Embodiments of the present disclosure provide optical connection techniques and configurations. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a receptacle for mounting on a surface of a package substrate, the receptacle having a pluggable surface to receive an optical coupler plug such that the optical coupler plug is optically aligned with one or more optical apertures of an optoelectronic assembly that is configured to emit and/or receive light using the one or more optical apertures in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the package substrate when the optoelectronic assembly is affixed to the package substrate. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.