recieving line or table visits?

achoi · March 2010

I'm on the fence as to having a recieving line or not. Given the size of the bridal party and family, there will be 12 people in the recieving line and we're expecting about 120 people to come to the 1pm ceremony at the church. With just the way the day's events are planned out, we're need to be somewhere by 3pm and in the evening recption, there just really won't be enough time. If we have the recieivng line right after the afternoon ceremony, how long do you think that would take? Alternatively, how long do you think it would take to do table visit during the reception for aobut 16 tables?

Which do you think is better, recieving line or visiting the tables?

thanks,

MyNameIsNot · March 2010

Your receiving line would only include you and your FI, and maybe parents, not the entire bridal party. It would probably take about 30 minutes for everyone to get through. If your ceremony is at 1 and about 30-45 minutes, you'd finish up with the line at around 2:15. If your reception doesn't start until 3, you're going to have to figure out where your guests can go until then.

I prefer table visits. You can expect to spend about 5 minutes at each table, and it's much more comfortable for your guests. You can be served your meal first, eat quickly, and then spend the remainder of the dinner hour visiting.

But either way, you're going to need to move your reception up from 3:00 to avoid leaving a gap. You can't expect your guests to just wander around and wait for you to get around to hosting them at 3.

aerinpegadrak · March 2010

I don't like receiving lines and we don't have tables, per se, so we're going to be cutting and serving the cake ourselves. Perhaps if you have a buffet, you could stand at the front of the line and greet people before they get their food.

Jennasourus · March 2010

I think really whatever works best for you guys. I think you can spend more time with people if you do table visits however then you miss out on dancing with your guests and stuff. I agree theres no reason to have you whole bridal party for the receiving line.

I went to a wedding this weekend where they did either! it was seriously the rudest thing i have ever seen at a wedding.

lilmizdncnqueen · April 2010

I prefer table visits. I understand the line version of it to make sure that you get to see everyone. BUT - I'm afraid it'll take a little too much time. With the table visits, it's a little more relaxed & you can go around while people are eating. I prefer it that way, but understand both sides.

[Deleted User] · April 2010

Personally, I think receiving lines are stupid. They look and feel awkward and you don't get to actually talk to people because everyone is standing there waiting for their turn. That whole tradition is retarded.

We will do table visits so we can actually take a few minutes to chat. Then we'll catch up with anyone we may have missed later on. But with our guests, I know the people we miss will make it a point to find us.

jennylove810 · April 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_recieving-line-table-visits?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:36Discussion:bd84aeae-3a1b-4aae-a3c8-0feb2089e1eePost:e979fee7-c719-4958-8c23-17ad0ded758d">Re: recieving line or table visits?</a>:
[QUOTE]Personally, I think receiving lines are stupid. They look and feel awkward and you don't get to actually talk to people because everyone is standing there waiting for their turn. That whole tradition is retarded. We will do table visits so we can actually take a few minutes to chat. Then we'll catch up with anyone we may have missed later on. But with our guests, I know the people we miss will make it a point to find us.
Posted by Seshat411[/QUOTE]

Well, thank you for that elegantly worded post.

FI & I are doing a stupid, retarded receiving line AND going to make an effort to visit every single table, so that we won't miss greeting anyone and our guests won't be forced to track US down, when it should be our responsibility to approach them.

caitm730 · April 2010

We only have an hour for pictures between the ceremony and reception, so we do not have time to do a receiving line. I personally prefer table visits anyway. I feel like you get pushed along in a receiving line and end up talking to a bridesmaid that you've never met. I'm looking forward to visiting with each table for a few minutes and making it a little bit more relaxed and personal.

[Deleted User] · April 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_recieving-line-table-visits?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:36Discussion:bd84aeae-3a1b-4aae-a3c8-0feb2089e1eePost:3364c8a0-bfad-442a-ac56-2364e8e9ad7a">Re: recieving line or table visits?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: recieving line or table visits? : Well, thank you for that elegantly worded post. FI & I are doing a stupid, retarded receiving line AND going to make an effort to visit every single table, so that we won't miss greeting anyone and our guests won't be forced to track US down, when it should be our responsibility to approach them.
Posted by jennylove810[/QUOTE]

Anytime.

Do whatever you want, every person I've talked to at weddings hated receiving lines. They're uncomfortable, forced, and people are pushed along. And even when you visit tables, you can't guarantee everyone will be there (out dancing, bathroom, getting seconds, whatever). So they either find you or you catch up with them later. If a guest makes you feel bad because you might have missed them, then shame on them for making such a big deal out of an accident.

BluValkyrie · April 2010

Call me old-fashioned, but I am pro receiving line.

While some people might consider a table greet more relaxed for the guest, I don't really consider it so much for the couple. You actively have to seek out guests and thank them for attending, and what about the guests who only attend the service and not the reception? (not common, but it happens). I just feel you don't really get to enjoy the reception as much. I'm not saying don't go and do table visits, these people came to celebrate your wedding, and you're going to want to chat, but the receiving line makes sure you didn't miss anyone.

Receiving lines also don't take very long at all, it's simple. Guests shake hands, hug, kiss, and then off they go. The line also just includes key people:the couple, their parents, sometimes grandparents, and the MOH and Best Man.

SuMmErKuTiE · April 2010

We aren't doing a receiving line, I think they're uncomfortable and waste a lot of time especially when the whole bridal party is involved. We are doing pictures beforehand so we will be mingling at cocktail hour and we plan on doing table visits at the reception as well to ensure we greet and thank each of our guests at least once throughout the evening.

jennylove810 · April 2010

Thank you, Stage

luckynutmeg · April 2010

We have over 120 guests coming to the ceremony, so we are nixing the receiving line. It would just take too darn long. We are also doing family photos at the church, so that will be taking up time as well.
Table visits will work out just fine for us, I think, especially since we plan on eating our meals before everyone else.

recieving line or table visits?

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