Engaged couples planning weddings in 2009 are trying to cut costs and simplify their events, and one specific way that couples are cutting costs is with an afternoon reception.   Since most weddings take place during the evening, you can often get better rates for events held in the afternoon.

If you are looking for ideas for a day-time reception, check out our three suggestions below.  We love how they are simple, yet stylish.

Lunch or Brunch Wedding Reception

Images from Brides.com

Afternoon Tea Wedding Reception

Images from L to R: Garden Reception from Brides.com, Cucumber Tea Sandwiches; Curried Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches; Tea Cake; Photo by Geoff White Photographers

Dessert Wedding Reception

Image from Amy Atlas Events

If you are planning a bridal shower for a friend (or you just want to make sure your own bridal shower is charming and unique!), try turning your bridal shower tea party into an enchanted Alice in Wonderland-style affair. I love the blend of quirky details and classic, vintage charm!

Find the ultimate in Wonderland tea party inspiration in this charming post from Merriment Design:

Then, order some adorable bridal shower invitations from Wedding Paper Divas to complete your event’s look, whether it’s bold and modern or elegantly vintage!

Next, build a unique menu using some of the fabulous recipes you can find on TasteSpotting from around the web.

Lastly, don’t forget to pick out the perfect tea party dress! ModCloth is the latest clothing website to be passed around the Wedding Paper Divas offices. We love their unique designs AND their prices.

Summer weddings present a chance for you to soak up the sun and celebrate your love. To help you decide on a chic summer theme for your nuptials, we polled the stylish staffers at Wedding Paper Divas to find out what’s hot in summer weddings this year. Here’s our Top Four Favorite Summer Weddings list:

-50% of our staff thinks that beach or lakeside weddings are the perfect blend of summer fun and simple elegance.

-Destination weddings earned quite a few votes, with 21% of our experts weighing in that traveling makes a summer wedding more memorable.

-Eternally stylish, Big and Traditional weddings won more than 17% of the vote.

-13% of our wedding pros thought An Afternoon Tea would be the best way to spend your summer reception.

What would be on your list of Summer Wedding Favorites? Do you have any questions for our staff? Leave a comment and let us know!