Alternative ideas for reception

Lots of people here on WW have rented out a private room at a restaurant for their reception dinner. With a private room, you could even include some of the typical reception traditions like dancing or cake cutting if you so choose.

I used a restaurant for my reception instead. It still looked like a normal formal reception except it was in a restaurant that operated regularly even with our wedding going on in a separate area aha. So basically they just had a wall they used as a divider between our wedding and the section they'd operate regularly. It was a little weird needing to walk through the restaurant to get to our area in the back because there's customers just eating dinner regularly and stuff aha but whatever it saves a lot of money not needing to pay a rental fee.

You could also just host a cake and punch reception at a non meal hour.

Did y'all have open food menu and bar or did you have a limited menu on what guests could order?

I’ve been to a rehearsal dinner where a room was rented and a limited, but still with options, menu was given to help control costs. This could be a good option

Cake and Champagne reception may be for you.

Other options to consider:

Private room in a restaurant for a small celebration dinner

Dessert reception where you supply various treats for you family to try

Brunch receptions are typically cheaper

Just remember that whatever you do decide to do that you inform your guests of the change from your normal reception so they come prepared (ie: had dinner if there's no meal being served, the know there's no dancing, or they'll be having breakfast instead of dinner etc)