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Can you negotiate with the reception site?

melbalalala Posted: Feb 26, 2006 09:44 AM+

melbalalala MEMBER SINCE: 2/06 TOTAL POSTS : 3005 WEDDING DATE: Mar 10, 2007

Posted: Feb 26, 2006 09:44 AM

Can you negotiate with the reception site?

I am planning a March 2007 wedding at the Hamlet Wind Watch. I am heading to Long Island next weekend to book the site.

My question is: Has anyone had success negotiating prices with the site? They already have a cheaper per person charge for March. They have a package deal that includes CH/Meal/Cake. Can you get a cheaper rate by asking for two instead of three entree choices? Can you get the service rate reduced? Anything?

Or are these packages set in stone?

Thanks girls!

beautyq115 Posted: Feb 26, 2006 09:52 AM+

beautyq115 MEMBER SINCE: 12/04 TOTAL POSTS : 16776 WEDDING DATE: Jul 16, 2006

Posted: Feb 26, 2006 09:52 AM

Re: Can you negotiate with the reception site?

Everything is always negotiable!

N.Y.bride Posted: Feb 26, 2006 09:58 AM+

N.Y.bride MEMBER SINCE: 3/05 TOTAL POSTS : 7207 WEDDING DATE: Jul 28, 2005

Posted: Feb 26, 2006 09:58 AM

Re: Can you negotiate with the reception site?

ABSOLUTELY! You can negotiate meal choices, additions, prices - everything.

Mrs. dleeny Posted: Feb 26, 2006 10:02 AM+

Mrs. dleeny MEMBER SINCE: 3/05 TOTAL POSTS : 12387 WEDDING DATE: Nov 06, 2005

Posted: Feb 26, 2006 10:02 AM

Re: Can you negotiate with the reception site?

Posted by beautyq115

Everything is always negotiable!

I agree!

evnme Posted: Feb 26, 2006 10:26 AM+

evnme MEMBER SINCE: 6/05 TOTAL POSTS : 9537 WEDDING DATE: May 21, 2006

Posted: Feb 26, 2006 10:26 AM

Re: Can you negotiate with the reception site?

Posted by dleeny

Posted by beautyq115

Everything is always negotiable!
I agree!

ditto for me

Blu-ize Posted: Feb 26, 2006 10:26 AM+

Blu-ize MEMBER SINCE: 8/04 TOTAL POSTS : 8304 WEDDING DATE: Feb 28, 1998

Posted: Feb 26, 2006 10:26 AM

Re: Can you negotiate with the reception site?

Yep, I agree. Negotiate. The worst that can happen is that they say no.

We negotiated big time. I'm sure they were happy to be done with us after the wedding was over!

beautyq115 Posted: Feb 26, 2006 10:28 AM+

beautyq115 MEMBER SINCE: 12/04 TOTAL POSTS : 16776 WEDDING DATE: Jul 16, 2006

Posted: Feb 26, 2006 10:28 AM

Re: Can you negotiate with the reception site?

Its not like the reception halls don't make money...they expect you to negociate....but some people do not

OctoberPrincess2006 Posted: Feb 26, 2006 10:29 AM+

OctoberPrincess2006 MEMBER SINCE: 12/05 TOTAL POSTS : 1279 WEDDING DATE: Oct 28, 2006

Posted: Feb 26, 2006 10:29 AM

Re: Can you negotiate with the reception site?

It would not hurt to try..like someone else posted the only thing that they could say would be no. Goodluck!

melbalalala Posted: Feb 26, 2006 10:43 AM+

melbalalala MEMBER SINCE: 2/06 TOTAL POSTS : 3005 WEDDING DATE: Mar 10, 2007

Posted: Feb 26, 2006 10:43 AM

Re: Can you negotiate with the reception site?

For those of you that have done this, what were you successful in negotiating to lower the price?

Mrs. dleeny Posted: Feb 26, 2006 10:52 AM+

Mrs. dleeny MEMBER SINCE: 3/05 TOTAL POSTS : 12387 WEDDING DATE: Nov 06, 2005

Posted: Feb 26, 2006 10:52 AM

Re: Can you negotiate with the reception site?

