How To Negotiate A Better Wedding Venue Price

Wedding planning can be stressful, especially when budgets are tight. The average wedding costs over $30,000, and 74% of couples say they will go into debt to cover the bills. So, it's no surprise that many couples want to negotiate a discount with their wedding venue. While it may be uncomfortable to haggle over prices, it is possible to negotiate with wedding venues—politely and respectfully. Before you begin, it's important to do your research and talk to several venues to find out their prices. This will give you leverage when negotiating and help you understand what services are included in their price. When you have a clear understanding of the vendor's offer, you can consider ways to work with them to create a mutually beneficial arrangement, such as asking for upgrades or additional services instead of a reduced price. Being flexible with your wedding date can also increase your negotiating power, as weekday or winter bookings are less in demand and venues may be more willing to offer discounts.

Do your research

Before you begin negotiating with a wedding venue, it's important to do your research. Here are some tips to help you prepare:

• Talk to multiple venues: Don't just focus on one venue; speak to several venues in the area and find out their prices. This gives you leverage when negotiating and shows that you have other options.
• Understand the market: Research the general costs associated with wedding venues in your area. This will help you identify whether a venue's pricing is reasonable and if there is room for negotiation.
• Be realistic: Respect the vendor's offerings and be realistic about what you can afford. Their pricing often reflects their experience, skill level, and the costs of doing business. Don't expect luxury services on a DIY budget.
• Compare packages: Collect detailed information about what is included in each venue's package. This will allow you to make an informed decision and identify areas where you may be able to negotiate or ask for adjustments.
• Consider off-peak dates: Wedding venues are more likely to negotiate during off-peak seasons or weekdays as there is less competition for their services. Be flexible with your wedding date to increase your negotiating power.
• Prioritize your needs: Identify your must-haves and be willing to compromise on other aspects. This will help you stay within your budget and negotiate effectively.
• Understand the vendor's perspective: Remember that wedding venues are small businesses with hard costs, such as licenses, insurance, and staffing expenses. They are trying to survive and make a profit, just like you. Keep this in mind when approaching negotiations.

By doing your research and understanding the market, you'll be in a stronger position to negotiate with wedding venues and find the best fit for your budget.

Ask with confidence

Negotiating wedding prices can be a tricky business, but it can be done. The key is to ask with confidence. Here are some tips to help you negotiate with confidence when dealing with wedding venues:

• Do your research: The more information you have, the better. Talk to several venues in the area and find out their prices, even if you don't plan on using them. This gives you leverage and shows that you have other options. Knowing the market rate will also help you identify if the venue you want is overpriced.
• Be confident: It's natural to feel nervous, especially if you're not experienced at negotiating. However, don't let it show. If you come off as timid, the venue manager will know they can refuse your request without the risk of losing your business. Try to detach yourself emotionally from the outcome of the negotiation, although this can be difficult when planning your wedding!
• Start low: In a negotiation, the first offer is rarely accepted, and you'll likely end up somewhere in the middle. So, start low. If you're unsure where to start, ask for a 20% discount – it's low without being insulting.
• Be prepared to haggle: Once you've made your first offer, you'll likely get a counteroffer. It's natural to want to take the first halfway decent counteroffer, but try to make another offer instead. You'll get a better deal if you're willing to haggle.
• Ask for extras: If the venue won't budge on price, try asking for free upgrades. You could request better champagne, decorations, or food. This is effectively a discount on a more expensive product, and some venues may prefer this to offering a true discount.
• Be flexible with dates: You'll have more negotiating power if you're flexible with the date of your booking. Weekdays and winter bookings significantly increase your negotiating power as there is less competition for the venue's services. Saturday evenings are the most popular, so you can save by booking on any other day of the week.
• Be realistic: Negotiating with vendors is acceptable, but you need to respect their offerings and be reasonable about what you can afford. A vendor's pricing often reflects their experience, skill level, and hard and soft costs of doing business.

Be prepared to haggle

Negotiating with wedding venues can be uncomfortable, but it is often possible to get a better deal if you are willing to haggle. Here are some tips to help you get the best deal possible:

• Be prepared for one of three responses: an acceptance (though this is unlikely), a flat refusal to negotiate, or a counteroffer below the original asking price but above your initial offer. It is natural to want to take the first half-decent counteroffer, but you are likely to get a better deal if you make another offer.
• If the wedding venue won't budge on price, try asking for more. Some venues will refuse any request for a discount, but this doesn't mean there aren't savings to be found. Instead of asking for a reduced price, ask them to throw in some free upgrades. You could request better champagne, decorations, or food.
• Be flexible with your date. Venues charge a premium for Saturday evenings, so you can instantly save by booking your wedding on any other day of the week. You could also save by choosing an off-peak time of year for your wedding.
• Be prepared to walk away. If you aren't ready to walk away from a venue that refuses to budge, you won't save much money. If your negotiation isn't successful, you can try again in a week or two. It's unlikely that a venue will refuse to deal with you just for trying to negotiate.

Ask for extras

Asking for extras is a great way to get more value for your money when negotiating wedding venue prices. Here are some tips to help you ask for and get those extras:

Be Kind and Communicative

Kindness and clear communication are key when negotiating with a wedding venue. Show the venue coordinator that you are excited about their space and kindly explain why you would like to make a change or request some extras. A good relationship with the venue coordinator can increase your chances of getting those extras included in your package.

Focus on What's Important

Prioritize the aspects of your wedding that are truly important to you and your partner. This will help you know what to ask for and negotiate for when speaking with the venue. For example, if you want a specific type of food or drink, ask the venue if they can include that in your package.

Ask for Upgrades

If the venue is not willing to lower their prices, ask them to include some free upgrades instead. This could be better champagne, decorations, or food. You will effectively be getting a discount on a more expensive product, which some venues prefer to offering a direct discount.

Be Flexible with Dates

If you are flexible with your wedding date, you may have more leverage when negotiating for extras. Weekdays and winter months are typically considered off-peak times for weddings, so venues may be more willing to provide discounts or extras to secure your business during these periods.

Negotiate Catering and Alcohol

If catering and alcohol are included in the venue's package, you may be able to negotiate these items separately. Offer to handle the catering and alcohol yourself by finding cheaper alternatives that still meet the venue's standards. This could result in significant cost savings, which you can then use to request extras from the venue.

Remember, it never hurts to ask for extras when negotiating your wedding venue package. Be confident, kind, and flexible, and you may be surprised at what the venue is willing to offer!

Be flexible with your date

Wedding venues are in high demand, and popular dates such as Saturday evenings in the summer are often booked up months or even years in advance. If you are flexible with your date, you can increase your negotiating power and save a significant amount of money.

Firstly, consider the day of the week. Thursday and Friday evenings are becoming increasingly popular choices for weddings, and venues will often offer discounted rates for bookings on these days. Opting for a weekday wedding can result in substantial savings compared to a weekend date.

Secondly, think about the time of year. Summer is the most popular season for weddings, with September and October being the top months for couples to tie the knot. Wedding venues are in high demand during this period, and they are less likely to offer discounts or negotiate on their prices. To increase your chances of securing a deal, consider an off-peak month such as March or a holiday Sunday when guests won't have to take the next day off work.

By being flexible with your date and choosing an off-peak day and month for your wedding, you can benefit from reduced rates and increase your negotiating power. This strategy can help you secure your dream venue at a more affordable price, allowing you to allocate your budget to other aspects of your special day.

Frequently asked questions