Cocktail reception?

A friend at work suggested my FH and I have a cocktail reception to cut back on costs. Has anyone here aver been to one? Does it proceed in the same way as a regular dinner reception, i.e. is there dancing and cake-cutting, etc? Also, a big question is will most reception halls even offer a cocktail reception option? Thanks!

Some suggestions

I think a cocktail reception is very nice. You can rent a hall, such as a Knights of Columbus or call catering places like the Watermill, Irish Coffee Pub. You still have dancing, usually with a DJ, not a band. You should do it in the mid-afternoon (maybe 2-4pm) and it is not as long as a full 5 hour reception. You still cut your cake!! You can still do a bouquet toss if you want too. You serve finger foods, it is like having just a nice cocktail hour from 2-3pm while people are dancing and celebrating, then 3:15 cut the cake, 4:00pm it ends. You can serve a soda, punch, wine and beer. No need for mixed drinks. That will save a lot on your bill also. Don't do a cash-bar though, it is not good etiquette. Also consider a brunch wedding. Then you would serve more breaksfast foods, maybe having 2 omlette stations, one carving station, platters of fruit/cheese, bagels, muffins, danish. A good friend of mine had a small, intimate wedding at George Washington Manner. They have a really nice private room for about 40-50 people (?) and they just used their CD player. Don't worry about having a full sit-down dinner. The marriage is the most important party of the day, not the food that is served or how much it costs!!! Stay away from Wedding Centers. In the end they seem to cost you more or the same with less service. Don't do big favors (no one cares anyway), do a simple invitation, go with in-season flowers, get potted plants for centerpieces or simple vases with fresh flowers look beautiful, and so do floating candles. Also, negioate with vendors. You do not have to pay what they first quote you. I saved money on all of my vendors that way. And you can do that for your dress also.

Some suggestions

Thank you so much!! Your suggestions were great!