How to Make a Grand Entrance for a Wedding

While traditional entrances are memorable, surprises leave guests with something they will not forget.

When Jill Peterson and Kevin Heinz tied the knot two years ago in Minnesota, their grand entrance went viral on the Internet and set a new standard for creative ways to start off a wedding. While every wedding does not have to start off with the wedding party dancing down the aisle to Chris Brown, there are many creative ways couples can make a grand entrance that leaves a lasting impression on guests.

Things You'll Need

• Music
• Video slidehsow
• Cameras

Instructions

1. Incorporate traditions from around the world. In Japan, the new couple takes three sips of rice wine in front of the priest before the ceremony. One way to turn heads is by following a Swedish technique — carrying stinky weeds instead of a bouquet — to the altar. Entering the wedding hall wearing a piece of clothing or accessory from another country is certain to get attention. This technique may be meaningful for couples who have lived or worked together in another country.

2. Include family or friends in an unexpected way. Last year, a Staten Island teacher surprised the guests at her wedding by including two dozen students in her wedding. Staten Island Live points out that guests were surprised as young flower girls and ushers kept entering the hall and walking down the aisle. Think of things unique between individual family members and friends to help form creative entrance ideas.

3. Give the entrance a theme. If the couple is interested in movies or entertainment, consider finding a group of friends to continually snap pictures of the bride as she walks down the aisle. Audience members can even be asked to participate in this, making it fun for them, too, and creating many lasting memories for the moment. Play music that fits the theme if the bride and groom are OK with not using traditional processional music.

4. Arrive at the wedding in a unique way. Before thinking about switching up the entrance into the hall and walk down the aisle, give guests a surprise by getting there in a non-conventional way. Teachers have taken schools buses and grooms have arrived on elephants and horses. Some couples have even used a helicopter to make an entrance. The couple should think about things special and unique to them and think of ways to plan that into the wedding.

5. Create a video to be played before the couple are in the wedding hall together. It should show special moments the couple has shared together. Have music playing in the background to create a desired effect — romantic, fun, or another theme fitting to the wedding. Dim the lights before the bride and groom enter the wedding hall and play the video. Use the effect the music has to determine how the bride and groom will enter the wedding hall after the video is over. Continue playing the same song or switch to another, depending upon the mood or theme.

References

• Staten Island Live; First Graders Help Teacher Make a Grand Entrance at Her Wedding
• Project Wedding; Wedding Traditions From Around the World
• New York Times; Wedding Couples Make Memorable Entrances and Exits; Bethany Kandel; July 2011
• Washington Post; Jill Peterson and Kevin Heinz's Wedding Dance Started at the Church

Resources

• Jill and Kevin's Wedding