Welcome back, dear reader, to Money & Matrimony! The monthly series where I look at the intersection of spounces and spending, and try to demystify the financial nuisances of nuptials. Basically help you make budgeting and spending money on your next wedding easier!
We’ve been spending the past few months looking at specific budget items that you might be including (like a certain sensible dress) and some tips that could help you prepare. But let’s take a couple of steps back and look at our wedding budget with a broader lens. Not only that, but let’s talk about some tips that can help you with your budget as a whole, especially as you begin to speak to wedding vendors.
That’s right, we're negotiating!
How To Negotiate With Wedding Vendors
Have A Clear Idea Of Your Budget
Based on my previous entries with this series, this one might seem most obvious. I do still believe it’s worth stressing that you really should have a solid idea of how much you’re willing to spend overall, and also for each vendor. This is another instance of “why”.
When you get to the point of negotiating, this gives you a chance to see where you can finagle with your vendors, and which vendors you’re able to move the needle on regarding their prices. This will also help you to…
Pick Your (well researched within your budget) Battles
When deciding on your vendors, it’s always helpful to have a closer look into that vendor's prices, and fees, and any reviews that they might have gotten. This will give you a clear idea of what you’re paying for, and what you’re signing up for relationship-wise (depending on the vendor you could be working with them for an extended time period).
Once you have that, and a well-researched budget, you can have an idea of where you would want to lean more into negotiating prices.
Be Polite
This one might go without saying, but you would be surprised!
We know that the wedding industry is a competitive market, but sometimes couples can underestimate just how competitive it can get to secure the vendors they want during their selected days.
So with that said, be careful when you’re looking to negotiate. If you start haggling and coming off as someone a vendor wouldn’t want to work with, they can easily move on and work with someone else.
Always assume there’s another couple who is looking at the same time you are, because chances are that’s exactly what is happening.
That isn't a reason to panic, though! On the contrary, this can be a chance for you to learn more about why the vendor sets the prices the way they do. Figuring that insight out can help you with other vendors overall, as well, and give you more insight on where to put wiggle room in your budget.
