Sample time-line...

We'll work with you to customize a timeline that can be shared with your catering &/or banquet director, photographer or anyone who needs to be aware of the timeline of activities to ensure that the timing of the music corresponds with the over-all timing of the event to ensure all activities occur on time!!!

Below is a real timeline with the names changed in respect to clients identity....

After speaking with almost three hundred brides, I've noticed a few trends, good ideas and bad ideas.
I offer this Reception Planning Interview Session to help ensure your 'big day' is as fantastic we can help make it be.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this information and hope it is useful for all future bride's & groom's. Being recently married myself, I understand how important and 'nerve-wracking' the planning & coordination can be. I encourage you to share this information & perspective of my experience if you find it beneficial.

During our interview session, we'll talk about the timing of all the activities and acknowledgments that you wish to occur at your reception. We'll also discuss music particulars, how you envision the type of music format. If you wish, you can leave the musical planning & selection to us as we can pick timeless & tasteful classics appealing to the masses and varying audiences; or you can choose to be involved with the music planning, even scripting the entire reception from beginning to end.

full circle media approaches the reception like a script, where we play a role crafted between the bride, groom and respective guests; an auxiliary although important role to the big day; complimenting, not stealing the show. We do not believe this is the place for the "self-centered, attention-craving dj;" however, if you wish the dj to be more engaging with your guests, we can certainly do that too.

Planning a well thought out reception involves a little coordinated planning, and this the opportunity to plan together.

With all the activities & dances that normally take place during a wedding reception, there is normally only time to program for about 26-40 songs after the first dance. With that in mind, I find it very easy to communicate with the bride & groom to discuss & determine what the appropriate mix of music will be. Based on the types of music you like, and any requests you may have, it is easy for us to pick & play the best songs of each genre

When we talk music, we'll talk about general genre's of music that you like AND don't like; then get more specific with artists & songs you like. Based on this discussion of music types, we'll tailor a format specific to your tastes & desires:

Below is the format breakdown, analyzed from a recent wedding reception playlist.

Some may consider this a very analytical approach; true, although I consider it very effective. Specific requests will fall into one of the music genre types, & will dictate how percentages apply for you. "Peppering" in key music from varying backgrounds normally "rounds-out" the rest of the format.

Non requested music will generally be as broad in appeal as possible to appease the masses.

If you wish, you also have the option to totally "wash your hands" of the responsibility of considering what music should be played, and you can leave the programming to us. All you need to pick are your first dance songs & that's it. You can trust full circle media to program the music for you if you wish. We have tens of thousands of titles in our music library and normally bring about 300-400 hours of music to each event and , we're confident we can easily program 3.5 to 4 hours of GREAT music without much assistance, and 'read-the-crowd' as necessary.

I'd like to share a scenario so you get an idea how the "typical reception" might "breakdown" timing wise, and musically, even though each reception is still unique, and I still try to learn something new at each one. My intention is to not suggest "I know it all," but instead let those to-be-married, know what they MIGHT expect since some may have no idea. I also encourage the use our interview session to throw in your own unique twists or let me know how exactly you'd like to have your reception happen.

The average reception lasts 3.5 - 4 hours.

The typical reception begins prior to or just as guests are arriving, the dj is playing music, Mingling Music, or some might call it Dining or Cocktail music, heavily influenced Love Themed Jazz Classics by artists such as Sinatra, Fitzgerald, Bennett, Holiday, Armstrong, Porter, Coltrane, and other timeless and tasteful classics throughout the meal. Recently, at client request, I've also offered alternatives to the Jazz over dinner, such as Spanish Guitar / Gypsy / World sound, a light Texas-Folk sound such as a light KGSR 107.1 format, and others by request.

Wedding Party often arrives a little before the Bride & Groom, who are usually the last to leave post-ceremony-pictures session. Bride & Groom often arrive about 20 or up to 30 minutes into the reception, unless the ceremony & reception locations are close in proximity to each other.

DJ announces Grand Entrance of Bride & Groom who briefly 'work the room' and wedding party usually leads a buffet line, or sit down served meal. Most clients choose to enter, eat / mingle & then dance; only about 1 out of every 8 choose to enter & go straight into the first dance prior to the meal. After entering the room there's a period where the Bride & Groom are settling into the room & gathering their 'wits' while unknowingly 'working the room' for a period that may take up to 15-20 minutes as Bride & Groom receive kind words from family and friends which I see now pretty much exclusively over the more traditional receiving line.

Meal time takes on average 50-75 minutes, this varies depending on type of meal, number of guests, timeliness of catering, and many other factors. Bride & Groom often finish before the masses as they get to eat first, or too hyped up to even eat at all, and often 'work-the-room' a little more while the majority still finish their meal.

When the Bride & Groom are comfortable, "break-in" the dance floor with their first song. Throughout the reception coordinate reception activities, interactive dances, games and necessary announcements you wish. Playing a variety of slow dance & upbeat music that appeals the masses.

I usually find that cutting the cake averages about 30 minutes after the end of the meal, this often gives catering enough time to focus from dinner to dessert & prepare for toast, which often precludes the cutting of the cake.

Beyond then, I try to evenly space out other requested traditional & nontraditional reception activities.

The Bride & Groom often make their grand exit, sometime in the last 30 scheduled minutes, so that there are still enough guests around to "send them off." Some Bride's & Groom's stage an exit for photos & come back in to party longer.

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