During a wedding reception, few moments match the sheer joy of the bride and groom’s grand entrance.
This is the moment when you and your new spouse are officially introduced and welcomed into the reception venue by your guests. It sets the tone for the festivities and gets everyone excited for the party to begin.
But What Exactly Is a Wedding Grand Entrance?
What we're talking about is a choreographed, show-stopping entrance into your wedding reception space after your wedding ceremony and portraits.
Traditionally, the DJ, emcee, or bandleader will announce and introduce you and your new spouse as you dramatically enter the room while music plays. Guests will cheer and applaud for you while you make your way inside.
A wedding reception entrance is a tradition, but exactly how you approach it is up to you. You can go with a something simple and understated, work in creative touches that reflect you as a couple, or tie in with your theme for your reception.
To help you get your planning underway, we have a list of fun, sentimental, and creative grand entrance ideas for your wedding reception.
Involving Your Wedding Party
While the wedding reception entrance is ultimately your big moment as bride and groom, the entire wedding party can help set the stage and build excitement leading up to your arrival.
There are a few ways to incorporate your bridal party and the groomsmen.
The Wedding Party Precedes the Couple
One popular approach is to have the wedding party enter the reception venue first, paired up and walking down the "aisle" created by the guests.
As each bridesmaid and groomsman is announced and walks in, it builds anticipation for the stars of the show - the newlyweds! The DJ/emcee can introduce some fun facts or stories about each pairing as they make their entrance.
The Wedding Party "Hypes" the Crowd
Another idea is to have the bridal party and groomsmen gather the guests' attention and literally "hype" them up right before the grand entrance.
They can initiate cheers, hand out props like noisemakers or pompoms, and create a festive atmosphere to welcome the newlyweds with huge applause and fanfare when announced.
A Whimsical Wedding Entrance
If you want to incorporate a sense of fun and laughter into your wedding, consider one of these ideas.
Bouncy Ball Bonanza
Get the party started with a bouncy ball cascade: Have a collection of large, inflatable exercise balls set up and have the bridal party roll/bounce them toward the entrance as you dance and leap your way through the bouncing ball avalanche.
Bubble Explosion
Incorporate bubble machines to fill the entrance area with a flurry of bubbles as you both make your entrance dancing and popping bubbles all around you.
You could even have bubble wands to play with.
Tricycle/Wagon Arrival
Make an adorably silly entrance by riding in on oversized children's tricycles, a red wagon, or another goofy kid-sized vehicle pulled by members of your wedding party.
Giant Balloon Animals
Work with an expert balloon artist to create massively oversized balloon animal sculptures like dogs, giraffes, or monkeys.
You can make your grand appearance by walking balloon animal companions down the aisle on leashes.
The key for a successfully fun, silly wedding entrance is to not take yourselves too seriously. Use vibrant colors, energetic music, and playful props, and don't be afraid to get a little goofy or messy. The more you can laugh and play, the more joy you'll bring your guests.
A Choreographed Dance
Work with a choreographer to put together a fun, upbeat dance routine set to a meaningful song.
You could do a classic choreographed number or something more contemporary like a flash mob routine where your wedding party and parents join in.
A Costumed Character Entrance
Dress up as your favorite fictional characters or celebrities and make an over-the-top, in-character grand entrance.
Character possibilities include superheroes, movie stars, famous musicians, or storybook characters.
An Exciting Prop Entrance
Arrive in style with special props like costume mascot heads, glow sticks, pompoms, or streamer wands.
Or pick props that relate to your wedding theme. Are you planning a beach wedding theme? Make your wedding entrance with beach balls and sunglasses.
A Sentimental Showcase
Put together a touching audio-visual element for your wedding reception entrance. Play a special video message, slideshow, or meaningful songs as you walk in.
Your guests will laugh and cry happy tears with you.
A Theatrical Entrance
Work with effects like fog machines, bubble makers, paparazzi-style lighting, or even pyrotechnics (check your wedding venue rules first) to create a true Hollywood premiere vibe as you make your debut as a married couple.
A Futuristic Wedding Entrance
Create a dramatic, futuristic atmosphere by filling the entrance area with thick fog or haze.
Then use laser lights, projections, and music to put on a dazzling light show display as you enter through the fog and laser beams.
Red Carpet Arrival
For a truly dramatic entrance, roll out an actual red carpet runner leading up to the reception entrance.
Plan to arrive and step out of a stunning vintage car like a 1960s Lincoln Continental, Rolls-Royce, or Cadillac Eldorado.
Then you can walk the red carpet to the entrance as a valet holds the door and photographers snap photos, just like celebrities at a premiere.
Tips for a Successful Wedding Reception Entrance
Keep It a Surprise: Don't reveal any grand entrance details to guests ahead of time so you can really wow them in the moment.
Do a Rehearsal: Whatever elaborate plans you make, be sure to rehearse it fully so your entrance goes off without a hitch.
Coordinate with Vendors: Make sure your DJ/emcee, venue coordinator, photographers/videographers are all prepared to capture and facilitate the grand entrance.
Get Your Wedding Party Involved: Don't just make a solo entrance. Have your wedding party participate and kick off the party with you!
Make It About Your Personalities: Most importantly, make sure your grand entrance ideas reflect you and your spouse's personalities and styles. That will make it all the more memorable.
Since The Bell Tower on 34th opened more than a decade ago, it has earned a reputation as the best wedding venue in Houston.
Our southeast Texas venue with a chapel, waterwall, and beautifully tended grounds, can accommodate both small and large weddings.
The Bell Tower on 34th
901 W 34th St, Houston, TX 77018
(713) 868-2355