Photo by Lauren Fair Photography
The end of your wedding ceremony is just the beginning of the celebration of your nuptials. And whether you decide to head straight from saying "I do" into cocktail hour or reserve some time to take photos with your wedding party, you'll eventually make your way into your reception space. This is the time when you'll be properly introduced as newlyweds; and you'll want to be able to soak up the moment that comes with it. However, regardless of whether you want to make a statement or slip through the side door, it can be tricky to figure out the best way to arrive at your venue. Luckily, we've got you covered with over 30 different wedding entrance ideas.
For many modern couples, a wedding entrance isn't just an opportunity to announce your arrival and present yourselves as a married duo. It's also a chance to showcase your personality. Consider what brings you and your partner together, as well as what you want to highlight at your nuptials. Do you both love musical theater? Consider doing a performance. Want to make a statement with your second dress? Try a dramatic outfit reveal. Obsessed with the gorgeous reception space? Walk down a candlelit path that makes the space glow. Choose the concept that makes the most sense for you, your partner, and your big day.
Looking for some more inspiration to get started? Read on for 33 wedding entrance ideas to find your perfect fit.
Intentionally Surprise Yourself
Even if you're involved in the entire wedding-planning process, consider leaving a few surprises for yourself during your grand entrance. Enlist a close friend, family member, or your planner to make some exciting additions to the space. This bride's father knew of her dream to have the ballroom carpet covered with a bright red hue—and surprised her with the transformation as she entered the room.
Use the Getaway Car
Photo by Brandon Kidd Photography
Who says you can't use a getaway car for your arrival? Enter your venue in a stunning, vintage car. You'll not only make a statement but also create the most photo-worthy moments. And remember: There's not a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to this type of vehicle. We love how this couple opted for a a 1997 NAS Land Rover Defender in British Green.
Alter Your Gown
Photo by Sarah Folsom Photography
For a grand reveal, consider modifying your dress for your wedding entrance. At this couple's California nuptials, the bride took off her Ese Azenabor gown's overskirt before entering her reception space, transforming it into a sleek, embellished dress.
Host a Parade
Photo by John Dolan
Want to include your guests in the fun? Plan a parade. This duo did just that: Taking inspiration from a classic New Orleans second line, this New York City couple led the way from their ceremony to their reception space. We love how they incorporated their guests, live music, and the beauty of the city into their extended wedding entrance.
Debut a New Outfit
Photo by Tamara Gruner Photography
We can't think of a better time to showcase an outfit change than during your wedding entrance. Whether you opt for something shorter (like this bride did!) or more colorful than your ceremony look, you'll be able to show off your style—and the gorgeous piece of clothing—to all of your guests.
Add in a Solo Dance Moment
Photo by Matteo Coltro
Even though your big day is about celebrating you and your partner, there's nothing wrong with carving out a few seconds—or minutes—for one of you to have a solo dance moment. At their nuptials, this couple did just that: After entering together, the groom took the spotlight—and showed off his moves.
Pour a Drink
Photo by Niven Weddings
Use your wedding entrance as a way to immediately kick off a night of festivities. At their Michigan nuptials, this couple poured Champagne down a tower of coupes right after entering the space. No guest who wanted a drink was left empty-handed.
Add Unique Accessories
Photo by Lauren Fair Photography
Consider incorporating unique accessories or elements into your dress for a dramatic—and stunning—wedding entrance. We love how this bride decided on a Berta gown with a tulle cape and sleeves for her reception dress, creating a picturesque moment as she spread her arms while walking into the space.
Walk Through Curtains
Whether you're surprising yourself with the transformation of your reception space, or have seen it all before, consider creating a dramatic moment with your entrance by pulling back a draping curtain (like this couple did) to see all of your family and friends ready to celebrate. Add a touch of greenery or lights to lend additional brightness to your entrance.
Create a Candlelit Path
Photo by Dos Màs En La Mesa
Looking for something romantic? Candles will always do the trick. Create a path of candles—like this couple did for their Cartagena nuptials—that leads into the reception space. Your guests will love walking through it on their way in, and it will double as the perfect reception aisle for you and your partner.
Celebrate With Sparklers
Photo by Ryan Ray
While a grand exit with sparklers is a popular idea, there's no reason why you can't reverse the trend and make it part of your wedding entrance. Opt to give each guest a sparkler and walk through past them on your way into your reception space—or walk past a few cold sparks, as this couple did.
Throw Open the Doors
Photo by Heather Waraksa
Picture this: Your wedding DJ introduces you, the couple of honor—new last name and all—and suddenly two doors fly open, revealing a sea of cheering guests before you. If this sounds like the dream, take inspiration from this couple, who didn't let their outdoor venue stop them from having an high-impact wedding entrance.
Make It a Dance Party
Photo by Jenny Quicksall
If you're making your way from your ceremony straight to your reception space, consider involving the rest of your wedding guests—and turning it into a dance party. This couple migrated over to their celebration area alongside their family and friends, and showed off a few of their moves along the way.
Pick an Iconic Song
Photo by Laura Murray
Make a statement with your wedding entrance by dancing into one of your favorite songs. We love how this California couple sauntered in to their tent with “You’re the One That I Want” from Grease playing in the background.
