WEDDING CELEBRANT

Making An Entrance (also commonly referred to as the processional)

 

You’ve seen it in real life and on film a thousand times over, its THE BIG ENTRANCE!!!

 

But, hold on. I think this can be a bit of a missed opportunity for couples so I’ve decided to really drill down into this. It’s a question I always ask my couples, how do they want to enter and usually the answer is pretty much the same. I feel it’s an area that can get glossed over because we are so used to seeing this happen a certain way in films and also in our own lives and I wanted to create a conversation around this that excites and challenges the norm. 

 

Now I love tradition, I love exchanging rings and all those things that make a wedding feel weddingy but, I also love that there’s a choice to do something totally different that can be equally brilliant. Lots of people follow tradition because they just aren’t really sure what else to do or else because they feel everyone else expects it. 

 

It’s your wedding day so I say ‘be bold! be brave! be you!’

 

But what does that mean exactly? (you ask nervously……)

 

Let’s break this down shall we…

 

 

So what does the entrance do?

 

It provides dramatic purpose so, why not embrace this and explore giving this tradition a little update or else at least giving tradition a little tickle under the arms to shake it loose a little. It also sets your guests up with a whole load of anticipation and excitement.

 

Historically there was a lot of superstition built into the first time a couple would see each other and also links back to arranged marriages where this might literally be the first time they laid eyes on each other so, it really was a dramatic reveal.

 

With the magic of hair, make up and fantastic options of what to wear on your big day it still is a big reveal today and a very much anticipated photo op moment. 

 

Lots of couples live together before they get married now and so the mystique of not seeing each other on the day can be shattered by running around madly in your pyjamas in the morning shouting ‘where are my shoes!’ as someone dashes out of the house to let the other one get transformed by all this wizardry. Also, let’s not forget that lots of couples love to spend their morning together knowing that in a few hours everything is going to be different and so feel less strongly about this idea of not seeing each other before the ceremony. 

 

‘First Look’ photoshoots are getting really popular where the couple are ‘revealed’ to each other before the ceremony in a much more private setting and the photographer gets intimate pictures of the emotion behind this moment. So, if you’ve opted for that anyway why not consider making the entrance together? I talk about that a bit more below.

 

The Classic Entrance

 

A classic entrance is always a good choice. Everyone understands what it does, what it means and how to react to it. It also means that as either partner you pretty much know what to do, what it means and that you’ll be walking in the footsteps of a gizzillion lovers before you which is reassuring and something to be proud of. 

 

This can go one of two ways, the guests are already seated and the full wedding party enter in an agreed order down the aisle. 

 

or

 

One partner, often the groom, is waiting at the front (sometimes awkwardly lets be honest) and after a short introduction the rest of the wedding party enter in an agreed order ending with the entrance of their partner, usually the bride, often with her father. 

 

You could flip the classic on it’s head and have the Bride waiting for the Groom, I’ve never seen it but it would be amazing. A real statement to show the world in what high regard you hold your future husband. I think it would take a really brave bride to do this but I know you brides are out there and this entrance is just waiting for you to grab it by both hands and go let's do it.

 

For any same sex couples this format may be less comfortable so if you decide to buck the classic trend, you can really go to town.

 

*Just so you know, for all my love of all things different and taking changes, I opted for the ole classic entrance on my own wedding day and couldn’t have been prouder to walk down with my Papa (my dad - French term) so, I just want to be clear that I am not knocking this as an option in any way. It was the most surreal but brilliant moment. (Surreal because the whole time your brain is saying to you this is actually happening? This is actually happening!). I was so very proud to walk down with him, it was incredible. 

 

Be there together at the start

 

That’s right, don’t even have an entrance. 

 

Start as you mean to go on, together in place as your family and friends arrive. This is a strong statement and means you can keep it relaxed and welcome people in together.  For anyone that is neurodiverse this may also take the pressure off knowing that you have more control and that everyone won’t be looking at you walking in. 

 

 

Aisle eye view 

 

So most of this conversation is based around how other people will be viewing you both at this moment but let’s start with how will you feel? What’s this moment like in your shoes?

 

Somewhere, you’ll be waiting out of sight a bit nervous, then you’ll hear the start of the music and that’s it, you’re off! Usually other members of the wedding party will enter before you so you get a few seconds to gather your thoughts before you catch sight of the guests. At this point I’d recommend taking a deep breath and smiling because smiling relaxes lots of tension on your face and also makes you look awesome. Don’t over think how to walk, one foot in front of the other and you can’t go wrong. If you aren’t walking down the aisle, maybe you are being carried in some victory style entrance or, perhaps you use a wheelchair. Whatever way you travel down the aisle just take your time, don’t rush, it only happens once and you want to give your photographer a chance to get some great pics of this moment.

 

Do consider your photographer. They may well be reversing madly down the aisle backwards to get the perfect shots for you so it doesn’t do any harm to throw a little look or smile in their direction for variety. Don’t fixate on them though, even if they look like they are going to reverse into great Aunt Cathy, they have a special photographers 6th sense and will always make it out of the way in time. I read a blog looking into this where a photographer loved it when the brides wore a veil because he could dramatically back light it so the bride looked like she was glowing. Like in a pop video, how cool! See, easy drama! That one’s not too scary is it?

 

Just concentrate on the faces of your family and friends, smile at them, happy cry if you feel it and drink it all in. They’ll all be looking at you with love and pride and supporting you every inch of the way.

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Do it together

 

Yes, yes, yes! If I ever re-wedding with Mr Corry I would totally want to enter with him. Coming in as a united front and surprising everyone with the image of you as a couple is so brilliant. It speaks volumes about the respect and balance between you in your partnership and also you’ll be clutching the arm/hand of the person you love most in the world at one of the most exciting points in your ceremony and you can share this TOGETHER!!!! This would be a great opportunity to boogie (does anyone still say boogie?…) into place, maybe with a little spin or a flourish. This would totally relax you both and everyone in the room and set the tone for a fun filled and joyful ceremony to come. 

 

For a little variation on a theme how about entering down 2 aisles? You could really make this magical and special, it would require a slightly different layout of seating but nothing says you have to have one aisle. You could both come down an aisle each or different members of the wedding party could enter down different aisles. It would create great interest, energy and be really memorable. Maybe the co-ordination of that sounds too hard? As a choreographer this kind of thing is my bread and butter and I’d love to help you explore this idea if you like the sound of it. 

 

Maybe your seats are in the round (in a circle) which means your entrance could be more of a spiral shape through the rows, that way you’d experience your group in a totally different way. Basically, if these ideas excite you, let’s have a chat. 

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Just dance & mix it up

 

As a dancer I wonder why more people don’t have the group dance in. I didn’t do it either as our choice of music wouldn’t have suited it. But, if you do go for something more uptempo then, enjoy it! It’s a great opportunity to challenge the idea of who does what in the entrance if you go for this approach. I’m a great fan of flower grooms, flower grans/glam-ma’s, well….everyone throwing flowers! There’s some great clips of people dancing in and throwing petals and there’s nothing about any of these entrances that’s not to like. Really fun, an opportunity to enjoy people’s personalities and looks beautiful for the photo’s as well.