Announcing Your Wedding Party: Creative Ways To Celebrate Your Crew

There are many ways to announce the bridesmaids and groomsmen at a wedding reception. The traditional way is to introduce them in pairs, with the bridesmaid and groomsman entering together, followed by the maid of honour and best man. However, you could also announce them individually, as a whole group, or in any other way you choose—it's your wedding!

The key to a smooth announcement is careful planning. Give the MC or DJ a written list of names, including a pronunciation guide if necessary, and communicate your timeline and plans to the wedding party. Choose your music and decide whether to include fun facts or anecdotes in the introductions. You could even have a unique theme or choreographed dance to make your entrance stand out.

Line up the bridal party outside the reception doors

Once the ceremony is over, the bridal party will often stay behind to take professional photographs. They will arrive at the reception up to an hour after the last few guests. When they arrive, the wedding DJ or emcee should be alerted by an attendant. The bridal party should then line up in the back or just outside the back of the reception.

The DJ or emcee will get the guests' attention by announcing the arrival of the bridal party and lowering the music before switching to the entrance song. It is important to give the DJ or Master of Ceremonies (MC) a written list of names, in the correct order, and with a pronunciation guide. This will ensure that they don't stumble over any unusual names.

The bridal party should line up in the order that they entered the ceremony. This means that the bridesmaids and groomsmen enter first, followed by the maid of honour and best man. The newly married couple will be the last to be announced. If you have a wedding coordinator, they can organise the lineup.

If you want to do something fun and unique, there are many different ways to introduce your bridal party. For example, you could have the DJ announce some fun facts about each person as they come in, or have the bridal party learn a short choreographed dance.

Choose a good song for the entrance

Music is a traditional component of the bridal party entrance and can be used as soft background noise or as a prominent feature of the announcement. If you're planning a traditional entrance, you might want to pick a popular song. Here are some ideas for songs that will get your guests in a celebratory mood:

• 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
• Can't Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake
• 24K Magic by Bruno Mars
• I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas
• Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter
• Without You by David Guetta ft. Usher
• HOT TO GO! by Chappell Roan
• Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars
• Crazy in Love by Beyonce ft. JAY Z
• Here For the Party by Gretchen Wilson
• Down by Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne
• Juice by Lizzo
• Heroes (We Could Be) by Alesso ft. Tove Lo
• Where Them Girls At by David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida
• Scream by Usher
• Country Girl (Shake it For Me) by Luke Bryan
• Anything Could Happen by Ellie Goulding
• SexyBack by Justin Timberlake ft. Timbaland
• I Love Rock and Roll by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
• Run the World (Girls) by Beyoncé
• Raise Your Glass by P!nk
• Fly As Me by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic
• Thrift Shop by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
• Thunderstruck by AC/DC
• My House by Flo Rida
• Panda by Desiigner
• Good Life by Kanye West ft. T-Pai
• Me and My Gang by Rascal Flatts
• Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
• Bring Em Out by T.I.
• Let's Hear It for the Boy by Deniece Williams
• Rock You Like a Hurricane by Scorpions
• On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons
• Let's Get Loud by Jennifer Lopez
• Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves
• All You Need Is Love by The Beatles
• Feel So Close by Calvin Harris
• Raise Your Glass by P!nk
• Dynamite by Taio Cruz
• Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO
• Dance the Night by Dua Lipa
• We Are Family by Sister Sledge
• Footloose by Kenny Loggins
• Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
• Beautiful Day by U2
• Just Dance by Lady Gaga
• We Will Rock You by Queen
• Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N' Roses
• Let it Rock by Kevin Rudoolf ft. Lil Wayne

Plan the timeline and communicate it to the MC

Planning the timeline for your wedding reception and communicating it to your MC is crucial to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone. Here are some detailed instructions to help you with this process:

Decide on the Timeline:

Before informing your MC, you need to finalise the timeline for your wedding reception. Here are some key points to consider:

• Time between the ceremony and reception: Decide what you want to do during this time. You may choose to take formal pictures, have a cocktail hour to mingle with guests, or plan other activities.
• Order of entrances: Determine the order in which you want the bridal party and key individuals to be introduced. Traditionally, the bridesmaids and groomsmen enter first, followed by the maid of honour and best man, and finally, the newly married couple. However, you can also mix things up and have a unique entrance, such as entering first with your spouse or having the bridesmaids and groomsmen enter as separate groups.
• Timing of announcements: Plan the timing of the announcements accordingly. For example, you may want to have the bridal party announced before or after a specific activity, such as the first dance or dinner.
• Music selection: Choose the music for the grand entrance, considering whether you want one song for the entire bridal party or different songs for each couple or individual.

