Venue Melbourne Wedding

Can You Negotiate Wedding Venue Prices?

One of the first things most couples wonder as they begin wedding planning is whether or not they may haggle over the cost of the ceremony and reception.

Given the context-dependent nature of wedding price negotiations.

It all comes down to your level of commitment to the venue or provider and the specifics of your request.

Spending more than $35,000 on a wedding in 2016 (not including the honeymoon) is likely to be the most money you'll ever spend. Your wedding will likely cost tens of thousands of dollars, even if you cut costs on the venue, cuisine, attire, and other special touches.

Here you can find advice on how to bargain for a good deal on a wedding hall. Expect to pay a hefty sum for your wedding venue. You won't only be renting out space; you'll also be making use of the venue's many amenities. In spite of the hefty cost, you can easily reduce it by haggling with not only the wedding location but with every vendor you hire.

Many married pairs shell out full price for these products without even asking if there are any reductions available. Couples that do not negotiate give up potential financial gains. They could have spent that cash to have a better wedding or to get their financial lives off to a better start as a married couple.

Melbourne's Most Affordable Wedding Venue 2

Those willing to put in the work can organise a wedding reception that is both beautiful and affordable. Use these strategies to negotiate with wedding vendors and save money on your big day.

You should not approach a seller with the sole intention of asking whether they can reduce their prices. In the same way that you wouldn't walk into a store and try to haggle them down on the price of a T-shirt, you shouldn't expect to get one for less than the price they're advertising it for.

wedding venue melbourne photo

However, if you have your heart set on a specific location or vendor but find that their prices are a bit steep, you can always try to negotiate.

Simply explaining your issue and expressing your genuine interest and willingness to collaborate with them can open the door to a productive conversation.

They could possibly make a change that would lower the price to something you could afford. As an alternative, you may be able to include something that will increase your value for the same price.

The best way to negotiate wedding costs is to come into the conversation with honest goals and to proceed only if the other party is willing to work with you.

These days, it's common practise to negotiate a contract's terms before finalising a deal.

Try Not To Be Afraid Of Bargaining

No matter what you try to cut costs, your wedding location is still likely to consume a sizable chunk of your money.

Your tour and review are over; now it's time to negotiate a price! Here are some suggestions that won't make you seem too shady.

You've worked hard to save up for this, so it's only fair that you make an effort to maximise your return. Never be afraid to ask for price reductions. When in doubt, just ask!

Try not to limit yourself to the usual halls for your wedding.

How to Bargain for a Lower Price at Your Wedding Location?

Learn the Facts

To successfully negotiate a cheaper price, it helps to have as much information at your disposal as possible. If you're only talking to one wedding venue, that venue will be less willing to deal with you because they know they have no competition.

Instead, it's recommended that you shop around for prices in your area, even if you're not committed to using any particular business. Having options to fall back on gives you more leverage in negotiations. Make a list of alternate, more cost-effective venues, and use it to bargain with your first choice.

Get Your Feet Wet With A Small Investment

You can expect to settle on a price that falls between your initial proposal and the market norm while negotiating. This is why it's important to propose a low first price: if you propose a price that's too high, you may not be able to negotiate much of a price reduction. Try starting with a 20% discount request if you're at a loss for words.

You Should Expect to Barter

After making a first offer, you may receive an acceptance (very rare), a flat rejection to negotiate, or a counter offer that is lower than the original asking price but more than yours.

As unpleasant as bargaining can be, it's human nature to accept the first reasonable counteroffer. You'll receive a better deal if you're willing to haggle, so push through the discomfort and make another offer.

wedding venue in beach melbourne

Having Trouble Moving Your Wedding Location? Ask for what you want

While it's true that some wedding venues may flat-out say "no" to any request for a discount, it doesn't mean you can't find some good deals elsewhere. Instead of negotiating a lower price, suggest adding on certain extras at no cost. A higher quality of champagne, ambience, or meal could be ordered.

That's essentially a price cut, although one on a more expensive item. There are establishments that would rather do this than offer a real bargain.

Your bargaining power will increase when you go during off-peak times.

You may need some wiggle room in your booking dates to receive the best prices. Booking during the week or in the off season might greatly improve your negotiation position, as there will be less people seeking the venue's services.

Venues for weddings are less likely to be flexible in the summer because they may easily book another event on that day. You can be their only source of income during slow periods. It also implies they are more likely to offer you a generous discount in order to win your repeat business.

The most expensive time to book a wedding location is during the traditional wedding season, which varies from region to region. Having a wedding during this time will cost you more than just the venue per person. Yet, if you're open to the idea of having your wedding in the colder months instead of the more conventional Spring and Summer, you can cut down on your per-person expenditures significantly.

