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