Congratulations on Your Upcoming Wedding from Pro Sound & Light Show!
At Pro Sound & Light Show, we know that planning a wedding can feel like juggling a thousand tiny details—but the reward is a magical day that you and your guests will remember forever. After performing at over 14,000 weddings and events in Minnesota and Wisconsin, we’ve mastered the art of crafting extraordinary celebrations. Our passion is helping couples create meaningful, joy-filled moments, and we’re here to share the wisdom we’ve gathered over the years.
One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is this: great events don’t just happen—they’re built on a foundation of thoughtful preparation and personalization. To help you plan your perfect day, we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to wedding reception activities. Use these ideas as inspiration to make your wedding uniquely yours, filled with the memories you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
Your Wedding Reception: A Celebration of Love and Joy
The wedding reception is the crown jewel of your special day. It’s where the formalities of the ceremony give way to celebration, laughter, and dancing. But a memorable reception doesn’t just unfold on its own. It’s carefully planned to reflect your love story, honor your loved ones, and create a seamless flow of fun and entertainment.
Your Minnesota wedding DJ from Pro Sound & Light Show is more than just a music professional—we’re your partner in crafting the ultimate experience. From grand entrances to spotlight dances and everything in between, we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Start Strong: The Grand March Entrance
The Grand March Entrance sets the tone for the rest of the evening. It’s the moment your guests are formally introduced to the wedding party—and, of course, to the stars of the show: you and your partner.
We offer two styles of Grand Entrance to suit your vision:
- Basic Grand Entrance: Your DJ will coordinate the entrance order for each member of the wedding party and announce their names as they walk in. Upbeat, celebratory music keeps the energy high.
- Extended Intro Grand Entrance (available with Packages 2–4): Add a personal touch by sharing fun or heartfelt anecdotes about your wedding party. Write 3–5 sentences for each member in advance, and we’ll read them aloud during the introductions. You can even pair each couple with their own entrance song. This surprise element often delights not just the guests but the wedding party as well.
Make It Personal: Welcoming Your Guests
Once everyone is seated, it’s time for the bride and groom to take center stage and address your guests. This is your chance to personally thank your friends and family for being part of your day. Whether you acknowledge those who traveled far, those who played a special role in the wedding, or simply everyone’s presence, your words will set a warm, inclusive tone for the evening.
We’ll provide a corded or cordless microphone to make sure your message comes through clearly, ensuring that every guest feels seen and appreciated.
Blessing and Dinner Music
If you’re planning a blessing, it traditionally takes place just before dinner. Whether led by a family member, a clergy member, or a close friend, this moment adds a layer of reverence to your celebration.
While guests enjoy their meal, dinner music is the perfect way to set the mood. From elegant classical pieces to jazzy instrumentals or soft acoustic hits, your DJ will curate a playlist that aligns with the atmosphere you want to create. This subtle soundtrack enhances the dining experience and builds anticipation for the fun to come.
The Dinner Kisses: A Fun Tradition
The dinner kissing tradition is a playful way to engage your guests and bring the focus back to you as a couple. While glass-clinking is the classic option, there are countless creative alternatives:
- Love Songs: Guests must come to the microphone and sing a song with the word “love” in it before you share a kiss.
- Trivia Game: Each table answers a question about the bride and groom for the chance to prompt a kiss.
- Kissing Challenges: Guests perform a challenge, like a hula-hoop or dance-off, to earn a smooch from the newlyweds.
- Kiss Relay: Guests kiss in front of you, and you and your partner “outdo” their kiss.
These small but fun moments make for great photo opportunities and give your guests a role in your love story.
Toasts: Sharing Love and Laughter
The toasts are often one of the most emotional parts of the reception. Your DJ will coordinate the timing, ensuring the champagne is poured and everyone is ready before the speeches begin. Typically, the best man and maid of honor lead the way, followed by parents or other special speakers.
To maintain the flow, we recommend avoiding open toasts (where anyone can speak) unless you’ve planned for this in advance. We’ll provide microphones and manage transitions to ensure the moment feels polished and meaningful.
Cake Cutting Ceremony
The cake cutting is more than just a photo-worthy moment—it’s a tradition rich with history. Dating back to ancient Rome, it symbolizes the couple’s shared commitment and unity. Your DJ can narrate the significance of the ceremony, making it a moment of connection between you and your guests.
This is also a great opportunity for lighthearted fun. Whether you opt for a sweet, gentle cake feeding or a playful frosting smash, your DJ will ensure the spotlight is on you.
Love Story: A Touch of Romance
One of our most unique offerings, the Love Story, is a professionally written and narrated account of your relationship. It’s included in Package 4 and available as an upgrade to Package 3. This heartfelt moment typically leads into your first dance, setting an emotional tone and giving guests a deeper understanding of your journey together.
Spotlight Dances: Creating Meaningful Moments
First Dance
Your first dance is a moment of pure romance. It’s your time to shine as newlyweds, sharing a song that holds special meaning for you. Many couples invite the wedding party or guests to join midway through the dance, creating a dynamic photo opportunity and reducing the pressure of dancing alone.
Parent Dances
Honor your parents with a dedicated father-daughter or mother-son dance. Some couples choose to combine these into a single dance or invite all parents and children to join partway through the song. Whatever option you choose, these moments are filled with heartfelt emotion.
Other Spotlight Dances
Special dances with a step-parent, sibling, or close friend can also be incorporated into your reception, ensuring that every important relationship is celebrated.
Interactive Fun: Games and Traditions
Money Dance
This popular tradition gives your guests a chance to share a dance with you while contributing a small monetary gift. Your DJ will guide the flow, ensuring everyone gets a turn without taking up too much time.
Bouquet Toss
Gather the single ladies on the dance floor for this lively tradition. Your DJ will build excitement with a countdown before you toss the bouquet. For a unique twist, consider gifting the bouquet to someone special, like a close friend or family member.
Garter Toss
The garter toss follows a similar format, inviting single men to participate. Some couples choose to pair the bouquet and garter catchers for a playful moment, or they may opt for modern alternatives that skip these traditions altogether.
Dancing the Night Away
Once the formalities are complete, it’s time to hit the dance floor! Your DJ will curate a playlist tailored to your preferences, keeping the energy high and the dance floor packed. From timeless classics to current hits, we’ll make sure every guest finds a reason to get up and dance.
Planning Made Simple
At Pro Sound & Light Show, we make planning easy with our online planning account. This tool allows you to:
- Customize your playlist with “must-play” and “do-not-play” songs.
- Plan the sequence of events for your reception.
- Add notes and preferences to ensure every detail is perfect.
Your DJ will review this information well in advance, so they arrive fully prepared to execute your vision.
Why Choose Pro Sound & Light Show?
We’re not just DJs—we’re memory-makers, coordinators, and partners in celebration. With decades of experience and a passion for perfection, we’re committed to delivering the wedding reception of your dreams.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Expertise: Our team is trained to handle every aspect of your reception, from music and lighting to announcements and coordination.
- Customization: Your wedding is one of a kind, and we’ll work with you to make it personal and memorable.
- Professionalism: We pride ourselves on clear communication, punctuality, and a polished presentation.
- Fun and Energy: We know how to read a room and keep the party going, ensuring your guests have an unforgettable time.
Ready to Get Started?
Your wedding day should be a celebration of your love, joy, and unique journey as a couple. With Pro Sound & Light Show, you’ll have a trusted partner to guide you through every step of the process, from planning to execution.
Contact us today to learn more about our packages and services. Let’s make your wedding unforgettable—together.
