To have or not to have? This is often the question when it comes to a wedding-day receiving line. Our view is that it's always good practice -- and good etiquette.

Think of a receiving line as an insurance policy that guarantees the bride, groom and wedding hosts will have an opportunity to personally welcome the guests and thank them for sharing in the special day. Some couples choose to hold a receiving line immediately following the ceremony (after the recessional, those involved line up before guests have a chance to exit the chapel or room); others hold off until the start of the wedding reception (the line can be positioned near the entrance of the banquet room). Either way, here's what you need to know if you're planning to have a receiving line.

Who Participates?
A receiving line can be as big or as small as you like. At the bare minimum, the wedding hosts and the bride and groom should take part -- even if the bride and groom are the hosts. And, if only one set of parents is hosting, both sets may still choose to stand in line. The maid of honor and bridesmaids may also participate -- although the larger the receiving line, the more cumbersome it becomes for guests. Typically, groomsmen don't take part, however it's fine to include them if that's important to you. Sometimes, instead of standing in a receiving line, fathers of the bride or groom will mingle amongst the guests while the mothers do the official honors. Groomsmen may do the same. There's no need for children in the wedding party to participate in the receiving line, though one exception might be children of the bride or groom.