How to make an entrance...

The way you want to make your entrance on your wedding day depends on whether it is just the two of you, if you have guests and of course the size of your wedding party! 

Besides the obvious there are also other things to consider: 

 

• Is your wedding party even or odd numbered? 
  
• Will there be more people standing up during your ceremony than sitting down? 
• Do you have to consider family issues? (i.e. divorced parents that may feel uncomfortable to be close)? 
  
• What impact and what photo opportunities can be created by deciding the best order of entrance? 
  
• Do you want a traditional wedding or do you want your ceremony stand out from others!....
  

Its just the two of us, why worry about making an entrance? 

If its just the two of you, you may consider of walking in together, or, if you feel comfortable walking in on your own, the groom will wait for you at the altar. However, if you want to have some truly stunning wedding photos with a Mexican flair, why not opt for a Mayan ceremony! 

The traditional Mayan costumes offer a dramatic frame for you and your beloved in your wedding photos and set a beautiful contrast to the colors of the ocean in the background. With the groom waiting at the altar, the bride will be escorted in framed with a Mayan in their traditional costume either side of her. The Mayan ceremony offers plenty of excellent photo opportunities to make your wedding stand out from the rest, guests or no guests! 

If your wedding site is on a pontoon and you want to surprise your partner, why not arrive on a yacht or on a jet ski? Or, make an entrance to your favorite song played by a mariachi band or other musician?

Family Issues

Unfortunately some divorced parents still have issues with each other, or, the couple feels that their loyalties are split between their 'biological' parents and 'step' parents. Situations like this can make it extremely difficult for the couple to accommodate everyone without hurting anyone's feelings. Sometimes it is better for the bride to compromise instead and either make her entrance unaccompanied or, if this feels uncomfortable, to choose someone 'independent' of family to escort her in. A nice suggestion is to use the Mayans in their traditional costumes as it not only gives the ceremony a Mexican flair, but its also a wonderful and unique photo opportunity!     

A word on children or animals in a ceremony

Always remember that both have their own agenda. No matter how much you practice, no matter what 'bribes' you may have, irrespective of what 'tricks' you may have up your sleeve; - at the end of the day they will do exactly what they want and there is nothing in the world that is going to stop them! 

If you have small children or animals in your ceremony, just be prepared for the unexpected and have an open mind and a good sense of humor! Both create wonderful photo opportunities but there is always the danger that they 'may steel the show'  

Music

Even though most of your guests will enjoy a beautiful piece of music, keep the music short and save it for the entrance and presentation after the ceremony! The ocean is usually audible enough to serve as a fitting background for your ceremony and please remember that we are in a tropical climate! Creature comforts will most likely out-way the beauty of any song if its too hot and humid for your guests!

Punctuality

A delicate issue, however, one that needs to be addressed for the benefit of everyone! We all know that lateness is the prerogative of any bride and 10 mins are usually acceptable. However, just to clarify that it is by no means always the bride that holds things up! 

Guests may be late, your suppliers may be stuck in traffic, the bridesmaids may not be ready, an outfit not ironed or the hair & makeup takes longer than originally planned.

Your wedding planner will assist to keep an eye on things but try and pre-empt as much as you can by appointing one person in your wedding party to act as a timer keeper for everyone. 

Make your hair & makeup appointment 30 mins earlier than recommended - it gives you some leeway if things are slower than originally planned. Give your guests clear instructions on how to find your ceremony site and please remember that there is a lot at stake: Your guests will be subjected to the Mexican heat & humidity without shelter, children quickly get cranky, your suppliers may have other commitments for which they have to leave at the originally scheduled time, you may run out of daylight for your wedding photos and your reception dinner will not taste the same if it had to be reheated several times!      

  

'Standard' Order of Entrance for wedding with guests

Entrance of parents/siblings/grandparents 

(if present)

Alternative: 

Groom or siblings escort parents to their seats (if no wedding party is present)

or
 Groom's parents escort groom to the altar

or
Groom waits alone with the Minister at the altar

or
Groomsmen or siblings escort the parents of the groom and mother of the bride to their seats (if the bride is given away by her father alone), then, if present, the grandparents are escorted to their seats

or
 Groom enters followed by his groomsmen to wait with the Minister at the altar

Entrance of bridal party (if present)

If even numbered, bridesmaids and groomsmen walk in together and take their place at the altar (usually bridesmaids are at the bride's side and the groomsmen at the groom's side)

or

If the groomsmen are already waiting at the altar with the groom, the bridesmaids walk in separately and line up at their respective side

&

Ring Bearer (if present)

&

Flower Girl(s) (if present)

Entrance of the bride

usually the bride is escorted in by her father, her mother, or my favorite option, by both parents

or

the bride walks in unaccompanied (some divorced parents with new partners may create issues) 

or

the bride walks in together with the flower girl (if present)

or

for a dramatic entrance, the bride is escorted in framed by a Mayan in traditional costume on either side (see Mayan ceremony)

These are just a few suggestions. Important is that you and your guests feel comfortable.