How do receiving lines work?

arendiva

Does the dj annouce the there's going to be a receiving line or does that travel by word of mouth? I've never been to a wedding that's done recieving lines before but I would really like to do one because I would like to get pictures with each of my guests for a photo guest book. I know virtually nothing about how recieving lines work so please give me any implementation advice you can.

wrigleyville

The receiving line is typically at the venue where you get married. In a church, for example, the B&G stand near the doors so that they can thank/hug/shake hands with the guests on their way out. The guests stand in line, hence "receiving line".

It's usually just the B&G and their parents. Some people have the WP stand there too, but that's usually sort of awkward since some/most of the guests will not know them (unless they're family). It's really up to you, depending on who's in your WP and who comprises your guest list. I always found it super awkward to shake hands with and say hi to a random BM.

LeiselEB

They can be done at the reception as well. Traditionally both the bride and groom and I think both sets of parents stand at the entrance and greet guests as they arrive. I could be wrong about parents and it may just be the hosts. Doing a grand entrance to the reception doesn't really have a point when you do a receiving line just in case that was something you were planning. The DJ wouldn't announce it because it's done first thing when guests arrive. Any other time wouldn't make sense, aside from having the receiving line at the ceremony location. They can take a while, especially if you're wanting to photograph everyone, and honestly that reminds me of what's done at political events where people wait in line for a handshake and photo.

Kristin789

Here you go!

http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-customs/articles/receiving-line-etiquette-options-tips.aspx

Avion22

If you don't want to do a receiving line, or it's not practical for your location or situation, then you can do table visits during your reception.   We were served first, and finished eating fairly quickly.  Then we went around to each table during dinner and chatted for a few minutes.  I think we got to spend more time with people, because there wasn't a long line waiting to hug us:-)  We probably did about 5 minutes per table. 

Also, I'm not sure how your immune system is, but mine kind of sucks.  I got the WORST cold after my wedding from just being around that many people.  I couldn't imagine hugging all of those people, even with a normal immune system.  But like I said, I get sick easily.

DramaGeek

I would not do photos with each guest during the receiving line.  I feel like that would take a really long time.  You want your receiving line to be quick.

And I disagree on the grand entrance.  We had a receiving line, then H and I went to eat alone while everyone else ate in the banquet room.  After we were finished, we entered and were announced, then did the toasts, cake cutting and spotlight dances.

HockeyFan4

You could do table visits, and just have your photographer follow you around during table visits...sort of like group shots.  That way you would have pictures with everyone, but it wouldn't take as much time.

JoanE2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-do-receiving-lines-work?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:e5aebeef-9cc2-4e78-a7e0-243f6aef02e3Post:e79c407a-466b-4eac-a93c-77deac324cbb">Re: How do receiving lines work?</a>:
[QUOTE]I would not do photos with each guest during the receiving line.  I feel like that would take a really long time.  You want your receiving line to be quick. And I disagree on the grand entrance.  We had a receiving line<strong>, then H and I went to eat alone while everyone else ate in the banquet room.</strong>  After we were finished, we entered and were announced, then did the toasts, cake cutting and spotlight dances.
Posted by DramaGeek[/QUOTE]

Wow, I've never heard or seen this done before!  We want to be able to eat in the same room as our guests, so we'll be eating first and probably a bit quicker so we can do table visits.  No receiving line.

egeurts

We did a receiving line. We drove a classic car (48 dark red mercury convertible) from the church to the reception, and then stood right inside the entryway and greeted everyone as they came in and took their seats. Then when everyone was seated we had the DJ do our "grand entrance". We had dinner, cut the cake, special dances, and then made sure to talk to people rather than spending all night on the dance floor (even though we did plenty of that too). We started with older relatives who were likely to leave first, and then moved our way back to friends and family that would stay later. By the end of the night we had both greeted everyone, talked to everyone, and danced our butts off. It was amazing.

I agree with PP that photos during the receiving line would take too long; try to take them at tables instead, or maybe set up a "guest book" photo type thing with polaroids (I found it on pinterest- each person substitutes a picture of themself with their seat number, but then, I suppose, you're not in the picture... hmm.. random tangent. Sorry). 

arendiva

That's a bummer. Thanks for all the advice. Maybe I will just have pictures taken when I make my rounds to all the tables. I just wanted to have a meaningful guest book rather than just signatures. I might still find a way to make it work (sans recieving line) I'm probably going to have only 60 people and most of those people would be clustered into group shots with me and FI. Thanks everyone.

azdancer8

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_how-do-receiving-lines-work?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:e5aebeef-9cc2-4e78-a7e0-243f6aef02e3Post:7096991d-2b20-4c78-b736-7c6ed35dda1d">Re: How do receiving lines work?</a>:
[QUOTE]That's a bummer. Thanks for all the advice. Maybe I will just have pictures taken when I make my rounds to all the tables. I just wanted to have a meaningful guest book rather than just signatures. I might still find a way to make it work (sans recieving line) I'm probably going to have only 60 people and most of those people would be clustered into group shots with me and FI. Thanks everyone.
Posted by arendiva[/QUOTE]

<div>Have you considered doing a photo booth? Some people like taking the pictures of their guests from the photo booth and putting them in the guest book. You could jump into some of the pictures too, as many or as few as you want to.</div>

saraschilling88

We just got married and our receiving line took a long time.  Our setup was neat though (My husband's parents are divorced so arranging was interesting at best).

Groom's Father
Groom's Mother
Bride
Groom
Bride's Father
Bride's Mother

That way his parents could introduce me to their family members/friends, and vice versa, and my husband could do the same with my parents.

If we had tried to take pictures with each person it would have taken a really long time, and to be honest we know a few of our guests skipped the receiving line. 

We went to take a couple pictures so guests could get to the reception, and my brother/Pastor/officiant came with us to the pictures (his wife and daughter were in the WP).  Once we got to the reception he got everyone ready in the venue and announced our entrance (we hadn't planned a grand entrance, so this was a surprise for us)!!

I agree with PPs, do random polaroids or a photobooth rather than trying to do pics during a receiving line.