Alternatives to the receiving line

Written by Angela Phelan of Seattle, WA

Your family and friends have traveled from all over the country (maybe even the world!) to see you and your fiancée begin your life together. You want talk to them all and thank them for coming, but with all of the activity and excitement of the day, it can be difficult to share a special moment with each person. Traditionally, this is where the receiving line comes in, allowing each guest to congratulate the couple and say hello. However, in present times many couples opt for a more original approach to this tradition, incorporating something new and personalized to their wedding. 

One option is to have the bride and groom dismiss each row of guests after the ceremony. Usually, the bride and groom will make their walk up the aisle after they are pronounced husband and wife, then they may either stay at the back of the church or go back up to the front to begin. They make their way up the aisle stopping at each row to talk to each guest. After the couple speaks to them, the guests may make their way out of the ceremony location. Many guests appreciate this option because they are able to sit and wait for the couple, rather than having to stand in a long line for an extended period of time. It also creates a more organized way of leaving the ceremony, rather than everyone crowding out at once. To let the guests know to wait in their seats for the couple to come to them, often the officiant will make an announcement at the end of the ceremony. 

Another option is to visit each table individually at the reception. Many couples choose to do this during dinner or immediately after dinner, to make sure the guests are at their tables, rather than mingling. This option is a great way to create a relaxed atmosphere and it gives the opportunity to have a good conversation with people, as opposed to a quick "congratulations". On the downside, greeting each table can often take a long time, since people tend to be more conversational during this type of greeting. Many times couples do not make it to all of the tables and miss speaking to some of the guests. 

As a nice addition to greeting each table, some couples choose to serve the cake to each table themselves. This usually goes slightly quicker since the bride and groom still have to serve everyone else, but still gives them a chance to speak to each person. It can also create a relaxed atmosphere and is nice for gusts since they are able to sit. Make sure that you do not get held up talking to people, however, so guests are not left without their cake for too long. 

You may also choose a more informal way to greet people, and simply mingle with the guests and greet them. During cocktail hour is a good time to this, while everyone is mingling, but you could also do it during the reception. Often, this option takes longer than expected since everyone wants to talk to the bride and groom and some guests may be left without a greeting. Sometimes it can also get a bit chaotic if all of the guests are constantly coming up to the couple to speak. This does work great for smaller weddings, though, and makes the guests feel more relaxed. 

Whatever option you choose to do, the important thing is to speak to every guest to show that you are happy they could spend the day with you. By knowing your guests and your own personality, you will be able to choose which option is best suited for your wedding.