Wedding evening reception help

I have photographed similar evening wedding receptions and its normal for you to be there already for when they arrive. You probably want to check everything is set up ok anyway so you would be there.

Also when I have photographed them we arrange for close family to be there 1/2 hour before to get some shots before everyone else arrives.

Mingle with drinks then do speeches and cut cake then first dance with the buffet waiting until the band breaks around 8.30

Hi Rhian,
I’d recommend something like this:

you either arrive at the reception first / appoint someone like a “best man/friend/father” (someone friendly with a loud voice) to arrive first to make sure everyone is there, that no one has got lost etc. and that everyone has a drink.
You could then have them direct everyone to their seats and begin by making the first speech.
Then the other speeches (which gives the kitchen time to get everything finished)
Then food if you’re serving a dinner, or for a buffet you can just announce that the food is being served and everyone can help themselves.
(Some people then do toasts at the end of a dinner but this is a personal choice)
After food, you can have the first dance and that then opens the dance floor for everyone.
I’d say maybe about 45mim-1hr later cut the cake and then continue with the night before the final sends off
If you’re starting at 6.30, I’d sayrinks 6.30pmDinner & Toasts 7.30pmFirst Dance 8.30pmCake 9.30pm (band break+ after the cake, this is usually when elderly relatives will start leaving so I’d recommend not too late)Departure (Depends on what time your venue closes at)