Winter ideas from chapel to reception?

kpeterson21

The venue I've chosen has both a chapel and reception hall available and are separated by the parking lot. I drove past there the other day and noticed a long line of people from the reception hall doors. Obviously the ceremony had just ended, the wedding party exited, and they started greeting guests at the entrance. Luckily it was a beautiful day but my wedding is in December and I wouldn’t want my guests standing out the cold. I’ve heard of some ceremonies that the bride and groom greet guests row by row as they exit; but I’ve never seen one personally. Is it just the bride and groom, the parents, and/or wedding party? I’ve thought of going table to table as well, and most likely will do so but my mom thinks its not ‘one on one’ enough for the guests. Which I’m okay with, I’m just nervous that greeting everyone row by row could get lengthy and have the last row twiddling their thumbs. Has anyone tried this method with any feedback they can share or any other ideas?

ElisabethJoanne

If traditional receiving lines are common in your area/family, I'd just talk to whoever will set up the reception space about arranging for it indoors. There are ways to place tables/buffets/bars/flowers to create a certain flow to the room and receiving line.

Summer2011Bride

The idea you speak of, I have seen before. Immediately after the ceremony, guests remain seated and just the B&G come back in, greeting each person row by row and "dismissing" the rows instead of having ushers do it. You can do this; I personally don't like it because you are on display for everyone while greeting the B&G and you feel rushed. Plus, the people in the back have to sit around for a long time. I also don't like traditional receiving lines, though. I would probably in your case either do the first idea or greet them table by table once inside so they don't have to wait in a line out in the cold.

ETA: FWIW, I think going table to table is perhaps the MOST "one on one" because you can take your time (relatively speaking), you're not in a line or in front of everybody else and you don't feel rushed.

DBean00

Skip the receiving line and greet everyone at your cocktail hour.