Getting married in a faltering economy
Getting married during the recession isn’t a disadvantage, it’s an opportunity! Instead of hanging your head about the recession, use the slumping market to your advantage by bargaining and using your creativity. You can have a lovely wedding even if you cut some corners.
Recession? What recession?
1. Make a budget this is so important to have a number you will spend and working off a smaller number, because IT WILL cost more.
2. In that budget, prioritize where you want to spend the majority of your money (i.e. flowers, venue, photographer, band, etc). This is what I love about each wedding, to see what the bride has put emphasis on. For me it was photography. Regardless of what it is for you, you need to decide and pick that vendor first, because the rest of the day will be built around this price and will have to compromise to fit within the budget.
3. Remember: everything is negotiable. Especially if the recession has slowed a vendor’s business, they’ll be more likely to bargain. From the dress down to the last bit of food guests pop in their mouth. Learn the art of bartering and know your product. It’s okay to ask the hard questions and important to do comparison shopping. Don’t hesitate to say, well I’ve seen this for $XXX at another establishment. I bought my dress off the rack and negotiated the price from $2,500 to $1,000. Nothing is in stone. It’s important to just know how to leverage the sales people, off the rack they usually only give 10%. Ask for more.
4. When possible, pay in cash! The old saying “money speaks” is true. If you offer to pay in cash that day, or to pay in full, you can usually ask for 10% off. The vendor doesn’t have to pay the credit card vendor for the pleasure and they (depending on their size) may choose to keep it off the books, that is their business, but whatever works to get the sale.
5. Be a good communicator. With every vendor from flowers to cake to photographer, make sure you are clear, ask them to repeat back to you what they understand you want. This is important, this is your day, not theirs, they need to make sure they get your style. Every picture that you like from hair, to flower girl basket to cocktails, clip it and keep it! Show these to vendors and tell them exactly what you want, and what can be substituted to give the same look/taste.
6. Don’t forget the personal touch. A little thoughtfulness goes along way for your guests and for your vendors, send a thank you to vendors and think of something special (this doesn’t have to be expensive) that will speak to them and let them know you are thankful they are here to share in your day.
7. When you’re putting the final touches on your budget, don’t forget postage. At $0.42 a average sized letter, this adds up with save the dates, invitations, RSVP cards, and thank yous. It costs almost .50 cents, and that sneaky little cost that can be forgotten when making decisions regarding stationary and to include in the budget. When picking out her stationary, make sure the weight and size will stay under .42 cents, there is information on what is allowed beneath .42 on www.usps.com. Very often, stationary bought from industry leaders is over sized or over weight and then you have to buy extra postage.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Tags: Card Vendor, Money, Rest Of The Day