Posted by melbalalala

For those of you that have done this, what were you successful in negotiating to lower the price?

we negotiated the price PP, not a whole lot since they're reasonable to begin with. but we also ended up upgrading our reception room. the room we ended up getting had a higher PP price AND a higher minimum than we had

SummerBride06 Posted: Feb 26, 2006 11:25 AM+

SummerBride06 MEMBER SINCE: 5/05 TOTAL POSTS : 3935 WEDDING DATE: Jul 08, 2006

Posted: Feb 26, 2006 11:25 AM

Re: Can you negotiate with the reception site?

you can usually lower the price PP if you raise your guarantee

be careful you don't cut out important things--i wouldn't lower the meal choices--you might have unhappy guests if they don't like the small amount of choices. people remember the food!

also, keep your options open about when and where you'll have your reception. prices vary greatly--from $50pp to $300+

look into a saturday day (that's what we did!) or a sunday to lower price as well

i102bcute Posted: Feb 26, 2006 12:28 PM+

i102bcute MEMBER SINCE: 2/05 TOTAL POSTS : 1074 WEDDING DATE: Apr 27, 2007

Posted: Feb 26, 2006 12:28 PM

Re: Can you negotiate with the reception site?

ABSOLUTELY!! My dad did!! He made sure he got what he wanted for a reasonable price!!

Shorty McBride Posted: Feb 26, 2006 12:31 PM+

Shorty McBride MEMBER SINCE: 4/05 TOTAL POSTS : 12785 WEDDING DATE: Nov 23, 2007

Posted: Feb 26, 2006 12:31 PM

Re: Can you negotiate with the reception site?

this is a pretty good thread

MattandTricia07 Posted: Feb 26, 2006 01:44 PM+

MattandTricia07 MEMBER SINCE: 11/05 TOTAL POSTS : 6764 WEDDING DATE: Dec 29, 2007

Posted: Feb 26, 2006 01:44 PM

Re: Can you negotiate with the reception site?

I negotiated with East Wind and then my dad did more when we signed the contract! I was nervous at first, but it all worked out!

I used to work at the Hamlet Wind Watch...it's beautiful!

waterspout4 Posted: Feb 26, 2006 01:58 PM+

waterspout4 MEMBER SINCE: 9/04 TOTAL POSTS : 4792 WEDDING DATE: Apr 01, 2006

Posted: Feb 26, 2006 01:58 PM

Re: Can you negotiate with the reception site?

Everything is negotiable. I wouldn't give up menu choices though. Look for add-ons for free like chair covers, additional stations at CH, ice sculptures, viennese hour. In fact, we're still negotiating with our hall with 5 weeks to go because we're not making our minimum. It never hurts to ask.

M&LSept1606 Posted: Feb 26, 2006 02:11 PM+

M&LSept1606 MEMBER SINCE: 9/04 TOTAL POSTS : 2250 WEDDING DATE: Sep 16, 2006

Posted: Feb 26, 2006 02:11 PM

Re: Can you negotiate with the reception site?

I think you will have better luck adding on then trying to get them down on the price.

they already have an amount set that has to be made on that night. (depending on what date you pick) if they want to bring in 20K that night they will do it by raising your minimum and lowering the price, or lowering your minimum and raising the price per person. either way they will bring in the money that wanted.

I also wouldn't remove a dinner choice, that will leave a lasting impression on your guests. I also suggest changing to a Friday night, Saturday day, or Sunday night (which is cheapest) rather than going cheaper with service or food.

hope that helps!

RadioLau Posted: Feb 26, 2006 02:14 PM+

RadioLau MEMBER SINCE: 11/05 TOTAL POSTS : 1858 WEDDING DATE: Jul 16, 2006

Posted: Feb 26, 2006 02:14 PM

Re: Can you negotiate with the reception site?

We negociated with our hall and got a lot of extras.

MrsD06 Posted: Feb 26, 2006 03:18 PM+

MrsD06 MEMBER SINCE: 7/05 TOTAL POSTS : 2671 WEDDING DATE: Apr 14, 2006

Posted: Feb 26, 2006 03:18 PM

Re: Can you negotiate with the reception site?

it is defnitely possible to get the price PP down.
some places won't change the menu b/c I guess it reflects on them and they say their guests have certain expectations for the services they provide. Some places I think will, tho. Negotiate away!!

mskittynj Posted: Feb 26, 2006 04:08 PM+

mskittynj MEMBER SINCE: 12/05 TOTAL POSTS : 4508 WEDDING DATE: Mar 25, 2007

Posted: Feb 26, 2006 04:08 PM

Re: Can you negotiate with the reception site?

Not only can you bargain but you should bargain!!!!! Believe me if I didn't bargain I'd be paying hundreds more!!!!! I was able to get my centerpieces included and everything!!! Don't be bashful, go for yours be tough and stand your ground. My wedding is in March too and I got an unbelievable deal with NO TAXES and GRATUITES!!!