Many wedding couples dread the tedious receiving line and frequently ask if it is necessary to have one.
The purpose of a receiving line is to greet your guests and make appropriate introductions 
of new family members. If your wedding is small and few introductions are necessary, than the receiving line may be skipped. However, if there is no receiving line, the bride and groom must greet every guest individually. This can be accomplished by standing at the entrance of the reception area or visiting each table at the reception.
If you have a large number of guests at your wedding, it is close to impossible to catch up with every guest individually. It is best to have a receiving line to assure you don’t miss anyone.