Grand Exit Ideas

/

There are many memorable ways to close out your wedding day and we want to talk about the grand exit!

Captured by glory photography capturedgloryphotography.com

A grand exit to your reception is a wonderful way to round out your evening with one last cheer. Your friends and family that joined you on your big day line up (typically outside, but you can accomplish inside) to create a pathway to shower you in love as you leave your event. 

Consider including these possible ideas to make it special: 

  • Sparklers

  • Bubbles

  • Confetti poppers

  • Glow sticks

  • Ribbon wands

Fun tip: Some couples opt to double up on items - i.e. glow sticks PLUS bubbles - to create beautiful light effects and fun shots! Or you could consider incorporating a song and dance with a little choreography as you make your way down the line up of your friends and family.

Mads Lizotte Photography madslizotte.com

Communication is key!

Communicate with your DJ, photographer, and venue and/or event coordinator to plan the best time to make your grand exit. Sometimes it happens at the very end of the evening and sometimes it happens earlier in the evening before the photographer departs. 

You will want to make sure you have someone communicate to your group about the last dance/timing of your exit - Inquire ahead of time with your DJ that they bring a microphone along so that announcements can be made throughout the event (as well as speeches!)

Your DJ is also a great choice to make announcements throughout as long as its properly communicated with them in advance. A trusted member of your wedding party is a great option as well. 

If you choose an end-of-the-night grand exit, let your photographer know well ahead of your event if you and the photographer need to arrange for them to stay later!

Noah Hedlund pics Instagram: @noahhedlundpics

Here is how we typically see the grand exit executed at The Charleston Event Center: 

Have your respective individual make an announcement approximately 15 minutes prior to the grand exit time chosen so your guests are aware. This will allow for one more song to be played along with time for everyone to make their way to the area you’ve chosen to have your grand exit. 

A trusted member of your wedding party, or your coordinator if they are able to, can help hand out your items and provide instruction. Make sure you have a lighter if you go with sparklers and a re-collection bucket for the items so they don’t get tossed where they shouldn’t.

Your photographer will stand on the opposite end of the line to capture photos as you and your partner make your way through. We love to see couples smiling with guests as they make their way through. Your guests will hold up their sparklers or glowsticks high, pop the confetti poppers or blow bubbles as you go through their tunnel - take a few stops as you make your way down the line to kiss your partner for photo opps and to soak in the cheers!

Make sure someone is designated to collect the items once they are done being used (ex. a bucket of sand for sparklers to make sure they’re burned out fully, a bin for empty poppers) or let guests know they can keep the item if its items such as the glow sticks or ribbon wands.

Tip:
If you choose a ‘mock’ grand exit earlier in the evening while your photographer is still there to take photos, it may be easier to do this with just the wedding party or a few select guests rather than the whole group since it can disrupt the flow of the dance and cue some guests to leave early.

Alysha Rose Photography ALYSHArosephotography.com

Things to consider:

  • Check with your venue before you make a final decision. Some venues do not allow confetti (glitter, petals, etc.) and some may not allow sparklers. (It take time to clean it all up!) Also, plan ahead to consider the weather if you choose sparklers - if conditions are trending dry, it may be best to have another option ready to go!

  • If you plan to leave immediately after your grand exit, make sure you have your getaway car ready! In this case, assign someone to drive the car up for you ahead of the exit and potentially invite some people to decorate the car. (Or if you’ve chosen a rental car, communicate with them day of early on to confirm they know the time and location!) Also, communicate with your wedding party and family who will be collecting your personal items once you depart.

  • You can use the grand exit idea for a post-ceremony moment. Whether you have your ceremony at your venue or off-site, this can be a memorable way to take off before you head out for capturing photos in between ceremony and reception!

  • If you are worried about items getting in front of your face in your photos, make sure you communicate with whoever is passing out your items to tell guests to only pop/throw/wave the item once you and your partner have passed in the line up - this way you will still have the confetti or ribbons in your photos but they won't obscure your face.