Should I Invite Children?

• No firm etiquette rules exist for or against having children at a wedding reception. However, as Planning a Wedding suggests, be careful how you word the instructions regarding children on your wedding invitation. Instead of the more offensive, "No Children Allowed," opt for a more subtle phrase, such as "Adult Reception to Follow." Understanding, sensitive adults will take the hint and drive their children home prior to the reception.
  
  

Should I Have a Receiving Line?

• Whether or not you choose to have a receiving line right after the wedding is irrelevant, as far as wedding etiquette is concerned. However, should you choose not to have one, Planning a Wedding Reception says you must mix and mingle among your guests at your reception, or you will appear rude and ungrateful.
  
  

Should I Have Assigned Seats?

• This is a matter of personal preference. However, guidelines do exist as to the appropriate seating for parents and other relatives. Place the parents, if they are still married to one another, at the same table -- both the bride's and groom's. Avoid putting people together whom you know to be feuding. Also, according to Create a Christian Wedding, you should never place former partners together. Also, never place an ex-husband with the ex-wife's new husband, or vice-versa, next to one another. One partner may still not be over the other, and to assign seating in that manner may be torture to the person still grieving over the divorce.
  
  

What is the Order of Arrival?

• According to Create a Christian Wedding, the appropriate protocol for this part of the reception is to have the master -- or mistress -- of ceremonies announce the arrival of the reception guests in this order: The parents of the bride and of the groom; the bridesmaids and ushers; the best man and the maid or matron of honor; and the flower girl and the ring boy. This processional should culminate with the arrival of the bride and the groom.
  
  

Should We Open Presents in Front of Guests?

• It is a token of appreciation and respect for all of those who came and gave gifts to open them in front of them. Create a Christian Wedding advises that guests love to see the bride and bridegroom open their gifts. In addition to this act being an expression of appreciation, it is an excellent opportunity for guests to take pictures of the two of you opening your gifts, if they so choose.
  
  

Should Guests Have to Pay to Eat or Drink?

• According to A Wedding Reception, if you choose to have refreshments at your reception, you or someone on your behalf should foot the bill for the food and drinks. If you can't afford the drinks, don't even have alcohol as an option. Furthermore, if you can't afford food, then an informal cake and ice cream reception at a friend or relative's house is a viable option.