Normally, the order of events that we follow after introducing the wedding party, is to have
the toast
prayer
dinner
cake cutting
the couple's first dance
and then the other traditional dances.
We like to have the cake cutting immediately after dinner (most caterers ask us to do that). That way, the caterers can slice the cake and serve it while your guests are distracted watching your formal dances. If you would like to change that order, simply choose which event you want first from the list, second, and so on. If you are not including all of the events, leave those boxes empty.
A suggestion about the formalities. We suggest having the special dances and cake cutting AFTER dinner. If, for example, you choose a first dance song, and 2 parent dance songs which are all 3 minutes long. That takes 9 minutes to play whether it is before dinner or after dinner. The cake cutting takes about 3 minutes whether it is before dinner or after dinner. If you choose to do those things before dinner, the following will happen:
the catering staff will not do anything. They don't want to be a distraction during a special dance no food will be served.
Guests will have nothing to eat so they will not be getting any closer to dancing
After a full meal people would appreciate a few minutes before jumping up and dancing - dancing will be immediately after dinner
Any formality you do before dinner will take up the same amount of time after dinner. However, if you do the formalities after dinner, it doesn't matter if the catering staff stops working to be respectful of what you are doing. Everyone has their food and can eat it if they aren't finished. People will have a moment of downtime when they want it, not while they are waiting for a great meal.
