Grand Entrances - Make it Unique And Special

Why Have A Grand Entrance?

The grand entrance or wedding march as some refer to it is the entrance of the wedding party to the reception. It is usually accompanied my much fanfare and grandeur and is a chance for the wedding party members to be announced and consequently introduced to the guests at the reception. It is as much of a tradition as it is a chance to have some fun at your wedding. More so is the opportunity to uniquely express your self, increase the energy level at your reception, and create some special memories. If you are have a videographer at your reception wouldn't you want to take the opportunity to make a unique memory which could be viewed and enjoyed 25 years from now?

Who Can Be In The Grand Entrance?

Your grand entrance can include any one you want and is not limited to just your wedding party. Traditionally it includes the wedding party and of course the bride and groom, but you may include other special people in your grand entrance. Some options include the ushers, ring bearer, flower girl, bride and grooms parents and grandparents. Anyone who is special to you can be included in a grand entrance.

Staging

Staging the grand entrance is important because of presentation. It can include many things such as lighting to clearing the dish tray out of the entrance area. The idea is that the grand entrance will most likely be video taped and anything that might detract from the quality of that video tape will be easily discernible both now, and when you watch that video ten or twenty years down the road. Most of your guests at the event won't pick up on these imperfections but as one famous DJ likes to point out, it can always be better. The following items should be thought of when setting the stage for a grand entrance.

• Move items out of the area which can detract from the appearance and presentation of the grand entrance. These things include waiter tables, extra chairs, wait staff, waste receptacles, etc. The video cameras will be focused on a specific area and it is a simple matter to make it as neat as possible.

• Make sure the wedding party is not standing in the doorway and are visible to the guests. If possible keep them around the corner and out of site until ready.

• If the entrance will be made through a set of doors keep them open for the wedding party but then shut them before the bride and groom are to enter. Then at the appropriate time, have a couple of helpers open the doors when they are to enter. This makes a much neater presentation.

• Make sure a path for the wedding party to walk in to the room is selected ahead of time and remains clear.

• Make sure everyone who is part of the grand entrance knows what to do. The ring bearer and flower girl knows where to go, the brides maids and grooms men know where to walk to in the room and if there are to participate in another event right away.

• The photographer and videographer should be prepared and ready at this point.

Staging can also include a buildup to the entrance. Your MC can do many things to build the energy level in the room prior to the grand entrance. This can be as simple as playing a song like queen we will rock you (stomp-stomp clap, stomp-stomp clap) and getting your guests stomping and clapping for example. Or instead requesting that your guests assist in the bride and grooms introduction where they all shout your new last name together as part of the grand entrance. That would be a memorable video tape moment. The important part is that the stage is set for your entrance and everything is thought through beforehand.

Different ways to announce the bride and groom

There are a multitude of possibilities available for announcing the bride and groom and like everything else, it's a matter of personal taste. Some examples follow but you can always throw your preference into the mix.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce to you in public for the first time as man and wife, Jane and John Smith!"

"After operating as free agents, they have signed a lifelong contract together. Mr and Mrs John Smith!"

Types of grand entrances

There are as many ways to do a grand entrance as you can imagine or think of. No two are the same and each is a unique reflection on the bride and grooms style and personal taste. Whether it's a traditional announcement type entrance set to music or an elaborate production style entrance with effect lighting and multiple sound tracks involved they all consist of the same basic elements. Whatever style and method you as a bride and groom choose is completely up to you. This is your moment to shine and you should have fun with it.

Some options that go well with any grand entrance

One thing that goes over very well at all receptions is that after the grand entrance the groom takes the microphone and thanks all of the guests for being there to share in this celebration. Of course it is OK if the bride thanks everyone too.

Another option that is kind of nice is to have your first dance follow immediately after the grand entrance. The advantages to doing it this way are that you already have everyones attention, and it flows very nicely from the entrance to the first dance. Another reason is if the photographer and videographer aren't going to be staying the entire evening then you will want to be sure to have them capture the first dance.

A really nice touch is to have the wedding party gather on the dance floor after they enter and create a tunnel that the bride and groom must walk through. This works very well when the first dance immediately follows. The wedding party can witness the event and it will make for some excellent video or photo shots.
The various styles of the grand entrance can be anything you desire. The following examples are just that, examples of grand entrances. Feel free to mix and match any part of them to create your own unique style.

The traditional grand entrance

This is a very common style of grand entrance. It consists of lining up the wedding party outside of the room and announcing them as they enter. This is usually put to music that the bride and groom have chosen. Usually the wedding party is brought in first and then the doors are closed. A buildup is done for the bride and groom and at the right moment the doors will open and the bride and groom will walk in.

Sometimes the wedding party will enter to one song and then the bride and groom will enter to another different song. This of course is optional and is a matter of taste for the bride and groom.

The story grand entrance

Based on the traditional grand entrance but with a slight twist. As each member of the wedding party enters the room the MC will tell everyone something about that person. It can be humorous and include sound bites from songs and movies, or it can be sweet and telling. If there is more than a sentence or two then the couples will be instructed to enter the room and wait at a pre determined spot while their story is told.

The line up

Instead of announcing each couple individually as they enter the room the wedding party is announced as the "wedding party". They enter the room and line up on the dance floor or in front of the head table. Each member is then announced and they can do a twirl or take a bow. The bride and groom are then announced and brought in separately. They then proceed to the head table, or to the dance floor.

The production or theatrical grand entrance

The following suggestion isn't for the shy couple or the couple which wants to avoid the spotlight, but an elaborate grand entrance can help set the mood for your entire reception.

Imagine your guests sitting down when all of a sudden the lights flicker, then go out. The room is completely dark. Spotlights start sweeping around the room, momentarily lighting your guests as they move on by. Everyone is wondering about what's going on? Music is in the background and it's getting louder, slowing building to a thunderous level.

Your MC announces that the wedding party has arrived. Another song starts playing, what's that - We're not going to take it by Twisted Sister - The spotlights all of a sudden focus on the entrance. The Bride and grooms parents are announced and they enter the room to enthusiastic laughter and applause. The music fades into another song - Bad Boys by Inner Circle - The ushers are announced and they enter the room. They ham it up to the music, again to laughter and applause. The music now fades into - We Trying To Stay Alive by Wyclef Jean - as the bridesmaids and groomsmen are announced and enter the room. Your guests are clapping, whistling, and very excited.

The spotlights fade and the room is dark again, the music fades out and there is silence. The MC announces "Ladies and gentlemen it is my pleasure to announce for the first time in public as man and wife ...". The spotlights quickly illuminate doors on each side of the room. Music starts playing - At Last by Etta James - The bride and groom are entering from different doors, your guests are on there feet now, clapping, cheering and whistling. The bride and groom slowly walk towards each other, there eyes locked meeting on the dance floor. They proceed to have their first dance together as man and wife.

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