Negotiate venue price?

I don't know what type of venue you are going with, but in my experience, the only negotiation I did was sort of customizing the package, and also seeing if various vendors did out of season discounts because I was open to getting married in the off season.

I negotiated a venue down over $1000 (and ended up not using it because I found something better for less) and they were totally gracious. They were a slightly newer venue and understood that at the end of the day it's just numbers (EDIT- By this I mean they know that there's a chance that you all won't be able to agree and that it isn't personal) and you're 100% more likely to get something you ask for vs. something you don't ask for. Anecdotally, my aunt ended up using the event space for a charity benefit and they were happy to negotiate with her.

It includes nothing except for the grounds for 4 nights (with house that sleeps 16). We would have to get everything ourselves from a tent, to tables and chairs, and even a day of coordinator, etc. The price is just within our reach but would take some stress off if it was less (of course). If they flat out say no, we could find a way to make it work. I just don't want to harm our relationship.

Negotiating generally involves give and take. I think you need to find something that gives you some bartering power, as suggested by @GreeneBunny, especially for booking a venue in prime wedding season.

Sometimes you can never hurts to ask. Usually they are willing to give deals in less popular weekends

I successfully negotiated our venue from $10,000 to $8,500 by paying all up front and in cash (well a check), verse putting it on credit card. Normally it would have been $1,000 down to hold the date, and the rest one month before the wedding. Businesses like cash and they like money up front! You don't know unless you ask! And if you say it tactfully, they won't be upset. They can politely decline and say this is what it costs. It likely won't work if you act like you're going to book either way, though. Or if it's a really popular venue in the high season. Even if you plan to book either way, add in a little drama and say we'll have to look at our number and see if we're wiling to cut back somewhere else. And it helps if you're the one to come up with alternative solutions, rather than ask "what can you do for me". Like the first comment, see what you can do with customizing their options, maybe dropping something you don't need to add something else.

My venue had a couple different packages to choose from and off season pricing so we changed our dat from April to March, and its all inclusive so I asked if we can eliminate some of the things they offered to lower the cost. They were pretty understanding and worked with me and even told me where I could cut cost. Some places will work with you some places won't. Can't hurt to ask.

We asked about bringing the price per plate down, and he immediately said NO. But when he realized we were trying to save some money (as most couples are trying to do), he said he could help us with the cost of the ceremony space. We saved about $200. May not seem like much in the grand scheme of things, but that $200 could go someplace else - like our pockets.

I negotiated my price for our venue in ny and it worked! I simply asked if there was any way of lowering the price and he asked if I was willing to pay all cash and I said sure so it got our price per person down almost 40 dollars. so yes if they can they can doesnt hurt to ask. I tried the same tactic on the photographer lol it also worked

I negotiated! We came in with excel documents with everything priced out, and expressed that we would like to have the $13,500 minimum moved to $10,500. There is always room to negotiate. I recommend being friendly with the person you'll be negotiating with and create a relationship with them. Make them want to help you. The worst case scenario is that they'll say no! (You could also try and get free things thrown in if you can't lower the price - things like chair upgrades are good ideas for this).

I negotiated my venue down from $140 per plate to $95 per plate. This was for a Sunday only date, however.

I presented them with a quote I received from one of their biggest competitors and they matched it.

We didnt negotiate in the sense of the back and forth. We were honest and said that we were looking at a few places and that price was a factor since we just bought a house. Every place gave us a better price or waived a fee. Also with the package they offered all breaks down to price per thing so we are forgoing the chair covers and will be saving over $6 per person.

Good luck. I don't think most venues will negotiate pricing. I'm sure there is always another couple who will book at regular price.

I don't think there's any harm in trying to get a better price as long as you're respectful and reasonable. I actually got a discount with my caterer just by asking if there was a way to bring a package I liked down to my budget. They brought it down without changing anything. They just asked that I gave them a deposit within a week, which I thought was totally reasonable.

Absolutely negotiate. on every major expense. always ask for the cash now price or see if they can create a custom package for you.

Just don't expect much wiggle room for the most popular venue during peak times.

I asked my venue of they works negotiate the price if I paid in cash in full upfront but they said no

My friend was successful with her venue with that though, so didn't hurt to ask.

I convinced them to decrease the minimum amount of people for a Saturday sometimes all you need to do is ask! I'm not sure if that's negotiating but it's worth a shot.

The idea of negotiating a price for something like that is strange to me, but it's probably because I worked retail and people were constantly trying to negotiate prices which were just out of my damn hands. Based on what other people are saying, it probably depends on the vendor. If it's more of a chain-venue with set prices, they'll probably politely decline. But if it's more of a mom-and-pop type of place, I'm sure they'd be open to negotiation. Just don't start low-balling and keep an open mind. Don't make any assumptions that just because you ask for a price they'll give it to you.

I don't see a reason not to. As long as you are polite and don't act entitled. Haggling is common in many cultures and I'm sure you won't shock them if you try. See what they can do - business is business and most wedding stuff is horribly inflated.

Our venue gave military discounts, also it knocked off 500 if we paid the $7000 up front. We ended up saving about 1500 after everything