Things You'll Need:
- Know-how
- Planning
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Step 1
The line is always established at the beginning of an event and a wise planner knows that it should not begin right at the door, as the backup of guests into the hall can create a cold, uninviting or crowded scene. Better still to situate the line past the first bar.
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Step 2
Assign someone to supply a drink and small sampler plate to each member of the party who is in line if this is an extremely large function that will take much time. Although hosts should not greet guests with a drink in their hands, a long table stationed behind them will allow the hosts to sneak a sip or a bite on the sly.
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Step 3
The best formation for receiving:
The senior host, hostess or visiting dignitary is the first in the receiving line. Being at the lead, this is the person who will present the guest of honor who is second in line. The honored guest stands to the right of the host or hostess. The third person then is the host. Fourth in this hierarchy is the spouse of the guest of honor. The object of this order is to give the hosts the opportunity to introduce all other guests to the guest of honor and his or her spouse. The remaining members in the line are positioned according to age, rank and seniority and each remaining receiving line member has his or her spouse on his or her right side. Traditionally this has meant that the wife is to the right of her husband. -
Step 4
Sometimes it is nice to designate the special privilege of hosting and guest of honor delegates by coordinating one element of dress. For example, all men in the receiving party can wear the same tie, while the receiving line women may have similar flowers for their hair or wrist.
Comments
jordanandsara said
on 8/22/2008 Didn't know this good stuff!