Sometimes, you can find discounted or low-cost places to host the wedding reception.

For example, Erie Post 3925, Veterans of Foreign Wars, gives discounts to its members who are renting the post hall for weddings. Some churches give congregation members a discount on rental fees for the social hall or gym.

And many a bride has been the guest of honor at a back yard reception. Even my parents, whose wedding was most certainly NOT on a budget (because my grandmother wanted to host an impressive wedding for her only daughter), had a back yard reception.

But if you decide to host your reception at a banquet hall, you may need to take a different perspective and look for savings through the other wedding service vendors.

Many banquet halls have exclusive contracts with caterers and other vendors. This can be a bit annoying if you prefer to hire your wedding services a la carte.

But there can be advantages such an arrangement. Very often, a banquet hall contract will provide discounts at the preferred vendors. So if such a package is available, take advantage of wherever you CAN get the discounts!

Previously on this topic: my almost-military wedding

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