Maid of Honor site: Advice, speech suggestions for the Maid of Honor

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Resources Resources for the Maid of Honor Information List of Maid of Honor Responsibilities Maid of Honor FAQ Male Maid of Honor Why I loved being a Maid of Honor Wedding Day Checklist Understanding Bride Stress Get an Attractive Bridesmaid Dress Tips for ordering Bridesmaid Dresses Cheaper Maid of Honor Dress Alterations Maid of Honor and Bridesmaid Conflict Pregnant Maid of Honor Wedding Who's Who for the Maid of Honor Maid of Honor's Guide to Wedding Shoes Maid of Honor's Advice for the Bride What the Maid of Honor Should Wear How to Be a Better Maid of Honor What the Maid of Honor Should Give the Bride Meeting Someone at a Wedding Maid of Honor's Budget Maid of Honor Dress Alteration Checklist Transporting your Maid of Honor Dress What to do at the end of the Reception What if you don't like the Groom? Long Distance Maid of Honor Maid vs. Matron vs. Man of Honor What to do with your old Bridesmaid Dress Looking better in the Wedding Pictures Maid of Honor in the Receiving Line Saying No to being Maid of Honor Is the Bride asking too much of you? Maid of Honor Timeline Top Wedding Chick Flicks Wedding Dress Info for the Maid of Honor Wedding Night Surprise for the Bride Speeches and Toasts Maid of Honor Speech FAQ How to write a Maid of Honor speech Other ways to give a Maid of Honor speech Why to give a Maid of Honor speech How to buy a Maid of Honor Speech Maid of Honor Toast: How to Write Practice Maid of Honor Speech Topics to Avoid in the Maid of Honor Speech Last Minute Maid of Honor Speech Tips Event Planning Planning a Bridal Shower Bridal Shower Structure: Main Events Bridal Shower Themes Bridal Shower Favors Jack and Jill Bridal Shower Bridal Shower: Things to Remember Two Fun Bridal Shower Activities Making a Bridal Shower Scrapbook Bridal Shower Food Suggestions Bridal Shower Invitations Bridal Shower Weekend Ideas Bridal Shower Activity: Bride Quiz! Bridal Shower Events Bridal Shower Gift Themes Bridal Shower Superstitions Who to Invite to the Pre-Wedding Events Cocktails for the Shower or Bachelorette Planning a Bachelorette Party How to Fund a Bachelorette Party Local vs. overnight Bachelorette Party Bachelorette Party Ideas Co-ed Bachelorette Party Accessories for the Bachelorette Party Cure Bachelorette Party Hangovers Renting a Limo for the Bachelorette Party Maid of Honor's Role at the Bachelorette Bachelorette Party Scavenger Hunts Las Vegas Bachelorette Parties

Receiving Line

What's a Maid of Honor Supposed to do in a Receiving Line?

What is the point of the receiving line, and what is the Maid of Honor supposed to do with a bunch of people she doesn't know?

The wedding receiving line takes place just after the conclusion of the ceremony. The newly married couple processes back down the aisle followed by the Maid of Honor and Best Man, Bridesmaids, Ushers and Groomsmen, parents, and usually the wedding officiant. Once this large group exits the ceremony area (which could be outside the church or merely one hundred feet away from the outdoor alter), they form a receiving line.

The purpose of the receiving line is for the Bride and Groom to guarantee they have the opportunity to greet every single guest and thank them for their attendance (and, without actually mentioning them, the anticipated gifts). Whether or not the Maid of Honor and rest of the bridal party are involved is up to the Bride and Groom. At my wedding, only myself and the Groom "received" the wedding guests. At many of the weddings I have attended, the entire bridal party, both sets of parents, all the ushers, the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker are all part of the receiving line.

If you're the Maid of Honor and find yourself invited to be part of the wedding receiving line, here's an idea of what to do with the Bride and Groom's long lost relatives and friends. You can't go wrong with thanking any and everyone for their attendance at the wedding. Although you're not the one who invited them or even knows who they are, thanking them rarely goes wrong.

The Maid of Honor will often be kissed on the cheek or hugged as a representative of the Bride. Expect this, accept it, but don't let anyone get so carried away that you're totally uncomfortable!

Hopefully the Bride will put the Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids together. This way you can greet guests in pairs, thus making the whole interaction a bit less awkward. And, at the end of the wedding day, it's really the Bride and Groom the guests want to talk to. As long as the Maid of Honor is polite and smiles, the receiving line will be a breeze.



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