Considering a Reception Line at your Wedding?
Reception Lines
Historically a wedding reception was held at the Bride’s parents’ home post Ceremony, with the couple ‘receiving society’ for the first time as a pair.
Depending upon a family’s status, this took the form of a tea, a dinner or perhaps a ball.
Typically each guest was received via the reception line.
Over the last 100 years or so whatever form the post Ceremony event takes, it has become known as the Reception.
More recently, the classic Reception Line is made up of the couple, both sets of parents, the Best Man and the Chief Bridesmaid or Maid of Honour.
It’s a delightful way of welcoming guests into your Reception and certainly ensures you greet every single person.
However, in my experience it takes an average of 30-40 seconds per head to get each guest from one end of the line to the other and for some couples, or for larger weddings, this feels like a lot.
Also don’t forget that you need to remember a lot of names, especially if many your parents’ friends, whom you may not have seen for a while, will be there. The last thing you want is to see a couple walking towards you and not to be able to introduce them to your new husband or wife!
Easy fixes:
o line up outside, so guests are keen to get inside & warm, if chilly – the opposite if it’s sunny;
o line up on guests’ arrival at the Reception, with drinks at the far end – I’ve done this a few times and it certainly speeds things up;
If, however, you’re not keen, but want to ensure you speak to every guest, consider the following:
o have a shorter reception line, possibly just the two of you;
o with smaller weddings, it can be possible to ‘greet’ and thank each family, or group of guests, as part of one of the speeches;
o get up between courses as a couple and circulate, making certain you visit each table, or group of guests.
Are you planning a Reception Line? How will you be greeting guests?
Image Credits in order: Studio M, Dasa Wharton.