Charity

• If you are an animal lover, choose the Humane Society or Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to receive your guests' donations.Homeless dog in Kennel image by dinahr from Fotolia.com
  
  Traditional wedding receptions typically involve overindulgent catering and guests bearing expensive gifts. Use your celebration of marriage as the vehicle for fundraising for charity. Inform your guests on the invitation enclosure cards with phrasing such as "In lieu of gifts, please send donations to The Humane Society." Incorporate donation jars instead of expensive centerpieces at the reception. Submit the donations directly to the charity anonymously or in honor of the new couple.
  
  

Medieval

• Be creative and make your own family crest to use as decoration.estandarte medieval 1 image by JMFontecha from Fotolia.com
  
  An outdoor venue or a garden is an ideal place to hold a medieval wedding reception. Encourage guests to dress for the time period and suggest costume shops on your wedding website or blog. A medieval-themed wedding invites all guest to participate and be creative. Continue the theme with the meal by choosing a caterer who can accommodate medieval dishes. Hire professional actors or musicians to entertain your guests.
  
  

Beach

• As favors at a beach-themed wedding, give guests a beach towel.Bonfire image by West View from Fotolia.com
  
  Organize a beach party and invite guests to wear flips-flops and beachwear. Barbecue hot dogs and hamburgers for a casual meal and then set up a s'more station for guests to make their own dessert over the bonfire. This informal party is a perfect way for a beach-loving, casual couple to celebrate. Check with the local parks and beaches for regulations on bonfires and reserve them accordingly.
  
  

Casual Celebration

• Everyone likes pizza.pizza image by Christian De Grandmaison from Fotolia.com
  
  Skip the formal clothes and expensive catering and host a casual reception. Encourage guests to wear jeans and T-shirts while they dine on pizza. Or make it a potluck and tell guests to bring side dishes instead of gifts. Throw this party in your backyard or a neighborhood park. Put together your own playlist of music. Celebrate your marriage at a fraction of the cost and avoid the stress.