Negotiating with Wedding Venue.

kluivert

I have to meet the functions mangers of the wedding venue we wish to use this evening.

I was wondering if anyone has any tips that for negotiating the best price possible.

Wedding is for 2010 and they currently have an offer on 10% off food if book a mid week weeking, however we want our wedding on a Friday.

ecaf

Just have something in mind that you would like to knock down in price and ask them what's the best they can do for you.
We booked in 2007 for this year, no recession at that time, but I still asked to keep the food prices the same, the were going up by 10%. We are also getting an offer on the rooms.
We still have to go back to them to finalise details, now that we are in recession and also because she might not remember the other deals she gave us, we are going to try and get a little more out of them.

People shouldn't just accept the first price they hear, it is ok to haggle. My fiance didn't think I should say anything, but I said what's the worst that can happen, they will just say no. When they agreed to some of our requests he was very happy.

Emerald Lass

Don't think that getting a mid week and 10% is a favour to you - look at it this way, what other mid week day would they get a load of people eating a drinking for a full day? the hotel I am looking at are offering a discount on the mid week, plus tea, coffee and sambos free for the evening guests - I just pay for extra finger food if I want it. I think they are cheeky to act like they are doing YOU the favour by taking a mid week booking - you are doing them the favour by putting a decent amount of business their way which they wouldn't normaly get on a week day/night!

And things like the 'cake stand' and red carpet complimentary is all nonsense - its either in or its out, they are not doing you any favours by letting you use things that cost them NOTHING! at the moment, they should be glad of the business, and they should offer all the things you need to have a nice day, and not act like its an 'extra'.

I would say you definitely have room to haggle and get as much as possible for your money. I know I'm going to. And my wedding is on a Thurs, and there are other hotels available on the date, so if the one I am thinking of doesn't offer enough I will def go elsewhere.

penexpers

We booked for 2010 recently and noticed that all the popular (read: dependable) hotels were filling up for Friday/Saturday weddings without needing to offer a discount. In fact in the hotel we booked in, we got one of the last Fridays in March-September (all the Saturday's were gone).

So while there is a recession on, I would be wary of booking a hotel which offers major discounts on a Friday/Saturday wedding as it might show they are having problems and might not be open in 2010.

kluivert

Thanks guys, didnt get to meet the functions manager, waiting to this Friday as they have a wedding on, and we will get a chance to have a look around at the set up and lay out.

I will be pushing for 10%, its a buyers market out there at the minute.