3 Ways to Plan Your Wedding Reception Exit (2024)

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Co-authored byMinoti Mehta

Last Updated: September 16, 2022References

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   Decide on the basics with your fiance. Talk to your fiance about what kind of traditional and personal elements you'd like the reception to feature. Consult bridal or lifestyle magazines, either in print or online. Talk to your families about unique cultural traditions you might want to incorporate.

   • Ask each other about how to organize co*cktail hour, dinner, and dancing. Do you both want to include elements like cutting the cake, a first dance, bouquet and garter tosses, and a last dance? Do you both want a strict schedule of events, or should the reception be more about going with the flow?
   • Talk to each other about how important the exit is to you. Do both of you want to make a grand exit? Do you simply want a more relaxed, open-ended reception exit?
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   Plan out your reception’s timeline. To ensure you have time to sort out all of the details, start planning your wedding and reception several months in advance. When planning your reception’s timeline, overestimate the amount of time it’ll take for the first dance, cake cutting, bouquet and garter tosses, and other portions of the event.

   • Overestimating will ensure you have time for every activity without having to rush through anything.
   • Plan out the schedule, but be flexible. Don’t be upset if you have to deviate from the plan.
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   Decide when the party’s over. Set a definite time to make your grand exit. Avoid having an indefinite end to the reception. Wedding receptions often feature lots of alcohol, and whether it’s open bar or not, a party that goes into the wee hours can be costly, put your guests at risk, and threaten your big day with drama.^[1]

   • While you should set a time to make your exit, be prepared to make it earlier in the evening. For example, if your reception is on a Sunday night, your guests might start to leave before your scheduled exit. You’ll want to make your exit while you still have enough guests to give you a proper send-off.
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   Designate a wedding emcee or stage manager. It’s vital to pick a person to keep an eye on the time, notice if people are preparing to leave earlier than planned, and handle all the logistics that you wouldn’t want to worry about on your big day. After all, you wouldn’t want to have to awkwardly announce your own exit to your guests.^[2]

   • The emcee or stage manager can be a member of the wedding party, like the maid of honor or best man, or one of the newlywed couple’s parents. You can also choose the DJ, if you’ve hired one, to make any necessary announcements about the send-off.
5. See Also

   Going Out in Style With These Rad Wedding Exits6 Wedding Exits That Are Absolutely worth It | A Practical Wedding9 Creative Ceremony Exit Ideas for Weddings | Emmaline Bride28 Unique Ideas for Your Wedding Exit

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   Consider the venue’s rules or restrictions. You or your wedding planner should check with your venue about all necessary details, from planning out the exit time to deciding what guests throw or wave when you exit. Ask the venue’s person of contact if there’s a time by which all guests must exit the building and if they allow throwing rice or confetti (or whatever material you have planned). If there’s no obvious grand staircase or other appropriate area for an exit, ask your contact if there’s a good spot they suggest.

   • If everyone, from your guests to vendors, must be out at a certain time, be sure to give your vendors at least an hour to clean up and pack their equipment.
   • Sparklers are an increasingly popular send-off item, but some venues don’t allow them, even in outdoor areas. Double check with your venue’s person of contact if you’re planning on using sparklers.

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   Change into traveling clothes. If you’re planning on starting your honeymoon immediately after the reception, be sure to change into clothes comfortable enough for traveling. Traditionally, couples changed into clothes for the plane ride before their big exit. In addition to the dramatic appeal of a costume change, newlyweds often change into outfits that are more suited to drinking, eating, and dancing.^[3]

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   Have your emcee or stage manager give you a five minute warning. Your designated helper should quietly let you know when your exit time is approaching. This will give you a few minutes to give out hugs and personal goodbyes before your grand exit.^[4]

