Vendor won't give me a quote

hellohkb

I contacted a woman that I would love to have officiant mine and FH's wedding. We met her at an expo that OBB partnered with in Philadelphia earlier this year and both liked her a lot. I emailed her last night and asked for a quote and if she was available. She said she was but that we both have to have a 30 minute phone meeting with her to see how we click and then we will talk price at a later date. FH thinks this is a bit odd and seems hesitant. I'm not sure if this is normal. Should I be looking for other officiants? I'm scared that we are going to wind up liking her a lot and then she gives us a price and is like $800 or something.

larrygaga

Tell her if she doesn't give you a quote you will move on and find someone else. You don't buy things without knowing at least an estimation of what they cost!

hellohkb

....And TK ate my paragraphs.

hellohkb

I have a feeling she would ignore me if I said that or say she can't work with me. She seems very hippie-ish.

huskypuppy14

I think this is normal for an officiant. She is the most important vendor at your wedding, you want to make sure you guys get along well. 

We met our officiant at her house for the first time because she wanted to meet us and get to know us a little bit.

If this were the florist asking this, I would have a different response.

OliveOilsMom

You could tell her that you really want a quote to start because you don't want to waste her time, if she is over your budget.  I do agree that you should click with your officiant (and photographer too!) but you should at least know she will be within your budget first.

hellohkb

Thanks @larrygaga @huskypuppy14 and @OliveOilsMom! I agree that she is the most important vendor on my wedding day. I may just go ahead with the phone call and ask for a ballpark estimate. I have two backups that I'm also really interested in pursuing. 

Also, I found a Elvis officiant while on a search for a second backup. I found this to be very interesting and may use him as my third backup after I'm done with this glass of wine...

beethery

The only officiant we spoke to sent us a really long worksheet to fill out. Then there was a HUGE section where we she had one word, and we had to write out what that word means to us individually, and as a couple. My favorite part was, "Describe your ideal wedding ceremony." Without consulting each other, we both wrote "Short, and to the point."

She sent us an example ceremony and it was SO FUCKING LONG. Luckily, our DJ is licensed in this state and said he could do a 5 minute ceremony if we wanted it. Same price too.

If I was you, I'd be asking for a price before FI and I spent an hour on the phone with her. The only people I talk to at length on the phone are my grandparents and other older relatives.

CMGragain

Many years ago I decided to remodel the kitchen of my house.New cabinets, appliances, the works.  I called four different companies for ideas and estimates.  The one that did the most advertising refused to give me an estimate in writing.  DH threw them out.  He wasn't subtle or polite.  That company went out of business within a year.

ElcaB

I'd say that you look forward to speaking with her and are more than happy to do that, but in order to proceed you need some idea of the cost to ensure she's within your budget. 

LittlePeachBlossom

I say look for another officiant. There's no reason why they can't give you a price range. It's a waste of time for everyone involved. 

RebeccaFlower

LittlePeachBlossom said:

I say look for another officiant. There's no reason why they can't give you a price range. It's a waste of time for everyone involved. 

I'm with this. As a business person, I am upfront because I don't want to waste my time, either. I think this is bizarre and a cause to wonder how she'd be leading up to the wedding.

smalfrie19

Why invest the time and get to know if they are a good fit and then to find out they are out of your budget. Thats like trying on shoes without looking at the price tag. you fall in love.. and then can't afford them. 

lc07

I understand that they want to make sure you are the right fit before moving ahead and booking with you but I don't know why they can't give you a quote for services. Even like a general price range understanding there will be fluctuations due to specific circumstances like travel. Perhaps there are different prices for how involved you want this officiant to be like attending the rehearsal or how involved they are in the creation of the ceremony. 

jynxiie

That just makes me think she gives different prices to everyone... I wouldn't want to waste my time if she's 3x my budget. Explain to her that you need to have an idea so you don't waste each other times. OR tell her your budget upfront and tell her if she's over that budget to let you know ahead of time so you can find someone else.

hellohkb

Thanks, all. I have another officiant in mind but her website is not working atm. So now I'm at a stand still. *sigh*

lovesclimbing

It sounds to me like she wants to "click" with you guys so then when she tells you her price, you'll cough it up because you guys "clicked," even if it's out of your original price range.