Over the years I've worked as photographer I have noticed and seen many things at the wedding reception. Usually, however most wedding receptions follow a pretty predictable pattern.

The bride and groom arrive from the park, check out the hall, cake, and finally the bathroom. Then, not really sure what to do next, start the receiving line for the 10 guests that showed up at 4:30 even though the invitatation said Cocktails 5:00 Dinner 6:30.

So usually the mothers or a guest tell the bride and groom they have guest waiting - implying that it is rude to keep them waiting, even though the bride and groom are taking family photographs that will be cherished for the next 25 years, and the fact that they are 30 minutes early. So, not wanting to offend most couples line up. 5 minutes later after the 5 couples have gone through the line the parents, the bridal party,the bride and groom now get to spend the 2 hours and fifteen minutes waiting for guests to make their way in. They usually stand for about an hour until someone thinks that getting a chair is a good idea. After that there is the fun of sitting for 1 minute then quickly standing for greet 2-3 guests then sitting. (Most couples are more tired after the receiving line than the church!)

Receiving Lines are a waste of time because:

• Based on the time from when the photographer usually starts at until brides and grooms leave averages out to around 12 hours. Do you want to spend one-sixth of your day in a receiving line
  
• Receiving lines by design allow 30 seconds with each guest. Because the obvious purpose is to collect money, the bride and groom must stand and wait or risk looking bad.
• I cannot tell you how many times I have seen the Bridal Party so drunk that they miss the 1st part of dinner (my last wedding one of the ushers dropped a tray with glasses all over the floor and stood there laughing - had about 12 shots - before dinner)
• since most people insist on including the bridal party and the parents now - 5-25 people are now inconvenienced
• Once guest enter the hall what do they do? Sit and wait.

The more I think about it the more I start to think that receiving lines are a waste of time and a party retardant.

Imagine that you are the boss of YOUR wedding day. You chose anything you want. Would it be cool if

My idea:

Invite the guest as usual but, tell the hall you are going to have a traditional cocktail party. Meaning, you want lots of waiters and waitresses. Hire musicains, nothing is more classy than a violin and a flute (cost you around 100 bucks for 2 hours) How about reading a book on how to give the perfect cocktail party.So set the tone with music, deco, and direction. DO NOT LET THE GUEST INTO THE HALL UNTIL YOU ARRIVE. This way they are forced to talk to each other. Have the parents and bridal party walk around introducing people to each other. Make a point of it. Have someone at the front door explain and great the guests - let the maid of honor and best man earn their keep.

The bride and groom should arrive with 45 minutes left and mingle. Actually, visit and talk to each guest at the Bride and Groom's own leisure.

When you are ready to let the guest enter put the best man and maid of honor with the money box at the entrance to the hall on one side and the table cards on the other. This way when you are ready to let the guests enter it can be done quickly and each guest as they enter the hall we begin the night, ready to party.

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