Rick Jobe & Tuxedo Junction

Wedding Receptions: The View from the Stage

Rick Jobe and Tuxedo Junction has performed for hundreds of wedding receptions and formal events since its official beginnings in 1984. That makes band leader Rick Jobe one the most experienced back-seat drivers in Huntsville wedding circles! Here is a standard, time proven plan for this important event, but remember, we can customize it to fit your preferences.

First Set: Greetings and Congratulations!

A suggested starting time for the reception is approximately one hour from the beginning of your wedding ceremony, if both the wedding and reception are held in the same city. Extra time should be allowed for additional travel or ceremonies (such as full Mass) which tend to be more lengthy. It is very important to have the reception area open, hors d'oeuvres and beverages ready, and the band starting at the time that most of your guests will arrive for the party. It can be exceptionally unfortunate to keep the guests waiting outside a reception until the bride and groom arrive. For this reason it is becoming popular to make pictures before the ceremony or to begin the reception prior to the arrival of the wedded couple

Guests will be entertained during this first set by the band playing easy-listening jazz and swing. Volume is kept low so that the guests and the wedding couple can greet one another and socialize. There may be some dancing during this first forty-five minute set, although people will often wait until the bride and groom have danced first.

First Break: Cuttin' the Cake and a Special Toast!

This band break is about forty-five minutes after the beginning of the party and is a perfect time to cut the wedding cake and for any special toasts to be offered. It will be approximately fifteen minutes long or whatever time these festivities require. Rick will announce and MC any and all activities!

Second Set: Magic Moments and Cuttin' the Rug!

As the second set begins the band will play its theme song Tuxedo Junction. This serves as a signal for the wedding party to move to the edge of the dance floor for the "Spotlight Dance" to honor the bride and groom and their families. This formality is by no means required but it is often a poignant moment and an excellent photo opportunity, and it provides the additional benefit of letting your guests know that they may feel free to dance. The arrival of the bride and groom at the edge of the dance floor is the band's signal that they are ready and that their families and the wedding party are assembled. Rick will announce the couple and the band begins a slow romantic tune that is easily danceable by  everyone.

The first 20 to 30 seconds of this tune (this is longer than you think in these circumstances) is reserved for the wedding couple and allows the photographers to capture those cherished romantic moments. The accepted etiquette is for the band leader to then introduce the bride's parents, who will dance with the couple (Dad with daughter, Mom with the groom). Next, the groom's parents are announced and join the dance (Mom with her son, his dad with the bride, and the bride's parents back with each other). At this point the wedding party is asked to join in (groomsmen and bridesmaids), and then all the guests are encouraged to come up and dance.

This full form Spotlight Dance is by no means necessary. For example, those who prefer less formality might simply have the bride and groom dance alone and perhaps have the bride  dance with her father. 

If this lovely observance is an important part of your reception, please encourage your wedding party to participate and make it clear that it is an expected part of their participation in the event. Please make sure that the band leader has important information such as the names of the bride and groom, the absence of a parent, or any special family arrangements that vary from having both sets of parents present and participating.

The end of the Spotlight Dance is when a wedding party can really take off! Having brought many of the guests to the dance floor, it is common for the band to immediately break into a fast swing or, more frequently, a rock and roll dance number which tends to spark the dancing and keep them on the floor! The band will then play a variety of slow, fast, and medium tunes for people of all ages and tastes.

Second Break: Toss the Garter and the Bouquet!

This is the perfect time for these events. The band leader will announce them as well as cueing the drummer to play the appropriate rolls and rim shots. It's a fun time and a good one to get those magic photos!

Third and/or Fourth Sets: Dance the Night Away!

Whether this is the last set or there is a forth, the formalities have generally been put to rest and the remainder of the evening can be reserved for dancing and socializing! Please remember that a well planned reception will be more relaxed, so once it is started, just go with the flow and Have Fun!

     home   --   about the band   --   songs and downloads   --  photo gallery
FAQ   --  your wedding   --   booking