affordable venues

Sometimes you can get the city community center or find a VFW lodge. One couple had a reception in a coffee shop that was usually closed (maybe on a Sunday). You may check for places that are fine with your provisions for food -- which can be trays from places like Olive Garden. Did you mean a venue that you can do the ceremony and reception at?

One thing to be careful of is that doing receptions in places like backyards may turn out to cost as much as equipped venues -- after you rent chairs and tents and such.

You can try eventective.com to check venues sorted by price. Though, I saw a venue recently that showed the low price as $500 but most events were $10,000 haha.

Also, if you can just do a simple reception with snacks (when not close to time for actual meals), that can help keep the price down. The decisions are based on what you want to achieve within the budget you have.