How To Negotiate...

Can anybody help me???

I am not good at this, but do want to save as much money as possible since FH and I are looking to buy a house before the wedding too! I plan on getting married this October but haven't booked a hall yet. I'm pretty sure where I will be in the near future though. Also, I can pay in cash. So how can I get deals from the catering hall and vendors??

Any advice??

they have to declare something but at the end of the night most halls want cash

I would say flat out how much would I save if i paid cash


The house is a little bit different. Maybe with a for sale by owner, but with real estate agent I doubt it
Just low ball all your prices

for example always say my budget is(making it much lower than it is) that way you can see if they work with u

I'd probably wait until they told me how much they wanted and then I'd say something along the lines of 'We were really hoping to pay x amount...we have the cash ready and everything, but if you can't help us I guess we'll have to go somewhere else'...and then leave.

Most places will call you back right then or in a day or two...but you really do have to be willing to just walk away.

I agree with an above poster.

You can tell right up front that you want to pay cash and see wht kind of discount they would give you for it.

Be careful though! If you are paying cash there may not be any contarcts so to speak. You need things in writing to protect yourself. Keep that in mind.

If you offer to pay in cash after they give you their prices/packages, they will often take off the tax and discount the package too. Just ask what they can do for you if you are able to pay cash....vendors like that lol!!

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Posted by MarjorieFrank

Since October is only a few months away, see what dates are available at each reception hall. They will probably already be giving those remaining dates away at a discounted rate just so they have some business on that night.

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I did this with FLoral Terrace and got an amazing rate. I also checked out Chateau Briand, and Chateau la Mer, and Sandcastle which all gave me good rates for booking in a short time.

I've done really well with just telling them that we're on a budget and it's a little out of our price range. Usually they're quick to say they can work within a budget and I push them to give me a number or I give them one.

I found that RHs don't give a hoot how you're paying but photogs and djs and such definitely do.

It def has to be off season meaning months that are not wedding season. Oct should be good since Sept tends to be more popular for fall weddings. I would steer away from Halloween since it's become more of a trend now.
A list of tips for negotiating with your venue of choice:
1. Weddings that are done evenings on Fri, weekends and HOLIDAYS are def going to run higher than any other weekday. Sunday are usually slower so you might be able to negotiate with the pricing.
2. A Buffet is going to cost you a lot more than a seated dinner since buffet stations require trays and dishes to be re-filled. This means people are going to eat more since portions are not limited. Whereas a seated dinner consist of a 3-4 course meal. If the pricing is not working for you- there are other alternatives, perhaps an afternoon cocktail party w/ passed hors d' oeuvres & beverages or a brunch w/ dessert station.
3. Negotiate on pricing per person particularly if you're planning to have an afternoon or early evening reception. Try to get half price on drinks, kids meals, vendor meals, hors d' oeuvres, (photographers, staff that will working on your wedding day), consumption bar instead of open bar (or see if the venue allow outside alcohol).
4. When you're choosing the entree, stick with one w/ a vegetarian option instead of 3-4 different choices. This will def help cut down the cost. Creating that many options for guests to choose from adds to the cost.
5. For the drinks, have the venue stick with mostly wine & beer with a signature cocktail. If you can bring alcohol from outside even better.
6. Go through everything on the contract- for ex. a 4-course seated dinner for 150 guests w/ vegetarian and kids dinner, 30 full-waitstaff, signature drink, wine/beer w/ complimentary juices/soda, wedding cake with fresh flowers, attendant available to assist bride & groom at the reception, pastry/dessert station, etc. Make sure you agree with the pricing and terms of the venue before you sign that contract listing everything in fine black print.

**One last tip I got from reading a bargain brides book, if all else fails-- instead of telling them it's for a wedding, let them know it's for a family re-union, engagement/anniversary dinner. It might be hard to get around but if you can stick to your story, it could help tremendously with the cost. The only downfall is the decor and cake.

Best of luck & wishes with your wedding plans!