Do you need tips to negotiate costs with a wedding vendor? This is the post for you!
Everyone knows that weddings are expensive. Or, at least, they can be if you’re not strategic. Sometimes the strategy to keep costs low is to keep your guest list low. Or to get married in the off-season. Perhaps you’re planning to DIY your own food or flowers. There are lots of ways to make sure that your wedding is affordable. This includes working with wedding vendors on how much their services will cost, too.
The thing is, wedding vendors will make up a huge portion of your overall wedding budget. They tend to be expensive when it comes to weddings because they are truly putting their best out there for your day. No one is saying that wedding vendors don’t deserve every single penny they charge. However, in some cases, you may want to negotiate costs with a wedding vendor. This does not mean that they give away services for free. Rather, it’s a discussion about what services can be provided for what amount. More on all that later.
9 Tips To Negotiate Costs With A Wedding Vendor
This post is going to give you nine tips to negotiate costs with a wedding vendor. Remember, it’s not about strong arming a business to drop their costs just for you. It’s more about building a relationship where you both understand what’s possible. Wedding vendors often have their choice of who to work with, just as you have your choice of who to hire. The key to matching the right service with the right price is both parties wanting to make it work.
Let’s get into it!
1. KNOW WHAT YOUR BUDGET IS, AND BE VERY CLEAR WITH IT
The first step to negotiate costs with a wedding vendor is to know how much you have to spend.
This entails creating a wedding budget. Not just an overall budget, but one that is detailed enough for you to understand how much you have to spend on each category of your wedding. Knowing what you are able to spend on a particular vendor will aid you in negotiations. It allows you to have a target in mind, and from there you can see if each wedding vendor is willing to work with it.
2. MAKE THE VENDOR WANT TO WORK WITH YOU
As mentioned above, wedding vendors do not have to work with people they don’t want to work with.
What does this mean for you? Well, it involves common courtesy. No, you don’t have to be over the top friendly with wedding vendors, but you should be kind, responsive, and nice to be around. Being a good person will come in handy when you let the vendor know what your budget is, and strategize ways with them to meet it.
3. DO YOUR RESEARCH ON WHAT THE VENDOR’S COMPETITION COSTS, AND WHAT THEY OFFER
One key part of negotiation is coming in prepared. This means you know what your options are, and how they compare to the vendor you want to compromise with.
In order to prepare properly, you need to do your research. Look up other similar vendors who could work your wedding. See what services they offer, and for what price. It’s never going to be a perfect comparison between vendors, because experience and other factors come into play, but it helps to know. You can then use that information to see if your vendor will price match or increase services for a lesser price.
4. ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT, IN A VERY NICE WAY
No one wants to make a deal with someone who is asking in an entitled or demanding way. No one.
So, when it’s time to negotiate costs with a wedding vendor, ask nicely.
This does not have to be daunting. It can be as simple as meeting with the vendor, and asking if they are willing to work with you on price. Start there. See if they are open to it. From there, nicely let them know what you were thinking, in order to be in line with your budget. Many vendors who own their own businesses are willing to work with couples who are trying to stay on budget, and are being super cool about the negotiation.
5. SEE IF YOU CAN COME TO A COMPROMISE
Some people think compromises mean that everyone loses, but I don’t think that has to be the case.
When you negotiate costs with a wedding vendor, aim for a win-win situation. For example, maybe your wedding will be during a particularly slow time for the vendor, or on an unusual day. Vendors will usually opt to book those types of weddings at a discount, in lieu of having an open spot on their calendars. Or, perhaps you’re working with a florist and are open to the types of flowers that could be used in your wedding, at a reduced price. The florist then has the option to use whatever flowers they have excess of, that could potentially wilt, and use them at your wedding instead of giving them up at a loss.
Depending on the vendor, there is usually a creative option that allows both of you to feel good about the negotiation.
6. REMAIN RESPECTFUL AND EMPATHETIC AT ALL TIMES
Remember earlier when I said to be nice when you ask? Let’s talk about that in more depth.
When you work with a vendor, always remain respectful and empathetic. These vendors are running a business. They do not owe anyone anything. The vendors have bills to pay, and money to make, just like the rest of us. Chances are, if you’re working with a corporation, they will not negotiate, so you’re likely negotiating with a small business.
Be respectful. Remember that they don’t have to reduce their prices or increase their services just because you asked. They likely want to make things work, but only for people who are willing to see their side as well.
7. STOP NEGOTIATING WHEN THE DEAL HAS BEEN REACHED
Part of negotiating means that you know when to stop.
If you negotiate costs with a wedding vendor, and you’ve come to a point where you’re receiving a better deal than you would have before negotiating, it’s time to stop negotiating. For example, perhaps you have a photographer who has agreed to lower their prices by 10% for the same amount of time spent at your wedding. This is what you originally wanted them to do, and what you had asked for at the start of your negotiation. Once you get the discount, don’t then ask the photographer for more discounts. Just stop. Accept what you achieved, and feel happy about it. Asking for more, more, more, and you may turn off the vendor from working with you altogether.
8. BE OKAY WITH WALKING AWAY, OR ACCEPTING THE VENDOR’S PRICES, IF YOU CAN’T COME TO AN AGREEMENT
What happens if you try to negotiate and the vendor isn’t into it?
Well, you have two main options. The first is to try and work with another vendor. This is, however, dependent on if you already have a contract with the vendor you’re negotiating with. If you have a contract to work with them, or a deposit given, you may have to break the contract or lose your deposit if you walk away.
The second main option you have is to just proceed with the vendor’s prices. They are what they are, and there may be no way to discount them any more. You asked, you tried, and it didn’t work out. Accepting the vendor’s prices and moving forward with your wedding as planned is totally okay.
9. HAVE A BACKUP PLAN, JUST IN CASE
In some cases, negotiations can sour a relationship. They may make one or both parties wish they weren’t working together, and kind of taint the future partnership.
If you find yourself in this situation, be sure to have a backup plan. Of course, having the backup plan before you negotiate is best, just in case. Not only will it help give you a little peace of mind that you have options, but it will make you less “desperate” to stick with a vendor you maybe can’t afford.
THOUGHTS ON TIPS TO NEGOTIATE COSTS WITH A WEDDING VENDOR
Friends, there is a right way to negotiate costs with a wedding vendor. Be sure to know what you want before you go into the conversation. Do your research, and have a backup plan just in case. Always be respectful, empathetic, and kind. Aiming for a win-win is the goal, and there is almost always a compromise when we get creative. You’ve got this! Happy wedding planning!
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