Off season for weddings

JennyD52

Is it really true that november through february is an off season for reception halls or is a friday or sunday weddings the best for a budget? thanks to all!!

Brie2010

The only days that I found were actually discounted for vendors were Monday-Thursday.  Friday, Saturday, and Sunday weddings were all the same price, and most venues and photographers I spoke to didn't have rates for any "off season."Vendors are catching on to the "let's save money and have our wedding on Friday" and raising prices to catch up. 

Britton&Jim

Our reception venue had something like a $3 per person discount for weddings in November through March.  We got married November 1. 

[Deleted User]

Generally in my area, yes they are discounted in Jan-March. Other months depending on the venue and from what I understand it varies by region. My venue does not offer discounts because it is not primarily a wedding venue. I did negotiate price, however. I would start looking at websites and calling venues. Ask for if/ when they discount. GL

Leah&Christian09

My photog (and most of the ones I checked out) offered discounts on Friday/Sunday. Most of the venues I checked out didn't, but they did have lower minimums, not that you could have held a reception for anywhere near the minimum price anyway. A few of the rental/bring your own caterer places I talked to did have a reduced rental rate on Fri/Sun. It really just depends on the venue. November-Feb is off season in most of the country, but for DWs and warm climates, those are busy season. Some vendors may offer a discount, some may be busy with corporate events or other obligations and not need to offer discounts to keep their income flowing. Talk to venues and vendors you'd like to use and find out what their policies are.

Emstarme

The venue I think I am going to use offers 10% off on Fridays and Sundays, even in July, so it does seem that we will be able to save some money.

PreppySailor

That is true where I'm from, with the exception of December, because of all the Christmas functions.

OFF

In my area they only discount Mon-Thurs. Fridays and Sundays are way popular to get married now so alot of places no longer give you price breaks. As for months it's generally Jan-Mar. We don't get that cold so November is still a popular month to get married and December you end up competing with Holiday parties (depending on your venue). HTH

Da0419

I agree with everyone else that it seems to be a regional thing.  I am near Chicago, IL, and if you get married in the winter (Nov-Feb, I think), most vendors will throw you a 10% discount plus other incentives because who's crazy enough to get married during a Chicago winter (well, I guess that's me, heh).

ksn56

Like pp - our area venues on Friday and Sunday are only $100-$200 less but still its less, time of day doesn't matter either, best savings during the week, and haven’t found savings on caterers, pics, or baker no matter what day/time you choose. As for off season each part of the country is different. We’re planning ’vow renewal’ for Michigan which off season is September or October (depending on venue) to March. But we’re stationed in Florida and off season seems to be summer time here.

NeoCreed69

There's a venue that if "Plan to have your wedding celebration in the months of January or February and your ceremony at Lawnhaven is compliments of the Innkeepers."  There are a few that are raising their Fri prices to match, a few that won't do Suns and others where it's the cheapest M-R then Sun then Fri and most expensive on Sat.  But the discount isn't all that much outside of the weekday.

mbcdefg

Most places we visited had lower prices for December-early April, and for Friday and Sunday nights as well as Saturday afternoons. We're getting married the week after Easter and that seems to be the point where they start raising their prices to peak again. Our reception hall's lowest price would've been for a Friday night in March. We only nixed that idea because it's during Lent and we're Catholic, so a lot of guests would've refrained from eating meat.

jay10

mostly all hotels in my city offer 10% off for Sunday or Friday receptions, except for holiday weekends.  We are doing a Sunday wedding as it makes no difference to our overseas visitors and most of our friends are in the service industry and it would suit them better....and I figure the rest of them will take the Monday off if they really want to enjoy themselves!! With our hotel venue its a difference of about $1500-$2000 so I think its worth doing, especially if your on a budget. 

W00dy286

I am getting married in January, and while none of our vendors offered na off-season discount to us, we were able to negotiate the prices with all of our vendors because it was off-season. When it comes to wedding vendors, it isn't rude to ask what they are willing to throw-in in order to get your business during their slow season. However, if you are going to try to use this as a bargaining tool, don't be general about it. I.e., don't ask, "what are you willing to do for us if we book our wedding with you during your slow season." Instead ask for something specific. For example, "I saw that your venue typically charges $2/guest for coffee service at a reception. Would you be willing to through in the coffee service free of charge if we book with you during your slow season?" This worked with every one of our vendors.