Negotiations

I need some good tips here on getting the photographers and florist down in $$$$. Anybody have some good advice with negotiating? Did you find that the vendors are willing to negotiate? Why does vendor shopping seem more like used car shopping?

some our photographers asked what we wanted to pay, some said they could do it, others couldn't.

i also negotiated with east wind a little bit before signing our contract.

Everything is negotiable!

If they can't work on the price, have them through in some things. Maybe engagement pic's with the Photographer and with the florist, decorating the cake table, your table, etc...

Also cash is king!

Being in November might help. Start with 'I know November isnt a huge month for weddings, do you have off-season discounts'?

'Is that price flexible?' 'Are there things we can alter in this package that will lower the price'?

These are my favorite negotiation lines.

Since im getting married in the winter that totally helped big time!!!! Florist didnt do much but they did give us 05 prices when we booked early 06!
Duet.....didnt lower the price but got sooooooo much more!!!!
Limos i dont think they lowered the price much?! id have too look on that.
Watermill omg.....they def worked w us!!

What I would do is do your research first and find out what everyone else is paying and what are the going ranges for what you want. Then go and neg that, know what you are spending and cut it off there. So when they ask you it can be worked out that way. Some vendors are just not going to go down that low because they know they can get the business but for the most part others will neg and also throw things. Also what I did was got quotes and I would compare them to other companies. If it was a company that I really liked and it was more money I would say well such and such is giving me this and if they could they would match the price if not they will let you know.

Good luck.

LIE!!!!

Well, bend the truth. I am the worst negotiator but I've found that if I check out all the vendors first and at each one just ask 'is this the best you can do for me?' then after I have all the estimates, I go back to the vendor that I really want and say, 'listen, another vendor can do it for me for X dollars (not necessarily the real price - but more what you're willing to pay - within reason). If you can meet it or beat it, we'll sign with you.' I've gotten the price I want for pretty much most things so far. But you have to know that's who you want, because you have to be ready to hold up your end of the bargain if he does 'meet it or beat it'!

Definitley negotiate. Everything is negotiable, If you can't negotiate price definitley try to get extras thrown in. I'm sure they can do it. Good Luck!

Do you know anyone else getting married? When you have two couples getting married, it gives you more bargaining power. My FI's Brother is getting married in 02/07 and we booked all the same vendors and had great negotiating power.

Also, 'Cash is King' -I agree.

especially if you are getting married in a 'slower' month then you can negotiate. when I was given the prices, I'd respons with something like...ok, so then what's the price for a January wedding if that is the price fror your busy season. If they could not come down in price I'd then try for some extras thrown in.

I found the best for me was CASH. I would take the quote that they gave me. Then add in the extras that I wanted after that. Usually I would get most extras for FREE. Then I would offer CASH. Most places would say no tax and some money taken off total.

this really isn't a negotiating tool just a helpful hint..

if you say you live out of state and give an out of state address you don't have to pay NYS tax.. our photographer gave us that hint so we didn't pay tax