French Way Events

Staff / Key Timing

March 21st - Patience doe at FW
186 final guest count
4pm ceremony / 10PM music stops (earlier)
Opening manager - Anthony / Closing - Maya
Whipit Catering
Noon - Kevin - accept Instacart
Noon - Anthony
2pm Chrisha - bar
2pm Jen - bar
2pm - barback/housekeeping - Rico
3pm - Maya
Ending 10pm - full sweep and mop tonight - leave tables set 
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Timing:

4:00–4:35 PM | CEREMONY (MAIN BALLROOM)
  • Processional
  • Wedding talk
  • Vows
  • Recessional
🎶 DJ: Ceremony music only
🎤 MC: None





4:35–4:45 PM | CEREMONY EXIT + GUEST TRANSITION
  • Guests are gently directed to the White Room
  • MC announcement:“Please join us in the White Room for cocktails as we prepare the ballroom for the reception.”
  • Ushers guide traffic smoothly



4:45–5:30 PM | COCKTAIL HOUR (WHITE ROOM – 45 MIN)
  • Champagne service
  • Light background music
  • Photo booth + thumbprint painting open
  • Socializing + mingling
🎶 DJ: Elegant lounge / soft jazz (Shana in charge of jazz playlist)





4:45–5:30 PM | BALLROOM FLIP (HAPPENS SIMULTANEOUSLY)
  • Ceremony chairs removed
  • Reception tables fully set
  • Place settings, centerpieces, buffet stations prepared
  • Sound + lighting adjusted for party mode





5:30–5:40 PM | GUEST TRANSITION BACK TO BALLROOM
  • Doors open
  • MC announcement:“Family and friends, the ballroom is ready. Please find your seats as we prepare to welcome the wedding party.”
  • Guests are already seated when entrances begin





5:40–5:50 PM | FAMILY & WEDDING PARTY ENTRANCES
  • Immediate family (names)
  • Wedding party  (names)
  • Bride & groom  (names…….just kidding)
🎤 MC introduces each group





5:50–5:55 PM | FIRST GRAND ENTRANCE (FUN + QUICK)
  • Bride & groom enter
  • Wave, smile, quick kiss
  • Straight to seats





5:55–6:55 PM | DINNER (BUFFET – 200 GUESTS)Buffet flow that WORKS:
  • Prayer - Name
  • Minimum 2 buffet lines (3 ideal)
  • MC releases tables by number
  • 2–3 tables at a time


🎶 DJ: Soft / romantic / slow music
🎤 MC: Calm pacing announcements





6:55–7:10 PM | DINNER WIND-DOWN
  • Final plates cleared
  • Guests stretch, chat
  • Photo booth & painting remain active





7:10–7:30 PM | BRIDE & GROOM OUTFIT CHANGE
  • Bride & groom quietly exit
  • Guests remain engaged
  • DJ slowly lifts the energy
🎤 MC:
“While the bride and groom prepare for the next part of their celebration, please enjoy the evening.”





7:30–7:35 PM | SECOND GRAND ENTRANCE (ENERGY SHIFT)
  • How do you want the MC to introduce this?
  • Lights dim slightly
  • Music builds
  • Bride & groom re-introduced





7:35–7:50 PM | DESSERT REVEAL + CAKE CUTTING
  • Dessert stations unveiled
  • Bride & groom cut personal cake
  • You stand behind dessert table handing out desserts (fantastic choice)
🎶 DJ: Fun, celebratory music





7:50–8:00 PM | MARRIED COUPLES DANCE
  • All married couples invited
  • MC counts decades
  • Longest-married couple honored
🎶 Song: “At Last” – Etta James





8:00–8:10 PM | PRE-PLANNED LINE DANCE
  • Selected group joins bride: “Boots on the Ground”





8:10–9:45 PM | OPEN DANCE FLOORParty Time
  • Desserts still available
  • Photo booth + painting active
  • DJ balances:


    • Line dances
    • Classics
    • Modern hits
    • Slow dances





9:45–10:00 PM | GRAND SEND-OFF
  • MC gathers guests
  • Final song
  • Bride & groom depart at 10:00 PM

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Bar - Ready by 3:45pm / opens at 4pm

Hosted:
Pre-pour - see Anthony - mix of wine/beer in a bucket/bubbly
65 beers
85 wines
100 sodas 
After this guests buy on their own 
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note: bride bringing in 6 bottles of bubbly
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End of night duties

Sweep and map - everything else can stay the same

Diagrams

Post ceremony - room flip from Wild Flower

Decor Rules to Remind Clients

🚫 NO GLITTER / FEATHERS OR VERY SMALL OBJECTS
🚫 NO TAPER CANDLES / ALL CANDLES MUST BE IN GLASS
(enclosed in glass – flame 2 inches below)
🚫 NO TAPE OR ADHESIVES
(No tape, nails, screws, hooks, or glue)
🚫 NO HANGING ITEMS
(Walls, ceilings, beams, doors, lighting)
🚫 DO NOT MOVE LARGE ITEMS
(Bookshelves, lounge furniture, heavy tables)
👥 TWO PEOPLE REQUIRED
(Standard tables only)
🔒 TABLES MUST LOCK
🚫 NO DRAGGING FURNITURE
⚠️ DAMAGE WILL BE BILLED