I have no shame when it comes to haggling normally but when it comes to negotiating discounts with some wedding suppliers, I find it hard to find ways to convince them to bring prices down. Simply asking "will you give me a discount?" isn't enough.
How have you ladies gone about negotiating?
My main challenge right now is that the band I want are about £800 out of my budget and I just can't find anyone else who satisfies my criteria and is up to my admittedly extremely fussy musical standards. They're saying £1750 for a 6 piece band even though they're only traveling about 20 miles and because I want special lighting, that's adding on another £700. Insane! Do you have any suggestions as to how to tweak to bring the price down?
Thank you for your advice :-)
CommentAuthorSam
I bumped a negotiating thread for you, it's about venues but it my have some ideas for you. In case of the band I'd ask for an itemized price list. There may things that can be cut to save money.
CommentAuthorbridalmiss
Can you ask if they need all 6 band members? The price charged after overheads will be split between the band, so the more people there are then the more your bill will be. We had a 3 piece band who we negotiated with from 1250 to 850 in the end, as each band member wanted to take home about 200 each after costs/insurance etc.
I do think 700 for lighting is mental though, have you no other options? Maybe the venue could help you source that instead? Our band brought their own lights, PA system and everything for our price... :-)
CommentAuthor
Thanks for bumping the thread, Samantha.
My challenge is that the date is not movable so negotiating the same way you would often do with a venue just doesn't work.
Bridalmiss, normally you would be onto a good one re reducing numbers but for the sound I want, 6 is essential. Ideally I want 8 so as to have a sax and trumpet but have had to give up on that. Damn my mother for bringing me up to be so fussy! My fiancee will kill me if I go over budget as I've already done that with my dress and by insisting on a photographer :-s
I'm waiting to hear back from one more band which is made up of students from the Royal Northern College of Music so fingers crossed they will be a bit cheaper!
CommentAuthorNicholaP44
I cudnt believe how expensive bands were until i started looking. It is a lot of money, but if thats wot u want just go 4 it hun!
Hiya, I think this all depends on the month you are getting married. If it is out of season you can afford to push them. I think you should get back to them with the price you are willing to pay - take it or leave it. It worked for me few times.
CommentAuthorTatty
I always ask for a best price twice, it sounds silly but asking twice somehow confuses people. As for your situation I would ditch the lighting. £700 is ridiculous for lighting x
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37 Pounds down, 22 pounds to go! I will be a skinny bride!
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CommentAuthornatalie2614
£700 for lighting is ridiculously expensive, see if the venue can recommend anyone cheaper who can do a similar thing for you? xx
Married my best friend 05.04.2013
CommentAuthor
I'm thinking of ditching the band I want and the lighting and having a ceilidh instead because that way, I don't need dramatic lighting :-) and the cost for the band comes down. Now I need to pitch my partner on why we should change the room in which we're hosting the meal and why she needs to go to dance lessons :-)
CommentAuthorLilyB39
look for something similar with cheaper price tags, if you really want them, find another similar one with cheaper price and ask them if they are able to match their price since they are the same thing, as lots of shops offer price matching to increase competition
