Having your reception at yours or a friend or family member’s home can save you a lot of money that you would be spending on renting a venue... but what should you do about the neighbors? If you are close with any of your neighbors, you should invite them. If you can afford to invite the whole neighborhood and want to make everyone feel welcome, go ahead and invite them. But if you are trying to save money and are not close with any of them, you are not required to invite them. But you do need to make sure you are treating them with courtesy and respect since you are throwing a party in their neck of the woods. Talk to them beforehand, especially any of the people who live closest the house hosting your reception. Make sure they know there will be a party, that a number of people will be parking in the area, and that there will be catering and other equipment trucks driving in and out of the area. Try and give them an estimate for what time that your music will stop playing so they do not feel the need to complain. Because nobody wants their wedding reception ruined because the bitter lady next door decided to call the cops with a noise complaint. You're not at a high school party, after all. This is your wedding day!