1. Probably the most important thing to keeping your reception on time is making sure the ceremony starts on time. The timeliness of your ceremony is directly related to your preparedness. Plan your day well in advance and allow yourself plenty of time of get dressed, take pictures, and get to your destination. And remember that your rehearsal dinner is more than just dinner, toasts and hugs. Make sure your Bridal Party and family understand the importance of attending the rehearsal dinner and rehearse the ceremony all the way through at least twice.

1. Limit the time you spend taking pictures between the ceremony and reception to 30-45 minutes. Make arrangements with your photographer, and your Bridal Party, to have as many pictures taken as possible before the ceremony. Taking pictures of the Bride and Groom with their attendants, parents, siblings, etc. can save valuable time after the ceremony. Remember - your guests are waiting to see you!
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1. Have your Matron/Maid of Honor rehearse the bustling of your dress. It is also a good idea to have someone else, such as another Bridesmaid or your mother, know how to bustle your dress just in case the Matron/Maid of Honor is unavailable. Difficulty bustling a dress has been known to delay a reception by a half hour... that's valuable party time!
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1. If you are expecting more than 100 guests, ask your caterer if it's possible to have a double-sided buffet line or two buffet lines. This saves a tremendous amount of time getting all your guests through the buffet line.

1. Talk to your Bridal Party and family prior to your wedding day to ensure they are aware of their various roles, such as receiving lines, introductions, toasts, dances, etc.� Also stress the importance of showing up on time and prepared.

1. Make sure your tossing bouquet is readily available and remember to put on your garter prior to the garter toss so your new husband can retrieve it!

1. Dim the lights when it's time for dancing. Soft lighting during dinner creates a more comfortable atmosphere. Dimming the lights after dinner will motivate your guests to dance. Determine the desired lighting levels for dinner and dancing when you meet with your reception facility's coordinator. Consider light levels that will compliment any candles you plan to use. Ask that your lighting preferences be included in your contract with the facility.

1. Place your DJ next to the dance floor and avoid sharing facilities. Avoid seating guests between your DJ and the dance floor. Placing your DJ adjacent to the dance floor maximizes your DJ's ability to control the sound and interact with the dancers. Be wary of situations where the dance floor is in the next room or access is not convenient for your guests. Also, avoid facilities where you must share an area with restaurant diners or other parties. Such arrangements almost always generate requests to lower the volume, which will diminish the energy of your reception.

1. Invest quality time in planning your Grand Entrance. The Grand Entrance sets the tone and establishes the energy for the entire reception. Work closely with your DJ and Catering Director to stage a Grand Entrance that reflects your style and personality. Decide who will participate, where they will assemble and in what order, where they will go after being introduced. Clarify pronunciation of names, determine appropriate introductions for blended families and, of course, select the perfect music.

1. The First Dance - don't wait forever to do it and don't do it forever. One of the special moments of the reception is the bride and groom's first dance. Having your first dance after the grand entrance, or right after dinner, is a great way to start the party. Don't delay your first dance to visit with your guests. Doing so will deflate the energy of your reception. You've selected your favorite ballad, but that five-minute song may seem like an eternity both to you and your guests. Have your DJ fade out the song at a designated time if it lasts more than a few minutes. All of this applies as well to the newlyweds' dances with their parents.

1. Don't try to select every song your DJ will play. Choose the song for your first dance and other songs for specific reception events. Tell your DJ what artists and styles of music to feature or avoid, but don't micro-manage your DJ's performance. A professional wedding DJ can 'read the crowd' and knows what to play and when to play it to keep the party going. More importantly, your DJ knows which requests clear the dance floor. You're paying for your DJ's knowledge and experience. Take advantage of it.

1. Don't rule out the Macarena! Think twice before you reject those so-called 'cheesy' group dances like the Macarena, Chicken Dance and YMCA. These dances may be the only opportunity some of your guests will have to get on the dance floor and have some fun. You don't have to do the Hokey Pokey right after your first dance, but let your DJ keep all options open. These group dances are frequently requested by your guests and often create reception highlights and priceless photos.

Top 25 Bridal Songs

1. Amazed - Lonestar
2. From This Moment On - Shania Twain & Bryan White
3. Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
4. Unforgettable - Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole
5. What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
6. All My Life - K-C & JOJO
7. Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
8. Have I Told You Lately - Van Morrison & Rod Stewart
9. Wonderful World/Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwoole
10. It's Your Love - Faith Hill & Tim McGraw
11. Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers
12. You Raise Me Up - Josh Groban
13. My Wish - Rascal Flatts
14. Lost In This Moment - Big & Rich
15. When You Say Nothing At All - Alison Krauss
16. I'll Be - Edwin McCain
17. The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra
18. I Could Not Ask For More - Edwin McCain
19. At Last - Etta James
20. This Will Be - Natalie Cole
21. True Companion - Marc Cohn
22. Home - Michael Buble
23. I Don't Want To Miss A Thing - Aerosmith
24. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams
25. Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley

Ceremony Music

Bridal Chorus - Wagner Ceremony Music
Bridal Chorus - Wagner
Wedding March - Mendelssohn
Wedding March - Lohengrim
Trumpet Voluntary - Clarke
Canon in D - Pachebel
Air - Handel
Jesus Joy of Man's Desiring - Bach
Closer - Goapele
Theme From "Love Story
Robin Hood Theme - Instrumental
Somewhere in Time - Roger Williams
Water Music #2 - Handel
Dance of the Blessed Spirits
Celtic Twilight Music for Weddings
Summer Place - Percy Faith
Harp Music for Weddings
All I Ask of You - Phantom
Ave Maria - Andrea Bocelli


