Should I Have A Receiving Line? Who Should Be In It?

Receiving lines have been becoming shorter in recent years, when they aren't skipped altogether in favor of "doing the tables." While it's still important that the hosts and guests of honor greet every guest, a relatively short receiving line is more fun for everyone and allows you to enjoy the party sooner.

The absolute minimum receiving line, acceptable only when the bride and groom are hosting their own wedding, is just the bride and groom. The bride stands to the groom's right. They can also include others if they like, as outlined below!

The next most minimal line, used when only the bride's parents were involved in hosting the wedding, is the bride's mother plus the bride and groom. The bride's mother is first in line, followed by the bride and then the groom. If the bride's father also wishes to be in line, he stands after the bride's mother and before the bride.

If both sets of parents were involved in hosting-or otherwise feel they ought to be in the receiving line-the bride's parents stand first, then the groom's parents, then the bride, then the groom.

Should there be step-parents involved, you may arrange them in any way that prevents violence. It is even okay to put some of the parents after the bride and groom. Guests really are not sticklers about these things as long as the line is neat and even, so they can tell who they should shake hands with.

It is also acceptable to include the maid of honor and the bridesmaids in the receiving line. In recent years, some couples have included only the maid of honor and best man, sending the other attendants off to help get the party going. Ushers or groomsmen are never included in the receiving line, and the best man rarely is.

A receiving line with two or three sets of parents, a maid of honor, and four bridesmaids is more than most guests will find enjoyable. What do you say to a bridesmaid whose name you don't know? "Nice job fluffing that train"? In your situation, I'd include parents who want to be included (fathers are always optional) but let the attendants skip the line.

Return To EMM Main Page

Are They Needed?

It really depends on a lot of factors. If you have a large number of guests, then you may want to choose 'doing the tables' instead. Otherwise, you have a lot of people waiting in line after the ceremony to say their congrats, which sometimes can drag on, Especially if your chatty Uncle Louie gets rolling. If they've waited in line long enough, they may just bail out of the line and go straight for the coctails in the reception area. They, and you, will have missed the moment.

If you have a relatively small gathering, then a receiving line would be fine and would leave you a little more free to be casual at the reception instead of worrying who was greeted and who wasn't.