I know I promised this article on getting discounts for your wedding on Wednesday, but I got busy. But it's here today and now - that's what matters! Let's get right into it because I have lots to discuss!
1) Phrasing - Whenever I say that I think of Archer. Anyway, we're use to getting asked about discounts all the time, but the way you ask can have a big impact on how we feel. People who are pushy and rude about it won't get as far as people who are nice and reasonable. Think of this as a job interview - I'm trying to impress you and get your business, but you also need to impress me a bit too so that I want to work hard to get you as a client. Be nice, be open, and be genuine.
Sorry, another tangent- back to phrasing! Just remember to ask for discounts politely by saying phrases like "Are your prices flexible?" or "Are you open to discounts?" instead of just spitting out there "Can I get a discount?" You can also be real general and say "Is there room for negotiation?" The theme is to test the waters by seeing if any wiggle room exists before going in for the kill.
2)Always ask! I can't just give stuff away for the fun of it! Always, always, always ask if prices can be discounted. But once again, be polite and try to wait until the end of the site tour or, better yet, when you receive a proposal. It bothers me personally when people call and ask "Can I get a discount?" when we just scheduled their site tour. You don't even know if you'll like this venue and you already want a discount? That's starting off on the wrong foot in my opinion.
3) Upgrades, not freebies - The best wedding discounts are not always the ones you get in dollars, but in value. They are also the easier one for me to provide. No, I can't reduce your beverage bill by 50%, but I may be able to provide you premium product at house prices. It makes your bar looks nicer, it doesn't cost me as much to provide that upgrade and you still get to save money.
Honestly, when clients ask me to straight up discount the beverage bill by $1,000, I flat out say no. However, when they ask me to provide premium product at house prices, I go back and do some numbers. I look at how much they are spending on the entire rental and how often we've booked that date in the past. It's not going to knock $1,000 off their bill doing that move, but it will save a few hundred dollars. Do that enough times with each vendor and you'll get the discount you wanted and the event you dreamed of.
4) Do your homework - Would you buy a car without knowing how much the car is selling for an other dealerships? No. So why do you do that with your wedding? Do your homework and learn the costs of everything. For some reason, most people greatly underestimate the cost of a wedding. Let me spell it out - a good starting point is $100 a person to cover all your costs. I won't be surprised if you spend more.You're not just paying for the product, you are also covering all the staff costs associated with that item.
Shop prices by reading websites, read wedding boards and see what other brides have said, and ask for lots of proposals. It will help you ask for something reasonable instead of completely off the wall.
5) Know when to back off - Like any good hand of poker, there is a time to step away. Don't be a butt if you're not getting your way. If you're not happy, then walk away. There are so many wedding vendors out there, I know there is someone perfect for you and your budget!
Good luck!
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