djBig | Wedding Reception Grand Entrance vs. Grand March
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04 Mar Wedding Reception Grand Entrance vs. Grand March

Posted at 02:00h in Wedding Blog by Pat
93 Likes

Going on 30 years performing creative wedding entertainment nationwide, one of the top questions from Brides and Grooms is still “what is the difference between Grand Entrance and Grand March?”. I believe the answer stems from the Midwest United States.


 

Years ago, I was a panelist at the International DJ Show in Atlantic City, NJ. My spot on the panel was illuminating creative Grand Entrances. As I began to discuss some of the creative “Grand Marches” assembled for Brides and Grooms, the room of about 1000 DJ’s became divided. Someone raised their hand “don’t you mean the grand entrance”? I asked for a show of hands to identify “who” knew about Grand March vs. Grand Entrance. Not many hands came up. I explained that in our area, wedding guests would typically ask “when is the Grand March?” which was commonly between 9-10pm. Another DJ asked “why would you introduce someone halfway through the reception”? This brought up a great point for discussion. I asked the DJ’s “who” was familiar with the term “Grand March”. The majority of the hands up were all from the Midwest. We concluded that in the Midwest, many guests lived by farmers hours. They may not make the wedding ceremony and dinner, but they always made the party/dance! We also believed people would repeat the same thing they saw at “other” people’s weddings carrying the tradition forward without asking why as it was common.

For years, I have offered every Bride and Groom all options concerning Grand Entrances and Grand March. I have dj’d in 23 States so far and have performed receptions at Caesar’s Palace/Vegas, St. Johns Banquet Ctr (Plymouth/Detroit), Ritz Carlton and many more high-end properties that typically insist on Grand Entrance as a rule. But for the majority of receptions, I offer both options to Brides and Grooms. Some use the initial entrance as the “formal” and later, the Grand March for themed entrance (props, etc). Some Brides and Grooms have also accepted one entrance/introduction as enough. Either way, my advice is to be organized, keep it up-beat and most of all not over produce the moment. An effective introduction/entrance works best with no words in the music to compete with announcing names. The goal should always be to compliment your Bride and Grooms style and let their personalities shine. It’s important to get it right too. Doing a fun, country themed introduction would not be a “fit” to a couple known to love big-band swing music. Today, the sky the limit for themes. Although I find more impact in solid, simple introductions, sometimes the variety of themed intro’s are dialed in perfect for a Bride and Groom. Check out some of these memorable themes I have encountered through my years!
Whether just for the Bride and Groom or including the Wedding Party and Parents as well, an introduction done right will always be remembered as “grand”.