The ceremony is over, but the wedding reception has just begun --a celebration that requires precise planning. This is a detailed timeline for a traditional five-hour, sit-down dinner wedding reception at a hotel (most wedding receptions last from three to five hours due to time limits at reception sites and the stamina of everyone involved).

But first, a word about whether or not to have receiving line. If you’re expecting more than 200 guests, a receiving line may take too long and cut into your wedding reception party time. Instead, visit the tables during the wedding reception to say hello. If you do choose to have a receiving line, it’s traditionally held at the beginning of the reception after the photographs of the wedding party have been completed. The receiving line should look like this: mother of the bride, father of the bride, mother of the groom, father of the groom, bride, and then groom. For a shorter line, eliminate the parents of the groom. For a longer line, include the maid of honour and the best man.

Sample Timeline (excluding receiving line)

5:00 p.m. Wedding party meets for photographs while wedding guests arrive for cocktail hour. (You might choose to complete the photographs in the afternoon before an evening wedding so that you can enjoy the cocktail hour with your guests.)

6:00 p.m. Wedding Guests sign the guest-book and pick up place cards.

6:15 p.m. Wedding Photographs are completed and wedding guests enter the wedding reception area and take their seats.

6:30 p.m. The Bridal party is introduced.

6:45 p.m. The Bride and groom  are introduced.

7:00 p.m. Optional Extra: A relative or a friend may say grace. (It’s a nice touch to have a relative bless the wedding reception meal. At a Jewish wedding, a guest/family member can cut the challah and recite the blessing.)

7:05 p.m. The Father-of-the-Bride offers a welcome toast. (This toast is optional. Sometimes both fathers, or fathers and mothers, welcome guests.)

7:15 p.m. The waiters serve the first course.

7:30 p.m. The Best Man takes the microphone and begins his toast. During the Best Man toast, waiters clear the first course.

7:40 p.m. The DJ or Bandleader announces the first dance. The Bride and Groom walk to the dance floor hand-in-hand. In an traditional reception, dancing does not start until all toasts have been offered and the dessert has been served. Now days most modern brides and grooms can’t wait that long and kick off the dancing before the main course -- or even first course -- is served.

When the music switches, it’s time for the Father-of-the-Bride to cut in and dance with his daughter. The Groom brings his mother onto the dance floor to dance with her.

7:55 p.m. The Bandleader or DJ/ Master of Ceremonies announces that the main course is served.

8:10 p.m. The bridal party and family toasts/speeches begin.

8:25 p.m. The main course is cleared. Dancing for the entire wedding reception party begins.

8:45 p.m. Waiters serve champagne. The Bride and Groom cut the Wedding Cake.

9:00 p.m. The Wedding Cake served with coffee and dessert.

9:20 p.m. The bride does the bouquet toss. (Some receptions include a garter toss, but many do not. It’s up to the bride to decide.)

9:30 p.m. More music, dancing and celebrating.

10:00 p.m. In a more traditional wedding the couple makes their departure and guests see them off with a shower of rice, birdseed, flower petals, or other ceremonial gesture. Music stops and guests start to leave. Parents and attendants gather personal belongings and gifts. In the more modern reception the new bride and groom stay and party to the end, enjoying their reception with their friends and family.