How to Design a Grand Ballroom Entrance Guests Will Never Forget
The second your guests start arriving at your wedding, what they see first will be their first impression of your day. Having a grand entryway to your ceremony will set the tone and mood for the entire day. It’s where intrigue starts, anticipation builds, and where the magic begins.
Creating a magnificent entrance for you and your guests to walk into will create a long-lasting impression that will have everyone talking long after the first dance is over. Knowing how to design a grand entrance can seem daunting, but here are a few tips and tricks on how to elevate your event from the first person who steps through it.
1. A Strong Visual Statement
The way you decorate your entrance should immediately capture everyone’s attention as they walk through. It is the beginning of your celebration, so make it stand out and extravagant. Utilize the natural beauty the venue has to offer with its architectural features. Build along the natural curves and indents of the framing to accentuate a dramatic feel. Take advantage of the lighting the space has to offer.
Whether it’s windows or uplighting, how you choose to accent your décor can add more dimension to the venue's atmosphere. Using florals in a wedding is a choice almost every bride makes, but using florals as a statement installation can instantly add elegance and romance to your celebration.
2. Create Immersion
Fully immersing your guests in your space will create an unforgettable entrance. Create a special playlist of wedding classics or have live music at the entrance to set a romantic ambiance as guests enter. Have a chosen fragrance that guests smell as they walk in. Whether it’s candles or aromatherapy oils, whenever your guests smell your chosen fragrance, they will always think of your wedding.
Consider draping linens or having velvet features to add extra visuals for your guests to experience. Utilize all of the senses for a truly unforgettable wedding.
3. Personalized Details
Incorporating personal touches can add so much more meaning to your already beautiful entrance and space. Create a custom monogram or logo of the couple being celebrated for an added personalized touch. Include a space, as you walk in, that is talking about your love story, and a warm welcome for your guests, for intentionality. Having a photo opportunity for guests to take pictures the minute they walk in will boost guest engagement and community between families and friends.
4. Strategic Lighting
How you light your space is crucial to bringing guests’ attention to the effort you put into your décor and guidance into your wedding space. Illuminate pathways with candles or lanterns to guide your guests where they need to go.
Be intentional with how you light your space when it comes to color and intensity of the lighting. Too soft and guests can’t see, or too bright and your space will be overwhelmingly loud. Highlight keep focal points with added lighting to draw attention to specific decorations.
5. Entrance Flow
How your entrance is laid out can easily become too crowded and overwhelming, so keep it clean and easy to navigate. Make sure the walkway is wide enough for multiple people to walk through, clear of too much “clutter” so people don’t trip, and for the bride to glide down comfortably.
Keep sections separate and clear. If guests are signing your attendance book, make a clear area. If guests want to look at pictures of the couple, make a clear area. Having defined zones will allow for a better flow and maintain comfort and ease for guests. Have a structured schedule of when the ceremony starts to guests don’t feel rushed and can appreciate the effort and thought put into your décor.
6. Cohesive Design
How you choose to accentuate your entrance should feel like an extension of your venue space. Everything should flow together as one event. Keep the color palette cohesive from the front door to the table. Be consistent with the materials you choose. Use the same lighting tones and styles from start to finish. From the minute your guests step into your venue to the minute they sit down, they should have the same feeling from how you’ve chosen to design your space.
7. “Reveal Moment”
Having a reveal moment adds extra drama and elegance to your ceremony. Utilize a stairwell or draping for that anticipation factor that will have your guests’ jaws dropped as you walk in. Accentuate your entrance with extra lighting, whether it’s a color change or a spotlight. Signally your entrance with a shift in the music will heighten the moment for added emotion that pulls at the heartstrings as you make your way down the aisle.
Deciding to have a grand entrance isn’t just about a beautiful way to start your ceremony - it’s about storytelling and bringing magic into your big day. Setting up the perfect first impression, to the minute you start your first dance, every detail should be intentional while still giving a level of anticipation for how the celebration is going to go. Having a grand entrance will turn your wedding day into an elegant and romantic experience for not only you, but also for your guests, creating something truly unforgettable.
Omaha Event Group
From Midtown to Downtown, Omaha Event Group brings unforgettable experiences to life at our premier event and wedding venues: Leo Ballroom, Empire Room, The Garden Room, and Omaha Design Center. Whether you’re planning a wedding, corporate gathering, or social celebration, our team provides the perfect backdrop and seamless coordination to make your event truly memorable.
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Visit our venue sites to schedule a tour - Leo Ballroom - Empire Room - The Garden Room - Omaha Design Center