There are definitely some things you can do at a wedding ceremony and during your reception to make money easier for you and your guests, but any time you can avoid stress and stay within whats considered your budget, its worth it.
Dont worry about cost-driving value meals or having to buy lots of drinks. And dont even think about spending tons on food unless everyone is going to be doing so much eating that they wont notice what dishes are missing. Instead focus on filling your table with enough treats to keep your guests happy and enjoying the moments you have left together before sending them off to their rooms or onto the dance floor.
Make sure you have an outline of costs ready.
Before you start your negotiation, sit down and write out what you think your main cost centers are going to be. This can include food, beverages, entertainment, facilities, etc. You also may want to consider how much you plan to spend on each person in your wedding party and whether theres a preferred amount you all need to agree on. Having an idea of where your budget is going can help you narrow down which parts of your price list are non-negotiable and which ones you might able to work with vendors on reducing or eliminating.
Know where your money is going.
Before you start talking price, you should have a clear idea of what you want for your wedding dayand what it will cost. Take time to write out a budget and figure out how much you can afford to spend, including food, drinks, decorations, an officiant, and items for your guests.
Talk to everyone who helped create your gorgeous day.
Finding out what items were included in your budget and how much you have left over can help you narrow down potential vendors. Instead of offering one vendor their money-saving tip, you may get multiple offers for services or products that fit within your allotted budget.
Be willing to compromise.
If one of your goals is to reach a fair, reasonable price for your services, you have no choice but to be flexible. Pricing your wedding that way comes with its own set of skills and requirements. Youll need to know what items are essential to performing your job and how long it should take you to do it. Also consider whether any equipment or supplies are standard in your field and if theres anything specific to your venue that you could offer instead.
Have a clear budget in mind.
Before you start negotiating with vendors, you should have a clear idea of how much you can afford to spend. If you want to save money, avoid overspending. And if you need help determining what things are worth paying extra for, ask your partner or parents (if you have them) for advice.
Enlist the help of a professional wedding planner.
A lot can go wrong during a big wedding, from ordering mistakes to mishandled orders. A professional wedding planner avoids these pitfalls and makes sure everything runs smoothly. While hiring a planner is not a deal breaker in itself, it could significantly affect your budget