Demand a Breakdown of Costs

To put it plainly, you need to make sure you get everything you paid for. Most importantly, this will highlight what is included in the base price and what is an additional cost. What you may not need, and what you may never have thought you'd need, can be easily identified from that point on (think: valet, delivery fees, cleanup crew and coat check staff). It's smart to ask up front how much those optional add-ons would cost so you aren't surprised by unanticipated charges (like rental company transportation or extra electrical equipment for the band).

Give them permission to use your media in promotional materials for the venue.

You'll need to promise a particular standard of quality, an exact number of days for editing, and a number of other serviceable details. However, if they require additional material for their many media outlets, the free advertising may be worth the little discount. Word these requests carefully; it's often offensive to presume that people need help in the first place, and the culture of social media influencers has made some businesses suspicious of these kinds of interactions. Your photographer or filmmaker will also want input into this.

Communicate your financial limits to the sales rep right away.

In this situation, being truthful benefits everyone involved. They want your business, but turning down weddings isn't the best strategy unless they're swamped. Even better, they might be able to modify or suggest an entirely new package that better suits your requirements.

Be Moderate

Requesting a discount or freebie gently is always appreciated. (Your car service may not advertise this, but why not enquire if they provide free champagne for weddings?) Vendors are more likely to come up with innovative ideas if they're enjoying working with you. Finding a balance between assertiveness and acquiescence is the most critical piece of etiquette advice to keep in mind. You shouldn't be afraid to ask if there is any wiggle room or stand up for yourself if anything seems unfair; professionals aren't unfamiliar with this or upset by it. However, you shouldn't be unreasonable, arrogant, or confrontational. You are not negotiating with a street seller; rather, you are speaking with a business owner about a major transaction involving a substantial sum of money.

Wed on a Sunday instead of Saturday if you can

Most people can go on a Saturday because they won't have to take the day off from work, and they'll have the following day, Sunday, to rest up and head back home if they need to. However, if you're flexible, you may save a lot of money on your wedding venue by having it on a weekday, and sometimes even on a weekend day like Friday or Sunday. And the best part? Everything else is the same, including the venue, the staff, and the service, but the price has been reduced.

Have the wedding and reception at the same place.

Having both the ceremony and the reception at the same location can help you save money on things like transportation and décor. You can save both time and energy on a day that promises to be nonstop by having the ceremony and the reception at the same location. Some venues will even remove the ceremony charge if you spend a specific amount on the reception.

Pick Somewhere That Offers Lodging

Couples that spend over a specific amount on their wedding reception may be eligible for a free night in the honeymoon suite at the venue. Also, if you can ensure a specific number of visitors will be reserving accommodation at the location, you may be able to negotiate a discount on your venue hire.

Yarra Valley Most Popular Wedding Venue (9)

The exceptional circumstances have necessitated additional adaptability in terms of deposits, payments, pricing, and other aspects. In turn, this alters the negotiating process.

Conclusion

The most important details in this text are the strategies to negotiate with wedding vendors and save money on the cost of the ceremony and reception. Couples should not approach a seller with the sole intention of asking whether they can reduce their prices, but can try to negotiate by explaining their issue and expressing their genuine interest and willingness to collaborate with them. This can open the door to a productive conversation, allowing them to make a change that would lower the price to something you could afford or include something that will increase your value for the same price. The best way to negotiate wedding costs is to come into the conversation with honest goals and to proceed only if the other party is willing to work with you. It is important to not be afraid of bargaining and to not limit yourself to the usual halls for your wedding.

To successfully negotiate a cheaper price, it is important to have as much information at your disposal as possible and to get your feet wet with a small investment. After making a first offer, you should expect to receive an acceptance (very rare), a flat rejection to negotiate, or a counter offer that is lower than the original asking price but more than yours. It is human nature to accept the first reasonable counteroffer, so push through the discomfort and make another offer. Ask for what you want, add on extras at no cost, and demand a breakdown of costs to ensure you get everything you paid for. Booking during the week or off season can improve your negotiation position, as there will be less people seeking the venue's services.

During the traditional wedding season, the most expensive time to book a wedding location is during the traditional Spring and Summer, but if you're open to the idea of having your wedding in the colder months, you can cut down on your per-person expenditures significantly. The most important details in this text are that it is important to communicate your financial limits to the sales rep right away, request a discount or freebie gently, and find a balance between assertiveness and acquiescence. Wed on a Sunday instead of Saturday if you can, and if you're flexible, you may save a lot of money on your wedding venue by having it on a weekday or weekend day. Having both the ceremony and the reception at the same location can save money on transportation and décor. Some venues will even remove the ceremony charge if you spend a specific amount on the reception.

