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Jessica
Savvy November 2023

Wedding Reception vs. “party” with venues

Jessica, on January 23, 2022 at 8:01 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 12
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Hi all! My husband and I got married last year in a small, private ceremony with our church with the idea of the doing a bigger reception/party later (like 2023 maybe?) because #Covid.
We’re in the process of looking at venues and I feel like the second you mention the word “wedding”, the price literally triples! I understand the extras that go into a wedding reception vs. just a “party” but my god…
He has the opinion that we don’t tell venues it’s a wedding reception to avoid the price hike. I feel like it can’t be avoided because that IS what we’re doing. Thoughts? Has anyone does this or know someone that has? Thank you!

12 Comments

Latest activity by Jessica, on January 24, 2022 at 1:39 PM
  • Sarah
    Master September 2019
    Sarah ·
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    Could you ask them what the specific differences are between the two and try to reach a compromise with the venue you like? Our venue charged the same cost per person no matter what kind of event you were having so I didn’t experience wedding upcharging like what you’re describing. I’d think if you book it as a party and then clearly throw a wedding reception, the venue could shut your event down and sue you for breach of contract.
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  • Michelle
    Rockstar December 2022
    Michelle ·
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    The only place you could pull this off is a parks department owned venue. Otherwise, vendors and venues will charge fines and void the contract so they don’t work when they do find out.


    Because you are already married, and hopefully you will be honest with them with the info shared here, in their eyes you would be having a vow renewal which it technically is. Sometimes that costs as much as a wedding and sometimes not. It’s always best to not lie because they will find out. Be upfront in asking what the difference in price is and negotiate.
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  • Jacks
    Rockstar November 2054
    Jacks ·
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    Oh wow, no, I wouldn't lie. Venues do have a lot more to tend to when it comes to weddings. Also currently you're having a vow renewal, maybe it will be cheaper.

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  • Chloe
    Devoted February 2022
    Chloe ·
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    We've had to postpone our reception due to covid and we just sat down with our new venue and had an honest discussion about their pricing regarding weddings vs. parties. We've met somewhere in the middle.
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  • Samantha
    Super May 2022
    Samantha ·
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    If you aren't doing a ceremony or the typical wedding stuff that would affect the venue, then I don't see why they need to know. As long as no contract rules get broken!

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  • Jessica
    Savvy November 2023
    Jessica ·
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    That's what I was thinking! Once they see what we're doing (either during the planning process or after) it's clearly a wedding reception LOL I always think transparency is best!

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  • Jessica
    Savvy November 2023
    Jessica ·
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    Thank you so much!

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  • Jessica
    Savvy November 2023
    Jessica ·
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    It looks like negotiating is the way to go! Thank you!

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  • Jessica
    Savvy November 2023
    Jessica ·
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    That's excellent! I'm glad you were able to negotiate something. It gives me hope!

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  • Jessica
    Savvy November 2023
    Jessica ·
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    We wouldn't be doing a ceremony, but everything else would be your typical "wedding reception"... including the cocktail hour. LOL

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  • Michelle
    Rockstar December 2022
    Michelle ·
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    That is very common of anniversary parties. The couple often does not wear wedding attire.
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  • Jessica
    Savvy November 2023
    Jessica ·
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    That's a good point! But we would definitely be wearing wedding attire. Unless I tell them I just like white fancy dresses Smiley winking haha (Joking!)

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