Introductions

A Moment Like This - Kelly Clarkson
Ain't That A Kick In The Head - Dean Martin
At The Beginning - Richard Marx & Donna Lewis
Baby Elephant Walk - Henry Mancini
Backstreet's Back (Intro) - Backstreet Boys
Beautiful Day - U2
Bittersweet Symphony - The Verve
Chapel Of Love - Dixie Cups
Crazy In Love - Beyonce
Everybody (Backstreet's Back) - Backstreet Boys
Finally - Ce Ce Peniston
Get Ready - The Temptations
Happy Together - Turtles
How Sweet It Is (To Be Love By You) - James Taylor
I'm A Believer - Smashmouth
I'm So Excited - Pointer Sisters
I'm Walking On Sunshine - Katrina & The Waves
It Had To Be You - Harry Connick, Jr.
Love's Theme - Barry White
Mission Impossible Theme
My Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades - Timbuk 3
One More Time - Daft Punk
Perfect Day - Hoku
Peter Gun Theme
Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band
Pink Panther Theme
Putting On The Ritz
Rock & Roll Part II - Gary Glitter
Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder
Soul Bossa Nova ("Austin Powers") - Quincy Jones
Star Wars Theme
Start The Commotion - Wise Guys
Summer Place - Percy Sledge
That's Amore - Dean Martin
This Magic Moment - The Drifters
What The World Needs Now Is Love - Dionne Warwick

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Cake Cutting

R&B :
A Night To Remember - Shalamar
A Whole New World - Peabo Bryson & Regina Bell
Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing – Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell
All My Life – K-Ci & JoJo
Be Without You – Mary J. Blige
Candy – Cameo
Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love Babe – Barry White
Could It Be I’m Falling In Love – The Spinners
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – Marvin Gaye
If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys
Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
Love’s Theme – Barry White
My Cherie Amour – Stevie Wonder
One In A Million You – Larry Graham
Stickwitu – Pussycat Dolls
Stuck On You – Lionel Richie
This Magic Moment – The Drifters
Tonight, I Celebrate My Love – Roberta Flack & Peabo Bryson
We’re In This Love Together – Al Jarreau
What The World Needs Now Is Love – Dionne Warwick
You’re All I Need To Get By – Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell

Rock/Pop :
All I Have To Do Is Dream – The Everly Brothers
Almost Paradise - Mike Reno & Ann Wilson
Beautiful Soul – Jessie McCartney
Because - Dave Clark Five
Better Together – Jack Johnson
Chapel Of Love – Dixie Cups
Cherish - Madonna
Happy Together – The Turtles
Hit Me With Your Best Shot – Pat Benatar
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor
Ice Cream – Sarah McLachlan
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
Mad About You – Belinda Carlisle
Nothin’s Gonna Stop Us Now – Starship
Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Lepard
Stickwitu - Pussycat Dolls
Stuck With You – Huey Lewis & The News
Sugar Sugar – The Archies
Sweetest Thing – U2
True Blue - Madonna
Wishin’ & Hopin’ – Ani DiFranco
You And Me - Lifehouse

Country :
From This Moment – Shania Twain
It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
Lost In The Moment – Big & Rich
Love Is A Beautiful Thing – Phil Vassar
Love Without End, Amen – George Strait
Making Memories Of Us – Keith Urban
Me And You – Kenny Chesney

Old Standards :
Banana Split For My Babe – Louis Prima
Don’t Falter At The Alter – Cab Calloway
Fascination – Nat King Cole
Recipe For Love – Harry Connick, Jr
That’s Amore – Dean Martin

Jazz/Blues/Other :
By Your Side – Sade
I Wanna Grow Old With You – Adam Sandler
If You Love Me – B.B. King & Van Morrison
I’m In Love With You – Joy Williams
Jaws Theme – John Williams
Love Theme From St. Elmo’s Fire – David Foster
Oh Happy Day – Edwin Hawkins
Only Time – Enya
Someone Like You – Van Morrison
Sweet Love – Anita Baker
When God Made You - Newsong

Country :
Amazed – Lone Star
Beautiful In My Eyes – Joshua Kadison
Breathe – Faith Hill
Could I Have This Dance – Anne Murray
Crazy – Patsy Cline
Feels Like Home – Chantel Kreviazuk
Forever And Ever Amen – Randy Travis
From This Moment – Shania Twain
Giving You The Rest Of My Life – Bob Carlisle
I Can Love You Like That – John Michael Montgomery
I Cross My Heart – George Strait
I Love The Way You Love Me – J. Montgomery
I Need You – LeAnn Rimes
I Swear – J. Montgomery
It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
Lost In The Moment – Big And Rich
Love Remains – Collin Ray
Me And You – Kenny Chesney
My Best Friend – Tim McGraw
She's Everything - Brad Paisley
This Kiss – Faith Hill
When You Say Nothing At All – Allison Krauss
You Had Me From Hello - Kenny Chesney
Your Love Amazes Me – John Berry

Old Standards :
At Last – Etta James
Fascination – Nat King Cole
It Had To Be You – Harry Connick, Jr.
Til The End Of Time – Perry Como
Unforgettable – Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole
What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong

Jazz/Other :
By Your Side – Sade
Dreaming Of You – Selena
I Do – James Ingram & John Tesh
I Will Be Here – Steven Curtis Chapman