Arrive by Boat
Photo by Jenny Quicksall Photography
If you're planning seaside nuptials, consider arriving by boat. Whether you choose to invite your wedding party to join you on your cruise—or take it as a private, intimate moment for the two of you (like this couple did)—you'll pull up to your reception space in style.
Show Off a Hairstyle Change
Photo by Lisette Gatliff
Torn between two different hairstyles on your big day? Use your wedding entrance as an opportunity to show off a new look. We love how, with the help of her stylist, Beauty by Lishma, this bride transformed her updo into soft waves with a deep side part—and accessorized her new look with a clip.
Make a Speech
Photo by Alba Rose Photography
Before making your way into the crowd, give a speech. This is a great time to welcome guests to your reception and share your gratitude for everyone being there to celebrate. We love how this couple incorporated the groom's young daughter into their remarks.
Deck Out a Bus
Photo by Xilo Photography
All aboard the yellow school bus: Transport your guests to your reception space with a personalized bus, just like this couple did—with help from TCS Bus Charter. Ride in style with everyone else, or follow behind in your own custom transportation and reserve a private moment for just the two of you.
Include Live Music
Photo by David Abel Photography
While a DJ is certainly appropriate, having live music can provide a special touch to your wedding entrance. Have a violinist, guitarist—or even a drummer—begin playing a sentimental song as you and your partner enter your reception.
Take a Golf Cart
Photo by Samm Blake
Arrive in style with a golf cart. If you're at a country club, resort, or even a farm, consider borrowing one to transport you and your partner to your party, as this couple did at their nuptials in the Hudson Valley. Plus, it gives you and your spouse an special moment to yourselves before rejoining your guests.
Take a Trolley or a Train
Photo by Nirav Patel Photography
Consider traveling to your venue in style. Arrive via trolley or train for a fun and festive option—and have your guests line up to greet you as soon as you step off your ride. This couple integrated their love of trains into their wedding entrance, hopping on a mini version to head over to their reception space.
Take the Stairs
Photo by Oliver Fly
If your reception space has stairs, why not use them? Dress them up with greenery and flowers, or keep things simple with a trail of candles, as this couple did during their Lake Como nuptials. Either way, it'll draw attention to you and your partner enter the venue.
Highlight Your Parents' Entrance
Photo by Alen Karupovic
Consider making your parents a key part of your wedding entrance. Take notes from this couple, who honored their parents and their culture by planning a major moment for their matriarchs and patriarchs. “In Nigerian culture, parents have their own big entrance with their friends,” the bride explained. “They really put on a performance! Our guests all loved it and it was a great way to start the reception with levity.”
Prepare a Wedding Party Performance
Photo by Larissa Cleveland
Are you musical theater enthusiasts? Were you part of an a cappella troupe in college? If so—and if you have few other music aficionados in your midst—turn your wedding entrance into a song-and-dance number that your bridesmaids and groomsmen can join in on. This musical-loving duo prepped "I Can Hear the Bells" from Hairspray for their party—with a fun twist: The lyrics were rewritten to tell their love story.
Plan a Balcony Moment
Photo by Hana Gonzalez Photography
Have your very own Romeo and Juliet moment by making your wedding reception entrance from above—which is exactly what this couple did at their ballroom party in Jamaica. Taking in your perfectly designed reception space with all of your favorite people gathered inside? It doesn't get much better than that.
Kick Off the Dance Party
PHOTO BY SECOND SHOTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Ready to get your groove on? Enter your reception space to a favorite song and coordinate a dance right off the bat. This is sure to draw attention and set the mood for the party (not to mention get everyone out on the dance floor).
Go Big on Entertainment
Photo by Oliver Fly
If you're planning on hiring performers or a unique entertainment act for your party, consider working with them to coordinate a one-of-a-kind wedding reception entrance. At their Paris wedding, this duo enlisted the help of cabaret showgirls, who unfurled their feathered fans as they processed into the space to U2's "Beautiful Day."
Try Theatrics
PHOTO BY TREVOR MARK PHOTOGRAPHY
Love the theater? Add a Broadway touch to your wedding entrance. Because this couple utilized a theater as their reception venue space, they made a statement by descending and appearing through a trap door.
Play the Soundtrack of Your Relationship
PHOTO BY HUGO COELHO
Choose a meaningful song that speaks to your relationship to announce your nuptials. This will help set the tone for the entire reception—and is a great way to connect your wedding entrance idea to your love story.
Announce a Name Change
PHOTO BY ABBY JIU PHOTOGRAPHY
Planning to keep your new official names a secret until your wedding day? This couple did just that—and then kicked off their reception by sharing the exciting news of a joint name change.
Follow Your Wedding Party
PHOTO BY MELIA LUCIDA
Allow your wedding party to make a grand entrance ahead of you to set the tone. We love the idea of a big group of your friend and family members announcing your arrival as newlyweds.
Ring a Bell
Photo by Peyton Byford
Planning a rustic or camp-style wedding? Ring a bell to mark that you have arrived. This is sure to draw your guests' attention—and is a great way to settle everyone down if you'd like to make a welcome toast.
Open a Lemonade Stand
Photo by Chi Chi Ari Love
Hoping for something fun and fresh? Keep things casual by creating an entrance with a drink stand. Allow your guests to grab a lemonade—and snag one for yourself too.
