If you’re a couple who fancies mixing it up a bit on your wedding day and you’re considering making an entrance that perhaps feels a bit more ‘you’ than the ‘standard’, here are my top ten suggestions for kicking off your celebrations in style:
- Traditional Walk With A Twist: Whilst walking down the aisle holding a bouquet of flowers, accompanied by a best friend, a family member or parent is usual (and beautiful), don’t feel you should only choose one special person to support. Why not make your entrance as a couple, or choose more than one supporter e.g. perhaps enter holding hands with your children (if you have any), or with a couple of friends walking either side. Or why not simply go it alone (symbolising your autonomy, your strength and independence)? Some of my couples choose to make their own entrances, individually – selecting their own piece of favourite music to accompany, one track playing after the other, representing each person, their individuality (and their sometimes unique and different musical tastes)?!
Outdoor vineyard wedding – entering as a couple
- Surprise Entrance: Surprise your guests by entering the ceremony space from an unexpected direction. You could appear from behind a curtain, emerge from a hidden door, or even arrive on a decorated bicycle or scooter?!
- Dancing Entrance: Kick off the celebrations by dancing your way down the aisle – individually or as a pair. Coordinate some fun choreography with your partner or the groomsfolk or bridal party maybe, to a lively song, creating an atmosphere of energy and joy.
Here come the girls!
- Themed Entrance: Incorporate a theme that reflects your interests or hobbies. Carry props rather than flowers, create a mini-parade, or decorate the aisle according to the chosen theme. For example, a beach-themed wedding could feature a sandy aisle with grasses and seashell decorations.
- Pet Parade: If you have a beloved pet, include them in your grand entrance (only fitting for non-nervous animals of course). Walk down the aisle together, with your pet adorned in a cute (but comfortable) outfit or wearing an accessory, making the moment even more endearing. Dogs as ring bearers are commonly occurring and warmly welcome in my ceremonies!
- Sparkler or Light Walk: For an evening or outdoor wedding, why not have your guests line the aisle holding sparklers or torches to welcome you; creating a magical ambiance as you walk through a path of sparkling lights, with a stunning visual effect.
- Instrumental Procession: If you or your partner (or a friend or family member) play a musical instrument, consider walking down the aisle performing a beautiful melody together or separately. This personalised touch can’t fail to add a heartfelt and intimate element to the entrance.
Family entrance – bride supported by mum, dad and sisters
- Confetti Release: Why save confetti only for the end of your ceremony? Why not signify the start of your celebrations with it as well, by shooting confetti cannons into the air as you enter the room/space?! This immediately sends a clear message to your guests that your big day will commence with great joy and celebration! It’lll certainly give everyone a great surprise, signalling an upbeat, jubilant atmosphere from the get go! And if you let the confetti settle as the music plays before you start your walk, you’ll have a ready-made and wonderfully attractive confetti carpet to make your entrance along; a striking centrepiece to the ceremony space. And of course even more confetti can be added at the end! You can never have too much!
- Group Entrance: Invite your bridetribe and/or groomsfolk – or both – to join you for the walk down the aisle. Walk arm-in-arm with your closest friends and loved ones, creating a strong sense of unity and support as you embark on this new chapter of your life.
Mother and daughter entrance
- Unconventional Vehicle Arrival: Arrive at the venue in a unique vehicle, such as a vintage car, a decorated golf cart, or even a hot air balloon! Can you imagine?! Make sure your guests have a good view of course. I once had a bride arrive on horseback (it was an outdoor ceremony!). You won’t fail to grab everyone’s attention as you step out or off and make your way down the aisle!
You can never have too much confetti – for entrance or exit!
I hope you’re inspired by some of my ideas. You can always customise them to fit your personality, preferences, and wedding theme. The key is to feel comfortable in the big moment, choosing an entrance that feels just right for the two of you – one that’s as dramatic or as low key as you wish. With a Jane Blackman Weddings ceremony, YOU DO YOU!
Images courtesy of Firefly Photographic, Oliver Holder Photography, Hana Venn Photography, Jasmine Andrews Photography and Andrze Wite at Wite K Photography