Think about the last wedding you went to. This Planner is willing to bet that it followed the traditional "wedding-wait two hours-cocktails-dinner-dancing" format. If not, kudos to the couple for shaking things up a bit!
You want your wedding to be unique, and to showcase your personality, correct? Why not stray from the usual format and offer your guests a different reception experience? The following ideas will not only provide an unexpected twist to the norm, but have the side benefit of being budget-friendly. Who could ask for more?
1. The Sunday Brunch Wedding
 Think mimosas, a top-your-own Belgian waffle station, and gourmet crepes. Not only is Sunday brunch a ton of fun, but brunch foods tend to be less expensive, and really, who doesn't love brunch? Add in the fact that many venues will offer a discount for a wedding that's NOT on Saturday night, and you've got a winning formula. The rest of the schedule is up to you - an outdoor morning ceremony before brunch would be lovely, as would an early afternoon ceremony directly following brunch (after you've changed into your gown, of course!). You can still have a dance, if you want - there's no rule against dancing in the middle of the day! Wrap things up in the late afternoon, and your guests will have time to relax at home in the evening before they have to go to work again Monday morning.  2. The Evening Dessert ReceptionThis Planner will freely admit that dessert is near and VERY dear to her heart. Cut costs (not calories!) by holding your wedding in the evening, and save the cost of a full catered meal. Add romance to a twilight wedding with a plethora of candles, and be sure to note on your invitations that a dessert reception will follow the ceremony - that way, your guests will eat dinner first. Add a coffee, tea, and liqueur station, and you've got a winning combination that's sure to be as sweet as your ceremony.
 3. The Backyard BBQ ReceptionA BBQ is a fun, nostalgic way to feed a lot of people fairly inexpensively. In addition, you can dress a backyard BBQ up or down to be as fancy or as casual as you'd like. If you're lucky enough to have a family member with an appropriate space, enlist your cousins to run the grills, and you have a down-home, casual reception that all of your guests will love. Alternately, look for a country space or park to rent that will allow outside food to be brought in, and hire a caterer who specializes in the art of the 'que. Whether the food is traditional hamburgers and hotdogs, chicken and ribs, or salmon and kebabs, your guests will love to grab an ice-cold brew, kick back, and relax.
 4. The Cocktail ReceptionA mid-afternoon wedding followed by a cocktail reception is a still-elegant, but inexpensive and less formal way to celebrate your nuptuals with your guests. Consider taking your photographs prior to the 2:00 or 3:00 ceremony, and then mingle with your guests while hors d'oeuvres are either served or spread out buffet-style. Hire a jazz trio or a DJ to provide background music while you make the rounds. This allows you to thank everyone for coming and truly spend some time visiting, which you might not have time to do with a more traditional format.
 5. The Picnic WeddingIf you're able, why not follow your outdoor ceremony by providing picnic baskets of goodies for your guests to enjoy while they lounge on blankets on the grass? Provide a blanket for each couple or foursome, and stock individual picnic baskets with any combination of wine (if you're on private property!), soft drinks, mineral water, cheese, crackers, bread, pate, fruit, sandwiches, and veggies and dip. Or, spread your picnic fare on a buffet table and allow guests to help themselves. What a fun and memorable way to celebrate your special day!
 6. The Tea Party WeddingEvoke cosy memories of grandma's house with an afternoon tea reception. Scour flea markets and thrift stores to collect eclectic and mismatched sets of cups and saucers, and decorate the tables with wildflowers (in antique vases or tea tins) that might have been fresh picked from the garden. Follow the theme by choosing a tea length gown, and have your groom dress in a suit and colourful tie. Set out a selection of flavoured teas, coffee, finger sandwiches and petit fours, and your guests will be charmed!
When planning a non-traditional reception, the sky's the limit. You can save money and let your personality shine through by being creative with your food and decor, with the added benefit that your guests will have a more memorable and unique experience. If you're planning an afternoon reception, there's the potential to cut even more costs, as people tend not to drink as much alcohol earlier in the day. Just be sure to indicate the style of reception on your invitations in a clear fashion using proper etiquette so that your guests know whether to eat first. You don't want your friends and family to be ravenous if all you're serving is cucumber sandwiches!
An added benefit to changing up the traditional order of the day is that you may have more time to mingle with your friends and family. After all, you've invited them to celebrate with you, so do just that! Have fun, and remember to make your reception Unmistakably You!
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