The days leading up to the happiest day of your life can quickly become stressful as the costs of your wedding vendors start to add up. Let’s face it – weddings are expensive. If you and your partner are fronting the bill, it might be among the costliest purchases you will ever have to make as a couple. It’s common to negotiate on the price of certain big ticket item purchases, such as your car or a home – why not negotiate with your wedding vendors, too? As with many things in life, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it. While you want to have the wedding of your dreams, wedding vendors also rely on their business for their livelihood. Here are some ways to thoughtfully and respectfully negotiate with wedding vendors for your special day.

Do Your Research

Before you contact any potential wedding vendors, and certainly before you negotiate with them – do your research. Once you have identified potential vendors, read their reviews. Reviews will offer a glimpse into the vendor’s offerings, the quality of their services, and the prices that others have paid. Finding out the average price you can expect to pay – will set your expectations as to what an appropriate price range is, ensure that you approach any negotiations thoughtfully, and know when to identify a good deal.

The research doesn’t stop when you begin meeting with wedding vendors. Collect quotes from several that you are considering working with. Whether the vendor is offering a package or individual services, compare prices to identify which has the best-priced option. This can be beneficial if you are considering a counteroffer, as you can explain what you were expecting for the service they are offering.

Honesty is the Best Policy

When you begin meeting with potential wedding vendors, be truthful about your budget. Also ask the vendor to be upfront with you about what is included in their service, as it would not be recommended to negotiate without having a clear understanding about what you are being offered. Being honest with a vendor will ensure that you are not only being respectful of their time, but will also allow you to make an appropriate decision about hiring them and determining if negotiating on the price is appropriate. If you find that a vendor isn’t being clear about their pricing, take control of the situation and ask specific questions. For example – asking a florist, “Can you provide a flower package that fits the parameters we’ve discussed for $5,000?” will force a yes or no answer.

In discussing your budget and expectations, it is important to be considerate of the vendor and their business. This is where good research comes in – don’t meet with wedding vendors that clearly won’t be able to make your dreams a reality within your desired price range. If you were to suggest a budget that is much lower than what their services are typically priced at, it might suggest that you haven’t considered the time, effort, and expertise which go into the vendor’s offering. The more honest you are about your budget and expectations, the more likely it is that you can find one who can provide the service you are looking for.

Don’t Be Afraid to Compromise

Being willing to compromise can help you save when negotiating with wedding vendors. This can be done in two ways – by identifying things you do not need or by substituting for more affordable options. A good way to identify parts of the vendor’s offering you do not need can be creating a wants vs. needs list. Anything you identify as a need, you probably won’t want to compromise on for your special day. However, those wants can help you identify areas of potential savings and where you can cut back. For example, if you don’t have a preference as to having sit-down service or a buffet as catering options – go with the less expensive option. Or if you need a wedding photographer, but don’t want the pictures to be in any specific format – getting digital copies as opposed to printed copies could save you some money.

If the wedding vendor is open to substitutions, consider replacing some of the pricier options for more cost-effective ones. For example, if your florist came up with the idea of putting roses in your centerpieces, but you were looking for a more cost-effective flower – consider asking your florist to make that substitution.

Negotiating can be uncomfortable at first, but if you approach the conversations with respect, consideration, and sincerity – you might be surprised at the different ways wedding vendors may be willing to work with you. If you have been considering options to help with your wedding budget, consider our Financial Helper Loan. With low rates, fixed payments, and personalized service – you can say “I do” with less worry. For more information, contact First Financial’s Loan Department at 732.312.1500 Option 4 or visit a local branch.

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Actual rate will vary based on creditworthiness and loan term. Subject to credit approval. Personal Loan repayment terms range from 12 to 60 months, and APRs range from 10.24% APR to 18% APR. Minimum loan amount is $500. Loan payment example: A $2,000 Personal Loan financed at 10.24% APR for 24 months, would have a monthly payment amount of $92.51. A First Financial Federal Credit Union membership is required to obtain a Personal Loan or Line of Credit, and is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties. A $5 deposit in a base savings account is required for credit union membership prior to opening any other account/loan.