Receiving Line Question

Hey girls

Did you have a receiving line? If so, how long did it take to greet all your guests? How many guests did you have?

We originally planned to do the receiving line so we wouldn't feel guilty if we didn't hit all the tables. But we planned our ceremony around sunset, and now we are realizing based on our invitation time that by the time the ceremony begins and ends AND we do a receiving line that it will probably be dark out for pictures. We're expecting about 175 guests.

If you can tell me your timing, that would be great.

Thanks in advance!

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Posted by nferrandi

We decided to skip the recieving line, but we'll attend our CH and we hope to get most of our 'hellos' taken care of then.

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same here...

We aren't doing a receiving line also. I just don't know how that works. Do we all just walk outside and wait for everyone to walk down the stairs and then they throw stuff at us? My FI is so mad we are not doing one. He thinks it is so rude. But I want pics outside in the daylight

bump

Anyone who had a receiving line? How many guests did you have and how long did it take to greet all your guests?

I was at 2 weddings recently and timed the receiving lines.

Wedding 1: 208 people invited, seemed that most were at ceremony and a few extras (from his firehouse). Receiving line took about 15-20 min.

Wedding 2: 138 people invited all were at church except a few, receiving line took 25-30 min.

I think the reason it took longer for the second (and smaller) was that they had the ENTIRE bridal party lined up in the receiving line so it was grandparents, grooms parents, groom, bride, brides parents and then 12 attendants. They were all OUTSIDE on a walkway. There really wasn't a general area to go as you got to the end of the line people kinda bottlenecked.

The first, with more people, and moved faster was brides parents, bride, groom, grooms parents, MOH & Best Man and that was it. They were lined up in the church vestibule and guests greeted them and then walked down the church steps. There was ore of a flow.

Hope that helps!

i was just married on the 18th....we did the receiving line with ourselves and our parents (6 parents, my stepparents were both included). we had about 200 people at the church and it took about 20 minutes, maybe 25. people know to move along. just a thought for those of you who think you'll get a lot of hello's in at the cocktail hour, i was there too...and i didn't see more than 25 to 30 people bc once i walked through the door, people came to me.......i never made it past the first station. you think you'll get to walk around more but it doesn't happen. i was happy i had seen a lot of my parents friends on the receiving line, so at least i did get to say hello to them.
good luck to all of you!!!!
it's going to be the best day of your lives!!!!
=)