Essential Insights: What’s the Schedule Like for a Wedding Reception After Party?

2019.08.29 published

What is the flow of a second party like?

More than half of couples who hold their wedding ceremony and reception have a "second party" on the same day.

Some couples ask close friends to be in charge, while others hire a second party service provider. There's a variety of options.

However, one common thing to note when holding a second party is:

**The couple must have a clear understanding of the flow and schedule of the second party.**

In fact, quite a few couples approach the event without fully knowing the schedule for the second party.

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This can lead to depending too much on the organizers, creating a burden for them and possibly pushing back the ending time due to a lack of time awareness.

As hosts who are entertaining guests, it's essential to grasp this important point thoroughly.

Therefore, in this article, we will introduce the classic flow and schedule for wedding second parties.

The total time is about 2 hours.

The typical duration of a wedding second party, from the couple's entrance to their departure, is generally about 2 hours.

Since many guests are likely to have attended the ceremony and reception, be careful not to extend it beyond this time!

Additionally, guest registration starts 30 minutes prior.

Depending on the venue, the style may vary (standing buffet, seated, half-standing, etc.), but it’s a good idea to prepare comfortable chairs and sofas for guests to relax.

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Schedule for the second party ① Entrance of the couple (5 minutes)

Here we go, the second party starts! First, the couple's entrance.

Let the guests toss confetti or use crackers to make a grand entrance.

Schedule for the second party ② Welcome Speech (5 minutes)

Once seated at the main table, it’s time for the welcome speech.

The groom can give a speech on behalf of the couple, or they can greet everyone together. A light self-introduction is also recommended.

Schedule for the second party ③ Toast (5 minutes)

After that, it’s time for all guests to toast!

It's common to leave the toast to the organizer, but surprising a guest who has helped you is also a great idea.

Schedule for the second party ④ Wedding Cake Presentation (10-15 minutes)

Next, the highlight of the second party, the wedding cake presentation.

The flow from cake cutting to the first bite is the same as at the reception.

Inviting specific guests to participate through a "thank you bite" is also a classic way to engage guests.

Schedule for the second party ⑤ Conversation Time (20 minutes)

During conversation time, the couple and guests can enjoy chatting at a close range.

If you are preparing a profile movie, it's a good idea to play it at this time.

Schedule for the second party ⑥ Performances and Events (10-60 minutes)

Once the venue feels relaxed during conversation time, it’s finally time for performances and events.

You can first enjoy the performances prepared by the guests or,

the games and events organized by the hosts and the couple can be done ahead of the performances as well.

If the time starts running long, this is the key moment to manage, so it’s important to meet regularly to discuss the schedule.

If there aren’t many performances or events, consider incorporating conversation during the schedule to balance it out.

Schedule for the second party ⑦ Thank you speech by the couple (5-10 minutes)

After all performances, events, and games are completed, it’s finally time for the couple's thank-you speech.

It's nice to express your gratitude for their attendance and share your hopes for the future.

Schedule for the second party ⑧ Conclusion

And then, the second party concludes.

The couple stands at the venue exit, presenting small gifts to each guest.

It’s easy to end up chatting for a long time as you savor the goodbyes, but keep in mind to respect the time considering clean-up and departure.

Are you feeling confident about the flow of the second party?

We introduced the most commonly used schedule for wedding second parties.

Of course, there are various schedules depending on the specific second party.

Please use this flow as a reference to enjoy a fun second party while keeping within the time limits!