From extravagant champagne towers to live illustrators and post-wedding pool parties, modern weddings are truly lavish affairs. With so many options to personalize their big day, couples are embracing everything from traditional ceremonies to TikTok-inspired trends. But amidst all the glitz and glamour, there’s one trend that wedding experts are urging couples to avoid: the receiving line.
Georgie Davis, a renowned Essex-based wedding planner and founder of Georgina Rose Events, believes the receiving line has officially had its day. For those unfamiliar, a receiving line involves the newlyweds and their parents standing in a row while guests file past to offer congratulations and well wishes. While this custom used to be quite common, its formality is making it increasingly unpopular.
According to Davis, receiving lines are simply boring and inefficient: “They take up half an hour, and the conversation is repetitive throughout. It’s just a series of ‘You look nice,’ ‘Thank you,’ ‘You make a beautiful bride,’ ‘Thank you,’ and so on. Nobody enjoys it, not even the couple. There are so many other, more engaging ways to greet everyone at the wedding without the awkwardness of a line.”
Instead of a receiving line, Davis suggests creative alternatives like a room sweep during dessert, where the couple can visit each table to greet guests personally. Another option is to create ample opportunities for mingling during cocktail hour, utilizing a photo booth or simply encouraging guests to mingle and enjoy the festivities.
Davis also emphasizes the importance of avoiding speeches between meal courses. “It’s a nightmare for everyone,” she says. “Guests are finally getting to eat, chat, or use the restroom, and then someone else stands up to speak. It disrupts the flow and is frankly stressful for everyone, especially the wedding suppliers, who are constantly adjusting microphones, cameras, and coordinating the flow of the event. Nobody enjoys speeches between courses.”
For a more relaxed and enjoyable wedding experience, Davis recommends embracing alternative ways to connect with guests and prioritize a smooth and seamless dining experience. By ditching outdated traditions like the receiving line and speeches between courses, couples can ensure their wedding is remembered for all the right reasons.
