Asking for a discount

Oh I have thought about it! Definately gonna giove it a try when I aim to book my DJ soon.
I thought I would go along the lines of "oh well I wasn't budgeting for that much" then go for a slightly lower figure!
Its worth a try I reckon!

We did for corkage at our venue.

Try it every time - depends on the supplier of course, so don't be surprised if they say no. Personally I like a bit of cheek and enjoy negotiating discounts with customers - makes life more interesting.

Claire x

I think it depends on exactly what you are ordering from them.

If you are ordering a set package exactly as they offer and just want them to give you a discount on it or to throw something extra in, then I doubt you will be successful as they will have their profit margins worked out.

I suspect you are more likely to be successful if you are asking for something different to what they are offering iyswim. So if you want to mix and match bits from different packages or don't want one aspect of a package then you may be able to negotiate something.

I got 20% of my dress through asking, my mum had seen it with 30% of near her but you had to spend the 30% in the shop so my mum and OH forced me to ask and the shop gave me 20% off.

OH also got money knocked of the marquee price as we had another quote and they gave us £700 of.

Its always worth asking they can only give you a discount or say no so you don't have anything to loose.?

My dad tried this today actually!!! he knows the big boss man of the hotel where we are having our reception and had meeting with him to see what could be thrown in. he outright refused!!!

IT actually ended up that my dad then went round with the hotel wedding planner who will be with us on the day, who then whispered to him that he would see what he could do to thrown in tea/coffee etc for drinks reception, as long as dad didn't tell his boss!!

People ask me for discounts all the time, particularly if they want something that falls within two packages or they want one particular package but not every element in it.
If they ask nicely, I often say yes.
Perhaps it depends on what suppliers you're negociating with and also what your grounds are for a discount!

As a planner this is a major part of what I do. Although I have my organised discounts with suppliers there are times when I have to find a new supplier and it's my job to get the best price.

On the workshops I do, one of the sections covered is how to negotiate with suppliers as this is a major key is keeping your wedding BELOW budget.

My first bit of advice is (where possible) don't settle for the first quote. Get at least three different quotes for exactly the same thing. If the supplier you prefer is more expensive, ALWAYS go back and say that they are your prefered choice but another supplier has been able to offer you the same thing for less could they match it and come close. You need to remember that unless this supplier is truely not bothered about getting your business they will bend to get it and make sure their competitor doesn't! If they do say no, tell them that you will need time to consider, more often than not, you will have contact from them saying that they will reduce the cost.

If they are unable to move on the price ie/ the venue has a set price for the food, ask them if they can include anything extra into the package eg/from a complimentary room if not included, free bottle of champagne in the bridal suite to thank you bouquets for mothers. I've just got one venue to include an extra function room with LCD projector so we can set it up as a cinema room between day and night- saving £500!

The main thing is don't come across as rude or pushy, if suppliers feel they are going to be dealing with a bridezilla they can and will refuse your business because they don't want the hassle of dealing with a difficult customer.

If you are nervous about asking for a better price - we aren't used to doing it in this country, practice either to a friend/partner or infront of the mirror.

I could go on about this for ages as I feel so strongly that people should get the best price. A lot of suppliers make such a huge mark up because it has the 'W' word involved.

HTH

Ruth❤️

So far I've managed to save quite a bit of money by negotiating with suppliers...not being pushy or anything, just asking reasonably and politely. H2B won't do it though but fortunately I'm not afraid to ask!

But so far I've saved more than £1000 on the venue, £500 on the band, £100 on flowers and about £250 on catering. Oh, and got a good deal with our photographer by asking for a slightly different package so we got exactly what we wanted. Not sure if there's anything left to negotiate on now though!

So definitely go for it! Saving that money has meant we've been able to spend more on fireworks for the evening do among other things.

Always ask, it is worth trying.

I work to Brides Budgets so if they have a price guide it helps me to price their flowers according to the style, flowers etc.
I can usually offer some alternatives & work to their budget.

Ask but ask nicely is my tip

i have had brides come in and demand i match another shops pricing and i have refused as they were undercutting , mind you this is the second time they have gone out of business in 18 months or are about to go out of business again since last thursday

i have told these brides no


then there are the ones that come in and ask nicely. i havent ever met the other shops pricing but i have pointed out the pitfalls of shops doing this and come to some sort of agreement with them even if its free accessories or a free bm dress

it depends on the way you ask and how you come across , as said above if someone appears stroppy and bridezillaish we tend to think is the profit worth the hassle later on in the year when we are really busy.


i am ashamed to admit i have even given one girl a code of a dress in the past and told her to buy elsewhere as she was so rude [:I]

Not all "discounts" are as good as they sound. for example, i could offer you a £100 discount, then charge you £160 for alterations (when alterations normally cost £60) not that i do this. we tell all our customers all costs, up front. but remember business is business. if somebody offers a discount, they will more often than not make their money back in some way.

There is never any harm in asking but don't be surprised if the answer is no particularly if your wedding is on a Saturday in July. We can offer some flexibility for out of season or weekday weddings as it is unlikely we would get another booking for the date but prime dates we have to keep for full priced bookings as this is the only thing we do to make a living.

Good luck!