Skip to main content

Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

L
Just Said Yes October 2021

Looking for advice with venue pricing

Lby1, on November 22, 2019 at 4:49 PM Posted in Planning 0 10

Hi all - I hope I've put this in the correct forum.

We are a British couple getting married in California and have found our dream venue for a small intimate wedding. The venue we love charges $3200 for the site for up to 16 guests. We were looking to have about 18-22 people maximum. However the next pricing bracket is $6200 for 17-50 people. I spoke to the venue about pricing for this and they said that it would be the higher price if we wanted over 16 people.

My question is do you negotiate for wedding venue prices? Do you think it would be worth asking to negotiate the price for a few extra people or is this not something you do? Venue pricing is different in the UK and paying $3000 extra for possibly only 2 more guest is very strange, especially as we'd be paying for all additional meals / rooms on site / wine for individual guests.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


10 Comments

Latest activity by Lby1, on November 23, 2019 at 12:59 PM
  • Vannesa
    Expert October 2021
    Vannesa ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Most of the time there is no negotiating, it's usually a standard price and they won't let you lower it even if it is just two more guests.

    • Reply
  • L
    Just Said Yes October 2021
    Lby1 ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    Thank you Vannesa.

    • Reply
  • Cristy
    Master May 2021
    Cristy ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I feel like it can't hurt to try to negotiate the price down. The worst that can happen is they say no, right? So, I would talk to the coordinator, and see what, if anything, can be done. Explain that you have a budget of $XXX for the venue, and you are just 2 guests over the max of the lower price bracket. Maybe even offer to pay a certain cost for every guest over the 16 allowed in that bracket. Example: you could offer to pay an additional $250 per person ($500 total for two). That way the venue gets a little more, but you're not going broke in order to have a couple more people. Ask them if they can work with you and your budget. Like I said, the worst that can happen is they say no, and keep the pricing the way it is.

    But I've heard couples say that they were able to negotiate their vendor prices, based on what they could afford to pay. Good luck!!

    • Reply
  • Alejandra
    Super November 2021
    Alejandra ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Some vendors will let you. We negotiated packages with our photographer and coordinator based on what we could afford. Same with the caterer. I would definitely try! If not...not gonna lie, I would stick to the 16 people. I wouldn’t want to pay $3,000 more for just 2-6 more people.
    • Reply
  • Caitlin
    Devoted September 2021
    Caitlin ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I think it's worth a try, but prepare for the negative. It's not normally done unfortunately.
    • Reply
  • I
    Dedicated December 2019
    isabel1115 ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Yes, you can negotiate. We got it down to two venues and both of them were willing to negotiate with us for our business. Of course you'll have to give and take some. Maybe you'll have to agree to a certain minimum or the entree might not be as great (both of these were proposed to us) or something but it doesn't hurt to ask.

    • Reply
  • L
    Just Said Yes October 2021
    Lby1 ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    Thank you Christy for the advice, that is what we were thinking of doing. I just wanted to check that others had done this in the past. As you say, the worst that can happen is that they say no, and if they do at least we tried. Thank you Smiley smile

    • Reply
  • L
    Just Said Yes October 2021
    Lby1 ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    That's great to hear that you were able to do this with vendors. Yes we're thinking the same, $3000 is a lot of just a few more. Will give it a go, thanks for replying Smiley smile

    • Reply
  • L
    Just Said Yes October 2021
    Lby1 ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    We'll give it a go and worst that can happen is they say no. Thanks for replying Smiley smile

    • Reply
  • L
    Just Said Yes October 2021
    Lby1 ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    That's great to hear that is worked for you, thanks for letting me know. It gives us hope that it could happen with us. Fingers crossed Smiley smile

    • Reply

You voted for . Add a comment 👇

×
WeddingWire celebrates love ...and so does everyone on our site! Explore how we embrace diversity

Groups

WeddingWire article topics