Simple Receiving Line Etiquette

Aside from weddings, there are very few occasions when you are likely to encounter a receiving line in modern life. As a result, most people know very little about them, including the purpose of having one. To bring you up to speed, this is everything you need to know about receiving line etiquette.

Why have a receiving line? The purpose of a receiving line is to allow the newlyweds, their parents, and the bridal party to greet each wedding guest and to thank them for coming. It also serves the reverse purpose of making it easy for the guests to be able to extend their best wishes and congratulations to the bride and groom and their gratitude to their hosts. Many people think these reception lines are too stiff or formal, but in fact, they are quite efficient. Rather than spend your entire wedding reception trying to track down each and every guest (while they are all trying to find you), you can get through the whole thing in one go.

Who should be in the receiving line? The newlyweds, their parents, possibly stepparents, and the bridesmaids. The groomsmen are optional, although if they were close relatives (like the groom's brother) who would know most of the guests, they could be in the line. No one wants the line to be too long and slow, so leave out the extended family to keep things moving along at a good clip.

When and where does the receiving line take place? It happens right after the wedding ceremony, either outside of the ceremony venue or at the reception site as guests enter. If your wedding ceremony will take place at a church, the receiving line does not properly take place in the church, as it is God's house, not yours. The steps of the church are fine, or have the receiving line at the reception (just don't stop off for a long photo session on the way there, or the timing will be thrown off).

What do guests say in the receiving line? As a guest makes his or her way down the line, he should say a few brief words to each person. This is not the time for an extended chat or a time to catch up with relatives you have not seen in a long time. There is a fairly standard format. Tell the bridesmaids they look beautiful, the mothers of the bride and groom how beautiful the ceremony was, offer a hearty congratulations to the groom, and tell the bride how gorgeous she looks and how happy you are for her. By the way, proper etiquette dictates that one offers congratulations to a groom, and best wishes to a bride. Don't worry too much about what to say to the fathers of the bride and groom; unless you are one of the first few people in line, they will have slipped off for a cocktail by the time you make your way down.

What do the bride and groom say in the receiving line? The usual social pleasantries will suffice. You thank your guests for coming and tell them how much it means to you to have them there. Admire the pretty outfits and the wedding jewelry on the female guests, and tell the your college buddies how well they clean up. It does not matter if your comments are original; if you tell every female guest in line how much you like her wedding jewelry, it will still be the only time each one hears it from you.

So you see, there is not really so much to the wedding receiving line. It is unfamiliar, but not so intimidating once you know all about it. After all, it is really just an orderly way to say hi to your family and friends, and there is nothing scary about that.