10 Grand Exit Ideas for Summer Weddings You'll Love
10 Grand Exit Ideas for Summer Weddings You’ll Love | Wedding Photographer Kansas City
The vows were made, rings were exchanged, and all your dearest loved ones were present to witness the two of you enter marriage together. After a flurry of photos, a delicious meal and decadent dessert, not to mention some fancy footwork on the dance floor (thank you, DJ with killer skills), your amazing wedding day is drawing to a close. The two of you give final hugs and express your thanks to those who helped pull off an amazing wedding day, and…
What comes next? How do you plan to end your perfect day? Not really sure yet? No problem, I get it. There are endless possibilities, but when it comes down to it everyone seems to recommend the same old ideas…bubbles or sparklers. Don’t get me wrong. Bubbles can be beautiful! And sparklers make for pretty photos!
But they are certainly nothing new…nor are they particularly safe. (Ahem, looking at you, sparklers.)
As a wedding photographer in Kansas City, I’ve witnessed practically every wedding send off variation you can imagine, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a few favorites for photographic reasons! If you’re after something a little more unique that is less likely to catch Aunt Karen’s dress on fire…well, keep reading for 10 Grand Exit Ideas for Summer Weddings You’ll Love. Summer weddings afford a variety of stunning options that will elevate your wedding day grand exit and provide a beautiful setting for your final wedding photos.
But first, you might be wondering…what exactly is a grand exit, anyway?
A grand exit (sometimes called a wedding send off) is what happens when your wedding guests gather to wave, cheer and bid you farewell as you exit your wedding reception (or ceremony, depending on your timeline.)
During this time, you’ll give final hugs and farewells, and leave together as a married couple for the first time. This is a great time for a few final happy photos as you kiss and leave amid the cheers of all your loved ones. The wedding grand exit is the final memory and impression you and your guests will have from your wedding day.
1. Fabric Wands
Fabric wands are an excellent choice for your wedding grand exit, regardless of the season.
Order premade fabric wands in corresponding colors for your wedding, or opt for a rainbow of colors for a bright and merry pop of color! You can find no shortage of options on Etsy, or Amazon, but you can just as easily make your own using colorful scraps of fabric, or fabric and ribbon. A few of my favorite Etsy shops (genuinely - I get absolutely nothing for mentioning them - I just love their work!) for fabric wands are:
2. Biodegradable Confetti
Gone are the days of bird seed or rice; instead, secure a sweet send off with your loved ones tossing biodegradable confetti for a festive pop of celebration!
Did you know biodegradable confetti exists? It does! There are so many ways to do this well, but I love the idea of biodegradable confetti in the colors of your wedding, or rainbow colors! You can find biodegradable confetti from a variety of online stores, but as a small business owner, I prefer to shop small whenever possible. Here are a few Etsy shops that offer biodegradable confetti:
It probably goes without saying, but please be sure to ask questions regarding any product that could potentially stain your clothing before you buy, and do a test run to make sure your product won’t damage your wedding gown, or anything else!
3. Fireworks
Sparklers are beautiful, but why not upgrade your event and feature a fireworks display during your grand exit?
A fireworks display is a sure-fire way to take your grand exit to the next level. For private estate weddings, be sure to check your city and county ordinances first, but most private estates outside of city limits will likely be in the clear. If you’re utilizing a venue, be sure to ask your onsite wedding coordinator about the venue’s specific rules regarding fireworks.
4. Ribbon Wands
At first glance this may seem like a repeat, but ribbon wands are a markedly different grand exit option than fabric wands.
Ribbon wands provide a vibrant, festive bit of cheer for any grand exit, with the additional benefit of leaving behind no mess. Wedding guests young and old will enjoy waving a ribbon wand as they cheer you on to your happily ever after. Choose wooden wands with ribbons in your wedding accent colors, or choose simple, elegant white and gold or silver, or all three together! Find the perfect ribbon wands for your grand exit online, or (if you’re crafty) make them yourselves!
5. Flower Petals
There’s perhaps no more romantic grand exit for your wedding day than beautiful, fragrant flower petals.
Go with a romantic grand exit and choose flower petals for your guests to toss as they bid you farewell! Roses, tulips, and ultimately whatever flower petal you most love will do the job just fine, but roses are the most typical choice because they are readily available in most areas, and can be purchased in bulk. They also come in a variety of beautiful shades so you can choose whatever color strikes your fancy!
6. Lanterns
Light the way to your bright future with a grand exit lined by enchanting lanterns!
You could style this a couple of ways, and any way you choose will be unforgettable. Line the walkway with lanterns of all different styles, or choose a uniform look and have your guests line up on either side of the rows of lanterns. Or, ask guests to grab a lantern to hold as they prepare to line up and say goodbye. The glow from the lanterns will create a romantic, unique ambience you’ll love!
7. Ring Bells
Bells have long been a wedding tradition, but have you considered incorporating them into your grand exit?
Provide your guests with dainty bells to ring as you leave your reception and enjoy the tinkling! Young guests will love the interaction and beautiful bell tones, and elderly guests will appreciate your nod to wedding traditions of old. If you’ll be wed in a traditional church with a bell tower, consider asking if the bells can be rung as you exit the building!
8. Sky Lanterns
Sky lanterns might not be the first thought that pops into your mind when it comes to your wedding grand exit, but hear me out.
If your venue or private estate allows, this can be a beautiful and unforgettable grand exit option. Decide ahead of time how many sky lanterns you want, and have them available and ready to be used. Ask a pre-selected number of people to light and release the sky lanterns at the appropriate time, and be sure to work out ahead of time where they need to stand and release. As you exit your wedding, the sky lanterns will provide a breathtaking backdrop for your final few photos, and for your guests to enjoy.
9. Dried Lavender, Calendula and Chamomile
This departure from traditional flower petals is a lovely, simple and aromatic way to take your grand exit from drab to delicious.
Pouches of dried flowers and herbs provide a practically effortless option for your exit. Order pouches in advance and place them in baskets near the exit for guests to retrieve as they exit the ceremony or reception, or hand them to each guest as they enter the ceremony. Be sure to provide instruction and direction so your guests know what to expect and where to line up at the appropriate time.
10. Whole Flowers
A floral wedding send off can be accomplished in many ways, but one particularly stunning way is to use whole flowers.
Provide bouquets of fresh flowers near the exit, and invite every guest to take one or two flowers to toss as the two of you leave the venue. This unique twist on a traditional petal throw provides such a gorgeous experience. Fresh flowers can be purchased in bulk online or at your local provider. Just be sure you know how to keep them fresh until it’s time to the big send off!
Summer grand exits can be so beautiful, and they are often one of my top ten favorite moments as your wedding photographer. Kansas City is home to a plethora of creative couples, and it’s been a joy to witness the majority of these wedding send off ideas up close and personal!
Tell me your favorite unique wedding send off or grand exit idea in the comments below, and share this post with someone who’s getting married!