Wedding reception order?

Question

i have 2 questions.

background: i'm going to be doing an afternoon reception, from 2-5p.m., that will be celebrating our wedding. we will have been married the week before in jamaica. it will start off with a short 5 minute marriage blessing. there will be music (not enough room for a full dance floor, but still a small place to dance. our families aren't huge dancers), cake, punch, choc fountain with fruit etc.., cheese, meats & olives. we have a slide show we want to play and i was thinking about hiring a balloon artist for an hour or so for the kidos.

now for the questions

1) what order do i do all of this in? we are still planning on doing all the normal things you do at a reception 1st dance, garter, cake etc... and im pretty sure when the balloon artist is there, they will be stealing all the attention, so i want that to have their own time slot.

2) will it be nessisary to serve both non and alcoholic punch since it will be in the afternoon? that will be our only option for alcohol. the venue would otherwise charge $45 per bottle of wine that pours 6-8 glasses and $5-7 for every bar drink. thats just not in the budget. that night around 9 we are going bar hoping with all of our younger friends and the ones that came from out of town. this way we can spend more time with them.

Answer 1

A spiked and unspiked punch sounds fine.Cut the cake before you eat, after. first dance, dance with dad dance with groom and mom.etc. throw garter. balloon artist last, so while that is going on you and your groom can visit with the other guests.

Answer 2

I think it would be best to leave the room right after the marriage blessing along with your bridal party for fifteen minutes or so and then reenter and have the DJ announce your party for the first dance as they come in.

While you are gone, you could have some appetizer type treats available to your guests so they can mingle a little and the kids don't get restless.

After the dances, take time to eat..

Cut the cake

Through your bouquet

Then the garter

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I'd have the balloon artist arrive shortly after that.

The kids will be ready for some fun at this point and probably less shy by that time, and that's the point in the evening when the adults mingle more, so that may free up some parents... I think it's a great idea! Maybe have a corner reserved for kids and activities that is out of the way  but still in view.

As for the alcohol, because there are going to be kids there I am not sure that it's a very good idea to leave a spiked punch bowl out for anybody... mistakes happen and what if a 5 year old went to the wrong bowl to refill their drink?

I don't think it would be bad at all to not have alcohol there, but if you do, I would put the punch with the alcohol on a higher table and have it clearly marked.

It might be nice to have a toast with your bridal party outside of the hall if you choose to leave the room after the marriage blessing.

Another option (I am not sure if this would work or not) would be to have someone keep some liquor in a vehicle and when people walk out to smoke or get air they can get their drinks spiked up a little. Depending on the staff, it may be overlooked if it isn't overdone.

But really, especially since it's in the afternoon, I don't think not having it there will make a big difference to your guests especially since you are giving them the option to come out with you later.

What every you decide, I'm sure everthing will come together really well. You're day will be perfect.

Congrats!!!