Q+A: Are the Grand March and Grand Entrance the Same Thing?
Welcome to our wedding Q+A series. From wedding etiquette and vendor needs to guest experience and design advice, we’re here to teach you more about the wedding planning process and inform you of best practices.
Q: “Is a Grand Entrance and Grand March the same thing?”
A: Yes! The more traditional term is “grand march” but the terms are interchangeable.
A Grand Entrance is when the couple, and typically the wedding party, are formally announced as they enter the reception room where guests are seated for dinner. The DJ or emcee will announce the names of your wedding party, then, it’s your turn to be introduced as the newlyweds.
Who should be included in the Grand Entrance?
Traditionally, the entire wedding party is announced prior to the couple, however, who you include is really up to you! Some couples choose to include the full wedding party, and some even want to add in their ushers and personal attendants (though parents are usually not included). Other couples prefer to save the grand entrance moment just for the two of them as the newlyweds. There’s no obligation to include your wedding party in the grand entrance if it doesn’t fit your vibe.
If you want to include your wedding party because of their special role in the day, but you don’t like the idea of everyone entering individually or in pairs, we love when the wedding party enters as a group! This is referred to as a “wedding party bomb” when everyone rushes in together (either the entire wedding party all at once, or you can choose to split up bridesmaids as one group and groomsmen as another). Entering as a group allows us to move into dinner more quickly, plus, it alleviates the pressure on your wedding party when they are often expected to do something fun or silly if they enter in pairs.
The wedding party gathers around a champagne tower during the grand entrance // Rachel Graff
Ultimately, your grand entrance is one small blip on the timeline of a fun-filled wedding day! Whether you want to skip formal introductions for your crew, have a champagne tower moment, or jump into a choreographed group dance, we will help you determine the best flow for the grand entrance and ensure your timeline flows seamlessly.
HappiLily Events plans crazy-fun weddings for couples in Minnesota and Wisconsin. We specialize in making each wedding day as unique as it is memorable with thoughtful details and personal touches.
Whether you dream of getting married in a modern downtown venue, a romantic barn, or celebrating in your backyard, HappiLily Events is here to support you through the entire planning process.
Looking for tips on how to plan the perfect Grand Entrance? Read this blog post from one of our favorite vendors, Adagio DJay Entertainment: The Do’s and Dont’s of your Grand Entrance.
