Another Wedding Thread: Receiving Line

[MIGrandma]

Have you ever been to a wedding without a receiving line?

Most of the weddings I remember going to as a child/teen/young adult they had a full receiving line with the bride and groom, their parents, and all of the attendants.

Then a few years ago many couples started opting to "release" the rows of people in the church by themselves and there was no traditional receiving line. I love it when they do it that way, as so many times I don't know any/many of the other people in the wedding party and never know what to say to them, so it's just easier and more comfortable to just hug/contratulate the bride and groom as you leave your row.

However, the recent wedding we attended had no type of receiving line at all. I was kind of surprised by that.

 

[KimR]

I was married over 25 years ago and we had no receiving line. I've never cared for the tradition. I think the last time I've been to a wedding that had one was when I was a kid.

 

[crz4mm2]

I love it when the new husband and wife come back and "excuse" the guests row by row. I know it takes longer, but it seems so much more intimate and then you can actually SEE them

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Yes. We've attended a wedding (maybe two years ago now) without a receiving line, and the bride and groom did NOT go from table to table to speak with each guest. Neither did the parents of the couple. Thought that was pretty weird.

That happened at the last two weddings we've attended actually.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We didn't have a receiving line at our wedding 24 years ago. After walking back up the aisle, we disappeared into a side room in the church while the guests left for the reception. We did a few more pictures at the alter, then drove to the reception. When we arrived, the DJ introduced the entire wedding party and we entered in pairs. We immediately had the toast, then we started the buffet line. Since DH and I were first, we finished eating before everyone else. We took that opportunity to go from table to table and greet all of our guests. I found that to be a less formal, and less hurried way to talk to everyone individually.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

We didn't have one. Our wedding was held at the same place as the reception - same room - the guests came in, got their place cards, and sat at their tables, then we had the ceremony. Right after our recessional, the DJ announced that everyone (we only had 55 guests) should follow us and the photographer outside. She found a good spot and had everyone gather in behind us and took a group photo. After that, the guests went back to the room and we went to the bridal suite for the cocktail hour.

We did visit every table, though. It wasn't that difficult when there were only 6 tables!

 

[disykat]

I hate it when the bride and groom release the guests row by row. Everyone in the rows behind sits and watches whomever is greeting them!

My preference is when the bride and groom stand in the back of the church and greet everyone as they come out, so that's way we did it.

 

[low-key]

I will do anything to avoid a receiving line, the bride not might want to hug me, and feel she has to. Feel like a perv ( I am seriously mentally disturbed), but Im always thinking 'what are they thinking" then spend 10 minutes reading between the lines, and thats just normal life. When hugging a almost stranger comes into play, my mind runs nutso

 

[Janepod]

I think receiving lines are great. I've never been to a wedding without one. And the only wedding I ever went to where the bride and groom didn't go table to table? My own freaking brother.

 

[violetrose]

We didn't have a receiving line at our wedding 24 years ago. After walking back up the aisle, we disappeared into a side room in the church while the guests left for the reception. We did a few more pictures at the alter, then drove to the reception. When we arrived, the DJ introduced the entire wedding party and we entered in pairs. We immediately had the toast, then we started the buffet line. Since DH and I were first, we finished eating before everyone else. We took that opportunity to go from table to table and greet all of our guests. I found that to be a less formal, and less hurried way to talk to everyone individually.

Same scenario for us. I haven't seen a receiving line since I was a little girl in the mid to late 60s.

 

[DeaverTex]

I'm no fan of receiving lines at all. We had a receiving line 36 years ago, but it didn't include all the wedding party and parents by any means. At the time, I honestly had NO idea whether it was standard procedure or not since I'd never been to a wedding before. (No, really!!) It seemed kinda silly, though, because I didn't know 9 out of 10 of the people coming by, and the only reason they even knew who I was is that they'd seen me up at the front of the church.

I don't think I've seen a receiving line at a wedding since then, nor missed it.

 

[disykat]

I'm no fan of receiving lines at all. We had a receiving line 36 years ago, but it didn't include all the wedding party and parents by any means. At the time, I honestly had NO idea whether it was standard procedure or not since I'd never been to a wedding before. (No, really!!) It seemed kinda silly, though, because I didn't know 9 out of 10 of the people coming by, and the only reason they even knew who I was is that they'd seen me up at the front of the church.

I don't think I've seen a receiving line at a wedding since then, nor missed it.

You didn't know 9 out of 10 people at your own wedding? I think I only didn't know about 20 people at mine. They were relatives of dh's I hadn't met yet.

I hate the recieving lines that include parents and wedding party. I've haven't seen those in ages, but did have to stand in a few as a maid of honor. Very awkward. I really DIDn't know very many of the people then.

It didn't even occur to us to have our parents or attendants stand with us when we greeted our guests at the back of the church after the ceremony.

 

[ladypage]

I've never been to wedding with a receiving line. As I understand, it's so the bride and groom get to see and say hello, thanks, all that to the guests right? I have always seen it as the guests responsibility to go up to the bride and groom during the reception, to congratulate them and such.

 

[supercarrie]

The last time I attended a wedding with a receiving line was about 15 years ago.

At my own wedding, we didn't have a receiving line, but we did go to each table during dinner and made sure we chatted to each couple/person individually.

 

[Christine]

The last two weddings I've been to did not have one. I'm was glad. I find those things incredibly awkward. I had one at my wedding because it was the thing to do.

For the last two weddings, the wedding party was announced as they came into the reception and then the bride and groom made it a point to go around the room and speak with every guest.

 

[Jennasis]

We didn't have one. I think it's a silly tradition.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

I have never been to a wedding with one. My Aunt was planning on having one at my cousin's wedding but her ex husband stood up immediately after the ceremony and invited everyone to partake of the food at the reception instead.

 

[Coconut36]

I was married 18 years ago and didn't have one. I can think of one wedding I have attended as an adult that had one. The most recent ones I attended didn't.

 

[shoney]

We had one 20 years ago. I don't think I've ever been to a wedding that didn't have one!

I agree they can be weird...like my husband calling my mother's bosses husband "Ira" when his name is "Irwin"!!! LOL

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I can't say I've ever been to a wedding w/o a receiving line. Bride & groom not going table to table at the reception I've seen many times. I know it breaks from tradition, but the reception really is a very busy time & I'm not offended if they don't come seek me out.