Negotiating

I am a wedding newbie recently engaged feb 25, 2005 in Venice Italy. I was just wondering if the experienced brides negotiated the price with the catering halls, if so how much did they come down in price and what extras did they throw in so that I can ask for them this weekend. Hopefully we will find our place by this weekend

Congratulations and welcome!

I was able to negotiate a little but I don't want the typical cocktail hour. No chafing dishes or carving stations. So a few places came down about $5-$10 a plate.

Also, some added extras like they would make sure that they had the beer that FH wanted at no charge since it isn't normally served at the open bars.

All you need to do is ask. Tell them what you want and make sure they know that you are looking at other places. They want to book you and will try there best to.

Good Luck!

I was able to negotiate a lot with my place... I was open and honest with them from the start, and so were they. They came to the table with a price, and I didn't want to pay that much. I was able to get them down $30 a head! I was proud

Congrat on your engagement and welcome!
Where in Venice? Must've been romantic! We are going there on HM and can't wait. We also got engaged in Europe (at Prague castle).

Sorry for the aside. As far as negotiating, we were able to neg the extras but we are adding a lot to our party. I think we were unable to neg price b/c we got them to lower their minimum guarantee for us. I think if you are guaranteeing more people, you will have more power to neg. Good luck!

St. Marks Square at night! Just like the commercial on TV. I think my fiance like it because his name is Mark.

Everything is negotiable...I tell people some of the numbers I was quoted and they think I am lying. I would look at a number of places, narrow it down to the ones you really like and then put them head to head. I got my catering hall down considerably per person as well as a lower total minimum number. Make sure you are ready to commit and play hardball....these places want your business and don't want to see you walk away. Remeber it doesn't hurt to ask for anything...the worst they can say is no!
Good Luck