How to Negotiate with Wedding Vendors

As couples plan their weddings, they sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that wedding vendors are in the business of making dreams come true, and that dreams are always ridiculously expensive. Both are untrue. Wedding vendors are in the business of making a profit and what they sell can generally be had at a lower price. You can negotiate with wedding vendors.

While there are probably an infinite number of approaches that can work in negotiating with vendors, there are two that often seem most effective. The first is a friendly but firm approach. Before you meet with the vendor, decide how much you’ll be willing to pay for his or her services. Wedding vendors tend to be personable people, so be someone that they want to work with, but don’t let them drive you any higher than the price you set originally.

The second approach is more of a “good cop, bad cop” one. It will obviously only be effective if there is more than one person at the initial meeting. Decide in advance who is going to be “ecstatic” about the deal and who is going to be “skeptical.” Just when the vendor thinks he or she has locked up a sale, have the skeptical player call the other into a separate room to discuss it. When you come back, suggest a more reasonable price. Hopefully, the vendor won’t be willing to risk losing the sale he has already chalked up in his mind.

One important thing to remember in negotiating with wedding vendors is that a lower price is not the only benefit you might be able to sneak into the deal. The reception hall might be willing to give you an extra hour for free. The caterers might be willing to throw in something extra as your guests arrive. The florist might be willing to substitute a few lilies where you had carnations. If there’s something that’s important to you, make sure the vendor knows it. Once the initial transaction has been made, some vendors can be very generous if you just ask.

Many people will say that money is no issue when planning a wedding. If that’s true for them, more power to them, but it doesn’t have to be true for you. Don’t ever feel bad or stingy for trying to get the most out of every dollar you spend on your special day.

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