Champagne signals a glorious and joyful occasion! A receiving line is a lovely tradition, purposely created for the host and guest of honor to meet each guest attending their party. It serves as a celebratory signal to commence the festivities.
At a luncheon I hosted for Lady Carnarvon (Highclere Castle, aka Downton Abbey), champagne was served to fifty lovely guests as they queued up outside to participate in the receiving line in the front hall at Fox Hall.
Do you think receiving lines are passe'? On the contrary, I believe they continue to serve a charming purpose, relaying a stylish and gracious air to commence a party, especially for an event with fifty or more guests. A receiving line at a reception, a wedding, or a funeral, is a brilliant and cordial way of enabling the guests to shake hands and introduce themselves to the hosts and thank them, wish them well at a wedding, or offer condolences at a funeral.
A receiving line is de rigueur (required etiquette) for most regal, military, or formal official celebrations. Quite often, an "announcer" at the start of the line does not shake your hand but listens to your name, which you enunciate clearly. Then, the announcer will present you to the host, to whom you shake hands, and the host then introduces you to the guest of honor or person next to them.
A receiving line at a glorious gala I attended in New York City to benefit The Versailles Foundation, Inc.
n place of an announcer, the hostess/host of the event is the first in line to greet the guests and will introduce each guest to the guest of honor. Memory can fail, so no matter how dear a friend the host may be, kindly announce your name and continue to repeat your name to each person you shake hands with in the line.
A receiving line should consist of no more than 5-6 people. As a guest, it is a kind and necessary gesture only to say a sentence or two while going through the receiving line because others are waiting behind you. It is not the time to have a conversation, no matter how tempting it may be! Instead, simply offer your name and a "how do you do,” and express your happiness to have been invited. Then, promptly move on to the next person in line, repeat your name and keep the receiving line moving. A lady guest will precede a gentleman guest when going through the line. When meeting royalty, ladies curtsy and gentlemen bow their heads.
At the upcoming Salvation Army centennial “Paradise Ball” in Palm Beach, I am hopeful to have a receiving line. We anticipate 400+ guests, so we may opt to have two receiving lines. As the Chair, I will be in one, and an Honorary Chair will stand in the other. Each guest takes approximately 20 seconds, and the average time for 100 guests to go through a receiving line is 30-45 minutes. Therefore, ending the receiving line after 45 minutes is perfectly acceptable! And, if the queue for a receiving line is too long at an extensive function, it is apropos, as a guest, to mingle with other guests and then return to the receiving line if time allows.
It is a thoughtful gesture to have an appointed person stationed at the conclusion of the receiving line to direct guests to where they should go for their well-earned libations!
Forbidden Faux Pas
No-no: For a guest to have a drink or any food in hand when going through a receiving line while shaking hands.
What is done: A guest may place their drink on a table, usually provided near the beginning of the receiving line, before the guest shakes hands. The guest may collect their drink after the receiving line or order another.
True Story: At my daughter’s debut coming-out party in NYC, a guest in the receiving line in front of me spilled his scotch down the front of my ball gown. No worries... I had a backup gown (always a good idea!), but fortunately, it was straight scotch; it evaporated before I reached my room to change!
No-no: For the host and guest of honor to offer a limp handshake or an unenthusiastic, no-eye contact greeting to the guests in the receiving line.
What is done: No matter how long the line is, as the host or guest of honor, try your best to give the same genuine enthusiasm, smile, and firm handshake to each guest you meet, making the last guest in line feel as celebrated as the first!
No-no: To wear sunglasses while shaking hands.
What is done: Remove your sunglasses! When creating the placement of the receiving line, it is beneficial to consider the sun so that it is not directly in anyone's eyes.
No-no: To have a cell phone in your hand, and also to not have the cell phone silenced.
Perhaps, now you may be inspired to have a receiving line at your daughter’s wedding or another function that you are hosting! I would love to hear about it.
Xx
Holly