Receiving Line: Wedding party meets and greets the guests one by one. 

The receiving line can take place immediately after ceremony (as guests are ushered out), or at the beginning of the reception.  A small wedding does not need a receiving line.  If you choose to have a receiving line, there are several ways to do it.  The following are two examples.

Order of Receiving Line:

1. Bride’s Parents
2. Groom’s Parents
3. Bride
4. Groom
5. Maid of Honor
6. Best Man
7. Bridesmaid
8. Groomsman
9. Bridesmaid
10. Groomsman

If you desire a more efficient receiving line, you can have one without the men.  Most couples prefer it this way. 

Order of Receiving Line #2: 

1. Mother of bride
2. Mother of groom
3. Bride
4. Groom
5. Maid of honor
6. Bridesmaids
   

Ceremony Etiquette Tips

*Bride’s family sits on the left, Groom’s sits on right.  (Jewish ceremony is reversed)
*Bride walks on left side of her father
*If you choose to wear a veil, and it is going to cover your face, your father will lift it up and give you a kiss before he sits down. 
*Hand your bouquet to your maid of honor after your father kisses you.
*If you have a father and a stepfather that you are close to, have your father walk you down.  If both men are okay with it, have them both walk you down.  Traditional etiquette does not allow this, but it is your special day, so do whatever you feel is appropriate.
*Parents are in the first row for seating at the ceremony.  If parents are divorced, the mothers will sit in the first row.  If a divorced mother is remarried, she will sit in the first row with her new husband.  The divorced father will sit in the second or third row unless he gets along with the mother.  If that is the case, all parties will sit together in first row.