or after the first course of a sit-down dinner. In Maine, the best man traditionally gives the toast, however, many couples also have a second or third person say a few words too. Your disc jockey will provide the cordless microphone.

Blessing
Saying grace prior to the meal is typically done by the officiant. Here in Maine, many brides & grooms designate a family member to say grace before the meal. The DJs cordless microphone is available for the blessing.

Dinner
Depending on how the meal is served; buffet, food stations or sit-down meal, and how many courses, this can take anywhere from 45 minutes (buffets with smaller crowds), to upwards of two hours (sit-down dinners). Since the Bride & Groom finish their meal about 15-30 minutes before everyone else, this is a good time for them to go around to each table to say hello. Your DJ will be playing continuous music during dinner.

Cake Cutting Ceremony
The photographer will usually ask for a formal pose or two before beginning the cutting of the cake. The Bride & Groom cut out two, evenly sized, pieces of cake. In Maine, wedding tradition holds that the groom feeds his new bride first, followed by the bride feeding the groom. Many brides & grooms feed each other a piece of cake simultaneously. Your disc jockey will provide guidance, music and a bit of encouragement for this formal event!

Formal Dances(approximately three to four minutes each is the rule of thumb for the length of special dances). Your DJ will smoothly make the transitions from one wedding reception formality to another.

1. Bride/Groom First Dance
2. Father/Daughter
3. Mother/Son
4. Bridal Party dance
5. Throwing of the garter & the bouquet
6. The Dollar dance
7. Anniversary Dance
8. Time to Party!!!

From the announcement into the hall, to the bouquet & garter ceremonies, timing is generally about two hours. If this is going to be a four hour wedding reception, this leaves you about two hours to let loose (three hours for a five hour reception).

Perhaps you'd like the disc jockey to play the last song with the two of you encircled by family & friends? Let us know if there's a special song you'd like us to play to end the wedding reception with!

First, so that you don't feel like your being handled and directed without any clear view of what should happen, when & how. Second, so that you get the maximum value out of each of the Maine wedding professionals you hire. As your DJ, I wish you all the best in your journey toward the perfect wedding. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to give me a call at 1-800-757-7281.