over budget

mrsamyjones · February 2010

Ok so this weekend we met with some of our vendors and figured out that we are well over budget. Is this something that many of you experienced?

We are kinda stressing out. I dont want to have to start cutting people from the guest list (obviously not anyone that has been invited to any pre-wedding parties or that has received a STD) but we need to find ways to save. We already cut our DJ and plan on having an ipod reception, we're also not having favors. Do you girls have any other suggestions?

CN: We need to save some money, please offer suggestions to cut costs of the reception.

kate51485 · February 2010

Check out the budget board?

ThePinkSuperhero · February 2010

Move the reception to a non-meal time, and serve just cake & punch.

bbyckes · February 2010

How much are you over budget? What about your paper? Can you go with less expensive invites? What are some other things you're considering cutting back on?

polichik · February 2010

What stuff have you already booked or paid for?

MeaghanandMichael · February 2010

Limos, pre wedding pampering, honeymoon and "extras" like cake toppers and stuff are things I can think of off the top of my head that can be scaled back for sure.

mocha beans · February 2010

I'll just ditto all the other ideas, and add getting a temp second job. Either of you have a skill that you could do side work for?

mrsamyjones · February 2010

We're about 3 grand over budget. It's not the END OF THE WORLD but it's gonna make things difficult for a little bit. We already have our invites, they were on the cheap, I think in total they ended up being 65 dollars. Our biggest expense is our catering and rentals. The cost of the food isn't "outrageous" but their labor charges and the taxes kill us. I guess I just need to see if I can negociate with the caterer. Our centerpeices have been scaled down and I will have to discuss scaling back the alcohol to beer and wine.

I also posted this on the budget weddings board. You girls just seem to be helpful with everything else I figured you'd have some advice for this too.

I am open to scaling back everything, we have booked all of our major vendors so I can't change them now, but any advice on how to negociate prices? I'm not the greatest at that.

MeaghanandMichael · February 2010

I think that negotiating prices is all a matter of will. You would be shocked at how many vendors will come down in price if you give them an honest spiel about how you REALLY love their work, but need to come to a compromise in budget. Many of the really high end ones won't, but many will in this economy.

Also, for certain things you can look into college kids (ceremony music? hair and makeup?) and others perhaps you can borrow other stuff like jewelry?

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · February 2010

Can you explain this a little more? How did you book vendors without getting a price quote or having prices solidified in a contract? Which costs were a surprise?

squirrly · February 2010

I'd talk to your caterer, and give them a total final all inclusive number that you're willing to pay, and ask what they can deliver for that number. Does your contract state what you have to order, or just that you're using them?

mrsamyjones · February 2010

Our catering contracts are not finalized yet. We have signed contracts stating we will be using them, put down deposits as retainers and picked out food. The part that got sneaky is that when we got the original quote it apparently only included the food, they didnt mention that they were tacking on labor and taxes at a later time. I'll admit it was my fault for not being totally clear on this in the beginning, however now that they have given us our latest quote, including the labor fees and taxes it is almost double what we were quoted originally. So this is how we got in a bind. Kinda irked, but now I'm just trying to figure out how to remedy this.

polichik · February 2010

The single best WR thing that I've done was when we first approached our caterer. I sent an e-mail that basically said, "You come highly recommended, and we'd like to work with you. Our budget is $XXX amount for 110 people. We'd ideally like to do a three-course sit down-dinner with open beer/wine/soda bar. Is this possible?"

After nothing more than that, they reduced their cost pp for food by $15 and open bar by $18. Hell to the yeah.

Maybe just let them know how much you're willing to spend. Many places will negotiate with you (within reason) to keep you as a happy customer.

razdazzle · February 2010

Just be honest with the vendors that you need to scale back due to budget constraints. Ask if they have suggestions to lower your cost. Don't be afriad to negotiate. In this economy most businesses, especially in the event industry, are happy to meet your budget!

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