In short
Many couples pick a march-in song that reflects their story or simply sounds celebratory as they enter the banquet hall, then follow it with a short first dance if that feels like them. There is no fixed rule for either choice, and many couples keep the whole moment brief and simple rather than treating it as a performance.
- There is no fixed rule for a march-in song, only what feels right for the two of you
- A first dance is common but not expected at every wedding banquet
- Share your song choices with the emcee and videographer well ahead of the day
- Keeping the moment short is a completely normal choice
- Practising even briefly helps if you plan any choreography
How couples in Singapore typically approach this moment
The march-in is the moment a couple walks into the banquet hall together, usually to applause from guests already seated for dinner. In Singapore, this moment is generally treated as a warm entrance rather than a staged performance, walking in hand in hand while a song plays over the sound system. Some couples pause partway for a photo moment with parents or the wedding party before continuing to the stage or their table.
How elaborate this moment gets varies a great deal from one couple to the next. Some walk straight in and move on to toasts, while others add a short first dance right after, sometimes with a few rehearsed steps and sometimes just swaying together. Neither approach is more correct than the other, and your emcee can usually adapt the pacing to whichever style suits you.
Choosing music that fits both the march-in and the first dance
Many couples choose one song for the march-in itself, something with an upbeat or triumphant feel that suits walking into a room full of applauding guests, and a separate, softer song if they are doing a first dance afterwards. Others prefer a single track that shifts in energy, starting brighter for the entrance and settling into something slower once they reach the dance floor or stage.
There is no rule about genre, language, or how well known the song needs to be. Some couples pick something meaningful from their relationship, such as a song from an early date, while others simply choose whatever sounds right for the room. If you are unsure, ask your emcee or bandleader, if you have one, what has worked well for the pacing of similar banquets they have run.
Working with your emcee on timing and announcements
Your emcee sets the pace for the march-in, usually giving a short introduction before the doors open and the couple walks in, so it helps to confirm your song choice, entrance style, and any pauses you want with them ahead of time rather than on the day itself. If you want the emcee to hold silence for a moment before your song starts, or to announce your names in a particular way, say so clearly in your briefing notes.
Where the march-in leads directly into a first dance, let your emcee know how long you expect the dance to run, so they can plan what comes next, whether that is toasts, parents joining you on the floor, or moving straight into the meal. A short conversation beforehand avoids gaps or overlaps once the room is full of guests.
Coordinating the moment with your videographer and photographer
The march-in and first dance are usually among the more heavily covered moments of the banquet, since they combine movement, music, and reactions from the wedding party and guests. Letting your photography and video team know your planned entrance point, song timing, and whether a first dance is happening helps them position themselves for the best angles without getting in the way of your emcee or the room.
If your venue has a stage, a dance floor, or a specific spot where you plan to pause, mention this during your pre-wedding briefing so the team can plan their coverage around it. Our guide on how a wedding day typically runs covers where moments like this usually sit within the overall schedule.
Keeping it simple if performing is not your thing
Not every couple wants to dance in front of a room full of guests, and that is a perfectly common choice. A brief march-in with a warm song, followed by moving straight to toasts or the meal, works just as well as a full choreographed routine. Some couples choose a short sway together rather than anything more elaborate, which still gives the moment a personal touch without pressure to perform.
If you do want a first dance but are not confident about it, even a few short practice sessions at home, without any formal lessons, can help you feel steadier once the moment arrives. What matters most is that the moment feels comfortable for the two of you rather than matching what other couples have done.
Building the moment into your overall wedding day rundown
The march-in and first dance sit within a longer sequence of events at the banquet, alongside toasts, outfit changes, and the meal itself, so it helps to see where this moment fits into your full evening rather than planning it in isolation. Writing out a simple rundown with rough timings for each part of the evening, shared with your emcee, photography and video team, and any other vendors involved, keeps everyone working from the same plan.
This does not need to be an elaborate document, just a clear list of what happens and roughly when, so that the march-in and first dance flow naturally into whatever comes next rather than causing a scramble to figure out timing on the spot.
Every couple approaches the march-in and first dance a little differently, and there is no single right way to do it. If you would like to talk through how this moment might fit into your own wedding day coverage, get in touch with us.