Content Summary: 

  1. One of the first things most couples wonder as they begin wedding planning is whether or not they may haggle over the cost of the ceremony and reception.
  2. Given the context-dependent nature of wedding price negotiations.
  3. It all comes down to your level of commitment to the venue or provider and the specifics of your request.
  4. Spending more than $35,000 on a wedding in 2016 (not including the honeymoon) is likely to be the most money you'll ever spend.
  5. Your wedding will likely cost tens of thousands of dollars, even if you cut costs on the venue, cuisine, attire, and other special touches.
  6. Here you can find advice on how to bargain for a good deal on a wedding hall.
  7. Expect to pay a hefty sum for your wedding venue.
  8. You won't only be renting out space; you'll also be making use of the venue's many amenities.
  9. In spite of the hefty cost, you can easily reduce it by haggling with not only the wedding location but with every vendor you hire.
  10. Many married pairs shell out full price for these products without even asking if there are any reductions available.
  11. Couples that do not negotiate give up potential financial gains.
  12. They could have spent that cash to have a better wedding or to get their financial lives off to a better start as a married couple.
  13. Those willing to put in the work can organise a wedding reception that is both beautiful and affordable.
  14. Use these strategies to negotiate with wedding vendors and save money on your big day.
  15. You should not approach a seller with the sole intention of asking whether they can reduce their prices.
  16. In the same way that you wouldn't walk into a store and try to haggle them down on the price of a T-shirt, you shouldn't expect to get one for less than the price they're advertising it for.
  17. However, if you have your heart set on a specific location or vendor but find that their prices are a bit steep, you can always try to negotiate.
  18. Simply explaining your issue and expressing your genuine interest and willingness to collaborate with them can open the door to a productive conversation.
  19. They could possibly make a change that would lower the price to something you could afford.
  20. The best way to negotiate wedding costs is to come into the conversation with honest goals and to proceed only if the other party is willing to work with you.
  21. These days, it's common practise to negotiate a contract's terms before finalising a deal.
  22. No matter what you try to cut costs, your wedding location is still likely to consume a sizable chunk of your money.
  23. Your tour and review are over; now it's time to negotiate a price!
  24. Here are some suggestions that won't make you seem too shady.
  25. You've worked hard to save up for this, so it's only fair that you make an effort to maximise your return.
  26. Never be afraid to ask for price reductions.
  27. When in doubt, just ask!Try not to limit yourself to the usual halls for your wedding.
  28. How to Bargain for a Lower Price at Your Wedding Location?
  29. To successfully negotiate a cheaper price, it helps to have as much information at your disposal as possible.
  30. If you're only talking to one wedding venue, that venue will be less willing to deal with you because they know they have no competition.
  31. Instead, it's recommended that you shop around for prices in your area, even if you're not committed to using any particular business.
  32. Having options to fall back on gives you more leverage in negotiations.
  33. Make a list of alternate, more cost-effective venues, and use it to bargain with your first choice.
  34. You can expect to settle on a price that falls between your initial proposal and the market norm while negotiating.
  35. This is why it's important to propose a low first price: if you propose a price that's too high, you may not be able to negotiate much of a price reduction.
  36. Try starting with a 20% discount request if you're at a loss for words.
  37. After making a first offer, you may receive an acceptance (very rare), a flat rejection to negotiate, or a counter offer that is lower than the original asking price but more than yours.
  38. As unpleasant as bargaining can be, it's human nature to accept the first reasonable counteroffer.
  39. Having Trouble Moving Your Wedding Location?
  40. While it's true that some wedding venues may flat-out say "no" to any request for a discount, it doesn't mean you can't find some good deals elsewhere.
  41. Instead of negotiating a lower price, suggest adding on certain extras at no cost.
  42. A higher quality of champagne, ambience, or meal could be ordered.
  43. That's essentially a price cut, although one on a more expensive item.
  44. There are establishments that would rather do this than offer a real bargain.
  45. Your bargaining power will increase when you go during off-peak times.
  46. You may need some wiggle room in your booking dates to receive the best prices.
  47. Booking during the week or in the off season might greatly improve your negotiation position, as there will be less people seeking the venue's services.
  48. Venues for weddings are less likely to be flexible in the summer because they may easily book another event on that day.
  49. You can be their only source of income during slow periods.
  50. It also implies they are more likely to offer you a generous discount in order to win your repeat business.
  51. The most expensive time to book a wedding location is during the traditional wedding season, which varies from region to region.
  52. Having a wedding during this time will cost you more than just the venue per person.
