The Grand Exit

owens0410

I am trying to decide what to do about my fiance and I's grand exit from the reception. Of course we want as many people as possible to be there to blow bubbles at us and wish us well when we leave; however, I don't want to leave before all of our guests do. I've heard of people doing a fake exit for pictures and just going around the block and coming back to stay until the very end of the reception with their guests. What are everyone's thoughts on this subject?

banana468

Honestly, I don't think anyone does one.  I've never seen a couple actually have a grand exit from the reception except for two weddings - and then they left towards the end in pretty clothes but just got in their car.  No extra 'fluff' was needed.  Hugs and claps sealed the deal.

danieliza1127

I've never seen anyone do a grand exit from the reception.  I've seen it after the ceremony for sure, but never after the reception.

I think a fake exit is just cheesy and clearly done just for pictures.  I wouldn't do that.  I also don't think the bride and groom should leave their party before the guests do. 

We stayed until the very end and all of the guests had gone.  We piled our stuff into the car and headed to our hotel, no grand exit.  By then we were exhausted anyway!

aerinpegadrak

At my friend's wedding, they left as the party was winding down.  The venue rolled out a little red carpet for them, and they just got into a classic car and drove away.  Wasn't really all that grand, they just made an exit.

megk8oz

I've never seen this done before, but when my mom and her friends where in their 20s, I guess it was a trend in my area (NJ), because they all have the photos in their albums from it.

They all did the "fake" exit though. They pretty much staged the "exit" pictures to be taken right before the cake cutting so they have the shots of running through people and getting into the car and driving off ... and then they came back to the party, cut the cake and carried on with the night.

At one point I actually asked my mom where the common sense was in this, and she said "I don't know, it's just what you did". She also fed me that same line when it came to head tables and having soup as the first course (We did a sweetheart table and started dinner with a small dish of penne vodka), so I can only take it from where it comes.

megk8oz

Oh, actual suggestions ... if you do one, I kind of like the sparkler idea. It seems not all venues allow them, but so far that's my favorite.

Bubbles are more of a "ceremony recessional" thing where I'm from. NJ doesn't allow you to throw rice, we had to get creative, lol.

Karen's MOH

I have only seen this once but I thought it was cute. It was at the end, and the DJ and other server people encouraged guests to go to the main entrance, where they handed out little paper cones of dried lavendar, which I think was supposed to be good luck or something along those lines. The whole wedding was on a resort, so as they exited a few minutes later, we all tossed the dried lavendar on them and they rode off on a little golf cart. It was cute. 

Also, I think this is a good idea at receptions where you will get charged if people linger too long after the end of the reception. It's a good way to end the party if it might otherwise drag on. But the fake exit I think is a bad idea.

dramabooks

We're not doing one. I'd feel bad leaving all the guests behind while we left. 

Instead, we're having everyone blow bubbles when we are announced at the reception, which will also make for some fun pics! 

  My FI's cousin was married almost 2 years ago and her now Hubby is a HUGE Pittsburgh Steelers fan. They had 'terrible towels' made up as favors with their names and the date on them and had everyone twirl them as they were announced to the reception (which I guess is what Steelers fans do with terrible towels at the games... not a football fan).  So we are kind of stealing their idea but making it different with the bubbles. 

  So by having the bubbles, flower petals, rice, etc. done as you and your new hubby are announced at the reception, you still get the great pics but don't have to leave before everyone else, or fake it!  Just an idea!

Catwoman708

You could stage the "grand exit" with bubbles for the photos right as guests are leaving the ceremony, then stay for the reception.  You can always do another one later as you leave the reception if there are enough guests left. 

When our daughter got married, I almost got a great picture of me and DH from behind, and seeing DD and SIL in the background waving back as they were about to get into the car.  Except, DH had changed from his tux into a Hawaiin shirt, and reached down and grabbed my ass just as the picture was snapped.  Then they got another shot as I turned around with a disgusted look on my face, and me taking a big swig of a drink.  Real classy.

So I think your parents would love getting one last photo of them waving you off on your new life together.  If your dad behaves himself, lol!