Most of the time, the couple won’t have a chance to join cocktail hour because they will be busy taking pictures or they just want to spend a few minutes soaking in the first few moments of being newlyweds – rightfully so! Once cocktail hour wraps up and guests are invited to take their seats in the reception, it is the perfect time to make a grand entrance, since you will have likely not seen your guests since the ceremony ended.
So, how does a reception entrance work? Should the intro be just the newlyweds, or the wedding party as well? What are some other options? Read on to find out.
Aside from a grand newlywed entrance, a lot of the time couples will include the wedding party, and sometimes even parents, as part of the introductions so your guests know who they are.
“Especially if you have a big group of friends in the bridal party, it's cool to see their personalities as you introduce them and they come out and dance or ham it up a little bit,” explained Joe Bunn and Brandon Alley with Bunn DJ Company.
If a big introduction with the whole bridal party isn’t your thing, no problem, just do a short newlywed introduction at the very least. If you don’t do an introduction, it can get a little awkward. If you walk in unannounced, your guests will probably still make a thing of it and start clapping, signaling to other guests that they are missing something. In our opinion, it’s just much better to make it a thing and have your wedding DJ introduce you.
So, still wondering how to introduce a wedding party at the reception? Here are some suggestions for different scenarios. Remember, feel free to create your own entrance order based on what you feel is right for the big day!
Grand Entrance with Parents:
Parents of the Groom
Parents of the Bride
Bridesmaids and Groomsmen, one couple at a time
Best Man and Maid of Honor
Couple
No Parents:
Bridesmaids and Groomsmen, one couple at a time
Best Man and Maid of Honor
Couple
As a Group:
Bridal Party, all at once
Couple
As a Group:
Bridesmaids, all at once
Groomsmen, all at once
Couple
Just Couple
Couple
How to be announced at the wedding reception:
The new Mr. and Mrs. Smith
The new Mr. and Mrs. Jake Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Jake Smith
The newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Smith
The newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Jake Smith
The newlyweds, Rebecca and Jake
Rebecca and Jake Smith
The happy couple
Whether you do a subdued introduction or you want Wrestle Mania-level hype, just be sure to let your DJ know beforehand so they can get it right. Remember to also pick a special song to walk in to! We recommend something fun that everyone knows, but feel free to add your own spin on it.
Bonus Tip: If you have a bridesmaid or groomsman who is particularly shy, send them out first. As the pairs walk in, the hype and excitement builds, so they can quietly start off the introductions while the more outgoing members of the wedding party bring it home with all the attention.
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About this week’s guests: Joe Bunn started his DJ career at the age of 14. In the late 90s, he started Bunn DJ Company. The company grew from a couple of DJs to 15 of the area’s best mobile DJs. Over the past few years, Bunn DJ Company has expanded to Charleston, SC, Charlotte, NC, Richmond, VA and most recently San Diego, CA! The award-winning collection of DJs not only rocks thousands of parties every year but also provides unparalleled customer service.
Joe still DJs almost every weekend, but in recent years has also been helping other entrepreneurs across the country grow their businesses.
Brandon Alley has been around the DJ industry his whole life but began his professional DJing career in 2011 at the Bunn DJ Company headquarters before opening an office in Charlotte.
Photo Courtesy of The Crossing at Hollar Mill
