Non-traditional wedding “reception” or party

Sounds like what you want is a cocktail party to celebrate your wedding that happened a few weeks before. I would start it after a normal dinner hour, so like around 8 maybe. Serve drinks and some appetizers in even a restaurant private room?

This will be confusing to guests. Who is invited to the ceremony? Is it a different group than the “reception” /celebration party? The ceremony guests need to have some kind of reception on the same day, even if it’s cake, coffee and/or pizza at the local park.

We’re doing a small plates reception, which is appetizers, desserts, and drinks. You can only do that style reception not on the usual meal times. Ours is afternoon (2-5pm), or you could do later in the evening, like 8pm. Be warned that this doesn’t really save a lot of money — it’s easier to make a pan of meat and mashed potatoes than a bunch of individual little appetizers, and that’s reflected in the price. But it can be a fun and elegant way of doing the food.