The Reception Line

This is the chance for the parents of the bride, as hosts, and other members of the bridal party, to officially welcome and be introduced to all the guests. Although some people may not be keen on the formality of a receiving line and the time it takes for the guests to pass along it, nevertheless it is really the only way to guarantee that everyone is personally welcomed, even if only briefly. It is harder than most people would imagine to welcome all the guests individually throughout the reception, and this often results in some people unintentionally being missed out.

If the reception is to include a buffet meal, the official greeting by both sets of parents and the newlyweds usually takes place immediately on the arrival of the guests. In this case, the function co-ordinator should be asked to keep the reception room closed until after the bride and groom, their parents and senior attendants, are ready to receive the guests. This may involve arranging for someone to guide early guests into a lounge or waiting area for a time and offer them appropriate hospitality and refreshments. However, if there is to be a sit-down meal, it is quite usual for this greeting of the guests to take place later, as they pass into the dining room. This is often preferable, as it relieves the parents and the bride and groom of the need to rush to the reception rooms from the ceremony.

The receiving line is made up of the bride's parents, the groom's parents, the newlyweds and their senior attendants, starting with the bride's mother closest to the entrance.

• Bride's Mother
• Groom's Father
• Groom's Mother
• Bride's Father
• Bride
• Groom
• Chief Bridesmaid
• Best Man

This line up, starting with the bride's mother and the groom's father, means that guests from either the bride or the groom's side can be quickly recognised and introduced to the other side of the family.

In many cases, the official greeting takes place immediately on the arrival of the guests. The greetings must be brief if there is not to be a long line of impatiently waiting guests and the best man and bridesmaids should do their best to move them on by directing them towards the already poured drinks. Guests should also be encouraged to circulate about the room, to meet one another - and, of course, take the opportunity to inspect the wedding presents. The guests should arrive as promptly as possible so that the bridal party can finish with the greetings and then lead the guests towards the meal.

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