Negotiation Novice

I didn't negotiate for anything. We didn't go for anything outside our budget in the hope of getting a negotiated discount so didn't really need to. I take rejection very badly and know that I wouldn't have responded postively to the whole negotiation process

I fear I might be the same, Im just worried that we might be missing out on something. Everybody else I've spoken to has negotiated on either venue, food, flowers, cake or dress...or a combination of those. I need some courage!

When we were venue hunting we negotiated on the cost of packages (i.e. asked them come down from their set £xx per head) and on the room rates for guests. The planners we spoke to about this seemed like they were expecting and didn't bat an eyelid in saying what they could reduce it to. It wasn't at all confrontational - go for it!! If they can't do anything for you they will say so immediately, but they certainly won't be offended that you've asked.

The best negotiation I did was for our honeymoon though. I cheekily asked if we could get a free upgrade to an ocean-view villa at our hotel, expecting to get laughed at, and they gave it to us! That was almost £1k of upgrade for nothing ?

This makes me feel much happier, I guess it's all a business as far as they're concerned. I now need to figure out how to broach this topic during the viewing!

Thanks a lot Isi.

We booked our TOG at a wedding fayre and I noticed that some of the other TOGs there were offering a discount if you booked them on the day so I asked our TOG if they would do the same. We got 5% which I know doesn't sound a lot, but every penny counts in my eyes! I say go for it, the worst they can do is say no and if you make sure you ask politely, they can't be offended. As others have said, most expect it and I wish we had negotiated with our venue now!

Sorry for showing my amateur status here, but what is a TOG?

I've managed to negotiate a great deal with my venue (for a March wedding) - and do think it is possible as long as you are realistic and know when to step away.

* Do your research - it's much easier to negotiate if you know that someone within 10miles is doing a similar package for a much lower price

* most packages have lots of things in them that you don't need... do you really want a red carpet... if you don't let them know the things you don't want and see if they will knock something off the price.

* if you can't get them to lower prices maybe they can add other things in - maybe an extra glass of wine etc.

* Be nice about it - be clear on your budget. Most venues will put something together for you within your budget and we all know how much easier it is to work with people who are nice!

* Be realistic - no point trying to negotiate for a July wedding.... but for an off peak wedding you're likely to get them to move a bit more.

Hope that helps!

In my case I have negotiated on everything possible; TOG, caterers, flowers, bridesmaid dresses etc. The only one that wouldn't was our venue as it was on a special offer anyway. The only thing I have found is cash tends to make a difference. It is not for everyone though but has helped us save quite a lot.

Any advice about negotiating on buying the wedding dress? I'm looking to do the same - other half is better at it than me but obviously this will be done by me as he won't see it till the day!

Any advice?

thats really funny!! i dont know you but i imagine someone trying to haggle and then storming off screaming and shouting!! lol!!

i got money off my wedding dress, just explained on phone to manager that it was a bit out of my range and is there anything you can do on price? i didnt get money off venue but did ask for a cheaper buffet option (brochure prices £17 per head up and i got food i want for £10!) they sneakily dont put the cheap option in but can offer one.

and the photographer upgraded my package for free without me saying anything, i think he thought we wernt going to go with him (which we were!) so try giving off that vibe and see if it gets you anywhere

It's a photographer. Took me a while to get used to the abbreviations!

I never drop my prices unless I have a valid reason to.

It's not fair to charge one couple say, £900 and then another £850 just because they asked for a discount.

But, if the wedding is on a weekday or all in one place or right on my doorstep etc....

I say go for it, as long as you're not being unreasonable (e.g. asking for a 90% discount!)

I'm in the really early planning stages and am trying to negotiate a cheaper meal option at the moment (we both dont like seafood so am trying to get that taken off the menu to bring the price down) and I'm expecting a call about it tonight and I feel sick! What if she tells me off over the phone?! But the least you can do is ask, and if you get told its not possible to negotiate prices etc, then you move onto the next one.

Good luck! xx

Mr Kooks is a hardened negotiator, he loves getting a discount and has asked pretty much everywhere. We have saved hundreds of pounds because of it so it's def worth it. Even if they won't negotiate on price then some suppliers will throw in some extras.

I've found as a lot of our suppliers are independant rather than big chains then the person you're talking to has a bit more room to manouevure

Venues will prefer to go for added value offers rather than knocking money off, ie, upgrade your drinks package rather then knock £5pp off the lowest package.

Whole wedding packages will include a lot of embellishment, eg red carpet and cake stand etc. The venue will have these in-house, they will not cost the venue any more to add to your day so I wouldnt ask for a discount based on them knocking items like that off.

x

I don't think I negotiated on a single thing during our wedding planning.

I hate asking for a discount and I feel it would have taken the shine off hiring someone/buying something if I haggled for a price.

I used to work for a company where customers used to haggle the price all the time (even after getting loads of discounts already!) and I think that's where my attitude towards it has come.

I negotioated on everything!

Only thing I couldnt negotiate on was my dress and that wasnt through lack of trying!

This in particular is very good advice. Would you as a supplier want to give a discount to someone who was down right rude? No. A smile can go a long way.

My moto is, if you don't ask, you don't get. I always ask. It can't hurt! I've only really negotiated on the big wedding items, such as venue, dress, rings, musician etc. The only thing I didn't manage to get a discount on is the tog, which I think is a fairly rare occurence.

I used to cringe inwardly when I first started to negotiate, but you get used to it after a while, and I always know when to stop. My father is cringeworthy though (I have to walk away!). But, he usually gets it in the end!

Thanks for all the advice hitchers, this has really helped me out. I hope people keep sharing their own experiences with negotiating, its great reading about other peoples negotiation stories!