Another etiquette question...

[shawnsgirl]

Okay here I am with another ettiquette question or maybe two.

If you have a receiving line after the ceremony; do you still need to make sure you visit each table at the reception?

Also, would a receiving line still be considered a receiving line if the bride and groom after the ceremony would dismiss all friends and famiy from the pews and gree and thank each one of them as they walked out of the church?


Thank you!

[ladymelissa]

If you have a receiving line after the ceremony; do you still need to make sure you visit each table at the reception?

Technically no, you would not have to visit each table. But you should try to do as much mingling as possible.

Also, would a receiving line still be considered a receiving line if the bride and groom after the ceremony would dismiss all friends and famiy from the pews and gree and thank each one of them as they walked out of the church?

That is called, releasing the rows and it is equivalent to a receiving line. Also, have an announcement made for your guests to remain in the pews. Because you probably want to do a recessional and walk up the aisle and then come back and begin releasing the rows.

[StaceyMc]

This is only my opinion, but here goes:

I think that it is very very important to visit your guest tables at your reception. A receiving line will move so fast - you won't get to speak with the person congratulating you for more than a second or two.

I was recently at a wedding where the bride and groom dismissed their guests by row in the church and did their receiving there. I didn't like it. I knew most of the bridesmaids, but they weren't ever part of any type of receiving line - they were kind of over looked, in my opinion.

[Caleb's Bride]

If you go to *******.com, they have a whole section to etiquette. It may be good to check out. It's in the AsK Carley section.

It has some really interesting things there. And your questions was one of them, actually.

Here's what it their response was:

Q. If we have a receiving line, do we have to go table to table at the reception as well? My mom says that according to etiquette, we need to do both. I would think one or the other would be okay.

A. Having a receiving line is a great way to ensure that you get to talk to most of your guests, but it's probably a good idea to try and make the rounds of the room sometime during dinner as well. You don't have to be super organized about it, but do wander around a bit (together or apart) spending a little more time with your friends and family. It’s all about being good hosts!

[shawnsgirl]

Thank you very much..

Actually, this made me think about it just a little more. A lot of our family members I think would like to meet and greet the bridal party (ecspeically the moh's and best man), as well some of our friends too. So, maybe I will do a full out bridal party receiving line or maybe the moh's and best man just because incase there isn't enough room..

As far ad getting around to the tables and greeting. I definatly want to be good hosts so I definatly plan on making rounds. As far as getting caught up in a long winded conversation, I may recruit a MOH to keep an eye out and be of some rescue. That's the only thing I get worried about is getting around to tables and someone keeping me there for a long time...Normally, I would enjoy the conversation to its fullist but to get to visit everyone I will have to make sure not to get caught up! I really hope that doesn't sound rude....

Anyhow, I also think Shawn and I are going to give our own toast and dedicate it to out guests after we are introduced. I always love it when the bride and groom gives a toast before everyone sits down's and eats and thanks there family and friends for their love and support and welcomes everyone! I tend to think that is too a nice gesture...I'm getting goosebumbs just thinking about!! HE HE I can't wait!!

[ladymelissa]

We did a receiving line and we did our best to make the rounds. I know exactly what you mean about getting caught up in conversations! You seem to have a good back up plan, which is what I should have had. LOL

A toast to the guests is a fabulous idea! I wish I had heard of it before!

[shawnsgirl]

We did a receiving line and we did our best to make the rounds. I know exactly what you mean about getting caught up in conversations! You seem to have a good back up plan, which is what I should have had. LOL

A toast to the guests is a fabulous idea! I wish I had heard of it before!

I only ever seen it first..At first I though ohhh how unusual I never seen this before, but both the bride and groom said we'd like to welcome you and thank you so much for being a part of our first day together as husband and wife. We couldn't think of a better group of people to spend it with....They then thanked the wedding party, and the tearful thank you's to their parents...

Yes, I did memorize the beginning I only watched it a zillion times with my cousin since she has it on DVD!!

I think the biggest thing is wathcing how long your toast lasts! By the time we sit down everyone will be hungry!

[wedbyjean]

Having a receiving line or releasing your own guests guarantees that you have the chance to come face-to-face with every one of your guests, thank them for coming, and are able to politely inform them of what they should do next. "Please head over to the reception for some hors d'oeuvres, we'll see you there soon," or "Make sure to pick up a bottle of bubbles for our get-away out front" are examples. You should still visit with your guests at the reception, as a receiving line/releasing guests is not the place for lengthy conversations.

A traditional receiving line can make for an awkward situation for those participating - especially if no one really knows each other, and the guests end up feeling like they have to make polite conversation with each and every bridesmaid in the line. And it can be very time consuming. However, sometimes the MOB or MOG is really looking forward to being part of a receiving line and may be disappointed or hurt that they won't be part of one.

[kevinsbride2B]

Traditionallyt he recieving line was a European tradition. I will be the first in my family to have a recieving line at my wedding.
Our recieving lien is only goign to be quick and to the point. Not that I wouldn't love to sit and gab to everyoen of my guests, however time doesn't permit it. We're goign to have a mini recieving line with our BM and MOH and my Mom will talk to the people before they come to the recieving line. That way everyone will be seen and I can do little quick visits to the tables too. We only have a very limited time between the ceremony and the reception.
It also depends on what you woudl like to do. As logn as you don't "punk off" all your guests and never see them you can do as you please! Well IMO anyways.

[katieandalex]

Okay here I am with another ettiquette question or maybe two.

If you have a receiving line after the ceremony; do you still need to make sure you visit each table at the reception?

Also, would a receiving line still be considered a receiving line if the bride and groom after the ceremony would dismiss all friends and famiy from the pews and gree and thank each one of them as they walked out of the church?


Thank you!

My answers....

We had a traditional receiving line after the ceremony, and we did not visit all the tables at the reception.

I think its ok to consider your receiving line to be releasing your guests from the pews. Alex's cousin did this at her wedding and I thought it was actually pretty nice. Her husband didn't know anyone because he was Canadian and she didn't know any of his family because she was American (Yeah and they were living in Egypt...) so it was a nice way for them to both meet everyone in the families that attended.

[Jacklynn]

I think you should try to get to all of the tables as best as you can, but don't make that the only thing you remember about your reception, If you feel like all you did was say hi thanks for coming all night you might feel like you missed out on a great night! BUT do make sure you pay attention to people when they talk to you, I mean they are there to support you.
IMO I think you should just as hard as you can without wearing yourself out to get to as many tables as you can.


Also I don't like when people dismiss by row. It's a personal preference I guess, but being a Bride soon, I know I am not going to want to do that, I want to have everyone see us and allow us to say thanks as they are walking out that way everyone is cleared out for pictures afterwards....

[Kacie_bride]

We didn't do a receiving line. I think it would have taken too long. I thought about it, but I decided against it. They did one at my cousin's wedding that was a few weeks before mine and it took forever. There were only about 50 guests at her wedding and it still took a long time. We had over 200 guests. It would have taken a very long time.

However, we made a point to go visit the tables after we finished eating and the guests were still eating. I believe we made it to all the tables and talked to everyone or most everyone.

If you do a receiving line I would make sure to still go around to the tables.