30 Wedding Entrance Ideas for Any Reception Style

bride and groom make wedding reception entrance in front of guests seated at tables — Photo by LOGAN COLE WEDDINGS

Once you’ve shared your heartfelt vows, said "I do," and your ceremony comes to a close, it’s time to get the party started! While your ceremony is every bit as important, your reception truly provides the opportunity to celebrate your nuptials in whatever way you choose. And whether you’re planning a unique cocktail hour with plenty of food stations, a sit-down dinner, or a beach party, a memorable wedding entrance idea can help you set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Whether you’re hoping to make a grand, jaw-dropping entrance, simply plan something meaningful, or get your entire wedding party in on the fun, there are several options available to every couple. The decision is yours—but be sure to make the choice intentionally. This will be your first introduction as a married couple. Why not make it special?

Need inspiration to get started? Read on for 30 creative wedding entrance ideas to find the perfect fit.

01 of 30

Throw Open the Doors

entrance to wedding reception venue in Athens, Greece — Photo by Elias Kordelakos

Picture this: Your DJ introduces you, the couple of honor—new last name and all—and suddenly two doors fly open, revealing a sea of cheering guests (your favorite people in the world!) before you. If this sounds like the dream, make like this couple, who didn't let their outdoor venue stop them from having an high-impact wedding entrance. They added a vintage door to an existing archway—which also doubled as a décor moment that all attendees experienced firsthand as they made their way into the reception space.

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Go Big on Entertainment

bride and groom enter reception behind cabaret dancer fans — 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."

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Highlight Your Parents' Entrance

Bride's Family Entering Wedding Reception Following Nigerian Tradition — Photo by Alen Karupovic

Your parents got you to this point in life—which is why we think making them a key part of your party debut is the ultimate wedding entrance idea. 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 explains. “They really put on a performance! Our guests all loved it and it was a great way to start the reception with levity.”

04 of 30

Prepare a Wedding Party Performance

newlyweds and their wedding party perform a choreographed reception entrance to a song from Hairspray — 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.

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Plan a Balcony Moment

bride and groom make their grand entrance from balcony at reception — 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 and all of your favorite people gathered inside? It doesn't get much better than that.

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Kick Off the Dance Party

couple walking into wedding reception waving their arms — 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).

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Create a Candlelit Path

reception tent with candles — PHOTO BY KATE HOLSTEIN

Looking for something romantic? Candles will do the trick. Create a path of candles that leads into the reception space. Your guests will love walking through on their way in, and they will serve as the perfect aisle for you and your partner, too!

08 of 30

Have Fun With a Mariachi Band

mariachi band wedding parade — PHOTO BY KAMI OLAVARRIA

If you're planning a destination wedding in a place that speaks to your culture, why not embrace local music? Have a mariachi band escort you to your reception space to get the party started, for example.

09 of 30

Use an Existing Door

wedding entrance door — PHOTO BY JAMES & SCHULZE

Looking for a simple wedding entrance idea? Use an existing feature at your venue. You can dress it up with greenery and blooms and create a beautiful entrance by walking through to your reception space, hand-in-hand.

10 of 30

Try Theatrics

couple making theatrical reception entrance — PHOTO BY TREVOR MARK PHOTOGRAPHY

Love the theater? Why not have some fun! Because this couple utilized a theater as their reception venue space, they made a statement by descending and appearing through a trap door. How magical!

11 of 30

Make It Colorful

color parade for couple's wedding — PHOTO BY TREVOR MARK PHOTOGRAPHY

Want to go all out in color? Throw a party in the streets with smoke bombs. Be sure your venue will allow these on-site ahead of time. If so, choose your favorite colors and make a splash!

12 of 30

Play an Entrance Song

couple giving wedding speech — 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.

13 of 30

Announce a Name Change

couple making wedding speech — PHOTO BY ABBY JIU PHOTOGRAPHY

Planning to keep your new official names a secret until your wedding day? This couple did! They kicked off their reception by sharing the exciting news of a joint name change.