Communicate the Timeline to the MC:

Once you have finalised the timeline, it's essential to communicate it clearly to your MC. Here are some tips:

• Provide written details: Give your MC a written timeline, including the order of entrances, names of individuals, and any specific instructions. This ensures they have all the information they need and can refer to it throughout the reception.
• Pronunciation guide: Include a pronunciation guide for any names that may be difficult to pronounce. This will help the MC avoid any awkward mispronunciations.
• Reception flow: Discuss with the MC how they will transition from one part of the reception to another. For example, ensure they know when to lower the music, make announcements, or switch to the entrance song.
• Backup plans: It's a good idea to communicate any backup plans or alternatives in case of unexpected delays or changes. This will help the MC adapt and keep the reception flowing smoothly.

By deciding on a clear timeline and effectively communicating it to your MC, you can ensure that your wedding reception runs smoothly and that everyone involved knows what to expect.

Give the MC a written list of names and a pronunciation guide

To ensure a smooth bridal party entrance, it is essential to provide the MC with a written list of names, along with a pronunciation guide if needed. This list should include the names of the entire bridal party, from bridesmaids and groomsmen to the maid of honour and best man. It is also crucial to indicate the order in which each member will enter, so there is no confusion during the introductions.

For example, if you have a large bridal party, you may want to pair up the bridesmaids and groomsmen and introduce them as couples. Alternatively, you can choose to introduce them individually or in groups, such as "the bridesmaids" or "the groomsmen." If you have a flower girl and ring bearer, you can include them in the entrance as well, perhaps escorted by an adult.

In addition to their names, the MC should also mention each person's relationship to the couple and their role in the wedding. For instance, "Please welcome Anne Webster, Maid of Honour and sister of the bride." This adds a personal touch to the introductions and helps the guests understand the significance of each bridal party member.

Providing the MC with a detailed list ensures that everyone is introduced correctly and that no one is missed during the entrance. It also helps to avoid any last-minute confusion or mispronunciations, which can detract from the moment.

To make the process even smoother, you can also communicate the plan to your bridal party in advance. This way, they know where to be and when, and you can ensure everyone is present for the grand entrance.

Choreograph a dance for the bridal party

Choreographing a dance for the bridal party to perform at the reception is a fun way to announce the newlyweds and get the party started. Here are some steps to help you get started:

Choose Your Song

The first step is to select a song that is danceable and fits the mood you want to create. Consider the tempo and whether it is easy to dance to. You can choose a song that matches your wedding theme or go with something entirely different. If you're struggling to decide, put on some potential songs and start moving to help you decide if it will work. Also, consider whether the song is family-friendly, especially if there will be young children present.

Watch and Learn

Now it's time to dive into some research! YouTube is a great place to start, with countless videos to inspire you. Take notes on the different dance moves and sequences that you like and that would work with your chosen song. Don't worry about being too original—most dance routines are a mash-up of existing moves. If you're planning a group dance, look for routines with similar numbers to your bridal party.

Consider Your Venue

Before you get too carried away with choreography, think about the size and layout of your venue and dance floor. A large, spacious venue can accommodate more complex choreography and a bigger group of dancers. On the other hand, a smaller venue might require simpler moves or fewer dancers to avoid a crowded dance floor.

Put it Together

Now, it's time to start creating your routine! Most songs are in 4/4 time, which means you'll do any one move for four or eight beats before transitioning to the next. Write down the various sections of the dance and give them names to make it easier to remember. For example, your routine might include moves like "shake hips, 4 counts, shimmy, 4 counts, funky chicken, 8 counts, repeat."

Practice, Practice, Practice

Don't underestimate the power of practice! Schedule some time to rehearse with your bridal party before the big day. Practicing will help you feel more comfortable and confident when it's time to perform. Consider doing a dress rehearsal with costumes and music to get a true feel for the performance. You can even perform the dance for a small group of people to get feedback and work out any kinks.

Get Out There and Have Fun!

Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy yourself and celebrate this special day. Don't stress too much about the choreography being perfect. As long as you're having fun, your guests will, too!

Frequently asked questions