Tips for Negotiating the Best Wedding Deals

photo credit: coachwithjeremy.com

You would agree with me that weddings cost lots of money. You can spend $2000 or $20000; it’s still money depending on which side of the divide you are. Whether you have the million dollar budget or not so huge budget, negotiating the best deals is something you want to do. When negotiating deals, be mindful that quality is better than quantity. 

Lower costs don’t necessarily equal better service delivery. Getting value for your money should be paramount. I have a few tips to help you when bargaining with wedding vendors.

• CHOICE OF DATE: Choose periods or dates that are not regular wedding periods. If you are getting married here in Nigeria, weekend weddings are the most expensive to pull together and the month of December is a peak period for weddings. However, Thursdays are becoming a trend for couples who want a quiet ceremony. Why not consider a Sunday wedding without reception or a Monday morning when people are off to work?
• MEET THE RIGHT PERSON: When negotiating, make sure you are speaking to the right person not just a representative or spokesperson who knows next to nothing. Talking to someone who is not in a position to make the best and/or final decisions won’t favour you after all. If you can, insist on speaking to the owner, manager or someone who is offering the service or selling to you.
• THINK ADDITION: What can the vendor add that won’t cost either of you anything. For instance, can you get twenty extra plates at d same price or two extra photo frames for the price of one? You never can tell unless you ask.
• THE FINAL DECISION? Let them believe the final decision doesn’t rest with you. If you are a bride speaking with a facility manager, tell the guy you have to speak with the groom first or you have to talk to the financiers of the wedding. And don’t allow them talk to the person that has the final decision
• DON’T ACT TOO INTERESTED: Don’t act too interested in a deal. Act like you got a better deal elsewhere and you are willing to walk away at any time. After all, the vendor is not the only one offering the product or service.
• WIN-WIN SITUATION: Provide a win-win situation; don’t make the other party feel cheated. Be willing to give up something also. If the other party feels cheated, they are not likely to fulfill their own part of the deal
• ASK FOR MORE: Ask for more than you expect to get. If you are bargaining for the bridesmaids’ bouquet, ask if you can get the groomsmen boutonnieres in addition. There’s no harm in asking. The worst you can get is a NO!
• AVOID RANGES: Avoid setting ranges. If you have a price in mind, name it instead of saying between so and so amount. Naming a price communicates to the other person you are serious minded and knows what you want.
• ASK FOR DISCOUNT: Always ask for a discount. This is especially easier if you are buying more than one item. For instance, you can ask the bridal salon for a 15 – 20% discount if your bridesmaids are making their hair in the same salon.
• GO ‘OFF PACKAGE’: When you are negotiating for something but the vendor doesn’t have your specifics in the packages offered, you can state what you want exclusively. Don’t be afraid to make demands. This allows you to get exactly what you want and not have to spend on what is not necessary.

Have you negotiated with a wedding vendor lately, share with us below how you were able to get value for your money.