Let's Fall in Love: Better to Receive

After the fast pace of the wedding day up until this point, taking a few moments to calm and quiet after my dress was bustled was a huge relief.  The lingering bridesmaids were sent out into the cocktail hour and the parents were collected to join us in the ballroom.

 
Mr LikesIt and I had decided to skip a receiving line at the church, but we still wanted the opportunity to greet our guests.  When the venue coordinator suggested that we release the guests into the ballroom for dinner by way of a short recieving line, we jumped on the idea. 

 
It allowed us to see everyone, lots of hugs and hellos.  It helped stem the flow of traffic so people could find their tables without 175 people trying to do so all at once.  It moved along quickly and flowed naturally - guests still in the cocktail space didn't line up, just waited their turn and mingled.

For some couples, I think the receiving line right after the ceremony would be a huge blur.  You're on such a high right after the vows that I can't imagine seeing all of the guests right then would really sink in.  I think the best part about waiting for an hour is the fact that I remember every single person I talked to as they came in.  I got the chance to hug and laugh and warmly greet every guest, and I remember it.

 I hadn't particularly been looking forward to the recieving line, honestly.  It was one of a million details that were considered during planning and it just didn't make the list of moments and memories I thought I would have looking back.  But now that we're close to a year later, I can honestly say that it was an incredibly enjoyable and gratifying experience.

I mean, every person that came through was like icing on the cake.  OMG you came! And you! And you! And you!  There was spinning, hugging, laughing, squealing.  I even jumped up and down at one point.  And our guests did right along with us.  Talk about love in the room.  It was very intense and almost overwhelming.  I am so glad we greeted our guests this way instead of at the church or circling around to tables.  It was awesome.  We are so lucky to have so many great people in our lives.

This is Grant, the only child under ten we invited.  This face, when he saw the cake, was worth it.  Hide your daughters, people, he's a charmer already and he hasn't even started kindergarten.

How did you greet your guests?  Was it a positive experience?

In case you missed it ...

I bought a dress and completely changed it.  We had a marathon final week of engagement.  I giggled my way through our rehearsal.  Mr LikesIt got grilled at our rehearsal dinner.  The groomsmen ran amok in downtown Springfield. The girls got gorgeous.  We exchanged mushy wedding-day gifts.  The guys got fancy and then got dancy.  I became a Bride.  There was a first First Look. I shared my Somethings.  The boys made the most of trolley-time. And did their thing on the Capital grounds. The girls took photos at the hotel. Everyone arrived at the church. We walked down the aisle. We declared our intentions and my cousin preached. We exchanged our vows. Our hands were blessed. Mr LikesIt put a ring on it and kissed his bride. We were pronounced Mr and Mrs! We left the church in a blizzard of confetti, and took a "just-married" trolley ride. We made it legal. We took pictures with our families, followed by wedding party portraits. We hit a low point.