Receiving Lines??

A lot of people aren't for them as they take a lot of time, you don't really get to talk to anyone and as a guest it can just be a long queue! I don't think they are old fashioned/dated, of the last 7 weddings I've been to 5 have had them.

But my h2b really wanted one so we are having one. It should take iro 20 minutes for 90 guests.

If you want one have one, if not then don't worry about it.

I dont really get why people dont like them

I am going to have one but it will be just me and OH as apposed to me, oh, and our parents. I think with the parents it will take too long.

Someone had a good idea to have drinks at a table at the end of the receiving line so if someone was taking a long time you could usher them along by saying 'aunty ethel there is a lovely glass of bubbly there on table for you!

Sorry sutpid question but wot is a a receiving line??

We're having 70 guests and have decided to do it just with me and hubby (! can't wait to say that for real!) as we go into the reception room for dinner.

Our planner at the venue said it would take approx 15mins to get everyone in. That way we can thank them personally for coming to make sure we don't miss anyone during the day

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I was thinking about this the other day, im in two minds about it too. I think if we did it we would have it when everyone was going into the room for the sit down meal, at least theres the promise of food and wine at the end of the line to speed people along!

Hows things coming along? Ive slowed up a bit at the moment, At that point where I dont really know what to do next! ?

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We had one just before guests came in for dinner. It was nice to get to say hello and thank you to everyone (glad we did as I was struggling to get round everyone later on in the evening and people kept moving about which made it even harder, we had about 70 people in total). They are not everyones cup of tea and I can imagine it can be a bit tedious for guests but up to you really. They can take a while though if you have you, OH and 2 sets of parents.

We're still undecided on this. OH would like one but I'm not not really into the whole formality of it to be honest. If we decide to have one it'll mainly be so that we make sure we thank everyone for coming and I think we'd only have OH and me.

I think normally the best time is when everyone's walking in to sit down for the meal.

We haven't actually decided this yet but I would quite like to do one. I would feel as if I'd def managed to speak to everybody and not feel so much pressure to get round everybody later

We did an impromptu one on our wedding on Saturday. We didn't have time to do one before the wedding breakfast so we did one as we people were leaving the marquee to go into another room for the evening reception. We figured they had to leave the marquee so we might as well stand by the entrance and speak to people as they left. We had 111 people it took about fourty minutes, and we really wanted an opportunity to see everyone. It worked well because our signing frame and guest book were right near us so people signed them whilst they were waiting.

Thanks for the replies guys...sorry actually been doing some work this morning!

Summer Sparkles thats a good idea about the signing frame and guest book, think we definitely do that! I think I am leaning towards having one - as alot of you have said, i would hate to miss somebody out. I think we would definitely do it just OH and I - can see it getting toooo long if we involve parents aswell!

We have about 85 people for the day so I dont think it would take too long and doing it on the way in to the wedding breakfast sounds like a plan!

Moya - things are going well thanks! I seem to have had a bit of a slow down recently but things seem to be picking up again! We are giving notice tommorow (on my lunch!) and having a 'wedding- weekend' this weekend. We are going shopping for ring ideas and just a few bits and bobs like f/g dresses and possibly shoes for me! I have no flowers or cake yet (eek!) but our venue are having a wedding fayre on 20th of this month so we are going to wait until then!

I totally know what you mean though...it does seem to get to a point where its like 'ok, what shall i do now...' but I got a little freaked out by the fact that my ticker said 9 months and something the other day and i think its put a rocket under me!

What have you still got left to do/ decide?

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I know, it was your ticker that worried me!! Ihave a funny feeling that nov, dec, and jan will fly by in a winter and christmas blurr and i might not get much done!

Ive still not sorted flowers, cake, music (actually - have sussed out who we are having, not paid deposit yet) , cars, bridesmaid dresses, no shoes or accesories for me or BM's, no centrepeices, not finished making main invites, no other stationary, meet the vicar for the first time in about 3 weeks time. In fact, basically, i think i have booked the venue and photographer and sent out save the dates! ahhh! I need to do something! lol!

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Not a stupid question at all. A receiving line is traditionally where the guests queue up and walk past the bridal party (Bride, Groom, Parents of Both, Best Man and Maid of Honour - not in that order usually) so that everyone gets a chance to meet and thank each other for attending/being invited.

Receiving lines traditionally took place as guests arrived to the reception venue (as weddings and photos used to take place at churches, this was the ideal time as people used to go straight in for the meal), These days they tend to take place in between the drink reception and the wedding breakfast as this is more convenient.

There is a real 50/50 split between brides - you either love them or hate them. On one hand, it guarantees that the B&G get to see everybody. On the other, they can be quite slow moving and a bit boring for the guests.

As with most things, it is really up to you - whether you have one, when you host it, who hosts it etc are all flexible. All I would say is that if you are having one - NEVER underestimate how long it will take not only for the guests to pass through the line, but also to get guests moving along in the first place. I would definitely recommend some entertainment for those waiting (guest book/garden games/drinks etc)

We didn't have a receiving line as as a guest I hate them. I wouldn't have minded doing one with just myself and my hubby but no way with all the wedding party and parents as it's utterly boring in my opinion as a guest and if you don't know the parents/wedding party that well they can be embarrassing. I'm not a huggy kissy type person and the thought of having to do that with everyone makes me really uncomfortable.

We had hoped to do something with just the 2 of us for evening guests but they all went into the reception room before we were out from the meal so it didn't happen the way we had hoped.

We are having a receiving line before we go into the wedding breakfast with myself, OH and both sets of parents although i think its time consuming and i wasnt convinced i like the idea of thanking everyone personally and the tradition ......we have 60 guests to the day so im envisaging 20 minutes however ive allowed 30minutes in case !!!!!

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels like this!

We are still undecided, as a guest I find these very uncomfortable. We are debating between thinking are they socialable or pompous?

Definitely not the only one!

I've been to 2 weddings where you need to give your name which is then shouted out by the toast master and it's such a strange thing having to listen to everyones name and then kiss a stranger!

Ah, the receiving line debate... this comes up a lot with my clients, to have or not to have....

I think if you are holding a very traditional wedding where the bride's parents are the hosts, then you should have one. It is their chance too to wecome the guests as well as your chance to say thank you. If they aren't hosting the wedding, then I would say it's fine to have the bride and groom only as you've invited your guests. A receiving line is a chance for the 'hosts' to say thank you.

However, some things need to be considered. The first is the number of guests and timings. It will take approximately 30 minutes for 100 guests. So if you have a church ceremony where guests arrived 30 mins before and you've had say a 20 minute journey to the venue you could be looking at approx 4 hours before your guests sit down to eat if you have a receiving line. If you've provided canapes during drinks, you could get away with it. Otherwise, it is a long time for guests to wait to be fed.

Also, consider where the receiving line will be held. If guests will be outside, waiting to go inside, consider the weather, both if it's hot or cold. If you are having a marquee wedding for example and the weather is poor, your guests will already be inside so difficult to achiece a receiving line.

One option I use if they don't have a receiving line is for the bride and groom to get up from their table between courses and go and speak to each table seperately, I also say to them to take a camera with them and take their own snaps of their guests.

Whatever you decide, you need to be happy to stand there for half an hour with a smile on your face, be warned, your cheeks will hurt!

HTH

Ruth

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