Regardless of the stage of your planning … you should be cat-like and ready for anything that comes your way. This rule stands true for anything new you bring into your perfect day.
How Negotiating with Your Wedding Vendors Can Help Save
Most brides are aware, but not familiar with how to negotiate with wedding vendors. For some reason negotiating is a daunting, and embarrassing task that is often skipped. For example, when booking my hall, we originally planned to have it on the Sunday of a holiday weekend, thinking it would save us some moo-la. Once we had our deposit together, I put my game face on. Having been in sales for quite some time I went into our ‘booking’ meeting knowing that they wanted my business and acted accordingly. I talked about various dates and different options while my future hubby bonded with them about how he is a chef. While they massaged each others ego’s , I asked about different dates and reminded them that I had cash in my pocket and was ready to make a deal …. Well, long story short … Our tag team tactics not only saved us money, but we walked out of the office with a contract to have our wedding on a Saturday for $10 less per person than the original offer for the Sunday afternoon wedding.
Photo Credit: BlueBouquet.com
You know the term ..you can’t win if you don’t play. This is more true than you know …. I know a couple who will be getting married weeks after us. I tried to offer them advice on how to save money by negotiating and they actually declined the offer stating that I sometimes come on too strong and that is not how they like to act. Although a bit slighted, I did understand. What happened as a result? They took the offer given to them and were charged more for a Sunday morning wedding than the going rate for a Saturday night wedding at the same venue!
Photo Credit: Lemonade3d.com
You have NOTHING to lose by asking a few basic questions … and you MUST shop around!
I have a few rules that I would like to share!
1) Ask questions! Regarding services and fee’s. Ask if there is a discount for cash!
2) Shop around, get quotes from all qualified vendors. You may know you do not want to use a particular vendor, but they do not. Get a price, use it for leverage, and move on.
3) ASK FOR A DISCOUNT … just flat out ask! The worst thing they can say is NO!
4) If you have a vision …. Tell them! The more they know about what you want, the smaller the likelihood of being considered a bridezilla … making demands at the last minute will cost more and cause stress!
5) Did I mention shopping around and asking for money off?
6) Confidence
7) Confidence
8 ) Confidence
Wedding Website: http://www.kellylovestommy.com/
I am a 34 year old bride to be. I am currently planning my wedding while unemployed, having been laid off only weeks after we booked our hall. My Tom and I are planning our wedding on a budget. I have been forced to be creative and have found amazing ways to save money while raising money at the same time. I can’t wait to talk about all of my wedding planning ideas! I hope to make some friends on what is left of my bridal planning journey! Take my hand! Trust me, challenge me! Happy planning with the unemployed bride!