Receiving Line - The PASH Wedding Forums and Message Boards

sparklesweetie · #1 01-24-2006, 02:36 AM

Ok, just got back from my mom's a little bit ago. We were going over the guest list, so naturally on the way home I was thinking about wedding stuff. And here's my question-
Since not everyone will be at the ceremony, should I have a receiving line at the reception? If so, how do I keep the time down on it? And if I do have one at the reception, should I also have one at the ceremony? (The lady that owns the chapel has mentioned it several times.) I really don't enjoy the idea of standing in a line while 100-some-odd people keep hugging me, but at the same time, I don't want to be dragged off the dance floor every two seconds b/c someone wants to say hi or whatever. (Lol, can you tell where I plan on being most of the night?)
Thoughts? Ideas? Options?

Marge129 · #2 01-24-2006, 02:43 AM

I didn't have a receiving line anywhere/anytime. We just went from table to table at the reception to visit with everyone.

If I were you, I wouldn't have one at all. Just go visit with the tables at the reception. Then you see everyone, but don't visit with some people twice.

Marrying_the_Good_Husband · #3 01-24-2006, 02:43 AM

I think it's "proper" to have one at the church--it'll go relatively quickly. And then at the reception, you should "make the rounds" to all the tables and chat with each group of people.

ljeagle · #4 01-24-2006, 02:51 AM

We are not having one. But if we was doing what u are I say we would have one at the church. I think u should just go around to every one at the reception and say hi and thank them for coming...

syringa · #5 01-24-2006, 03:48 AM

Having a receiving line can take up valuable time where you are paying for the photographer to stand around. If you want to have one, include only the bride and groom, not parents, and it will go much faster. Most couples choose to greet guests at the reception by going table to table.

Jacqueline · #6 01-24-2006, 02:13 PM

we are having one at the church and one at the recption we will just be there from th3e time we get there and any guest after that will have to find us

whiddle · #7 01-24-2006, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marge129

I didn't have a receiving line anywhere/anytime. We just went from table to table at the reception to visit with everyone.

If I were you, I wouldn't have one at all. Just go visit with the tables at the reception. Then you see everyone, but don't visit with some people twice.

DITTO

Solar_Flare · #8 01-25-2006, 12:22 AM

We're not having a recieving line either but our wedding and reception are at the same place. So it's just easier for us to go around and greet guests at the table though I'm sure we'll have people running up to us after the ceremony.

If you like having the idea of a line at the ceremony and other people do too, then go ahead and have one. Then at the reception, just go table to table. The ones you already greeted will be short and sweet so you're not spending 5-10 minutes at a table but then you can thank the ones that weren't at the ceremony.

Mrs.Levitt · #9 01-25-2006, 01:53 AM

we are not having a recieving line. All the weddings ive been to everyone waiting in the long line is always complaining. We are just going to visit each table and i think its nicer that way, then you get to spend REAL time not just a handshake and a hug.

555Ann555 · #10 01-25-2006, 05:34 AM

Em can I just ask, when you say you go around all the tables at the reception would you do that while they are eating? Or afterwards?

It's just we normally have the recieving line before everyone goes in for the meal and then the bride will go around the tables later in the evening making sure all the guests have been see but by then there is always a lot of peopple missing (dancing/at the bar/visiting other tables) but because everyone was greeted already it doesn't really matter.

So how does it work for you? If you do it during the meal when do you eat?

SuzyBride · #11 01-25-2006, 06:15 AM

We didn't do a receiving line either. We, well, I mingled with guests at the reception... Josh had been so anxious and stressed that he spent most the reception at the bar!!! LOL

ljeagle · #12 01-25-2006, 07:21 AM

FH hates for people to hug and kiss on him that he don't know. He is going to have a hard enough time with my grandmother hugging him...

Solar_Flare · #13 01-25-2006, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 555Ann555

Em can I just ask, when you say you go around all the tables at the reception would you do that while they are eating? Or afterwards?

It's just we normally have the recieving line before everyone goes in for the meal and then the bride will go around the tables later in the evening making sure all the guests have been see but by then there is always a lot of peopple missing (dancing/at the bar/visiting other tables) but because everyone was greeted already it doesn't really matter.

So how does it work for you? If you do it during the meal when do you eat?

That's a very good point. What you could do is on the way to the reception, have a couple of pre-made sandwiches (smuggled to you somehow or via drivethru window) and then go to the tables before you start eating. Most of the time I'd imagine you wouldn't eat very much even if you didn't want to go around the tables because you'll keep getting pulled away by people wanting their own personal pictures, wanting to have a dance, etc. Some people may not take that long to eat and will want your attention.