evening timings - thoughts?

My suggestions would be:

Guests still arrive at 7.30pm - BUT do be aware that not all your evening guests will arrive at 7.30pm prompt, it's highly likely you'll have guests still arriving til at least 8pm. I think (especially within my family, friends & wider circle of people we know) that it's not the done thing to turn up at the start time but at least 15 - 30 mins later!

So, based on that: I would have the band do a 1 hour set from either 7.30pm to 8.30pm, or 8pm to 9pm. Will you be doing your first dance to the band playing? Sorry just read that . . lol. Then do another set of the band 10pm - 11pm. What are you doing music wise when the band aren't playing?

I wouldn't cut the cake before the buffet, but would use it as a reason to end the buffet & move onto the party again afterwards. You can incorporate the speech & cake cutting together. Maybe do your first dance before the buffet, then announce the buffet is ready? My only concern would be that at 8pm, there may be evening guests who haven't yet arrived who will miss or walk into the first dance & cake cutting.

Our timing is very similar to yours but we end an hour later.

Would the band consider doing a 45 min set first then 1hr 15 later on? TBH I don't think it's essential the band play the last song of the night but I think our music will get a bit more dancey/cheesy towards the end of the night so not really what the band play anyway and I agree I think they sets needs to be closest together with the buffet in the middle.

I hate to say it but it's making your head hurt because it is not going to work. The band is right, 1.5 hours is too long a gap. IMO you have these options.

1) Finish the night with a Disco. The band may even let you use their PA and plug in an ipod if you are lucky.

2) Negotiate with them to increase their play time 30 minutes and do 3 x 45 minute sets.

3) Negotiate with them to do 1 x 30 min set and 2 x 45 mins set. Although this is still 2 hours playtime, the band might not be happy to stay this late. However it would solve your problem...

8pm gather guests, 8.10pm cut cake, 8.15pm first dance and first set, 8.45pm 45 mins break for food, 9.30pm second set, 10.15pm, 30 mins break with disco, 10.45pm third set, 11.30pm close.

I'm not a musician but I have worked a lot of weddings and 3 x 45 min sets are much more typical, I think 2 x 1 hour is a bit tight tbh. Have you paid a deposit so you are stuck with their timings? Ops just seen you are getting married in 4 weeks! Beg!


Best Sarah xxx

I agree with MrsH that evening guests will still be arriving after 7.30pm! However, I think the cake cutting going into first dance works really well. You gather everyone up, cut the cake, you are already in the middle of the dancefloor with everyone watching ready for your first dance, then the guests are encouraged to dance following you. Also this way the evening guests get to see some more ceremonial aspects of the day.

Thanks for the replies.

I would much prefer 3 x 40-45 min sets, but the band seem to think this isn't long enough for guests to really enjoy it. However, we are paying them (a lot) so I think they should be a bit flexible based on what we want. OH is going to talk to them when he gets back from his stag (if he survives!).

I like this suggestion, sounds like it would work quite well. Thanks Sarah!

Good luck! Tell your OH to blame MIL or similar. ? Get a kick ass playlist for the breaks and the party will still go on.