Every venue and family is different, so treat this as a starting point. It assumes a 6pm reception start and an 11pm finish, which is typical for Sydney venues.
A sample reception run sheet
5:30pm · Cocktails
Relaxed background music while guests arrive and the photographer takes you away for portraits. Volume low enough for conversation.
6:30pm · Guests seated
Your DJ or MC asks guests to find their seats. Give it 10 to 15 minutes; people are slow.
6:45pm · Grand entrance
Bridal party then the couple, each introduced with a song. A custom edit here makes the moment feel big.
7:00pm · Entrée and first speeches
Welcome speech, then food. Splitting speeches into two short blocks keeps guests engaged.
7:45pm · Main course
Dinner music that builds slightly in energy as the night goes on.
8:30pm · Remaining speeches
Parents, bridal party, then the couple. Keep each speech to three to five minutes.
8:50pm · Cake cutting
Quick, photographed, then straight into the first dance while everyone's already on their feet.
9:00pm · First dance, then open the floor
Invite the bridal party and parents in halfway, then go straight into a proven floor filler.
9:05pm to 10:45pm · Dancing
The main event. Your DJ reads the room and plays to your must-plays.
10:45pm · Last song and farewell
A big final track, then the send-off. Leave them wanting more.
Why this order works
- Cake cutting straight into the first dance means guests are already standing and gathered, so the floor fills instantly.
- Finishing speeches before 9pm keeps energy for dancing. Late speeches kill momentum.
- Splitting speeches around the meal stops guests getting restless.
- Starting dancing by 9pm gives you close to two hours of party even with an 11pm finish.
Who needs a copy
Your DJ or MC, venue coordinator, photographer, videographer and anyone giving a speech. We turn your timeline into a run sheet everyone works from, so no one is guessing on the night.
Every Platinum wedding includes a planning call and run sheet.
See wedding DJ packages