Question for Belle Mer Brides...

SummerBoston10

I just wanted to see how the vendor selection process actually works at Belle Mer before I start it.  I should clarify that I am interested in how it works if you want it to count towards your event minimum.  I was told that they will work with any vendor and as long as you book through them it can count towards your event minimum.  If I have already emailed with a vendor and have a price quote how do we then go about booking this through Belle Mer so that it can count towards the minimum.  I know that Belle Mer will add on to the price but any advice on how we can keep the markups down and/or make this process as smooth as possible would be greatly appreciated.Thanks!

aylee

Hi Becky!  If you want the vendor to count towards your event minimum, just tell Belle Mer that you want them to book that vendor.  Unfortunately, they tack on whatever they want on the prices.  I got a 30% mark-up while other got as much as 50%.  Belle Mer does everything for you, just let them know the vendor and what you like.  When are you getting married?  Salon or Island House?

SummerBoston10

I'm getting married in the Island House.So if I know that a band for example is $4500, I should expect them to charge me $6500 (or something like that) plus all of the admin charges, etc.?  What do they say if you call them out on the fact that they are majorly upcharging the vendor's fee?I asked in the beginning if I could be part of the negotiation process with vendors and they said that is fine.  So how does it work when they let you be a part of the negotiations but then decide what to add on? It just seems really weird.....When we toured we asked about the pricing we could expect from vendors if booked through Belle Mer and they told us that sometimes the prices will be even lower than if you book it yourself.  Is that really not true?

aylee

That's what they said to me before I booked them and that's not what I've experienced so far.  They probably could negotiate the price, but that might b before Belle Mer's mark-up.  When you add what Belle Mer tacks on, it's still more expensive on our end.I haven't really confronted them much about the mark-up since I'm only booking the DJ through them and booking everything else on my own.  But once I talk to them, I'll let you know.

Karen G.

If you think the price is too high, say so and try to negotiate it down. It's all part of the business plan.I haven't seen if they've been able to mark down anything from a vendor's original quote yet. We're only doing the photographer and DJ through them. We did get the photographer's markup taken down because we weren't happy with it. We just got our DJ recommendations and are planning to restart the process again. Good luck!

saraarnold

Hi, I am getting married at the Belle Mer too. I saw that many of you said that you are only booking a few things through them and the rest on your own. For the vendors you are booking on your own...are you paying $500 for each vendor extra then? That is what it said in our contract about doing it on your own...was just curious if others had that as well. Also could you give me names of Dj's and Photographers, Florists etc. that you liked. I from Michigan, and have been doing everything online...so it is a bit of a struggle and any advice would be great!!

SummerBoston10

I am only paying $250 per vendor that I book outside of Belle Mer.  I toured the State Room first and the salesperson there told me the fee was $250 so I held them to that when I booked Belle Mer.I have booked a band and my photographer so far.  I'm using Rare Form for the band and Scott Zuehlke for my photographer.  Both are based out of Massachusetts actually.  I haven't decided on my florist yet but I met with and really loved Toni Chandler.  She is a great designer which is very important to me.  I don't want someone that needs to be told EXACTLY what I want because I don't know exactly what I want.  It seems to me that a lot of the lower priced florists require a lot more direction.  Hope that helps and let me know if you have any other questions!

nptnyc

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to say that I met with Belle Mer this weekend and this is NOT their policy - I was very concerned about this going in but you can bring in any vendor you want without any markup of flat fee from Belle Mer. I even specifically asked them about this - and referenced seeing posts on wedding wire, the knot, etc. They are aware that these posts exist but not sure where they come from since this is not their policy and never has been. If any brides are considering Belle Mer don't let this scare you off!