receiving lines
Formal welcome arrangements
A receiving line is a row of hosts standing to greet guests as they arrive at a formal event such as a wedding, funeral, or state dinner.
Guests file past, shaking hands and exchanging brief words with each person in the line.
The phrase usually appears in the singular: We stood in the receiving line for an hour.
- meet and greetInformal introductory gathering
- mannersCustoms of polite conduct
- guestsPeople received hospitably
- hostsThose who entertain guests
- welcomeHospitable greeting offered
courtesies · wedding · pleasantries · social graces · handshakes · events · greeting · protocol · good form · inaugurations · etiquette · formalities · nuptials · coming out party · hospitality · dignitaries · introductions · banquets
- ceremonieswedding ceremony, wedding, weddings, graduation, graduations
- diplomatic eventsstate dinners, state banquets, state ceremonies, state visits, diplomatic protocol
- etiquettemanners, politeness, etiquette, table manners, courtesy