Casual Gathering

• Though most dessert receptions are formal gatherings, make yours a casual one letting guests be comfortable in the summer heat. Have a buffet table set up with all the dessert offerings and drink selections for guests to help themselves. Avoid seating arrangements and let guests pick their places to relax and eat. Dessert wedding receptions can be held in a garden, someone's home or at a small venue such as a museum or art gallery.
  
  

Pool Reception

• Take your dessert reception outdoors and enjoy the summer weather poolside. Some hotels and resorts offer gazebos or poolside venues for weddings and receptions. You may also have a pool of your own or know someone who will allow you to use his for the reception. Set up tables away from the pool area where guests can gather their sweets and then mingle around the pool.
  
  

Seaside Theme

• If the weather is going to be too hot in July for you and your guests to party outside, take the outdoors inside by having a seaside theme. Decorate the room with shells, sand, candles, and brightly colored tablecloths and accessories. Serve white-frosted dessert items with a tint of light blue coloring and shell-shaped candies. Rather than have a bar, serve guests signature frozen drinks with umbrellas that can be mixed up ahead of time, poured into glasses and served on a tray.
  
  

Champagne Dessert Reception

• Make your dessert reception a formal affair and offer guests champagne with the dessert selections. If desired, you can offer a champagne fountain for guests to refill drinks or have the drinks served on platters by servers throughout the night. Instead of a DJ, hire a harpist or pianist to play soft background music.
  
  

Penthouse View

• Instead of having your dessert reception at a reception hall, book a night in a penthouse suite at a hotel in a large city, such as Miami, New York, Los Angeles or Chicago. Find one that has a large patio to accommodate guests who want to go outside for a bit and enjoy the city view. Many hotels offer catering that can be brought right to your room and set up before guests arrive.
  
  

Desserts

• There are many different desserts you can choose for your dessert reception, including candies, cakes and specialty chocolates. Some dessert items to include are white and dark mousse, petit fours, crepes, truffles, pies, crème brulee and an assortment of molded chocolates. Don't forget the wedding cake and a groom's cake for the table. Another option is to have a chocolate fountain, into which guests can dip fruit, pretzels and cake.