Wedding Packages - Did you negotiate?

Tootie512

Ladies,

I have found quite a few venues that are basically all inclusive however there are certain things that I've found I dont want/need. Did any of you negotiate your pricing based on what you needed? For example one package had a 4 hour open bar but maybe we only want it for 2 hours or its a 4 course dinner and we only want 2...were you able to negotiate the package price down?

2010Bride2be

No. If you want a lower price, then you will need to find a venue who charges a lower amount. Most venues are not going to lower their price to accomodate your budget when they can book another client who is willing to pay the price. They may negotiate in regards to add ons or 'replacements' but I doubt they'll lower their price.

bbrown185

Our venue did allow us  to make cuts to fit into a set plan that we had, but what we found was that when we strayed away from the packages things costed more.    For example with the package, our open bar was 21.50 per person for 4 hours. Without it, 27.50 per person.  With 210 people that was a huge jump, so our thinking was our guests get more for the same amount that we would pay for them to get less.

tyboyd

I talked my venue down $1300. And I barely took anything out the package. Just negotiate. The worst that can happen is them saying no.

Gift928

Its always good to negotiate. Most places will actually work with you to come up with a customized package that you will be happy with. I actually approached most venues with the mindset of  "this is what i have ($$), what can we get for that." Then worked in things i needed/wanted to fit my budget.

halfpin21

I would say it doesn't hurt to ask.  Just keep in mind the answer might be no. But asking isn't bad at all.

hatroopes

Negotiate everything!!! I can't even tell you how much we've saved by negotiating, but it's in the thousands!!! It also doesnt help to have a smooth talking FI lol. But like PP said - all they can say is no. But I would advice you to never accept the first offer without at least trying to negotiate.

mahoganieyes

Negotiate if you can. My wedding is at a Marriott and in my area is 4-5 other Marriott hotels and I visited them and price compared. Then I approached my venue and told them this location is offering this price for that location, will you be able to match? My venue gave us a 10% discount on package. That helps some; especially with 24% service tax.

miss2mrscj

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_wedding-packages-did-negotiate?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:e040f341-ad38-4ba2-80b3-9237854851daPost:365a172f-4ef9-481a-ae54-4e128602662d">Re: Wedding Packages - Did you negotiate?</a>:
[QUOTE]I talked my venue down $1300. And I barely took anything out the package. Just negotiate. The worst that can happen is them saying no.
Posted by tyboyd[/QUOTE]

THIS!
My venue went from $28 per person to $19. Please don't hesitate to ask!

chescam

We negotiated. Venodors would rather work with you than have you leave without getting any business. We were ready to walk away from our current venue until the manager asked us to bring in quote from the venodor we were going to go with. He said if we brought in the quote, he would match the price. He did. It saved us nearly $1500. We also have an option of working with an outside caterer but they've already told us to check back with them before we book to see if they can provide the same style of food/price. Although we have not booked a caterer yet, this is good to know that they are willing to work with us no matter what. It never hurts to ask.

happe2gether

Negotiate. Negotiate. Negotiate.  Agreeing with ppl.  Try first, if they say no then keep it moving.  Do what works for you.  

SN - for vendors in Orlando, try to get signed up on weddingdeals.com.  They send daily emails of what's been discounted and you can save plenty of $$ on some of the deals.  I was able to do that with a few vendors.  Also there is a big bridal show coming up on 6/6 I think, you can get good discounts there too.  At least 2 of my vendors said they offer the most discounts at the bridal show AT THE BEGINNING of the year and then taper down from there.  If you can book up well in advance when the offer the biggest discount that might have mone for you.  I've gotten a discount on everything so far.

Artemis9999

Most of the venues I met with were very flexible about this kind of thing and to be honest I would be leery of a place that wouldn't negotiate with you...after all you are a paying customer and they should be catering to you. If you're trying to get like 10k off or something obviously that isn't going to happen but just tailoring the package to you should be fine. Our venue is doing it for us. They just said as long as we meet our minimum they don't care how we do it! I'd say ask...the worse they can say is no and then it's on to the next!

island07b2b

My venue is all inclusive but has had no problem working with me on issuing credits for the parts/items I want to hire out myself or not have.  This is one of the reasons I chose my venue because of how flexible they are.   I would definitely ask for whatever it is that you are looking for.   I've yet to run into a vendor that wasn't willing to work with me in some way.  If they say no then you at least know what you are working with and you can make the decision to go with them or not. 

danielle0704

let THEM tell you no...i say negotiate!

M1ssJ

Heck yes!!!!! On of my top 2 contender venues had an all inclusive package , I wanted a NYE or Memorial Day wedding (non-saturday). They needed revenue for a day the place would be empty anyways . Their brunch recpetion is normally 55 per person including 2 hours of mimosas and champagne plus 22% service tax 7% sales tax which works out to $85 a person ish. Well I was straight up and told them my budget , they were running a summer special where they cut out the 20% service fee. I asked them to extend that for me and to back the cost of the bar out of each person under 21's cost and add an extra hour of mimosas to everyone else at no charge.

Negotiate!!!

lil01

All of the above!! Definitely negotiate. They'll either tell you yes....we can work something out, or no. One or the other.

Good luck!!