Why I Dislike Mock Exits at Weddings (And You Should, Too)
Alright, let’s get one thing straight: I am all about a grand wedding exit. The sparklers, the confetti, the bubbles—heck, even a cloud of rose petals is fine by me. I love the idea of running through a tunnel, jumping into a car, and off into the night the couple drives away! (with a safe driver of course!)
But here’s where I draw the line: mock exits. You know the ones—when the couple pretends they’re leaving the reception, but then they immediately return to the party to keep dancing, eating cake, or whatever it is they do after a dramatic getaway.
Here’s why I dislike them, and why I think you should probably skip them at your wedding....
It interrupts the flow of the wedding!
A mock exit pulls guests' attention away from the energy of the celebration. Right when everyone’s enjoying the dance floor, clinking glasses, or chatting with old friends, you're suddenly asking them to stop and gather for your exit. This disruption often results in a jarring shift in the vibe.
After you've made your "grand exit" and come back in, it’s hard to get that same level of excitement and energy back. Can I get a "HECK YEAH" from all our DJs and Wedding Bands?
Guests may feel confused, and some might even wonder, "Should we go home now, or is the party still on?" It’s like hitting pause on the fun, and no one wants to pause a good dance party!
Mock exits are a tease, and let's be honest—no one likes being teased. After the grand exit, guests expect you to be gone. But when you walk back through the doors and back into the venue, it’s like you’ve tricked them into believing you were really gone… and now they’re wondering what’s next? Are you going to fake leave again?
It’s an emotional rollercoaster they didn’t sign up for.
Weddings are all about rhythm—there’s an ebb and flow to the celebration that keeps guests engaged and energized. After all, you're building to that moment when everyone is on the dance floor, laughing, eating, and enjoying the celebration. When you throw in a mock exit, you’re hitting pause on the vibe that has taken hours (and lots of planning) to build.
When the couple pretends to leave, guests are often asked to momentarily shift gears—suddenly, they have to stop what they’re doing, gather their sparklers or phones, and pay attention to the couple’s dramatic “departure.” But the problem is, it’s not actually a departure. So now everyone is in limbo, waiting for the couple to return.
The dance floor slows down, and the buzz of conversation dies down as everyone focuses on this fake finale.
The interruption can leave people wondering whether the night is really winding down or if there’s more fun to come. If the couple walks back in, it might feel like they’re just slipping back into the party, and the energy that was once flowing naturally now feels awkward or forced. Guests might even hesitate to jump back into the fun, unsure if they’re expected to continue celebrating or if it’s “officially” the end of the night.
Instead of a seamless, high-energy night of celebration, you’ve broken the natural progression of the evening, and that’s hard to get back. It’s a bit like pausing your favorite TV show to do something else, and when you come back, the magic of the moment is gone.
BUT, Karie my Photo & Video team leave before the end of the night...
I know this is a "thing" and in my opinion, the number ONE reason a mock exit is considered and on the lips of most couples. If it is the Instagram Photo you are looking for here is a great solution because listen, I'm not gonna complain without giving a solution to the problem LOL!
Recently at a wedding, we did a GRAND ENTRANCE with a wedding tunnel instead of a GRAND EXIT. Which, HOLLA...allowed the photographer and videographer to capture the tunnel photo the couple wanted!
Hear me out LOL...
Have your planner hand out ribbon wands, balloons, sparklers (yes! Sparklers show up during daylight!), or whatever else your heart desires! After you are done with your wedding photos, wedding guests will line up in a tunnel to welcome you into the reception! And the best part, is you can STILL have your wedding party run the tunnel too!
It’s a high-energy moment that makes the couple feel like VIPs right from the start.
Here is the PRO's to doing a GRAND ENTRANCE WITH YOUR GUESTS rather than a mock exit with either a select few of your guests OR with all your guests
Guest Involvement: The guests get to actively participate by cheering, clapping, and often waving or even throwing confetti as the couple passes through. It makes everyone feel involved in the celebration and gives them a chance to be part of something memorable right at the beginning of the night. It’s like the wedding version of a “red carpet moment”!
Perfect Photo Op: Since this happens at the start of the reception, the lighting is often better and the couple hasn’t been through hours of dancing and mingling. The photos and videos are vibrant, joyful, and full of life—capturing the excitement of the moment.
Sooooo....
If you’re still on the fence about mock exits, trust me—your guests will appreciate it if you skip the fake-out. Opt for a memorable, real experience that everyone can truly enjoy. Leave the gimmicks to the movies and focus on creating moments that will last a lifetime.
And hey, if you want to make a grand exit, you can always hop on a motorcycle and head straight to the after-party. Now that’s an exit I can get behind!