I was actually quite lucky in this respect. My then-fiance and I were planning on having a small, immediate-family only ceremony because my parents are way beyond being able to afford an all-out wedding. And, since I was the only one working at the time, entertaining immediate family was about all I could afford.
Well, it turned out that my in-laws really wanted to have a gala affair, so they ended up footing the bill for most of it. We had the ceremony and reception in the same place, a band, cocktail food (instead of full dinner), and open bar for beer and wine.
Of course, there are a few things I might have done differently, but I am immensely grateful and lucky to have had such a great party with our family and close friends.