Who Stands in the Receiving Line?
According to traditional etiquette, the order of the traditional, and most formal receiving line is as follows:
Mother of the Bride, Mother of the Groom, Bride, Groom, Maid of Honor, All of the Bridesmaids. Traditionally,
no men stand in the receiving line, except for the groom, of course. Child attendants also do not participate in
the receiving line.
Today, couples many create any number of variations of the receiving line. Some couples prefer a
contemporary, shorter version with just themselves and both sets of parents. That would take the following
order: Mother of the Bride, Father of the Bride, Bride, Groom, Mother of the Groom, Father of the Groom. If
any of the parents are divorced and relations are strained, then a simple switch in the order of the line would
occur. The line would then look like this: Mother of the Bride, Father of the Groom, Bride, Groom, Mother of
the Groom, Father of the Bride.
Make It Go Smoothly
Go over the guest list with your fiancé before the wedding day. This will help you remember names. With all of
the excitement of the day, it's easy to forget someone's name - but don't worry. If you can't remember a name,
either politely ask them their name or simply give them a big smile and thank them for coming. (They'll never
know...) Keep comments brief and tell the other members of the receiving line to do the same.
If you have the receiving line at the end of the ceremony, consider playing background music for the guest's
enjoyment.
Another option is to do the receiving line at the cocktail hour. That way, guests can sip champagne and munch
on appetizers while waiting to say hello.
A New Twist To An Old Tradition
Instead of a traditional receiving line, consider having you and your husband release the guests row by row.
Start with the front row on the bride's side and zigzag back and forth until you get to the last row. This moves
faster than a traditional receiving line and you get the chance to greet and welcome all of your guests.
Finally, before you design your own version of the receiving line, keep in mind why this tradition exists in
wedding etiquette in the first place. A receiving line gives the bride, groom and corresponding families a
chance to greet guests who may otherwise be overlooked on a hectic wedding day. This is your chance to
recognize dear friends who traveled to be with you on your special day.
Also, the receiving line adds a personal, warm touch to your day by allowing your guests a chance to extend
their congratulations to you. A well-designed, thoughtful receiving line can add a delicate, human touch to your
wedding day.
Wedding Trivia: The honking of horns in a modern wedding motorcade harks back to the noisy traditions of
clanging bells and shooting guns to frighten away evil spirits.
Selected from USABride.com
According to traditional etiquette, the order of the traditional, and most formal receiving line is as follows:
Mother of the Bride, Mother of the Groom, Bride, Groom, Maid of Honor, All of the Bridesmaids. Traditionally,
no men stand in the receiving line, except for the groom, of course. Child attendants also do not participate in
the receiving line.
Today, couples many create any number of variations of the receiving line. Some couples prefer a
contemporary, shorter version with just themselves and both sets of parents. That would take the following
order: Mother of the Bride, Father of the Bride, Bride, Groom, Mother of the Groom, Father of the Groom. If
any of the parents are divorced and relations are strained, then a simple switch in the order of the line would
occur. The line would then look like this: Mother of the Bride, Father of the Groom, Bride, Groom, Mother of
the Groom, Father of the Bride.
Make It Go Smoothly
Go over the guest list with your fiancé before the wedding day. This will help you remember names. With all of
the excitement of the day, it's easy to forget someone's name - but don't worry. If you can't remember a name,
either politely ask them their name or simply give them a big smile and thank them for coming. (They'll never
know...) Keep comments brief and tell the other members of the receiving line to do the same.
If you have the receiving line at the end of the ceremony, consider playing background music for the guest's
enjoyment.
Another option is to do the receiving line at the cocktail hour. That way, guests can sip champagne and munch
on appetizers while waiting to say hello.
A New Twist To An Old Tradition
Instead of a traditional receiving line, consider having you and your husband release the guests row by row.
Start with the front row on the bride's side and zigzag back and forth until you get to the last row. This moves
faster than a traditional receiving line and you get the chance to greet and welcome all of your guests.
Finally, before you design your own version of the receiving line, keep in mind why this tradition exists in
wedding etiquette in the first place. A receiving line gives the bride, groom and corresponding families a
chance to greet guests who may otherwise be overlooked on a hectic wedding day. This is your chance to
recognize dear friends who traveled to be with you on your special day.
Also, the receiving line adds a personal, warm touch to your day by allowing your guests a chance to extend
their congratulations to you. A well-designed, thoughtful receiving line can add a delicate, human touch to your
wedding day.
Wedding Trivia: The honking of horns in a modern wedding motorcade harks back to the noisy traditions of
clanging bells and shooting guns to frighten away evil spirits.
Selected from USABride.com
The Receiving Line
The ceremony is over and now you're married. And now - EVERYONE
wants to congratulate you. Many brides do not like the formality of a
receiving line. However, many couples have said they found it too
difficult and time consuming to meet and greet all of the guests
during the reception.
So, you may want to consider having a receiving line to help take the
pressure off you during the reception to speak with every guest.
Then, you can feel free to dance the night away! Here are a few tips...
wants to congratulate you. Many brides do not like the formality of a
receiving line. However, many couples have said they found it too
difficult and time consuming to meet and greet all of the guests
during the reception.
So, you may want to consider having a receiving line to help take the
pressure off you during the reception to speak with every guest.
Then, you can feel free to dance the night away! Here are a few tips...
| Copyright © 2009 Carolyn Burke - Wedding Liaison |
