The Perfect Wedding Entrance
- Stephen Simmons
- Sep 29
- 4 min read

🎤 Setting the Stage: What Energy Do You Want?
Your wedding entrance is more than “just walking in with music.” It’s the announcement to your guests: “This is us. This is how we want this night to feel.”
So here’s a framework I swear by:
The Energy Scale: 1 to 10
Level | Feel / Atmosphere | What Guests Are Doing | Examples of Music Style |
1 | Ethereal, cinematic, elegant | Quiet, respectful, maybe tearing up | Solo piano, strings, soft orchestral |
2–3 | Romantic, dreamy, graceful | Gentle applause, soft smiles | Acoustic covers, mellow pop |
4–6 | Uplifting, warm, “we’re excited” | Clapping, nodding heads, voices rising | Pop, Motown, classic singalongs |
7–8 | High “party starting” | People on feet, dancing in place, singing | Dance-pop, funky beats, strong groove |
9–10 | Full-on party launch | Screaming, jumping, dancing before you’ve even arrived | EDM drops, rock anthems, chants |
Ask yourselves: when you cross the threshold, do you want the room to go quiet (just for you), or for guests to already be halfway into a dance? The answer will guide your choice.
How to Think Through the Choice
When you pick a song, consider:
The Moment You Want to Create
Do you prefer a dramatic build or an immediate bang?
Do you want people watching in awe first, or joining instantly?
Song Familiarity & Singalongs— A familiar chorus makes people join in without hesitation.
Lyrics & Message— Make sure the message (or even a few lines) doesn’t clash with your vibe.
Duration & Build— Some songs crescendo at the end — you might use part of it or a remix.
Transitional Ease— Your entrance may segue into the first dance, dinner music, or party. You may want something that feels like a natural bridge rather than a jarring stop.
Top Song Ideas: From “Start Small” to “Party Cannons”
Here are 10+ song suggestions, spanning from moderate to all-out energy. I’ve linked YouTube versions so you can hear exactly how they hit in real life.
⚡ Moderate to High Energy (Levels ~5 to 8)
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) — ABBAA classic, familiar, and fun anthem. People will sing along — perfect for a celebratory entrance.▶️ YouTube link
Don’t Stop Me Now — QueenUpbeat, feel-good, and full of momentum. A “we’re unstoppable” energy.▶️ YouTube link
Happy — Pharrell WilliamsInfectiously cheerful, and the kind of song that gets smiles on faces instantly.▶️ YouTube link
🚀 High Energy / Party Starters (Levels ~7 to 10)
Freed from Desire — GalaThis track has become a stadium / dance anthem. If you want people bouncing — this is a killer pick.▶️ YouTube link — Drenchill version YouTube
Sandstorm — DarudeThe shock factor is real. Walk in to this and people will probably assume you’re launching a rave.▶️ YouTube link YouTube
Can’t Hold Us — Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (feat. Ray Dalton)High-impact, rising energy, great for a triumphant entrance.▶️ YouTube link
Uptown Funk — Mark Ronson (feat. Bruno Mars)Funky, bold, instantly recognizable with groove and swagger.▶️ YouTube link
Crazy In Love — Beyoncé (feat. Jay-Z)Strong, bold, and perfect for couples who want power and presence.▶️ YouTube link
🎯 Wild Cards / Alternative Picks (daring options)
Levels — AviciiIf you love EDM and want to bring a club feeling into your wedding moment.▶️ YouTube link
Shut Up and Dance — Walk the MoonLighthearted but still powerful. Good for couples who want fun without over-the-top bombast.▶️ YouTube link
Mr. Brightside — The KillersRock anthem energy + massive singalong potential — especially with a crowd that loves rock.▶️ YouTube link
I Gotta Feeling — The Black Eyed PeasA party classic that many couples use to shift the vibe from “ceremony” to “reception fun.”▶️ YouTube link
How to Map Songs to Your Ideal Energy Level
Here’s how I’d roughly map a few of the above to the energy scale — so you see how your favorites compare:
Freed from Desire → Level ~8 or 9 (depends on mix)
Sandstorm → Level ~9–10
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! → Level ~6–7
Don’t Stop Me Now → Level ~7
Happy → Level ~5
Uptown Funk → Level ~7–8
I Gotta Feeling → Level ~8
So if your “ideal” energy is around 7, you could go with something like Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! or Uptown Funk, then gradually rev things up after you make your entrance. If you want all guns blazing, go with Sandstorm or Freed from Desire, or even a mashup or remix of them.
Tips to Make This Entrance Moment Seamless & Impactful
Fade-in / fade-out planning: Don’t abruptly stop the track — plan how you’ll transition from entrance to dinner, speeches, or party.
Custom edits: Use a DJ to cut or remix the intro or outro so you walk in at the high point.
Cue points: Pick the exact moment the beat drops or chorus kicks in to align with your grand entry.
Sound checks: Test how bass and volume carry in your venue. You don’t want the track to overpower speech or echoes to muddy everything.
Audience fit: If many guests are older, mixing a nostalgic or pop classic might feel safer than full-on EDM from the jump.
Backup plan: Always have a shorter, safe fallback in case of audio glitch or tech issues.
Wrapping It Up (and What You Should Do Next)
Your wedding entrance song should:
Match your personality
Reflect the mood you want
Spark excitement and invite guests into the moment you create
If I were you, I’d pick your energy goal first — say, “I want level 7” — then audition 2–3 songs around that level (like Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, Uptown Funk, Don’t Stop Me Now) and see which one gives you chills when you imagine walking in to it in your dress/tux.
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