Because friends and relatives will travel from far and wide to wish you well on your wedding day, it's important to greet each guest individually. The manner in which you do so will be determined by the number of guests, the level of formality, and your personal preference.

The Receiving Line
The traditional way to welcome guests is with a receiving line, formed either at the wedding site just after the ceremony or at the reception location as people arrive. A receiving line is most practical if you have a large number of guests.

Whom to Include
The shortest receiving line comprises, in this order, the bride's mother -- who is historically the hostess, and therefore stands at the head -- the groom's mother, the bride, and the groom. Fathers often join the line, although it is perfectly acceptable for them to circulate among the crowd instead. If one dad joins in, however, the other should too; each would follow his wife in the line.

The bride's honor attendant, sometimes followed by the bridesmaids, can also line up, standing after the groom. Some couples choose to include the best man -- he would stand after the bride's honor attendant -- but traditionally this is the time he discharges some of his responsibilities, thanking and paying the officiant on behalf of the groom. When that is done, he joins the groomsmen to mingle with the crowd.

Special Situations
There's no rule that says you can't create your own mix -- you'll just want to exercise a little flexibility and tact about whom will be included and in what order they will stand. Divorced parents, for example, may present a situation that calls for sensitivity, not only to family members but also to those moving down the line. Even if all spouses are on good terms, the guests may be confused as to who's who. In this case, some clever placement will make everyone more comfortable -- try having divorced parents stand on either side of the newlyweds. If there are four sets of parents, try alternating the bride's and groom's families. Some couples avoid this scenario altogether by sending all but the mothers of the bride and groom out into the crowd to circulate.

If one or more parents are deceased and there are no stepparents, another close relative can stand in -- a grandmother or an aunt, an uncle or a brother. If someone other than the parents is hosting, such as the couple's best friends or the couple themselves, they may choose to be at the head of the line instead. No matter what, the best strategy is to discuss the plan ahead of time with all the parties to prevent any confusion or hurt feelings on your wedding day.

Receiving Line Procession
Guests usually start with the bride's mother (or hostess), who greets them with a handshake or kiss and a few words. In turn, the bride and groom thank the guests for coming and make any necessary -- and brief -- introductions to the others in the line. Brief is the operative word, because a receiving line can be slow going, particularly if it consists of more than six members and the crowd is large. Wedding experts say to expect about 30 to 40 minutes per 200 guests.

You can keep the festive mood from stagnating -- and keep everyone in good spirits -- by asking the caterer to have waiters circulate with refreshments for guests while they're waiting their turn. You might want to ask that a table be placed near the start of the line so people can put their glasses down, freeing their hands.