Need Advice - RECEIVING LINE

We have limited time between our ceremony and reception for pics (ceremony is 11:00 and cocktail hour is 1:00). Our photographer suggests that we skip the receiving line, but I'm not sure how comfortable I feel doing this. I've heard you can do it going in to the reception, but I have never seen that done, so don't understand how that works. Do they do it before/after they announce you?

Have any of you run into this problem, and if so, how did you handle it. I've always imagined we'd have the receiving line, but if given the choice, I'd rather enjoy some of the cocktail hour in our bridal suite!

Re: Need Advice - RECEIVING LINE

Im in the same boat but we are probably going to do a receiving line anyway.

I would like to avoid the line too but I think people expect it and will form a line weather you like it or not. So if you really don't want to do it, its probably best to leave the church right away and put a note in your program that you will be greeting guests at the reception.

You don't necessary have to do a receiving line at the reception, just mingle with guests at the cocktail hour and make sure you hit everyone. That way you can enjoy your reception.

To be honest, I think its a little rude to skip the receiving line AND not greet guests at the cocktail hour.

Re: Need Advice - RECEIVING LINE

Don't skip it...it is a big part of your day and I feel it is rude.

Re: Need Advice - RECEIVING LINE

I've seen the receiving line done going into the reception, and then the announcements followed.
We're in the same situation. Our ceremony is at 11:00 and cocktail is at 1:30. We are not going to do a receiving line at all. We're going to concentrate on saying hello to everyone during the cocktail party and the beginning of the reception. We're only having around 100 people, so I think this will work. If you're having a bigger reception I would consider doing the receiving line at some point.
Happy planning-
Jen

Re: Need Advice - RECEIVING LINE

I got married at my hall and skipped the receiveing line, b/c of time...otherwise I prob would have done it...

I greeted EACH guest at least once at the cocktail hour...as did DH...

then during the reception, we went around to each table at EVERY course

I think it worked out very well...

Re: Need Advice - RECEIVING LINE

I know someone who put it in their programs...I have the wording at home but it read something like (but a little nicer) ... There will be no recieving line after the service. We looking forward to greeting everyone at the cocktail hour.

Re: Need Advice - RECEIVING LINE

Same boat also! MY ceremony in at 4pm and Cocktail hour starts at 6pm. I will most likely do the receiving line, I agree I think it is a bit rude not to greet the people that watched the ceremony.

Re: Need Advice - RECEIVING LINE

does anyone know the average time it takes to greet everyone in a receiving line for about 80-90 guests?

I would imagine it would be at least 20-30 mins, and if that's the case we won't have enough time!

Re: Need Advice - RECEIVING LINE

Teri: It depends on how many people are in the line (just you two, you two + your parents, you two + parents + bridal party, etc..) The longer your line, the longer it will take to move.

If you just do you two, and devote 15-30 seconds to each guest (and greet couples together), you could probably get everydone done in 20-30 minutes.

Another good idea is to do the receiving line OUTSIDE of the church and and off to the side. That way, some people won't even get in line. If you do it at the door, everyone will stand there.

Re: Need Advice - RECEIVING LINE

We are skipping our RL we are going to greet our guest at our cocktail hour which we will be attending. Hope you can find a solution that works best for your situation

Happy planning

Re: Need Advice - RECEIVING LINE

We are doing a shortened rec' line. The moms and us ONLY. Etiquette states that father do not need to be a part of the rec' line. They can be, but it is not required. To me, the less people on the line the faster it will go. I only have a few minutes of daylight after my ceremony so we need to hurry it up to take photos.

Re: Need Advice - RECEIVING LINE

I am also tight on time so i am not doing a recieving line at the church and plan on getting to greet everyone at cocktail hour.

Re: Need Advice - RECEIVING LINE

We are going to greet everyone at the reception. We will walk around to each table.
They do it after they announce you, maybe before or after dinner?
The last wedding we went to the receiving line was so long and we hated standing on that line. I think its like your waiting for your gift. I feel walking around and being social is much more personal, but thats just my opinon, its however you feel best doing it. We are going to stay 'hidden' in our bridal suite during our cocktail hour, eat (everything that will be in our cocktail hour will also be set up in my bridal suite, I have a HUGE bridal suite!), drink and spend some time with my bridal party.
I am 'old fashioned' I guess you can say. I want to be seen when we are announced into our reception, for those of us who didn't get to see us in church will see us for the first time then.

Re: Need Advice - RECEIVING LINE

I am not having a receiving line. Because for one FH and I don't like them and our families aren't in to them really. Its really not part of our family traditions. All my parents friends and FH's parents friends won't miss it. Our friends understand anyway. We are more partyers as all the guests are. So we intend (after much discussion on my part!) to appear at the cocktail hour and continue on in the first couple of courses. Plus we plan on dancing and enjoying ourselves with the guests. This is what we do at our normal parties and gatherings and it would not be US to be so serious and doing what etiquette says.
Choose what you feel is in your best interest. Whatever makes you comfortable should be the way to go. Many of the etiquette ways I completely disagree with. I plan on having our wedding catered to the way FH and I are. And if we did have a receiving line, I would include our dads. My dad is such an important part of my life just as my mom is. How dare me not have him be a part of the receiving line. It would hurt me more seeing him standing to the side and not included. But this is my opinion. I tend to bend the rules on everything so that I am happy.
You are not going to be demanded by the wedding police if you don't follow proper etiquette! Good Luck on your decision.

Re: Need Advice - RECEIVING LINE

Shamma, we are doing the same thing as you. We will greet all of our guests at the cocktail hour and skip the RL.