Wedding Negotiation and Getting the Best Deal

When it comes to getting the best deal on venue reservations, reception flowers, and your favorite appetizers, it's important to learn a few things about negotiation. This is no time to hide in the shadows of wedding planning and shy away from a good ol' fashioned haggling down of a price. If you want your wedding budget to accommodate your expectations, you must tap into your hidden wedding negotiation skills. I know they're in there somewhere!

Preparation is a Must

Before approaching any vendor, retailer, or company – you need to know what you want and how much you are willing to spend for it. This is where your wedding budget comes into play. In order to truly maximize your wedding negotiation, allow yourself a bit of breathing room by creating flexibility through slight over-estimation. You need to leave wriggle room.

Once your budget has been set, you can then investigate potential products and services. Make sure to assess the market value for desired items, which will certainly help you comparison shop. In the end, knowledge is key and builds confidence that helps when it comes time for wedding negotiation.

Woo Suppliers

If possible, do your wedding negotiation in person rather than over the phone. Sometimes, it's hard to say 'no' to the twinkling eye of a blushing bride to be. Plus, this is the perfect time to make nice with the retailers and vendors. Try to establish a relationship. Call the manager by his or her first name. Compliment the store or services that you are interested in. When speaking, flash your pearly whites. With a little bit of respect, wedding negotiation can become a much easier task than expected.

Carefully Shape Your Language

Wedding negotiation is often shaped by the terminology you use, tone of voice, and language. For instance, don’t ask questions that open up the airwaves for a 'no' response. Leave the negative language at the door. Encourage 'yes' responses by asking questions, such as "can we work out some sort of deal on this?" Positive statements, such as "If the price is within my budget, I won't look at another store."

Wedding Negotiation Tip

Keep in mind that wedding negotiation isn’t all about getting a cheaper price. Sometimes, you can sweeten your deals by asking for extras. Perhaps, you can persuade the caterer to grant you free delivery or perhaps you can receive a few freebies for buying ribbons, table decorations, and wedding favors in bulk.

Photos by Rawtography