First off, let me tell you that if you're looking for a destination wedding of sorts -- far enough away to feel the adventure of travel and close enough to allow guests to head home -- check out Maine. I'm planning a Portland, Maine wedding, but Maine's Mid-Coast region offers up some picturesque spots as well. Check out the Mid-Coast Wedding Expo this Sunday at Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine.

So you're looking at your guest list and, perhaps you wonder, whether you should invite the littlest members of your family. You know it's a big issue for brides when the New York Times is covering it, as they did Sunday.

The article does a great job of covering both sides of the issue: casual vs. formal weddings; crying children vs. a fun, family feel; adorable photos vs. the potential of losing your  moment in the spotlight; the possibility of offending friends, no matter which way you go.

Even better are the reader comments, arguing for or against children at weddings. There's definitely food for thought there, including one, very succinct response: "No."

Since Ed has three children, the subject really wasn't up for debate. His son is his best man, and his two daughters are my maids of honor.

But we did make some effort to reign it in along the way. We're only inviting children that are related to us -- and not even all of them. We stopped at nieces and nephews, in part because most of them are older and know how to behave, in part because including all of the children in our family would have required renting Gillette stadium for the reception.

As a compromise, the Irish pub where we're planning the reception requires all kids younger than 21 be off the premises at 9 p.m. While our reception ends at that time, a live band is playing at the pub that Saturday night, and many guests (and the bride and groom) are planning on hanging out and continuing the party. So adults-only time has been scheduled into the wedding day along with time for children.

Either way, one thing to be aware of, if you don't see your child's name -- or "and family" -- on the invitation, leave the kids at home. It's proper etiquette.