Pro Talk: March-in Blues Leaves Impression

The momentous march-in, when the groom walks into the dining hall with his bride looking oh so happy together on their wedding day, sets the mood for the evening.

For many relatives, friends, colleagues etc. this is the first time they set their eyes on the married couple. This is your first opportunity to strut your stuff.

We've witnessed many couples walk into the dining hall looking as if the world owes them a favour. Faces blank, strides long and hands not interlocked with each other.

Your dinner guests will be indirectly affected by your initial outlook. What should be a happy, romantic evening may end up as a sombre dinner outing.

Before they make their grand entrance, we now take our clients aside for a short briefing:

1) Always smile. Smile like its going out of fashion. Let everyone know that you've been waiting all your life for this eventful day and you're real joyful about it.

2) Always wave. You are both guests of honour and ALL eyes are on you. So wave to your guests, wave a lot, acknowledge their presence. This simple act will make you look good on both the photo and video camera.

3) Walk slow. How slow? About 2 seconds for every stride. This will allow your guests to have get an eyeful of both of you. A slow entrance will also give your photograpers and/or videographers time to reposition themselves for better angles.

4) Familiarise yourselves with the route. It's a short, very short journey to your VIP table, but remember that for dramatic effect, the lights will be dimmed and one huge spotlight will be aimed at your face so you won't get to see much ahead of you.

5) Hold hands all the way. Never leave your bride behind.

6) Always seat your bride FIRST! Contrary to contemporary belief, chivalry is not dead. Pull the chair out for your bride, seat her comfortably and only then do you allow yourself to be seated. For chinese weddings, the groom seats on the left of his bride.

There you have it. These are some of the many reasons they call it the Grand Entrance. Besides endearing you to your spouse, following these steps will also make you look really good on camera.