Are receptions mandatory?

Not really. You can have your reception whenever, and where ever you like.

I do not think receptions are mandatory...i think it is used as a 'thank you' to your guest for purchasing wedding gifts and a celebration for the beginning of your new life. Maybe you should look into having a party later that evening in your parents yard. Nothing like mama's cooking ah.

The greatest cost is the food so, keep it simple...light Hors D'oeuvres, or just cake and punch.

I recently did a reception at a park in Philadelphia. Very, very inexpensive. We just had to get a few permits for music and photography. The food was under 500, and because it was at a park, no alcohol ;) They saved big that way. Another thought is your local museums.

Try a golf club. They are usually inexpensive.

You could choose to do a dessert reception with a coffee bar. That would look really beautiful with the cakes and pies that your family could make/donate to your wedding. You could set up a formal coffee bar for your guests. This is a great idea if you're getting married during the day.

It's your wedding you can do whatever you like. A cheaper idea would be to rent a community center decorate it nicely, haave your family cook, buy drinks, hire a dj and have your own celebration. You'll come out much cheaper this way. You can also just have a little get together/dinner party afterwards at your house or a relatives house.

Cinamin1 I do not think there is a specific time that people eat, people eat at different times and there is just no way you can control that, however, I do suggest that you indicate what type of reception you are having in the invitation that way no one comes there expecting a 3 course meal if you are serving only cake and punch or hors d's.

I agree with MrsDonaldson. I'm thinking of using a community center for my reception--very inexpensive. I'm not sure about the food yet but I'm thinking about having different flavors of chicken wings,devil eggs, and some desserts (some sugar free for diabetics). But there are also some websites that can give you ideas for food. Look under wedding reception foods and many websites will pop up.

Cinamin1, if you are going with the hor d'oeurvres and champagne idea, which I love -- I would suggest a morning or early afternoon reception. Anything in the late afternoon or evening would call for a full course meal. As CharlotteModebe suggested -- indicate what you are having on your invitations, such as "hor d'oeurvres and champagne reception immediately following". If not at the same place as your ceremony, "hor d....................." and indicate place. The museum/park idea sounds terrific. Best wishes.

Cinamin1, why don't you look into a local college or university. I was really dealing with diff. areas to host my reception as well. My problem fell with my church not allowing any dancing or music not related to christian music in the fellowship hall. So I called a university that was in my town and asked if they had a location to have a reception. And to my surprise they did. They didn't even charge for the location and the menus/foods that they offered were right in my range. So look into something like that or like someone else suggested a relatives back yard. I think tent receptions are great. Go with what your heart tells you and you can't go wrong.....

laneirh, I don't know why I didn't think about the college idea. My future sister in law works at FAMU so I asked her about a place for my reception but she's not sure about the food issue yet. How much did they charge you for the food at your reception?

Well, it varied on if you have a buffet or sit down dinner. The cheapest one was a buffet with 2 meats, a starch, 2 vegs, rolls, a dessert table, salad and something to drink for $10/person. And this came with them setting everything up (tables,chairs,linens,plates,glasses,silverware and waitstaff to assist) and taking it down for you afterwards. Usually every other place I tried wanted to charge $200-$1500 for the location plus the food. It was getting depressing. I hope this helps. Just keep searching until you find what you really want.

WOW!.....Laneirh, that is an awesome price, you can't beat that one with a stick [lol] normally a reception with that many amenities would cost on average of $30-40 per person. That is a blessing.

It truly is...I felt so blessed to find this location and the catering manager was so helpful. Now the hard part is picking the choices of foods. They give you a whole folder to go thru and everything. She said that they could even offer a string quartet if I needed one (I'm thinking that it would be some students from the musical dept.), but if they are good and reasonably priced, why not? Anyway, that is why I say check out a local college/university in your neighborhood. It could be the diamond in the rough, you know? The spots that you would think would not work in your favor are the ones that are perfect for your situation....

Laneirh you are correct and hey the string quartet would add such a beautiful elegant romantic touch to your reception...they should not be expensive and they probably would just want a donation to help in the music dept. WOW...good eye girl.