Is a Send Off a Must?

We just had the DJ play The Final Countdown, went around hugging everybody, and then ran out the door and down the stairs to our waiting limo. Some of the guests spontaneously went out to the patio and waved down at us as we left (which our photographer got a great shot of), but it wasn't a pre-organized thing that guests had to do.

The last wedding I worked that had a send off didn't go over so well. The party ended at midnight, but the bride and groom set their send off for 11:45pm. The guests were urged to head out to the venue entrance so they could be there, and the DJ had to keep telling them to go - they didn't want the party to end. It's better to just enjoy every moment. If you really want to do something, maybe do it after your ceremony.

The last wedding I went to with a send off of sorts, they did it after the church ceremony. They had all the guests gather on the steps of the church for a group photo with the bride/groom. I absolutely love that photo! At my wedding we have a picture of my hubby and I turning to wave as we left the church. Not exactly a send off but a great photo.

Nope, not having one, will just enjoy the last dance with guests and likely head to a bar if people are still standing.

ETA - frankly as a guest it is super annoying unless you are leaving a church or something headed to the reception. Usually people are drunk, the sparklers start to go out, the photographer wants a bunch. I was in a wedding with a church bubble send off then a sparkler at the end of the night. It was all a photo- op and wasnt becoming of the couple.

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I was in a wedding where the bride and groom went off to a room at the church all the guest walked out and then the bridal party lined the stairs and then bride and groom came out that was cute but we are not doing a church

I won’t be doing it. We will let loose and enjoy the party by then. I will most likely have a few too many drinks at the very end

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The venue told us the band had to stop playing and that was the signal to leave (wedding went until midnight)!! Haha I wasn't going to leave until I had to, I was having way to much fun!!

I've only been to one wedding where they did one. Personally, I think they're dumb, contrived, and like you said, a waste of fun/party time.

Nope, not unless it's a true send off and you're leaving the venue. Otherwise don't do it just for photos

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I have never been to one. Until I joined here I didnt even know it was a thing

You've never been to a wedding?????? or one with a send off???

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My photographer says it can get to crazy and I guess rowdy if you use everyone! It just makes like easy and you are done in no time!

We were going to skip it cause it did seem like overkill, but because we had to be out of the venue by a certain time my DOC recommended we did something to get guests to go outside and not stay and linger, so we did glow sticks and 10/10 no regrets

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Sorry should of been more clear a wedding with a send off and until joining here didnt know what it was

I am doing one just for photos Well, it is not a a real send off so much as sparkler group photo. We are having dinner and cake until 9:30pm. So after cake we are going to have to leave the dining room from balcony and patio/garden to the ground level entrance of entertainment suite in the dungeon, and I am going to have a sparkler photo op with my wedding guests as we head down to party. I think it is cute, and my photographer is taking only a couple snaps. It does not have to take forever, and I personally want a group photo of everyone. My party does last until 4am. We are all staying at the venue for the wedding, so I am not so concerned about wasting time. I attached a snap of one my cinematographer captured from one of the weddings he did. Honestly do whatever you want, and what you think would best suit your wedding party.

We're not doing one. Our wedding will most-likely go until 1 (that's what time we have our reception hall until) and doubtful we'll want to leave early.

It's not a must. I've seen people have a "send off" when they're coming back up the isle before the reception, if you wanted to include one. Otherwise, it's totally fine to skip it entirely!

View Quoted Comment You'll know it's over when the last person falls over drunk! Lmao! We aren't doing one cause we definitely want to party it up with our family and friends!

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Haha okay yes!

I don't get send-offs, so we're not doing one. At the best man's wedding, his wife took so long to fiddle with her cloak before their big sparkler exit that someone got a burn from an almost-burnt-out sparkler. Good times. -_-