Off season discounts

Some vendors will offer a discount, some don't. Makeup is hit and miss as they usually have other work. Photographers and DJs may give you a discount on the day or time of year.

Our venue was much less expensive because we chose the last date of their "low season."

I am not sure if vendors such as muas, florists,etc. have the same discounts.

I'm getting married in January. I got 10% off my venue per person price. I also got 10% off my photographer's per hour price. DJ and videographer didn't have discount. What area are you in? The reason I got my discounts is because in NJ there is snow/very cold weather so it is a slow few months, but if you are in a warmer area it may not be a slow time for them.

I think you should edit your post to allow vendors to comment. You might get some valuable insight.

My venue offered us an off season discount, as well as my photographer. I didn't ask though I just saw it advertised on their websites. I think it be ok if you ask about more affordable options or packages that's closer to your budget and some vendors are willing to work with you. When I was searching for cake bakers I showed them the design I had in mind and if the quote was way over my budget I asked things like what flavors, or what sizes can I choose to cut the price down and they were pretty helpful in telling me to get this vs that it'll have the same look.

My DJ offered a small discount bc I found him from a referral. We're renting a small party bus and he offered a discount for following him and sharing his social media business pages.

I didn't get huge discounts but a few 100 dollars off can definitely go towards something else...mine went towards booze lol

I am getting quite a few off season discounts. 10% off my photographer,$10.00 pp off my venue price. The MUA I looked into also offers a $50.00 discount for the bride only as an off season discount.

ETA: updated my actual venue discount

LMac - myself and 3 ladies for hair and makeup, airbrush for myself. This is a pretty average price for hair and makeup around here.

Brielle- I'm in MN so there is lots of snow/weather in January.

My photographer did not offer a discount, and that's fine.

My venue is very affordable, and being a restaurant I didn't expect an event discount this time of year. They're busy year round.

Jacqui76- I'll be honest, I didn't want the vendor insight here on purpose. I've seen plenty of 'this is why we charge these prices' posts. I'm just curious if other brides have actually seen discounts or not. It seems like there is a lot of literature out there suggesting you'll get a discount and I'm just not seeing that it's true.

It wasn't a major factor in our date choice, just a silver lining.

The only thing I think offers off season discounts would be venues. I would expect everyone else to have the same pricing year round. As long as you didn't sign a contract with them, it can't hurt to ask if they have any discounts for being off-season. We got married in January and the only discount we got was for our venue and another because we did it on a Sunday.

How many people does that cover for the MUA and hair?

ETA: Just saw your update above, I would keep looking for better pricing for your hair and make up. We found ours for $90 each girl for both hair and make up. It may take time but keep looking.

On most things, not so much, but my venue was $1000 less in off season.

We received $3k off our venue for having an off-season wedding, but have pretty much evened that out with add-ons (indoor ceremony space reserved, extra hour, premium rentals). No other vendors have offered a discount, but we are getting married on a holiday so I havent asked for any.

I have never heard of MUA offering an off-season discount. Mine offered a bridal expo promotion for a free trial and is offering me free lashes on the wedding day since I booked her for boudoir and bought lashes then. I don't think it would be rude to ask about a package like that if you plan to have your makeup done for other photo shoots or pre-wedding events. $900 for 4 people does seem like a lot. Are you paying for your bridesmaids?

For us it'll be $100 for hair & makeup for each girl. Are you set on them getting professional hair and makeup? If they are talented, they might be able to do their own! I've done my own hair and makeup for a few weddings to help save myself and the bride money (not all brides pay for that stuff by the way). Just a thought! Totally understand wanting girls to have that professionally done.

Anyway, most vendors don't offer off-season discounts. The only ones I would really expect would be the venue and MAYBE the photographer. Florists will be the same and sometimes more depending on the types of flowers you're looking at! Good luck xx

UPDATE

I just got a second quote back for $650, much closer to my budget and I'm pretty sure I'll be going with that MUA because she's been really quick on her responses. Communication is huge for me.

The first quote also included an 18% gratuity. I'm planning on tipping of course, but I did think it was a bit strange to have that on the quote.

Eta- answering a few more questions.

My girls requested pro makeup and hair and refuse to let me pay for it. They say I've got enough to worry about. But I will cover the tip for everyone. I'd be perfectly happy to let them do their own thing, they're beautiful every day to me.

Thanks for the feedback and advice ladies. I feel empowered!!

Maybe that's just the caffeine kicking in...

In our area I saved almost 10k in discounts, but depending on the area BC here there is a risk of snow and stuff so maybe other areas not so much

I am sure it depends where you live (someplace where winter is nice I would expect wouldn't do any discounts...), but I got a waived ceremony fee, 50% off room rental fee, 10% food/beverage total at the venue. I think we got 15% off the DJ. Also got some freebees at wedding expos (5% off flowers, a free pearl bracelet, free engagement session, $500 off photographer) so don't be shy to go. We met our baker at one of those and if we hadn't we would be paying about $300 more for a cake!!

Best of luck.

We are getting our venue for 88/person instead of the normal 120/person. since we are on the off season. That the only discount we have .no discounts for our photographers or MUA.

I think you just need to ask. Not in a pushy way, or suggesting that their posted prices are unfair. Just let vendors know that you like their work but don't have the budget for their posted prices, and then state what your budget is and ask if they can customize something that would work within that number. Some may be happy to work with you, especially in January, some may not, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

I asked all the venues and vendors about discounts in the beginning. My photographer (who I probably would have used anyways) has 30% off packages which we got (saved us a ton). The backup venue would have been 10% off.

I've found if they are a true "wedding" vendor (i.e. they make the bulk of their money doing weddings) they tend to have off-peak season discounts as they need the income off season too.

If it's a vendor that isn't wedding specific (caterer and frequently hair and makeup) tend not to as they have business elsewhere.

Good luck!

Our food cost is almost half of what it typically costs at our venue. We had a few off-season packages to choose from. That's the only one of our vendors that has given us an off season discount, though.