you can have a party with roses, cake, dancing, food, photographer, and as long as it is introduced as a party (and not a wedding) there's research that suggests that on average, you will pay much less to all the contractors.
So start your bid with the word party, and see what happens!
The wedding tax is basically insurance - you're paying through the nose to ensure absolutely nothing goes wrong. From the contractor's side, at least; the behaviour of your guests is a different matter.
In some cases, yes. In others... my wife tells me a bride will get overcharged less for the same hair styling if she says she's going to a wedding as a bridesmaid. Doesn't avoid the wedding tax, but at least gets a discount.
you can have a party with roses, cake, dancing, food, photographer, and as long as it is introduced as a party (and not a wedding) there's research that suggests that on average, you will pay much less to all the contractors.
So start your bid with the word party, and see what happens!