14 of 30

Take the Stairs

couple walking down the stairs lined with flowers — Photo by Chi Chi Ari Love

If your reception space has stairs, be sure to use them! Dress them up with bundles of blooms, or keep things plain and simple. Either way, it's a space that's sure to draw attention as you and your partner enter the venue.

15 of 30

Follow Your Wedding Party

bridal party in white suits — 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 announcing the arrival of the newlyweds.

16 of 30

Take a Trolley

bride and groom walking off of a trolley — PHOTO BY PEYTON BYFORD

Consider traveling to your reception venue in style! Arrive via trolley for a fun and festive option—and consider have your guests line up to greet you as soon as you step off your ride.

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Create a Textile Display

wedding reception entrance with textiles — PHOTO BY KAMI OLAVARRIA

While this option isn't terribly grand, it is stunning! Set up a display featuring textiles made in the locale where you're tying the knot. You'll love using it as a backdrop for reception entrance photos.

18 of 30

Celebrate With Sparklers

sparkler wedding entrance — Photo by Molly Peach

While a grand exit with sparklers is a popular idea, it can be reversed as well! Put someone in charge to set this up. Give each guest a sparkler and walk through on your way into your reception space for a truly magical moment.

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Deck Out a Bus

custom wedding buses — PHOTO BY JENN EMERLING

All aboard the bus! Transport your guests to your reception space with a personalized bus. Ride in style with everybody else, or follow behind in your own custom transportation.

20 of 30

Ring a Bell

bride and groom ringing a bell on a porch — 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 the crowd's attention—and is a great way to settle everyone down if you'd like to make a welcome toast.

21 of 30

Set Up a Shoe Valet

wedding shoe valet sign — Photo by Paige Jones

Want to set up an entrance your guests will love, too? Encourage them to kick off their shoes! Set up a shoe valet for a beach party so everybody can be ready for dancing.

22 of 30

Host a Parade

wedding street parade — Photo by Les Loups of The Wedding Artists Co.

Want to include your guests in the fun? Plan a parade! If it's close enough, walk from your ceremony space to your reception venue in style. Your guests will love the opportunity to be part of your entrance.

23 of 30

Take It to the Tropics

wedding entrance with coconut cart and tropical greenery — Photo by Lauren Fair

Hosting a tropical party? Set up an entrance with refreshments to match. Encourage guests to grab a coconut for the ultimate treat. You'll be able to grab one on your way into your reception space to enjoy right alongside your guests.

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Make a Speech

couple giving a wedding welcome speech — Photo by Holtz Wedding Photography

Before making your way into the crowd, give a speech. This is such a great time to welcome guests to your reception and to share your gratitude for everybody being there to celebrate.

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Walk Through Curtains

wedding reception curtain — Photo by Katherine Ann Rose

Consider creating your own entrance to your reception venue. We love the idea of draping curtains, complete with greenery and beautiful lighting. Walking through this entryway holding hands will create such a magical moment.

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Take a Golf Cart

bride and groom on a golf cart — Photo by Gaby J Photography

Arrive in style! This is the perfect option if you're getting married at a resort or country club. Borrow a golf cart to transport you and your partner to your dinner party.

27 of 30

Put On a Show

couple entering reception venue with performers — Photo by John & Joseph

Planning something glam? Make a Hollywood entrance! Performers escorted this couple into their reception space to command attention. They kicked off the celebration with a performance on the dance floor to "Lift Off" by Jay-Z and Kanye West.

28 of 30

Use the Getaway Car

couple kissing in front of wedding car — Photo by Juliana Moreira Pessoa of Brett Matthews Gallery

Getaway cars can have multiple uses! Arrive at your reception space in a stunning, vintage car. You'll not only make a statement, but it will make for the most beautiful photo ops.

29 of 30

Open a Lemonade Stand

couple standing by wedding 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 then snag one for yourself too.

30 of 30

Include Live Music

violinist playing at a wedding — Photo by Deborah Ann Photography

While a DJ is certainly appropriate, having live music can provide such a special touch and is a great wedding entrance idea. Have a violinist or guitarist begin playing a sentimental song as you and your partner enter your reception.

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