Wedding Budget: How to Negotiate With Wedding Vendors

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I pushed hard for a discount on a block of rooms at the hotel where we wanted to stay. If had held the ceremony or reception actually in the hotel, there would have been a 20% off today's prices. We booked the reception in a privately owned restaurant attached to the hotel instead, so were told we didn't get the discount. There are a dozen hotels nearby, so I researched their rates, brought the info back to the hotel we wanted to stay at and got a 30% on the Friday/Sat night.

Go for off season prices or book way ahead. the location We chose offered discounts for weddings in off season, I was interested in the first week of October which was NOT an off season price but I asked if I booked the location that week which was over a year ahead if they would give me the off season discount and they did. that saved me about 1,300 just on the location. I also got the photographer to throw in engagement photos for no extra cost, I payed for them upfront and he considered it a deposit to hold the date, and then he subtracted that amount from my total bill in the end.

Here's a tip from an insider (I work for a cell phone company, and they train us to talk people into buying things everyday): Remember what YOU want. Like someone else has mentioned, beware of vendors who tell you what you want. It's okay when they say "okay so what you want is..." to reply with, "no, what I want is..." Keep in mind, nice vendors are willing to help you figure out what exactly you are talking about, so when they say "it sounds like you want" or "I think this would be good for you" they really are trying to help. Watch out for what we call a "presumptive close" on the deal. That's when they pitch something, then say "and we can get all this set up today..." like you have already agreed. Not every vendor will do this, either. Just the politely pushy ones. Finally, if you know you have a problem with saying no, or if you are a shopoholic, invite your fiance to go with you, or just someone more capable of saying no.

Cash definitely seems to help. Being willing to walk away from a location also works to a certain extent. Obvisouly a "hot location" isn't going to worry if they lose your business but a smaller, less well known faciilty is much more willing to work with you. I've also found the less advertised locations are more willing to tailor their business to your wants/needs than the larger, cookie cutter locals. A little kindness and respect also goes a long way. When a vendor starts telling you what you want, it's time to run!

Be respectful and realistic with vendors. If I can get a person to perform a service who is reliable and does great work that goes a long way. Remember that if someones cuts you a deal and it sounds too good to be true it usually is!

Yes, Offering cash seems to work well. We got our rings at a discount for doing this (not going to work at a place like T&Co.) It also worked for the groom's dinner to tip the wait staff in cash, the owner gave us a better discount off the per plate and drinks

When you talk to your caterer, ask them to throw in some hors d'oeuvres for free ... in exchange for paying off your bill with a check or cash instead of a credit card. The vendor usually saves money by not having to take plastic and so you can benefit from that! That's what I did, and we're getting our vegetable and fruit trays for FREE!