Divorce

Reception party is part of traditional Hindu marriage in our Indian society, nothing to do with the Hindu Marriage Act,1955.

The demand of money spent in recepton is one's own wish, as the money is spent in marriage by both parties the groom/husband side should also make list of spending done in marriage and bring on record that list too to counter the list of bride/wife side list of marriage expenses.

that is expense item incurred on guests with their own volition. how can they claim it from you if the marriage later goes bad? i don't think you have a very weak case in this respect.