The ceremony is over and now you're married. And now - EVERYONE wants to congratulate you. Many couples do not like the formality of a receiving line. However, many couples have said they found it too difficult and time consuming to meet and greet all of the guests during the reception.
So, you may want to consider having a receiving line to help take the pressure off you during the reception to speak with every guest. Then, you can feel free to dance the night away! Here are a few tips...
Who should be a part of your receiving line?
Consider the tone of your wedding when designing your receiving line. Was your ceremony formal or informal? Do you want a formal announcement made when you and your groom enter the reception, or would you prefer something less traditional? And where in the world do step-parents fit in a receiving line?
Typically, the bride’s parents and groom’s parents stand on either side of the couple in a traditional receiving line. Remember to keep your receiving line short so the pace of your celebration is not interrupted. A bride may also include honor attendants if it will not lengthen the line too much. Step-parents should be paired with their spouses in the receiving line if it is appropriate. Keep in mind that the way you arrange your receiving line should reflect your taste and not add more stress to the wedding event.
Allow plenty of time to get through the line. If you have 200 guests, figure that it will take about 45 minutes.
When in the wedding event should you hold a receiving line?
Traditionally, guests greet the bride, groom and family at the doors of the reception hall, but it is also appropriate to place a receiving line at the end of the actual ceremony. If you have the receiving line at the end of the ceremony, consider playing background music for the guest's enjoyment.
Instead of a traditional receiving line, consider having you and your husband release the guests row by row. Start with the front row on the bride's side and zigzag back and forth until you get to the last row. This moves faster than a traditional receiving line and you get the chance to greet and welcome all of your guests.
Finally, before you design your own version of the receiving line, keep in mind why this tradition exists in wedding etiquette in the first place. A receiving line gives the bride, groom and corresponding families a chance to greet guests who may otherwise be overlooked on a hectic wedding day. This is your chance to recognize dear friends who traveled to be with you on your special day. Also, the receiving line adds a personal, warm touch to your day by allowing your guests a chance to extend their congratulations to you. A well-designed, thoughtful receiving line can add a delicate, human touch to your wedding day.
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| The Traditional Receiving Line |
So, you may want to consider having a receiving line to help take the pressure off you during the reception to speak with every guest. Then, you can feel free to dance the night away! Here are a few tips...
Who should be a part of your receiving line?
Consider the tone of your wedding when designing your receiving line. Was your ceremony formal or informal? Do you want a formal announcement made when you and your groom enter the reception, or would you prefer something less traditional? And where in the world do step-parents fit in a receiving line?
Typically, the bride’s parents and groom’s parents stand on either side of the couple in a traditional receiving line. Remember to keep your receiving line short so the pace of your celebration is not interrupted. A bride may also include honor attendants if it will not lengthen the line too much. Step-parents should be paired with their spouses in the receiving line if it is appropriate. Keep in mind that the way you arrange your receiving line should reflect your taste and not add more stress to the wedding event.
Allow plenty of time to get through the line. If you have 200 guests, figure that it will take about 45 minutes.
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| Receiving Line Outside of a Church |
When in the wedding event should you hold a receiving line?
Traditionally, guests greet the bride, groom and family at the doors of the reception hall, but it is also appropriate to place a receiving line at the end of the actual ceremony. If you have the receiving line at the end of the ceremony, consider playing background music for the guest's enjoyment.
Instead of a traditional receiving line, consider having you and your husband release the guests row by row. Start with the front row on the bride's side and zigzag back and forth until you get to the last row. This moves faster than a traditional receiving line and you get the chance to greet and welcome all of your guests.
Finally, before you design your own version of the receiving line, keep in mind why this tradition exists in wedding etiquette in the first place. A receiving line gives the bride, groom and corresponding families a chance to greet guests who may otherwise be overlooked on a hectic wedding day. This is your chance to recognize dear friends who traveled to be with you on your special day. Also, the receiving line adds a personal, warm touch to your day by allowing your guests a chance to extend their congratulations to you. A well-designed, thoughtful receiving line can add a delicate, human touch to your wedding day.
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| Infographic of a Wedding Receiving Line |