What is the correct order for a wedding reception?

Short answer

The usual order is: drinks reception, guests seated, wedding breakfast or meal, speeches, evening reception with cake cutting and first dance, then dancing and evening food. You can adjust it to suit your day.

There is no single correct order for a wedding reception, but most UK weddings follow a familiar pattern. After the ceremony, guests gather for a drinks reception while the couple have photos taken. Then everyone moves to the dining room for the wedding breakfast, which is the main meal. Speeches often come after the meal, typically from the hosts, the couple, and sometimes the best person or others. After the speeches, the cake is often cut, and the couple has their first dance to open the evening. Then the evening guests arrive, the dance floor opens, and evening food like pizza or chips is served later. Some couples swap the order, for example having speeches before the meal to calm nerves, or cutting the cake earlier. What matters is that your guests know what is happening and when. If you are unsure, ask your venue coordinator for a suggested timeline. They will have experience of what flows well.