The Receiving Line

It has long been a Wedding tradition to have a formal receiving line at Weddings. This custom originated to allow the Mother of the Bride, traditionally the hostess, to personally welcome the guests to the reception. Another good reason though to have a receiving line as newlyweds, is it is one of the ways you can introduce your parents to your to your friends and in-laws to their new families. In a way, it can be a highly organised ice-breaker for those larger than average family Weddings as well as giving you both a great chance to thank your guests personally for coming to your Wedding.

Only Chance to Talk to You

Your receiving line may also be the only time some of your guests get to speak to you during your reception, especially if the Wedding is a large one. Today’s Wedding etiquette suggests that a receiving line should be used for Weddings with more than 50 guests.

A receiving line can save you time later on when you would have to make your way round the tables to speak to and thank your guests. Most couples coment on how quickly their Wedding Day goes by and your reception is for your enjoyment as well as your guests! Instead of the normal ‘table hopping’ and thanking guests all night, you will have done this already on the receiving line and can hit the dance floor much sooner!

The Layout and Etiquette of the Receiving Line

The following list is classed as the traditional way of placing the Wedding party in the receiving line, although in this day and age of often different family permutations, you should choose a set-up with which you and everyone else is comfortable:
• Bride’s Mother
• Bride’s Father
• Groom’s Mother
• Groom’s Father
• The Bride
• The Groom
• Maid of Honour
• Best Man
• Bridesmaids
There is no reason for your best man or bridesmaids to be in the receiving line if you don’t want them to. In fact, they could be given the task of making sure your guests are aware of where they are to go and they can also help in double checking that all is running smooth as it should be. This in turns takes away the stress of you and your spouse having to worry about those of your guests that you have already spoken to in the line. Children are generally not in the receiving line.

If any of the parents are divorced and you still wish to have them in your receiving line it is probably best to keep them apart while standing next to any new spouses. There are many ways you can deal with divorced parents. You could choose to just have the mothers in the line or separate each parent with a bridesmaid or your maid of honour. This will give a clear indication to everybody that they are no longer a couple. Tip: The Bridesmaid ‘buffer’ could also be used for step parents if you are intending to have them in the receiving line. Check out http://www.theglasgowgirlsweddingguide.com/ for advice on top table arrangements for fragmented families).

Many couples choose to get around awkward arrangements by having the receiving line at the church doors while the guests are coming out, and having only the Bride and Groom greet guests. This has the advantage of guests being immediately able to congratulate you on your becoming husband and wife.

How Long For the Guests to Go Through the Line

Depending on how many guests you are having attending your Wedding you may want to work out approximately how long it will taken for them all to greet you and pass on their wishes. As a rough guide, if you are having 200 guests you should allow a minimum of 45 minutes to an hour. Take into account if you are having a sit down meal what time your venue wants you all to be seated.

You can keep the receiving line flowing along by sticking to the bare minimum of brief greetings that warm and sincere. You can always catch up for longer conversations during your reception. Remember you will always get great uncle Bob who will stand longer than others and show no signs of wanting to move along.

Double check with the venue that you will have the room to hold a receiving line and make sure it is somewhere that people will not be bunched up or standing outside while waiting their turn. Have drinks and/or hors d'oeuvres ready to be served to your guests once they have passed through the receiving line and while they mingle with each other it may be a good idea to have some soft music playing in the background.