Receiving line placement?

jenijoyk · September 2014

I'm getting really stressed out about table visits. Mostly, I'm stressed out about how long my guests will be stuck in their seats and about me and FI getting a chance to sit together at our SH table and actually eat dinner. So I'm trying to find a way to fit in a receiving line, with just us in it.

Our ceremony will be in an enclosed courtyard. The original plan was to do the recessional right on out the back door of the courtyard, while behind us our coordinator directs the guests up a flight of stairs to the cocktail hour on the balcony above.

Would it be weird if instead of marching out, FI and I walk back to the stairs and park ourselves at the foot of the stairs? Everyone will have to walk past us up the stairs. Or is this super annoying, because everyone will be stuck in the courtyard and we'll create a giant bottle neck between the guests and their booze and appetizers? Or is this just how recieving lines go?

Honestly, I haven't been to a wedding with a recieving line since like 1995. Although I did go to a wedding a few years ago where the B&G parked themselves at the an alcove everyone had to walk through (or wait in line through) to get to the buffet. It seemed to work really well and they had a chance to say hello to everyone. There wasn't really a bottleneck there though ebcause everyone was waiting in the food line anyway.

CMGragain · September 2014

I like your idea of a receiving line at the foot of the stairs. Be sure that your wedding co-ordinator keeps an eye on it so that the line keeps moving.

theartistformerlyknownas · September 2014

Our ceremony is outside, and FI and I plan to park ourselves at the edge of the patio guests will have to pass to get inside. No bottleneck because they could go around, but still a natural path to greet people.

cafarrie · September 2014

Thank you for thinking of your guests during table visits (I personally hate them for the reason you listed above). I think you're idea is great! It may even go quicker than you think if people know that food and booze will follow as soon as they speak to you

[Deleted User] · November 2014

Glad you asked this question. I think receiving lines are a bit old fashioned, but from the guest standpoint I actually like them more I think.

At the table visit weddings I went to, I had to stop in the middle of my meal to chat with bride and groom and my food got cold. Also, receiving line works well for people who don't know the wedding party as well (dates of guest, i.e.). You can more quickly move through when you see a long line of people behind you.

Only one time did I think the receiving not the best when they had it right outside the nave in a small atrium. The line was backed up for 20 minutes and for some reason one of the ushers just kept dismissing rows.

We may end up with a receiving line and hopefully the cocktails and fruit / cheese / veggie plates we'll have waiting for people will hurry them along!

jenijoyk · November 2014

So we ended up doing both a faux recieving line during cocktail hour and table visits, although we hadn't planned them. We joined the cocktail hour halfway through, and then when the DJ called guests back downstairs for the reception, we stood at the top of the stairs and hugged and chatted with everyone while they made their way downstairs.

Then, after dinner, we were totally THAT couple and had a round of pub trivia. (We and my friends play all the time, for years and years.) While the tables were all drinking and competing, we made our way around. It was awesome. Especially because everyone was so into the competition, they were literally like, "Oh hi! Wait! What is this song? I know this! Ok bye!" So it was super speedy. And people were well entertained.

[Granted, I know reception games are super unpopular around here. But I'm not lying, my guests loved it. I think it's a know your audience thing.]

Receiving line placement?

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