This week I’ve gone to my friend Peter Merry, author of “The Best Wedding Reception Ever” to touch on something that is seldom seen North of the Border…The Grand Exit???

Your reception is a celebration that can be truly entertaining from beginning to end. But the most memorable moment can often be the ending. Think about the last entertaining movie you saw in a theater. If the plot moved along well and kept you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire film, but the last twenty minutes tapered off in a way the left you feeling unfulfilled, you would most likely leave the theater commenting on what a great movie it was...except for the ending. Your reception celebration can create the same reaction among your guests as well.

However, if you plan ahead for your ending, you can create a memorable moment that will be both fulfilling and engaging for all involved. Consider preparing in advance to allow your guests to give you a big sendoff. Taking into consideration that not all of your guests may feel inclined stay and dance until 1:00am, staging an early ending that will involve most of your guests might be worth scheduling your ending to take place earlier than your location requires.

When the time is right (based on your energy levels, some of the guests beginning to leave, the arrival of your limo, etc.), your M.C. can invite everyone to join you for a Last Dance and then ask the guests to hurry outside, or to the room’s exit, where they can be provided with bubbles, confetti, sparklers, glow necklaces, streamers on sticks, or items to throw or wave around as they cheer during your grand exit.

This will wrap up your celebration on a high note that feels like a natural ending. The guests will leave with great memories from the beginning to the end. And because they played a role in sending you off, they will feel like that have been active participants in your entire reception celebration.

Now if you both still feel like you will want to stay and dance until 1:00am, consider using the grand exit as the end of the formal reception and the beginning of the “after party” for all of your friends and family members who will also want to celebrate with you until the wee hours. The grand exit will allow any of your older guests who might not want to stay out so late to feel like they now have permission to leave without missing out on any of the important moments.

Finally, make sure your photographer and/or videographer know that you are planning a grand exit so they can be sure to capture photos and video footage of your guests cheering as you make your departure.