Asking for Discounts

Gumby68

My Fi and I have found the perfect place for our wedding reception. It's much more expensive than any of the other places we were considering, but no other expensive venues had any wow factor for us so we never considered them. Our original budget was based on the average pricing for the original venues we had been considering. Increasing the budget is doable, but it's going to make things a bit tight. Does anyone have any good suggestions on requesting possible discounts without coming across as rude? It's a museum, and we know they offer discounts for their memberships and one day passes to school employees (Fi works for the local district), but nothing was mentioned when we were speaking with the coordinator. 

Avion22

Our venue offered us a small discount (10%) becuase I'm in the military, but they mentioned it to US (we didn't have to ask).  I did ask a few other vendors if they offered a military discount. 

I would be honest with the venue and tell them that while you LOVE their space, it's a bit of a stretch for your budget.  Have you considered getting married on a Friday or Sunday?  Those can be less expensive.   Or just say something like, "I noticed you discount museum admission for school employees -- you wouldn't happen to offer that discount for weddings, would you?"   They may or may not, but they may be willing to work with you to come up with a solution.

 

staar987

I'd say that it is worth mentioning. I would do it in the way Avion suggested.

Our venue is a university. They offer discounts for current students and employees. My FI is alumni and I asked if the discount would still apply. I was told that they had never had that situation before but gave us the discount because they had decided that if someone asked about that they would give it to them.

Gumby68

Thank you everyone. I was going back and forth between thinking I was being rude and thinking I was overthinking it. I feel much more comfortable asking now that a few people have said it isn't weird, and it sounds like I can just ask.