   • Alternatively, they can let you know that people are getting tired, talking about leaving or having to get up early in the morning, and other reasons that would justify bumping up the exit time.
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   Arrange your transportation. Be sure that your limousine, cab, horse and carriage, or whatever means of transportation you’ve chosen is in position to pick you up after your exit. Have your emcee or stage manager give a signal to your driver to bring the car around or call a cab. Make sure this is done just before the five minute warning, or even earlier if necessary.^[5]

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   Announce the last song to guests and tell them what to do. Have the emcee or DJ make an announcement just before the last dance. They should offer instructions both before and after the dance.^[6]

   • Have them say, “Good evening everyone! We’re about to have our last dance of the night. Immediately after, we’ll be sending off the newlyweds into married life! Please make your way to the front steps at the end of the song.” Have them tell guests whether they’ll be throwing or waving anything at the send-off.
   • After the song, have the emcee or DJ once again instruct guests to make their way to the exit area. Have your wedding party or other helpers hand out rice, confetti, white clothes, sparklers, or any other items that are part of your grand exit.
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   Adapt your timeline if necessary. While you make the most of your party, have your stage manager, wedding party, or other designated helpers keep an eye on the crowd. Have them keep track of the tone, if guests are talking about leaving soon, and other causes to tweak your schedule. Proceed with any festivities left on the schedule, and have your helpers begin to prepare the send-off.

   • Have them report to you if they hear that important guests or a significant number of people mention getting back to the babysitter, having to get up early for work, or other reasons for leaving soon. Your designated helpers should tell them, "Don't worry, stick around a bit. The newlyweds will be making their exit soon." Then, they should report to you and ask if you're ready to start to wind things down.
   • They should also keep an eye out for rowdy guests. If too many people have taken advantage of the bar, they should ask the bartender about cutting people off, politely handle any issues, and inform you that it might be time for people to move on to the bars if they wish to continue the party. Both you and the venue should help arrange any necessary transportation to prevent your guests from drinking and driving.
   • Remember that you've most likely rented out your venue for a specific amount of time, so try not to cut festivities too short unless it's necessary. If you still have two hours of rental time left, it might be better to take full advantage of your investment rather than worry about having a maximum number of guests send you off.

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   Choose a meaningful song for the last dance. The easiest way to add a personal touch is through your song choices. Check online for lists of common last dance songs for some inspiration. Consider choosing a song that’s meaningful for both you and your new spouse and for your friends and family.

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   Include family or cultural traditions. Think about your family or cultural traditions, and find ways to incorporate them into your unique exit. Consider doing this as a nice nod to your history, especially if your ceremony isn’t otherwise consistent with your traditions.^[7]

   • For example, if you are of Indian descent but are not having a traditional, multi-day ceremony, find ways to incorporate clothing, dance, or other culturally relevant details.
   • If, for instance, you are from New Orleans or if the city is special to you, having the band or DJ play “When the Saints Go Marching In” as your guests wave white clothes would be a nod to New Orleans tradition.
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   Choose a memorable way for guests to send you off. Whether you go with a traditional nod or unique, out of this world spectacle, make your exit memorable by having your guests send you off to your married life.

   • More traditional send-off rituals include throwing rice, wheat, or candy. You can also consider less traditional options like confetti, flower petals, or even paper airplanes. You can also go with ribbon wands or handkerchiefs if your venue won’t allow throwing items.^[8]
   • Bubbles, glow sticks, and balloons have all become trendier recently, and are great quirky choices if you want to make a statement.^[9] Whatever you opt for, try to choose a material that bears some special meaning for you, your new spouse, and your guests.
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   Make it your own. Your families, wedding planner, venue, and other sources will most likely have plenty of suggestions, preferences, and expectations. However, remember that it's your big day and your party. Remember that you and your new spouse need to make the decisions that are right for you.

   • If you want to make your exit by sneaking out the side door, feel free! Do whatever will allow you and your new spouse to put each other first.

   See Also

   Unique Wedding Exit Ideas: 36 Options for Your Send-Off | Wedding Spot Blog

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