Reception Seating Etiquette?

I am going to place my parents and his parents at different tables. They do not really know each other and I know that both families would feel more comfortable with their own families. They will be next to each other however, being table 1 and 2.

My seating is just going to be open for the reseption. It's semi casual but formal at the same time. The causual includes the seating and food (buffet).

I had my parents and their close families at one table and then my husband's parents and their close family at another table. I think it was better for them because yes they did know my in-laws, but they had family come in from out of state so they wanted time to get to talk to them at the reception.

What I did for placing them was made a seating chart and had place cards where I wanted everyone to sit. I know that sounds controlling to some people but I just wanted to make sure that certain family members were facing the head table.

I was thinking about putting our parents together, since it will be a small wedding, about 50 people, and from what I hear, most round tables seat 8 people. I guess this would really depend on how big each of your families are.

They could sit together or have their own table.

There was a rule about sitting parents together but now days I found separate tables for the parents of the bride & groom; and this is because they want their family members or close friends to be in the same table.

If both of your families are small you should sit them together, but if you both have big families try to have them in separate tables but close distance to each other. This way both families will be enjoyed each other company, celebrating your big day as family!

Thanks!