A thing I have seen a lot of recently is having a second reception or engagement party for guests that were not invited to the actual wedding. It could be for the friends and family in another state, your church, or extended friends that would not fit into your dream venue. It allows you to have the more intimate wedding of your dreams without excluding anyone you love.
It can be less expensive this way especially if the format is an open house, a potluck, a dessert reception, or cocktail party.
This particular party featured was just that, a more casual reception hosted by the groom's parents to include those guests who they did not have the room to invite to the original wedding. It was simple and sunny. They used decorations and colors from the wedding and served a light lunch prepared by friends and ordered some cake. Various photos from the wedding were projected onto a wall and I was called into help and photograph at this reception of which I was so excited to do for some of my very good friends.
