Hotels

• Although a hotel ballroom might feel like a traditional (and therefore boring) choice for your reception location, hotels are tried-and-true reception venues for a reason. Guests can really kick up their heels and raise their glasses when they know that at the end of the party they simply have to make their way to the elevator and up to bed. People are more likely to relax and really party when they are not worried about driving home or to the unfamiliar place where they are staying at the end of the night. If you are concerned that a hotel doesn't feel like a creative choice, seek out boutique or themed hotels and avoid large hotel chains.
  
  

Museums, Zoos, or Other Cultural Sites

• These venues are fun locations for wedding receptions because they are full of interesting things to see. An unusual modern art sculpture or a tank full of sharks can be a great conversation starter as guests mingle. Another benefit to these types of venues is that they can showcase your personalities or history as a couple. Hold your reception at the aquarium where you had your first date, for example, or choose a museum that reflects your shared interest in science fiction.
  
  

Places With Games

• Although most of your wedding guests will be too old for the party classic Pin the Tail on the Donkey, most will still enjoy a bit of friendly competition. Consider throwing your wedding reception at an arcade or a boardwalk, or rent a room at a bar with pool tables and dart boards. Throw your wedding at a park or in a large backyard and set up games like horseshoes and croquet. Check local baseball parks, hockey rinks, and football, basketball or soccer stadiums to see if they have party rooms that can be rented.
  
  

Your Special Place

• Think about your favorite local hangouts and see if it is possible to hold your reception at one of them. Perhaps there is a park where you walk your dog together every weekend or a cozy pub where you are regulars. Maybe your friends have a great backyard pool area or the university that you attended has an alumni center with event rooms. Throwing your reception at a place that is meaningful to you as a couple enables you to feel relaxed at one of your favorite spots, and guests will enjoy the insight into your lives together.