Alternative Reception Ideas

Alternative Reception Ideas

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Looking for non-traditional reception ideas? Check out these out-of-the-box celebrations for free spirits & laid back groups! Here you’ll find fun, casual alternatives to the standard wedding reception.

What you’ll find in this Alternative Reception Ideas Guide:

• Alternative Reception Ideas for Elopements
  1. A Boho Picnic, Just for Two
  2. A Dinner for Two by a Private Chef
  3. Romantic Restaurant Outing
• Alternative Reception Ideas for Micro Weddings
  1. Have a Stylized Group Picnic
     1. Sweetheart Table
     2. Family-Style Table
  2. Hire a Private Chef
  3. Buyout a Restaurant for the Night
  4. Other Non-Traditional Reception Ideas:

Alternative Reception Ideas for Elopements

A Boho Picnic, Just for Two

Do you love nature and want to enjoy a sunset while you enjoy some charcuterie? Consider hiring a picnic company to set up a picnic, just for two! This setup, including the fun s’mores bar, was created by San Diego Picnics.

A Dinner for Two by a Private Chef

Looking for a totally private space to reflect on and celebrate your day? Hire a private chef to come to your accommodations and serve you a multi-course meal or stylize a grazing board.

Romantic Restaurant Outing

Book a table at an incredible restaurant to enjoy the catered service, romantic ambiance, and tasty eats! This is your opportunity to sit across from each other and take in the day.

Alternative Reception Ideas for Micro Weddings

Have a Stylized Group Picnic

Family-Style Table

Lydia & Seth had a boho picnic on the beach with a long family-style table set up for 20 guests, stylized and set up by Santa Barbara Picnic Co. They served charcuterie for appetizers and pizza for dinner! They also had cupcakes and lemonade. With the help of a Bluetooth speaker, they did their first dance and other fun group dancing on the sand.

Sweetheart Table

Cory and Josh had a gorgeous, boho picnic by our favorite, Picnic by Nature. They set up a “sweetheart table” for themselves and then a grazing table for guests to give more room for mingling. They served charcuterie at the picnic as appetizers (and went out to dinner afterward for a complete meal). They did parent dances, including the first dance on the sand, and they watched the sunset with everyone! 

Hire a Private Chef

Amanda & Desi rented a big, fun house to enjoy time with their 15 guests for a long weekend. They hired a private chef to cook an incredible meal for them on the night of their beach wedding. They enjoyed soul food on the patio, smores by the fire, and a hot tub/pool combo in the backyard. It was such a cool experience and a fun night!

Buyout a Restaurant for the Night

Stacy & Nick eloped but after sunset photos joined 30 of their closest friends and family for a reception at a Michelin Star restaurant. Because they bought out the entire place for the night they had a lot of amenities! They had a cocktail hour with a guitarist, a full-service bar, a back patio for a DJ + dance party, a multi-course dinner, and all the vendors were able to come in to decorate while they were eloping – they didn’t have to do or worry about a thing!

Other Non-Traditional Reception Ideas:

• Campground receptions
• Reserving a large table or a private room at a restaurant
• Booking a brewery
• Transform a rental house into your reception space
• Get casual takeout, like pizza or tacos
• Order take-out catering, like Korean BBQ or Italian
• Enjoy home cooking, like Grandma’s famous tamales or friends firing up the grill for steaks
• A group trip to IN-N-Out
• and more!

More Inspiration…