Order of the day advice needed from the already married!

Hiya girls!

Im getting married in June this year, and wanted a little advice from those of you who are already married.

Im trying to sort out my order of the day and am a little confused on something. Our caterer has sketched out an order for us and we decided to cut the cake in the evening so that all the day and evening guests are there to see it.

We've got the evening guests arriving at 7pm, but he said we should cut the cake at 8.20pm and have our first dance at 8.30pm. Im just wondering why we might need to leave so much time between the guests arriving and the first dance? Having never been to a wedding before, isn't the first dance supposed to be the actual first dance? I don't mind leaving the cutting of the cake until later, but shouldn't the first dance be earlier? Or is it usual for everyone to already be dancing and enjoying the party before we take to the floor?

Thanks!

Shiobhan

hi, wow seems like such a long time ago i was sorting these kind of things out.
our 1st dance was straight after we cut the cake at about half 8. evening guests arrived from half 7 also. it was nice that way as we got to talk to our guests and that a few people started dancing before our 1st dance but most were chatting and getting drinks.

do what you want to do though, its your day xx

I can't really remember now but I think our guests arrived at 7pm and we were still eating!! I think we then needed time for the room to be cleared out in preparation for the dancing etc so we all went outside as it was lovely and hot. I think we then had our first dance around 8pm. Have fun! x