  53. Yet, if you're open to the idea of having your wedding in the colder months instead of the more conventional Spring and Summer, you can cut down on your per-person expenditures significantly.
  54. To put it plainly, you need to make sure you get everything you paid for.
  55. Most importantly, this will highlight what is included in the base price and what is an additional cost.
  56. What you may not need, and what you may never have thought you'd need, can be easily identified from that point on (think: valet, delivery fees, cleanup crew and coat check staff).
  57. It's smart to ask up front how much those optional add-ons would cost so you aren't surprised by unanticipated charges (like rental company transportation or extra electrical equipment for the band).Give them permission to use your media in promotional materials for the venue.
  58. You'll need to promise a particular standard of quality, an exact number of days for editing, and a number of other serviceable details.
  59. However, if they require additional material for their many media outlets, the free advertising may be worth the little discount.
  60. Word these requests carefully; it's often offensive to presume that people need help in the first place, and the culture of social media influencers has made some businesses suspicious of these kinds of interactions.
  61. Your photographer or filmmaker will also want input into this.
  62. Communicate your financial limits to the sales rep right away.
  63. In this situation, being truthful benefits everyone involved.
  64. They want your business, but turning down weddings isn't the best strategy unless they're swamped.
  65. Even better, they might be able to modify or suggest an entirely new package that better suits your requirements.
  66. Requesting a discount or freebie gently is always appreciated. 
  67. Your car service may not advertise this, but why not enquire if they provide free champagne for weddings?
  68. Vendors are more likely to come up with innovative ideas if they're enjoying working with you.
  69. Finding a balance between assertiveness and acquiescence is the most critical piece of etiquette advice to keep in mind.
  70. You shouldn't be afraid to ask if there is any wiggle room or stand up for yourself if anything seems unfair; professionals aren't unfamiliar with this or upset by it.
  71. However, you shouldn't be unreasonable, arrogant, or confrontational.
  72. You are not negotiating with a street seller; rather, you are speaking with a business owner about a major transaction involving a substantial sum of money.
  73. Most people can go on a Saturday because they won't have to take the day off from work, and they'll have the following day, Sunday, to rest up and head back home if they need to.
  74. However, if you're flexible, you may save a lot of money on your wedding venue by having it on a weekday, and sometimes even on a weekend day like Friday or Sunday.
  75. Everything else is the same, including the venue, the staff, and the service, but the price has been reduced.
  76. Have the wedding and reception at the same place.
  77. Having both the ceremony and the reception at the same location can help you save money on things like transportation and décor.
  78. You can save both time and energy on a day that promises to be nonstop by having the ceremony and the reception at the same location.
  79. Some venues will even remove the ceremony charge if you spend a specific amount on the reception.
  80. Couples that spend over a specific amount on their wedding reception may be eligible for a free night in the honeymoon suite at the venue.
  81. Also, if you can ensure a specific number of visitors will be reserving accommodation at the location, you may be able to negotiate a discount on your venue hire.
  82. There's a new, odd quality to everything.
  83. The wedding industry is changing.
  84. Alternative wedding arrangements are being made.
  85. It's also possible that your personal financial position is unique.
  86. For the simple reason that nothing can be predicted with any certainty.
  87. When things will get "better" is something we can't predict.
  88. There is a lack of certitude regarding the wedding date.
  89. There is still some uncertainty about the wedding plans.
  90. Venues and service providers for weddings are also not picky.
  91. For the most part, the old ways of doing things and thinking don't cut it any more in the present day.
  92. The exceptional circumstances have necessitated additional adaptability in terms of deposits, payments, pricing, and other aspects.
  93. In turn, this alters the negotiating process.

FAQs About Wedding Venue

Important Things to Consider Before Choosing a Wedding Venue
  • Location. Location is one of the crucial things to consider while choosing a wedding venue. 
  • Date. It is important to check whether the wedding venue you selected is available on the date of the wedding or not. 
  • Parking. 
  • Facilities. 
  • Decorations. 
  • User Reviews.
 

However, you needn't worry too much. Most wedding venues do hold civil ceremony licenses nowadays, whether that is a manor house, hotel or barn venue and everything in between. Most locations will offer couples at least one space that is licensed to host civil ceremonies.

Wear wedding guest attire that goes against the dress code (like a white gown, perhaps?). Leave your phone ringer on loud during the ceremony. Text while the wedding vows are being said. Steal a seat from one of the VIPs.

The venue location, facilities, and atmosphere are critical to ensuring your event's success. Your event venue should be a draw and help move the potential attendee dial from interested to registered.

About The Author

Google Rating
4.6
Based on 484 reviews
js_loader
Google Rating
4.6
Based on 484 reviews
js_loader
Scroll to Top