A receiving line is the best opportunity to greet each guest individually and thank him or her for coming to your wedding. And if you're having more than 50 guests, it's considered proper etiquette. The line also guarantees your guests a minute of face-to-face time with you, a chance to hug, kiss, and congratulate you both, and to say things like "The ceremony was lovely." If you rely instead on the more casual greet-them-as-you-see-them approach, you may spend the whole party in a tailspin, ducking out of conversations to say hello to people you haven't greeted yet, and inevitably you'll end up missing someone.
Generally the receiving line is formed immediately following the ceremony or at the beginning of the reception. You'll want to take spatial constraints into consideration when choosing where to line up so that family and bridal party members aren't standing on top of each other and guests have room to move in a smooth, orderly procession (which in turn makes the line go faster so you can all get on to the party). Proper ventilation is also crucial to avoid sweaty brows and swooning bridesmaids. The most commonly used ceremony site areas include the hallway or vestibule at the head of the aisle, outside the entry doors, down the front steps, or on the front porch. At your reception site the options are many, depending on the party space: consider the cocktail lounge, the lobby, just outside the doors leading into the main room, or the reception room itself, perhaps on the dance floor. Ultimately, pick a spot where you and your guests can stand comfortably for the duration.
Traditionally, the bride's parents -- as hosts -- head the receiving line and are first to greet guests, followed by the bride and groom and then the groom's parents. Many lines we've seen also include the entire bridal party (if there's room), and sometimes even grandparents (if they're able). Today, however, with more couples contributing to or paying for their own weddings, the lines have blurred (so to speak). The couple may wish to stand alone, especially if the majority of guests are their friends, or they may stand with just the moms while the dads circulate among and welcome the crowd during the cocktail hour.
The receiving line is where your hosting duties as the bride and groom kick off. It'll no doubt be a whirlwind of faces, but as much as possible you should introduce your new spouse and your parents to all the guests they have not yet met. First names and the guests' relationships to you should suffice. Likewise all guests should take it upon themselves to offer this same information as introduction to attendants and family members whom they've never met as they proceed down the line; simply shake hands, offer congratulations, and keep moving. The bride and groom need only accept everyone's hugs, kisses, and best wishes, and thank them for coming. It's that simple. And yes, you'll end up with a lot of lipstick on your cheeks, but fear not -- you're allowed to make a bathroom pit stop before heading to the party.
It has long since been the custom to have a receiving line at formal weddings and behind the tradition is to allow the Mother of the Bride (the hostess) to personally welcome the guests into the reception. This is regardless of who is paying for the wedding.
Another reason is as newlyweds it is one of the ways you can introduce your parents to your friends and vice versa, in-laws to their new family and family friends to your new spouse.
In a way, it can be a highly organised ice-breaker for those larger than average families as well as giving you both a great chance to thank your guests personally for coming to your wedding.
I am not having a receiving line...My guests will be ushered into the dining room, then we will be announced in....I think with only 22 guests, we'll have time to get round them all for a chat.
But then maybe because there isnt going to be any speeches, maybe we could do the receiving line as we arrive at the hotel and are having our welcome drinks? that would ensure we give thanks to everybody for coming...
I can resist anything but temptation
CommentAuthorKylee27
I like the idea but can't figure where we'd put it in as our reception starts at 5.30 (wedding at 4) and whilst we're finishing photos the guests will make their way to the reception so they'll be there before us....hmm*strokes chin*. Lol.x
Can't wait to be married!
CommentAuthorJill
Hmmm this is something we should really do as our families and friends don't live near each other so dont know each other - would be nice to introduce both sets of parents to everyone arriving, I just think it'd take forever and will be thoroughly pee'd off if anyone marks my dress before we've even sat down to dinner lol x
29th September 2012
Cant wait to be Mrs D!
CommentAuthorMrs Davro
We aren't having a receiving line but are having speeches.
CommentAuthorocean
Oh thank you Lala,
My day guests are mounting up to around 90/95 at the moment, and i was wondering how i was going to get around everyone to say thank you etc etc, (thinking of wearing roller skates!)
But my venue choice has an excellent lobby which can be used for the receiving line, i do think i will use the traditional way of
mother of bride father of bride mother of groom father of groom bride groom best man maid of honour
I know you've put bridesmaids on that list but i think i will leave it as the above because otherwise i think people will think they've been kissing and hugging people forever! lol
Also, how do you get the line up done when the bride and groom might technically turn up after guests have arrived?!
CommentAuthorTinsel
We're not having a receiving line - takes too long and is a little old fashioned in my opinion. Instead we will go around to each table during the gap between the courses and toast each table. We only have six tables plus the top table so that should be fine time wise.
07.04.12 - the best day of my life!
Living happily ever after as Mrs Nottage x
CommentAuthorKirst
I wasnt going to have one...but now not sure :/ Ummm. I can see that it is the easiest way to say hello and thank you to everyone in one go...but as my H2B parents dont speak any English it will only be me, him and my family on the line.....???
