trying to save a little

hello all :) so, my fiancé and i have been engaged for a year. and we were so excited about having a wedding and having family and friends there to celebrate with us. this was until we realized it was going to be around $40,000 in new jersey for a wedding for about 150 people with the most simple packages. so for the last year we have been a little hopeless and we have stopped all wedding plans. we would rather save 30k for the down payment on a house so we can stop renting! until yesterday i woke up with a fire under my butt and i decided i would love to be married in the court then throw a reception afterward at a small place. we found a place close to home that does reasonable pricing for buffets for events. however, i know that the moment you say the word wedding prices skyrocket.

what is an appropriate way (if there is one) to book a party for a reception... without telling them it's a reception for a wedding..?
we just want to celebrate with some food for about 75 people for a few hours. what do you think?