Over in our advice section we have a new activity for when your guests clink glasses for a kiss. It's a really nice touch for when you want to do something special but not to special. We can help...

Think of the fun your guests will have trying to bowl a strike in order to get the newlyweds to kiss. We will connect a nintendo Wii to a big screen projector and everyone will have fun watching, and trying to bowl a strike. It's not that easy but some will be successful. This is also a perfect way to entertain the little ones during the cocktail and dinner portion of the evening with the Wii connected to a smaller monitor off in the corner.

more info...

More first dance videos found on youtube. I just love these! When you watch them, listen to the reactions of the guests. This looks like so much fun. I wish Carol and I would have done something like this at our wedding reception, exactly 21 years ago today! (picture on right). Now that I think about it I wish I had known then what I know now about weddings and receptions. There is so much I would have done differently, don't get me wrong, it was good but it could have been so much more memorable. This is one of the many things we discuss with all of our clients.

A surprise of a wedding dance - Jack Johnson Michael Jackson

Dirty Dancing - Julia and James First Dance

There a a number of dance studios in the Minneapolis, St Paul area who can help if you would like to do something like this at your wedding reception.

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.

permalink

There was a recent posting on one of the DJ discussion forums Carol and I frequent where a video on youtube was posted showing an interesting bride and grooms first dance. The best part was the wedding reception guests reaction to it and the fun the couple were having. It really was impressive and didn't look that hard to learn. Titled "Wedding dance with a twist" it is neat and fun. I know that their guests won't forget this reception any time soon.

At a wedding reception we did a few years ago the bride asked us to play one of the more traditional slow father daughter dances. I think it was butterfly kisses or something like that. But she wanted us to fade into the Top Gun theme Danger Zone after 20 or 30 seconds. Apparently it was her fathers favorite song and it always got his feet moving. I wish I could describe the look on his face when he realized what was happening. They both lit up the dance floor for the rest of the song. The brides mother came up later to tell us that she didn't know he could move like that. Just a little bit of planning can go a long way in this area.

You could have members of your wedding party choreograph a dance to a specific song. Thriller by Michael Jackson is something everyone is familiar with and is easily recognizable. With a little bit of work your wedding party could put on a show that your guests will never forget. The following clip (also on youtube) is titled "Thriller Wedding" and shows how well something like this can be the hit of your party.

Another example shows how four groomsmen choreographed a Special Dance for the bride and groom titled "Ok Go Dance At My Sisters Wedding". Don't forget to watch and listen to the reaction of the guests. This type of thing goes over so well and makes for such wonderful memories.

Remember, it's your day and if you would like to do something like this then go for it. It could be something simple and easy or as elaborate as you want. There are dance studios available in the area that would be glad to help you choreograph a special dance. Or maybe you have a friend who can help.

more info...

Originally, the bouquet was given to a friend selected by the bride for good luck or protection. Nowadays the tossing of the bouquet to unmarried guests at the wedding has come to mean the transfer of luck in marriage from the bride, or being the next to marry.  Although traditions vary widely, it is typically blindly thrown to unmarried female guests. It is also a mark of transition of the bride from unmarried to a married woman. It should be noted that it is not necessary to toss the bouquet at your reception. If desired, you may give the bouquet to a special person if desired as part of a presentation ceremony.

If you do decide to toss the bouquet at your reception your DJ will play the song you previously selected specially for the bouquet toss. It would be OK if the you teased and flaunted the bouquet at the unmarried guests prior to tossing it.

more info...

Traditionally, the the mother-son, and father-daughter dances have been distinctly separate events at the wedding reception. The father daughter dance signifying the special relationship between the father and the bride. The mother son dance is a more modern tradition signifying their special relationship as well. At the majority of receptions the bride and groom will have their first dance followed by the father-daughter dance, and then the mother-son dance. In some European countries this is reversed. The father-daughter dance is first followed by the bride and grooms first dance.

We have recently noticed that more couples are opting to combine the father-daughter and mother-son dances with both couples dancing to the same song simultaneously. This is absolutely acceptable and a perfect way to keep things moving along. In the case of multiple sets of parents you may consider having all couples dancing together at the same time.

more info...

The ceremony is over and now you’re married. Now everyone wants to congratulate you. Many brides do not like the formality of a receiving line. However, after the wedding, many couples have said they found it too difficult and time consuming to meet and greet all of the guests during the reception. You may want to consider having a receiving line in order to help take the pressure to speak with each guest.

The Setup
The traditional order in the receiving line is: mother of the bride, mother of the groom, bride and groom. Many brides choose to add fathers, but this is strictly optional. If you do add them, they stand on the right-hand side of their wives. Guests move from the left to the right. Allow plenty of time to get through the line. If you have 200 guests, figure that it will take about 45 minutes.

