I hadn't thought about us doing a receiving line until we had a 'wedding meeting' with my Mum and Stepdad the other night and Mum asked when we were going to do it.
I don't remember H2B's Sister doing one, although he says she did before we sat down for the meal and my Sister didn't when she got married. However, my Stepsister did after the ceremony (she had her civil partnership ceremony in a hotel).
My Mum says it's how we would say thank you to everybody for coming, but do we do it at the church after the ceremony,before we all sit down for the wedding breakfast or when me and H2B arrive at the venue?
CommentAuthorFlossie
Might be being stupid but what is a "receiving line"? Don't most people just send thank you cards to their guests after the wedding?
Happily married
18th June 2016
xx
CommentAuthorAprilS61
I dont really know much about it but we decided not to have one. Its a tradition we really weren't bothered about. Out of the 4 people doing speeches I'm sure at least one of them will thank everyone then lol.
At our final meeting with our venue last week he said it would be on the way into the room where we have the wedding breakfast, but we are in the same place all day so not sure if it would be the same.
Mr & Mrs Swan 04/04/15
CommentAuthorCharlotteE98
Thank you April, that makes sense :o)
CommentAuthorAprilS61
Flossie - its a line where the bride and groom stand at the beginning and as guests come into the room they say congratulations and you thank them for coming individually pretty much. Kind of like at the end of a funeral (sorry - what a way to describe part of a happy day lol :/)
Generally it happens when the guests are entering the room that you will be having the reception. You normally stand with both sets of parents and best man and maid of honour to great guests , thank them for coming etc.
Met June 2009 on my Birthday,Met again July 2009 and got
together, May 2010 Moved in,Jan 2011 got pregnant,
August 2011 Got our own place, 2011 Had our Baby Girl,
Dec 2011 Got engaged, July 2015 Getting married! Yay!
CommentAuthorFlossie
Thanks April.. I've never heard of it!
As April said, I would expect the groom and the best man to thank everyone for coming anyway, and then you can also send thank you cards out individually after the wedding x
Happily married
18th June 2016
xx
CommentAuthorAprilS61
I think it can be at least half an hour depending on number of guests, and imagine the people at the back of the line lol! Its not my kinda thing. I want to enjoy every minute I can before the day is over. It'l fly by as it is x
Mr & Mrs Swan 04/04/15
CommentAuthorFlossie
I guess as the day/evening goes on and you get a chance to speak to more people you could thank them personally then as well.. to me a "receiving line" seems a bit staged if you know what I mean?! x
Happily married
18th June 2016
xx
CommentAuthorAprilS61
Yeah I know what you mean! Not many people follow many of the old traditions now anyway. x
Mr & Mrs Swan 04/04/15
CommentAuthorWhovianbride
It means you get a chance to chat individualy to each couple etc , and they to you. Is more personal.
Met June 2009 on my Birthday,Met again July 2009 and got
together, May 2010 Moved in,Jan 2011 got pregnant,
August 2011 Got our own place, 2011 Had our Baby Girl,
Dec 2011 Got engaged, July 2015 Getting married! Yay!
CommentAuthorCatherineR
Nowadays you have the more informal version where you greet your guests as they arrive at your reception after the ceremony. They'll trot into dinner, we'll follow at the rear and be 'applauded' in as it were :) Back in the day you'd have your typical receiving line like on four weddings and a funeral, now it is more relaxed! x
Married my wife on 15.08.15
Honeymooned on the Isles of Scilly :)
CommentAuthorInDreamland
Our receiving line was just before the wedding breakfast as our guests entered the marquee for the meal.
Our receiving line had my parents, FIL, my grandmother and hubby and I.
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorEmmilou82
We are having a receiving line. It will be when the guests come in to the wedding breakfast. I'm looking forward to it to be honest. Meeting and greeting everyone as I'll be too nervous going down the aisle to notice everyone lol x
Marrying 'The One' on 30th July 2016
I am now Mrs Emma Stokoe xx
CommentAuthorKirstyR386
Our photographer recommended not doing a receiving line because depending on the number of guests they can take ages as people can talk to you. They said instead for us to get up between starters/main and main/dessert and each go round the tables so we each do half the room and then swap for the second time (does that make sense?). This means we can decide how long we talk to people (not in a mean way, just because theres lots to get round) rather than them blathering on for ages. X
CommentAuthorInDreamland
It's the best opportunity to actually thank every guest for coming. So much happens during the wedding day that otherwise it's impossible to speak to every guest.
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorJennK
We're not doing one, it's too formal for us really. And it will take too long.
Our perfect day - 08.08.15 <3
CommentAuthorKatieH
We are doing it just as the guests enter the room for the wedding breakfast. It will be me and oh, both sets of parents, best man, bridesmaids and our 2 boys. It's a good chance to speak to everyone and thank them for coming so you know you've talked to everyone.
Met in 2007
Started dating in 2009
Got engaged in 2014
Became Mrs Holme 11.06.16
CommentAuthorthefuture:Mrs_Hurren
We are not having a receiving line. Personally I don't like them, i would go as far as saying i hate them and they are my least favourite part of any wedding ive ever been to. I would much rather speak to all of my guest during the day/evening than stand in a line and greet them I'm not the queen after all and they are all my family and friends.
From experiance i think there's nothing worse than having to stand around waiting for your turn to be spoken to or bring one of the first and then being sat there bored while everyone else gets seen. That is unless you have something to keep both your guests already seated and ones waiting to be seen entertained.
