Fresh ideas for the receiving line at the wedding ceremony or reception plus some fun alternatives.
The receiving line is one of the oldest wedding traditions but couples are always looking for ways to do it a little differently. Here are some unique ideas.
Order of Receiving Line
- Have the receiving line as guests leave the church. Since the bride and groom are the first up the aisle, they and the wedding party can then line up and greet guests as they leave. This then allows the bride and groom to be the last to exit the church with all of the guests standing on the stairs to see them off.
- If having the receiving line at the church, have the parents and wedding party greet guests as they arrive, and just the bride and groom receive everyone after the ceremony.
- To shorten the receiving line, limit it to just the bride and groom and their parents, and have each member of the wedding party either usher guests into the line or escort guests from the receiving line to their table in the reception hall.
Receiving Line Alternatives
- An alternative for a wedding line is to have the bride and groom walk around the reception with a basket of wedding favors and personally hand them to each guest.
- Have guests proceed along the head table at the reception and be received that way.
- Another alternative is for the bride and groom, upon entering the reception hall for the first time, personally walk around and quickly greet each guest at their table.
Making the Wedding Line Fun
- During the receiving line, guests could walk along a wall collage of photos of family and friends. Try to include a picture with each wedding guest if possible.
- So that the guests’ wait in line is a little shorter, separate the receiving line into two sections. Guests would line up to be received by the parents and then move to the next line to be received by the bride and groom.
- Have the receiving line go by the location of the guest book. This way everyone is sure to sign and they will have something to do while waiting.
- If the reception hall is dimly lit, as each guest is greeted, hand them a lit candle to carry into the reception hall and place into a candelabra on their table. This is a nice effect for guests who are already seated to watch each guest enter the room surrounded in a glow.
Whether having the receiving line at the church, before entering the reception hall or after dinner handing our favors, there are many interesting ways to greet wedding guests.
Copyright Gail Oliver. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Gail Oliver - Gail is an author, writer and researcher. She has been quoted in magazines as diverse as Cosmopolitan and Maclean's. Gail writes on a ...
Join the Conversation