Make it go Smoothly
Go over the guest list with your fiancé the night before, this will help you remember names. With all of the excitement of the day, it's easy to forget someone's name, but don't worry if you can’t remember a person’s name, either politely ask them their name or simply give them a big smile and thank them for coming. Keep comments brief and tell the other members of the receiving line to do the same. If you have the receiving line at the end of the ceremony, consider playing background music for the guest’s enjoyment. Another option is to do the receiving line at the cocktail hour. That way, guests can sip champagne and munch on appetizers while waiting to say hello.

more info...

A recent trend lately at receptions is to include a DVD photo montage near the end of dinner featuring pictures of the bride and groom as they were growing up and after they met. These are created using home movies and photos taken over the couple's life and edited and set to music using professional video editing software. The montage is shown either on a large TV or monitor, or an LCD projector so all of the guests can enjoy it.

If you need assistance creating a montage talk to you DJ or photographer about this. They will most likely know someone who has the right software and equipment necessary to create a montage.

more info...

The dollar dance is rooted in the idea that guests could buy a dance from the bride by secretly slipping her some cash. There was even the idea of a bridal purse being used to keep it safe. The money was intended as pin money from which she could start her new household. Some say this tradition is polish in origin and was first introduced in the 20th century.

In modern times many couples find the dollar dance unnecessary. Not needing the cash and otherwise being financially secure. But an often overlooked opportunity with the dollar dance is the chance for your guests to get a moment alone with the bride or groom, say hi, and share a few nice moments. In this case it is possible to still have the dollar dance but announce that proceeds will be donated to charity, or even request that money not be given.

more info...

Ask your florist to prepare two special bouquets as a thank you for both the brides and grooms mothers. These are traditionally presented by the groom during his speech.

more info...

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 for dinner 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 what's going on? Music is in the background and it's getting louder, slowing building to a thunderous level.

Your MC announces on the microphone 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 whislting. The bride and groom slowly walk towards each other meeting on the dance floor. They proceed to have their first dance together as man and wife.

more info...

Glass clinking during wedding reception dinners has been going on for years. Although I haven't been able to determine the origins of the custom (google it yourself and see) many on the internet think it has something to do with the bell sound or ringing scaring away evil spirits. Or instead it is an irish tradition where the sound is capable of restoring harmony to a couple and remind them of their wedding vows.

Some alternatives to clinking glasses are:

The kiss rating system - Pass out number sheets to the wedding party. After the bride and groom kiss have the wedding party "rate" the kiss on a scale from 1 to 10. This usually goes over well and is good for many laughs.

Sing A Love Song - Let your guests clink the glasses one time for a kiss. After that have the DJ/MC announce that from then on, the bride and groom will only kiss if one or more of the guests sings a song with the word "love" in it. A microphone will be placed in front of the wedding party table in order to make sure everyone hears them sing.

Show Us How - When your guests clink the glasses have the DJ/MC or someone in the wedding party pull a couples name from a hat. Explain that the couple whose name was pulled from the hat should show them how to kiss. The bride and groom will then attempt to kiss the same way the couple did. This can get pretty elaborate and is pretty entertaining for your guests.

Tell Us About - Like the show us how option, when the glasses are clinked a name is pulled from a hat. The persons name who is pulled has to stand up and tell something about the bride and/or groom before they will kiss.

Trivia contest - Place a hat up front near the wedding table which contains questions like "where did the bride and groom meet?" or "what was the brides favorite pet?". If a guest wants the bride and groom to kiss they have to pull a question from the hat and answer it correctly.

Putt for a Kiss - We had a couple who made their guests sink a putt for a kiss. You really have to like golf for this one.

Trivia – With this game, if someone at the reception wants the bride and groom to kiss, then that individual must answer a question about the bride and groom asked by the DJ or the person that will be serving as the emcee.

more info...

The wedding cake takes center stage in the traditional cake cutting ceremony, symbolically the first task that bride and groom perform jointly as husband and wife. This is one tradition that most of us have witnessed many times. The first piece of wedding cake is cut by the bride with the "help" of the groom. This task originally was delegated exclusively to the bride. It was she who cut the wedding cake for sharing with her guests. Distributing pieces of wedding cake to one's guests is a part of that tradition from the Roman Empire when guests clamored for the crumbs. But, as numbers of wedding party guests grew, so did the size of the wedding cake, making the distribution process impossible for the bride to undertake on her own. Wedding cake cutting became more difficult with early multi-tiered cakes, because the icing had to be hard enough to support the wedding cake's own weight. This made cutting the wedding cake a joint project. After the cake cutting ceremony, the couple proceed to feed one other from first slice. This provides another lovely piece of symbolism, the mutual commitment of bride and groom to provide for one another.

Now fast forward to modern times and the cake cutting tradition is still with us. Sometimes though, it is fraught with peril and the cake ends up getting mushed in your face. This is fine if it's what you want. But please discuss this as a couple beforehand so that there are no surprises. I have personally seen this end in an upset bride (she spent hours on makeup and hair).

A sexy alternative may be simply dabbing a little on her chin or lips and then kissing it off. Now that would be a photo opportunity.

more info...