Did you know that it is actually okay for you NOT to have a wedding receiving line?  Proper etiquette actually says that you can either have one or not have one - it's up to you.  There are some good reasons to have a wedding receiving line (you greet all of your guests, you don't feel as pressured to mingle later, etc.), but there are also some good reasons not to have a wedding receiving line (it takes up  a lot time, your parents may be elderly and find it difficult to stand that long, etc.).  Either way, it's up to you and what you prefer for your wedding.

If you do choose to have a wedding receiving line, here are some wedding receiving line etiquette tips:

• You can have your wedding receiving line at the church or at the reception hall; whatever works best for you.
• Mothers of the bride and groom are expected to be in the wedding receiving line, but fathers are not required to do so. If, however, the bride's father chooses to stand in the receiving line, then the groom's father should follow suit.
• The line-up for the receiving line should go in the following order: bride's mother, bride's father, groom's mother, groom's father, bride, groom, bridesmaids and groomsmen.
• Bridesmaids and groomsmen are not required to stand in the receiving line, especially if you have a large bridal party and/or a large wedding.  It is up to the bride if she would like the bridesmaids and groomsmen to stand in the receiving line.
• If the best man and/or maid/matron of honor are brothers and sisters of the couple, then you might want to have them stand in the receiving line, but not any of the other bridesmaids or groomsmen.
• When having a receiving line at the reception, be sure to place the line in a location that comes before your guests are offered drinks or hors d'oeuvres.  You don't want your guests to have to juggle their drink and plate while shaking hands.
• A receiving line at the church may help to usher guests out more quickly and allow you to then take photos in the church following the receiving line more quickly.

Whether you choose to have a receiving line or not, be sure to greet as many of your guests as possible, but don't exhaust yourself in the attempt to do so!

Best Wishes,
Kelly Kons
http://www.bwedd.com/truecompanions/

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