The Receiving Line: Helpful Tips and Useful Alternatives

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The Receiving Line: Helpful Tips and Useful Alternatives

If you've started planning your wedding, you may be wondering how to set up your receiving line. Understanding how it works can be helpful in your decision.

If you’ve started planning your wedding, you may be wondering how to set up your receiving line. Understanding how it works can be helpful in your decision.

If you’ve started planning your wedding, you’ve probably heard about one classic nuptial tradition: the receiving line. For many couples, it’s an ideal way to greet their guests, usually alongside their parents and members of their wedding party. Before you decide whether to have a receiving line or how to pin down the logistical details, it can be helpful to understand how it works and consider some alternative approaches to greeting your guests.

How Did the Receiving Line Originate? 

As The Spruce writer Nina Callaway explains, the receiving line at receptions originated a little over 100 years ago. As weddings became more extravagant affairs, families began hosting their after-parties in dance halls to accommodate larger guest counts. The newlyweds, along with the hosts and an honor attendant, would line up, allow guests to approach, and offer greetings and thanks to every individual.

Callaway clarifies that the receiving line is mostly falling out of favor, but The Knot points out that it can be an efficient method for greeting everyone at larger weddings. It can eliminate the need to walk around and greet during the event, and ensures that you don’t miss saying “hello” personally to any of your guests.

Who Should Stand in Line?

The Emily Post Institute recommends that whoever is hosting your wedding should stand in line first. The traditional lineup usually begins with the bride’s mother, followed by her father, the groom’s parents, the bride and groom themselves, the bride’s honor attendant, and one to two bridesmaids.

However, The Knot advises that you can deviate from this arrangement to suit your situation and needs. Its recommended setup places the host first in line, newlyweds, the other set of parents, honor attendants, and the rest of the wedding party. This may change if you and your partner are hosting or you’re all equally chipping in funds for the event, but it’s wise to discuss this with your family and wedding party before deciding on your lineup order.

Making Your Guests Feel Welcome

The Emily Post Institute clarifies that the receiving line can take place either at the ceremony site as guests exit or at the reception venue as they enter. Whichever you choose, make sure that the spot in question has plenty of ventilation. Also, verify that traffic can easily flow in and out of the area and the space is accessible to anyone using mobility aids. The Knot suggests a few prime locations that may work well for your lineup:

  • The main hallway
  • A vestibule or lobby
  • A cocktail lounge
  • Inside the reception room

At the same time, The Institute recommends having refreshments available for guests as they wait in line as well as supplying a table to set down their drinks before they greet you. If you opt to have the line at your reception, you can work with management to have a server, drinks, and the table included in your total reception package.

Useful Alternatives To Consider

Writer Elizabeth Mitchell provides some alternative solutions for greeting guests in a February 2016 Brides article. For those who still like the idea of a receiving line, limiting it to the newlywed couple can ensure that guests aren’t stuck waiting around. Mitchell also suggests greeting your family and friends during cocktail hour and visiting each table, but throwing a welcome party before the wedding could allow you to accomplish the same objective without sacrificing your ability to enjoy the festivities.

Dig deep enough and you’ll find the origins of nearly any tradition. Some, such as the receiving line, arose as practical solutions to various problems. While a well-executed line can ensure that you greet every guest personally, other alternatives exist. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether it’s the right option for your wedding.

The Receiving Line: Helpful Tips and Useful Alternatives
If you've started planning your wedding, you may be wondering how to set up your receiving line. Understanding how it works can be helpful in your decision.

If you’ve started planning your wedding, you may be wondering how to set up your receiving line. Understanding how it works can be helpful in your decision.

If you’ve started planning your wedding, you’ve probably heard about one classic nuptial tradition: the receiving line. For many couples, it’s an ideal way to greet their guests, usually alongside their parents and members of their wedding party. Before you decide whether to have a receiving line or how to pin down the logistical details, it can be helpful to understand how it works and consider some alternative approaches to greeting your guests.

How Did the Receiving Line Originate? 

As The Spruce writer Nina Callaway explains, the receiving line at receptions originated a little over 100 years ago. As weddings became more extravagant affairs, families began hosting their after-parties in dance halls to accommodate larger guest counts. The newlyweds, along with the hosts and an honor attendant, would line up, allow guests to approach, and offer greetings and thanks to every individual.

Callaway clarifies that the receiving line is mostly falling out of favor, but The Knot points out that it can be an efficient method for greeting everyone at larger weddings. It can eliminate the need to walk around and greet during the event, and ensures that you don’t miss saying “hello” personally to any of your guests.

Who Should Stand in Line?

The Emily Post Institute recommends that whoever is hosting your wedding should stand in line first. The traditional lineup usually begins with the bride’s mother, followed by her father, the groom’s parents, the bride and groom themselves, the bride’s honor attendant, and one to two bridesmaids.

However, The Knot advises that you can deviate from this arrangement to suit your situation and needs. Its recommended setup places the host first in line, newlyweds, the other set of parents, honor attendants, and the rest of the wedding party. This may change if you and your partner are hosting or you’re all equally chipping in funds for the event, but it’s wise to discuss this with your family and wedding party before deciding on your lineup order.

Making Your Guests Feel Welcome

The Emily Post Institute clarifies that the receiving line can take place either at the ceremony site as guests exit or at the reception venue as they enter. Whichever you choose, make sure that the spot in question has plenty of ventilation. Also, verify that traffic can easily flow in and out of the area and the space is accessible to anyone using mobility aids. The Knot suggests a few prime locations that may work well for your lineup:

  • The main hallway
  • A vestibule or lobby
  • A cocktail lounge
  • Inside the reception room

At the same time, The Institute recommends having refreshments available for guests as they wait in line as well as supplying a table to set down their drinks before they greet you. If you opt to have the line at your reception, you can work with management to have a server, drinks, and the table included in your total reception package.

Useful Alternatives To Consider

Writer Elizabeth Mitchell provides some alternative solutions for greeting guests in a February 2016 Brides article. For those who still like the idea of a receiving line, limiting it to the newlywed couple can ensure that guests aren’t stuck waiting around. Mitchell also suggests greeting your family and friends during cocktail hour and visiting each table, but throwing a welcome party before the wedding could allow you to accomplish the same objective without sacrificing your ability to enjoy the festivities.

Dig deep enough and you’ll find the origins of nearly any tradition. Some, such as the receiving line, arose as practical solutions to various problems. While a well-executed line can ensure that you greet every guest personally, other alternatives exist. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether it’s the right option for your wedding.

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