We are trying to figure out how long a recieving line for about 150-200 people would take at the church. We want it to move quick since we are short on time. I originally thought about 15 minutes, but maybe that is unrealistic? Any ideas? Thanks
shamma
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Re: Realistic time for a recieving line?
If you are expecting all your guest to attend the ceremony then it could take a good hour for that many people if not more. How many people will be on the receiving line with you and your hubby??? You can choose to wait until your Cocktail hour to do your receiving line, people will understand
Sassy
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Re: Realistic time for a recieving line?
15 minutes is unrealistic for that many people. This is the reason I'm not doing one at all. I think it will take minimum half an hour, probably longer. If you have the time, then it's fine. But I only have about 1 1/2 hours in between and I want enough time for pics. So I will go table to table at the reception.
februarybride
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Re: Realistic time for a recieving line?
We didn't have much time between ceremony and cocktail hour (maybe 2 hrs and it took an hr to get to the hall)....we did have a receiving line - it really didn't take that long because it's really a quick hello and a kiss and then people move on.... I would say it took about 20 mins and we had a lot of people at our church. We went table to table as well during the reception because not everyone went to the church. That took longer because people like to chat.
Curley999
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Re: Realistic time for a recieving line?
Thanks for the input. I am so confused over this, becuase we will have at least 150 people at the church and only about 1 1/2 hours before the reception which is only 10 minutes away but I dont want to cut into too much picture time!...........I think I will just use a judgement call that day depending on how long the ceremony takes!!
Thanks!
shamma
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Re: Realistic time for a recieving line?
Take these things in to consideration
1) How many people on the line 2) How quickly it will get dark 3) where are you taking your pix...indoor/outdoor 4) Will you be attending your cocktail hour, we did our receiving here and at the reception. 5) How far is the church from the hall
Happy planning
Sonicstef
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Re: Realistic time for a recieving line?
We had about 100 guests and did a very quick receiving line in about 20 minutes (give or take) by a)only having my husband and I in the line - no parents or bridal party and b)a quick hug and kiss for everyone and send them on their way)
Teri
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Re: Realistic time for a recieving line?
We had about 100 guests at the church, and had the whole BP and us in the line - we moved it along pretty fast, and it took about 20 mins. What also slows you down is the other aspects after the ceremony - everyone figuring out who's driving where, what we're doing with the pew ribbons, pictures, bathroom visits, etc. We were thankful that the ceremony didn't take as long as we thought, so we had extra time to chit chat and all.
Meg9-20-02
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Re: Realistic time for a recieving line?
I had about 100 people at my church. The ceremony went from 4:30pm to about 5:15pm (not a mass). We had an informal receiving line (just formed outside the church) which only included myself, my husband, my mom and my dad (no stepparents, no in-laws - don't ask, no bridal party). It went pretty fast - We were done within 20min. My reception hall was only 2min away. Cocktail hour started at 6pm and we were done with pictures by 6:45pm - not rushed at all. We both have big families, too. I would suggest limiting the receiving line to a select few people and you could realisticly be done within 20-30min. If it only takes that, you should be fine.
dkga1026
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Re: Realistic time for a recieving line?
i think we had about 80 people at our church and it must have taken a good 40 minutes....i think for that many people it will take much longer than 15m
