What is the Plan for Our Reception? Typical Order of Events..

Everyone will be looking forward to the celebration of your union.  How should you start it?  You'll need some sort of agenda to make sure the party runs as smoothly as possible.  You may even want to provide your guests with a program, so that they know how the evening will unfold.

Below we've included a sample agenda for you  Although this is a traditional order, you can customize any portion of it to fit your circumstances:

 5:00 pm  Cocktail hour

 6:00 pm  Introduction of bridal party, bride and groom

 6:20 pm  Table blessing

 6:30 pm  Begin food service

 7:00 pm  Toast by the best man (and possibly the maid of honor  or parents)

 7:15 pm  Mother/Son and Father/Daughter dances

 7:30 pm  Music and entertainment

 9:00 pm  Cake cutting

 9:20 pm  Remarks and acknowledgements by the bride and groom

 9:30 pm  Exit

10:00 pm  The reception ends

For an elaboration on these, please see the Receptions & Banquets section of the Chicago Wedding Workbook.

Below are a variety of Reception sites worth considering:

Anita Dee Yacht Charter "Choosing a unique venue can help to make your special day enchanting and beautiful." What could be more beautiful than having your ceremony on Lake Michigan?   Trump International Hotel & Tower "An efficient reception site will help to make your celebration as spectacular as your love for one another." And Spectacular is the only way to describe the available venues at the Trump Tower.

Intercontinental Hotel Chicago 
"A good reception venue knows that the key to a flawless event is seeing to every detail. Your wedding day is one of the most important of your life."

They have four historic ballrooms to choose from.  Be sure to check them out!