How to haggle gracefully

Hello ladies, I am new to this board and new to wedding planning! I appreciate all advice!! We were engaged last month and have just started planning-hope to marry next late summer/early fall. I am the first of my siblings and first of my friends to be married... Can someone help w/price 'haggling'? When I go to a reception hall and I am quoted a price per head, how do I graciously and gracefully negotiate. Do I give them a $ that I have budgeted and see if they can accomodate? If my number is too low, I am afraid that they will laugh me out the door!! If you've booked your reception venue, can you help me understand how much leeway I have to bargain? Thanks so much, and congrats to all!! oxox

How to haggle gracefully

The first thing I would say is, why are you so concerned about being graceful! :) Its ok for you to be tough and assertive! Avoid giving them a number because your number could be higher then their low. I suggest two things - first know of a lower priced alternative. (As in - gee I really love your place and want to have it here but so and so can do it for $X) Second, try to get an idea what other people are paying.

How to haggle gracefully

Unfortunately haggling didn't work for me and I took the price quoted. I wish I would've held out or been more aggresive. Go for it!!

How to haggle gracefully

You need to know the maximum you are willing to spend. Keep in mind that most of the reception sites will give you a per/plate price and tax and gratuities will add almost 25% to that. Don't give your price up front. Tell them you are researching to see what you can get for various ranges. Ask questions, ask what changes can be made to drop the price, and ask what add-ons you can get. You'll get price breaks for doing it 'off-season' or on off days or on afternoons. Saturday night will be your most expensive. Once you know that you have something you like, try to haggle for add-ons to sweeten the deal. We settled on a per/plate, then got them to upgrade to the fancier cake, throw in a 'bread sculpture' at the cocktail hours, and add a modified viennese table at the end of the night. The idea is to figure out what is a win-win. If you want a Saturday night in June - September it may be tough, because they know they can sell it. If you want a Saturday night in January you can bargain for a lot more. With our photographer, we swapped on the size of prints we wanted - didn't want the 11 x 14 and got a few 5 x 7's and 8 x 10's instead. Didn't change what it cost them, but saved us from getting something that would sit in a drawer and saved us from having to pay more for prints for parents and bridal party. Good luck...

How to haggle gracefully

I wouldn't tell them your price. Make them tell you theirs. You may be pleasantly surprised! Make sure to ask about guaranteeing more people or taking unusual dates and times if you have that option. You can also ask for throw-ins... printed cocktail napkins, ice sculptures. I don't think any of the places I went to were negotiating price; Just content.

How to haggle gracefully

I also found that if you are willing to increase the minimum # of guests you're willing to guarantee (but be careful), then they are willing to lower the price somewhat per head. Good luck.

How to haggle gracefully

Just as some of the other ladies said, usually you can negociate content not price. For example, at our location, we did pay the quoted price but during the negociating we got him to throw in some extras like Lamb chops, personalized mint boxes for the tables, a banana's foster station and now we have five choices of an entree (chicken, fish, beef, veal chop,and a vegetarian option). Good luck.