Receiving line - is anyone having one?

Hiya

I had a question about the receiving line or "line up" as I like to call it.

My parents want to have a receiving line as we go into the wedding breakfast to formally introduce ourselves to everyone personally. It is a formal venue, so this does fit in, but I am not sure if I want to do it or not.

The trouble with my mum is that she wants to be centre of attention, I feel like she wants to make herself known rather than be doing it to actually greet people. Also, we don't have time to put H2B's parents in the receiving line too - we have over 100 guests and only half an hour so it will take ages. I don't know how they will feel about that....

Anyway I just wanted to know what everyone else is doing about this. I know it is very traditional and I don't mind it, but kissing over 100 people in a row seems like a MISSION and am I doing it for the right reasons?

I would feel like royalty standing there waiting to be greeted by my "minyans." Is it weird or nice?

This may have been covered in another thread!

Thanks xxx

Hi gemmylou_bridetobe,

I understand your concerns about the receiving line - I immediately thought we wouldn't be having one for our wedding because the foyer area outside the room we will be eating isn't that large. But that said, my parents said that it would be nice to have one so that all your guests atleast get to talk to you briefly once in your day incase you did happen to miss talking to someone if you dont get time to mingle. And they also suggested that it just be me and my H2B to greet the guests, not anyone else in the bridal party which should sort out the space issue, and speed things up a bit. Maybe that could be an idea for you guys too if you did want to have one? We have 80 guests, so not quite 100, but I can see why you might think thats alot of people to go through.

That said some people dont have them at all, and it depends on your personal choice - It is a tradition I suppose but theres nothing wrong with not having one either if you didn't want to! You just need to decide how you would like things to run on the day for yourself and what your comfortable doing - if thats having or not having a receiving line

Thanks - I know, it is a great way of ensuring you see everyone! It can be difficult to spread yourself around on a big day like that and you do want to personally greet and thank everyone...I haven't been to many weddings that have had one, so it is good to hear someone else is going to do it.

I just feel a bit weird about making people line up to see me!! xxx

I don't think we will be having a receiving line tbh. For me i feel it's time wasting. You will eventually get to speak to everyone one way or another throughout the day so i think it's pointless to make everyone stand in a line to say hello and congratulations to you both over and over again. That's my opinion anyway