How to Announce the Bridal Party at a Reception

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You want your wedding day to be perfect. But you also want it to be fun and stress-free. You can have it all by doing some careful planning before your big day. To make sure your reception gets off to a great start, take time to figure out how you want to announce the bridal party. You can choose a traditional entrance or something more in line with your individual tastes. No matter what, you’ll want to choose a great song to help set the tone.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Organizing the Details

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  1. Your wedding party is a big part of your special day. When you introduce them, you want to make sure that they get the recognition that they deserve. Make sure the DJ or MC has a written list of the names of the entire bridal party.
    • If necessary, include a pronunciation guide for the announcer. You don’t want them stumbling over an uncommon name.
    • Make sure the names are written in the order in which the members of the party will enter.
  2. Music is a traditional component of the bridal party entrance. You can use it simply as soft background noise, or as a prominent feature of the announcement. If you are planning a traditional entrance, you might want to pick a popular song for the moment. Some typical choices include:
    • ”Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves
    • ”The Way You Make Me Feel” by Michael Jackson
    • ”Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve
    • ”Viva La Vida” by Coldplay
    • "Waiting for Tonight” by Jennifer Lopez
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  3. Decide what you are going to do between the ceremony and the reception. Many people choose to take formal pictures during this time. Others plan a cocktail hour so that they can mingle with guests. Whatever you do, make sure that you figure out how much time you want to have between the ceremony and the bridal party entrance. [1]
    • Communicate this timeline to the MC. You could say, “The ceremony will end at 5:30, and the cocktail hour will begin. At 6:30, we want the guests to be escorted into the dining room. At 6:40, we would like the bridal party to be announced.”
  4. Make sure that each member of the bridal party understands where they need to be and when. You don’t want to be missing any members of the party when it’s time for the big announcement. Plan the timeline in advance, and give them clear instructions. [2]
    • You could send an e-mail the week before to everyone in your wedding party. It should give a detailed timeline of the entire wedding day.
    • You can also remind everyone on the big day. During pictures you could say, “Remember, everyone, we’ll line up to enter the reception right at 6:35.”
  5. Gather your wedding party near the door where they will enter the reception. Traditionally, they will line up in the order that they entered the ceremony. That means the bridesmaid and groomsmen pairs will enter first, followed by the maid of honor and best man. The newly married couple will be the last to be announced.
    • If you have a wedding coordinator, you can have them organize the line-up.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Choosing a Traditional Entrance

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  1. Traditionally, the bridesmaids and groomsmen are introduced to the guests during the entrance. In addition to their names, the MC should also state their relationship to the couple and their role in the wedding. For example, “Please welcome Anne Webster, Maid of Honor and sister of the bride.”
    • If you have a flower girl and ring bearer, it is traditional to include them in the entrance. You might want to have an adult escort them, as they could be nervous.
  2. If your wedding is somewhat formal, you might be going for a more sedate entrance. Make sure to communicate your wishes directly to the bridal party. You don’t want to start your reception off on a bad foot by having an entrance that you don’t like.
    • You might send an email describing the entrance you want. You could say, “I know lots of entrances include fun dances, but my wedding is going to be more formal. I’d appreciate it if you could just walk sedately and smile.”
  3. The key to your big day going smoothly is careful planning. This doesn’t mean you have to run yourself ragged checking every little thing, but it’s a good idea to make sure you have the entrance planned exactly the way you want it. A few days before the wedding, make sure to:
    • Give your MC the list of names and pronunciation guide.
    • Ensure you are comfortable with your choice of music.
    • Follow up with the bridal party members to make sure everyone knows the plan.
    • If you are using a wedding coordinator, check to make sure they know your specifications.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Planning a Creative Announcement

