January 22nd, 2010
Timing is (truly) everything. Part 2
The Golden Rule of Timing a Great Party
One of our most heard misunderstandings about parties is the idea that parties should last a long time. Not true. My father was totally right when he told me to “leave them wanting more.”Part 2) An amazing party.
If you read Part 1 of this little series, which included Rules #1 – #3, you know it’s all about the critical, albeit invisible, element of timing.
Rule #4: Let the opening of the doors to the reception signal the beginning of your great celebration.
After an hour and a half of mingling with old friends, drinking wonderful beverages and eating scrumptious and creative hors d’oeuvres and short plates, your guests should be feeling the anticipation of the great party in store for them. When you open the doors, they should be stepping into something new — the music goes up several notches, the lighting moves to a whole different level and the decor gives them all that they’ve been waiting for. What your guests see and hear should reflect your unique style and vision. Creating this new enthusiasm will inspire your guests to have a great time.

Photo by Mike Kehr

Photo by Sarah DiCicco

Photo by Cliff Mautner

Photo by Marie Labbancz
Rule #5) Once your guests enter the reception, standing around is not an option.
Recently, we did something very fun. Instead of introducing the bride and groom in the typical way, the bride and groom were dancing (perfectly lit, of course) when the doors were opened. All the guests surrounded the dance floor. After a short time, the guests were invited to join the bride and groom at which point, they instantly became part of the party. That’s the goal. You want to engage your guests into your party as soon as they walk in the door.
To accomplish that, remember this: If nothing is happening, then your guests will do nothing. But if there’s something to be paid attention to, they will. Nothing will deflate the enthusiasm for your party like downtime. If that means you need to line up your wedding party for introductions right away, then make sure your wedding party isn’t hanging out in the bathroom.

Photo by Marie Labbancz
Rule #6) Do not front load your party with a succession of toasts and speeches.
Honestly, just don’t do it. Almost no one is entertaining enough to keep your guests interested for more than three minutes. ”Leave them wanting more” will never be more true than it is here. If you must have several toasts, then space them out throughout your party.
Rule #7) Do something fun and different at some point in your party.
This can take on several forms, and should take not up a lot of time (do you see a theme here?). Here are just a few suggestions.

Photo by Amy Deputy

Photo by Mike Kehr

Photo by Amy Deputy

Rule #8) The bandleader or DJ is not the final word on how your party should flow.
Don’t get me wrong, a good bandleader or DJ will know how to keep your party moving and energized. And will do everything possible to make sure it all happens right. We know and work with some of the best musicians and DJ’s around, and they will take the flow of your party very seriously. But there are some things they just don’t know because they’re not you and they’re not your planner (don’t get me started on band agencies that claim to be planners). Furthermore, it’s perfectly okay to want a different kind of party than what that particular band is used to playing. For instance, most bandleaders don’t know when the photographer has left the room and wouldn’t think to delay the cake cutting until the photographer returns. (And yes, this is an extremely good reason to have a good, experienced planner on board).

Photos by Marie Labbancz
Rule #9) Be flexible.
Sometimes things just happen that are completely unexpected, which may require that things get moved around a little. Do not let this upset you; some of the best experiences are borne from game day decisions made in the face of some unforeseeable happenstance.
Rule #10) Leave them wanting more (the Golden Rule).
No more than four hours after the cocktail hour (or so) began, you should be saying your goodbyes.
Okay, that’s it. Have an EXTRAORDINARY party!!!




























































Even a nor’easter can’t quiet the spirits of a great party, when Eclatante and 




































































































