There is one refrain we hear over and over from many brides, and it is that the whole wedding goes by so fast. From the nerves before the ceremony to trying to grab a bite to eat at the reception, the day you plan for so long can feel like it goes by in a blur.
Our biggest advice is to take time to enjoy yourself. Dance to the DJ’s music. Sit down and eat the food and cake you picked out. And most of all, take time to talk to the people who have come to your wedding. All the guests have taken time out of their day to be there for you, many of them traveling to get there. You don’t want anyone to leave the wedding saying, “I didn’t even have a chance to say hello to the bride on her wedding day.”
The Argument for Receiving Lines
Receiving lines used to be a staple of most weddings, and for good reason. They are a way to guarantee face-time with the bridal couple for everyone in attendance. It’s also a good way to make quick introductions for people who might only know one-half of the bridal couple! Here at Legacy Stables and Events, we have seen receiving lines disappearing from wedding planning. But for some, the tradition holds strong as the best way to ensure the bridal couple gets to talk personally with everyone at the wedding.
As you’re planning your wedding, here are a few things to keep in mind about having a receiving line.
- Plan what time the receiving line will take place. There are multiple times throughout a wedding where a receiving line could be inserted. Some people like to have it immediately following the ceremony. That way, people are already lining up to move to a new space for the reception, and that line of guests can work through the receiving line on the way to the next room or destination. You could also have a receiving line set up between the ceremony and the reception during a cocktail hour set aside for that specific purpose, or save it for the end of the wedding as the reception closes down.
- Set the order of the line-up ahead of time. It is typical for the parents of the bride to be the first in line, then the bride and groom, and then the groom’s parents. Some people also include the bridal party in the receiving line. What if you or your partner’s parents are divorced? How you set them up totally depends on how well your parents get along. If you need them separated, consider having bridesmaids and groomsmen in between the sets of parents.
- Keep the line moving. We recommend you only spend about 20 seconds on each person. The time adds up when you’ve invited a number of guests, and no one appreciates waiting in line for a very long time. Save the long conversations for later in the night.
Alternatives to Receiving Lines
While receiving lines serve a purpose, they are sometimes thought of as too formal for some of today’s more casual weddings. Other people might choose to ditch the receiving line because they don’t want to take the time away from enjoying the reception to stand in one place,e shaking hands and going through one introduction after another.
For those cases, there are some other ways you can manage the formality of thanking everyone for coming to your wedding without standing next to your parents and being introduced.
Table visits. Rather than sitting in place at the bridal party’s table, some brides choose to walk around and talk to the people at each table personally during the reception. Making a plan to do this while people are eating, before they’re up and dancing, ensures you get a chance to talk with the most people. However, it does mean that you, the bride, might be sacrificing your own time to sit and enjoy the meal you picked out.
Mingle at cocktail hour. Some bridal couples choose to have a cocktail hour between the wedding ceremony and the reception. This can be a good time to make your rounds and talk to everyone who has come. Just be aware that you can’t get sucked into a long conversation. Make it short and sweet, just as you would in a receiving line.
Make a toast. Rather than going to each and every person individually, you can make a well-worded toast that thanks everyone for coming. Use heartfelt language to make everyone listening feel like they hold a special place in your heart.
Whether you have a receiving line or not, the important thing to remember is to try to talk to everyone if possible. Just a quick hello and thanking them for taking the time to be part of your special day will go a long way in making them feel like their presence was appreciated.
As you start planning your wedding, let Legacy Stables and Events help with details such as the receiving line. Our team of experts has helped plan many weddings of all types, with and without receiving lines. We can help you get your wedding party lined up to make the receiving line look nice and move quickly, and we can also share ideas for alternatives to the receiving line. Call today to book a time to tour our property.