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  1. Are you looking for a more unique entrance? Consider having a theme instead of just the traditional entrance. If your wedding has a theme, you could go with that. Or, you could create a separate theme for the entrance. [3]
    • Maybe you are huge sports fans. Many fans of the University of Nebraska football team choose to enter to the team’s “Tunnel Walk.”
    • If you are really into Hollywood glamour, you could make the entrance a red carpet style announcement and encourage people to snap lots of photos.
  2. Don’t feel like you have to be tied to the traditional wedding party entrance. This is your wedding reception, and you should feel free to do it however you like. Maybe you would like to enter first with your new spouse. Then you can join the guests in cheering on the wedding party.
    • You could also choose to have the bridesmaids enter as a group, and then the groomsmen, instead of in pairs.
  3. Some fun dance moves can help your bridal party’s entrance really stand out. Traditionally, members of the group walk in. Ask your party to learn a few easy steps to get the party going.
    • For example, if you choose a song by Michael Jackson, ask the groomsmen to try to moonwalk.
    • A song by Donna Summer might inspire you to teach the crew a few disco moves.
    • Respect your wedding party. If your friends don’t feel comfortable learning complicated steps, don’t force the issue. You don’t want them (and the rest of your guests) to feel uncomfortable. [4]
  4. Generally, each pair in the wedding party walks or dances in to the same song. Mix things up by changing the music for each pair or person. For example, let your Irish cousins lead the way by dancing an Irish jig. [5]
    • You could also consider letting each person or pair choose their own music. This is a great way to allow your friends to express their individuality.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What order do you announce a wedding party?
    Karen Brown
    Wedding & Event Planner
    Karen Brown is the Founder and Creative Director of Karen Brown New York, a full service event planning company. Karen has planned hundreds of successful weddings, corporate parties, award ceremonies, product launches, galas, and fundraisers over the past decade throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
    Karen Brown
    Wedding & Event Planner
    Expert Answer
    Start by having the MC announce the bridesmaids and groomsmen, then the maid of honor and the best man, and finally the bride and groom.
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  • Question
    Who will give me away if both my father and mother have passed away?
    Community Answer
    If you have a brother or close male friend, they can do it. It's even okay if you walk alone and have your groom meet you halfway, or just walk alone the whole way.
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  • Question
    Can you give an example of a speech that introduces a wedding party?
    Community Answer
    "Good afternoon/evening and welcome to the reception for (bride and groom's names). At this time, I would like to draw your attention to the entrance, to announce the bridal party."
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      Tips

      • Upon entry into the reception site, the bridal party should walk to the center of the dance floor, pause for 30 seconds, then proceed directly to their seats. Parents of the bride and groom may have specially reserved tables along the sides of the main table. The bridal party usually sits in a focal location in the reception area.
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      • Try to keep your bridal party out of the reception hall, otherwise someone will have to track everyone down to line up. Having them comfortably assembled in a designated area helps the MC start the evening's events on time.
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      • Limit the amount of alcohol the bridal party is allowed to consume before entering the reception site.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.theknot.com/content/a-traditional-wedding-reception-timeline
      2. ↑ http://www.brides.com/story/manage-wedding-party-like-a-boss
      3. ↑ https://www.countryclubreceptions.com/blog/7-wedding-entrance-songs-chic-unique
      4. ↑ http://www.brides.com/story/manage-wedding-party-like-a-boss
      5. ↑ https://www.countryclubreceptions.com/blog/7-wedding-entrance-songs-chic-unique

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Before you announce the bridal party at a reception, decide who will be included and the order they’ll enter. If you’re going for a traditional entrance, the bridesmaids and groomsmen should enter first, followed by the maid of honor and best man, and finally the bride and groom. You should ask the DJ or MC to announce everyone’s names as they enter. It’s also traditional for them to mention the person’s relationship to the married couple. For example, they might say, “Maid of honor Anne Webster, who is sister to the bride.” If you want a less formal entrance, you can change the order by having you and your spouse enter first. Consider choosing a theme for your entrance or encouraging the party to dance to your favorite song, which will make your entrance stand out. For tips from our Wedding co-author on how to choose a good song for your entrance, keep reading!

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