This is the moment the entire room let out a collective gasp.
The doors to the Garden Pavilion at The Ritz Charles swung open, the newlyweds made their grand entrance to "Thunderstruck" and thunderous applause, and without missing a beat, they stepped straight onto the checkered dance floor for their first dance. Frank Sinatra’s voice filled the air, the bride’s gown twirled with every turn, and then, mid-spin, the groom lifted her high, her arms wrapping around his neck, her smile lighting up the entire pavilion brighter than the chandeliers overhead.
The energy in the room is electric: every guest is already seated and watching, phones are up, hearts are full from the ceremony, and the room is primed for that first magical reveal. No one is scrambling for seats or heading to the bar yet; everyone is locked in, waiting for the newlyweds to appear. When the doors open and the couple walks straight into their dance (and a lift like this), the reaction is always explosive.
The Garden Pavilion is built for moments like this. The iconic black-and-white checkered floor photographs like a classic film set, the draped ceiling softens the light beautifully, and the wall of windows lets in that perfect late-afternoon glow without ever being harsh. One frame, one lift, one collective “aww” that turned into cheers.
At The Ritz Charles, the timeline flexibility means we can craft days that feel like yours, not like a checklist. Grand entrance straight into the first dance is one of my favorite ways to keep the energy high and give you a moment like this.
Because when the song is Sinatra, the floor is checkered, and the love is this big, sometimes you just have to lift her and let the whole room see how it feels to marry your best friend.
The Ritz Charles doesn’t just host first dances. It gives them wings.
captured with the Nikon Z9 and a 24-70mm lens at 40mm in natural light.
ISO 1000, f/5, 1/160
Edited to look like film.
Location: 12156 N Meridian St, Carmel, IN 46032.