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melbalalala
Mrs. W-J!
Member since 2/06 2997 total posts
Wedding Date:
3/10/2007 5:00 PM
Wed. Location:
Hamlet Wind Watch
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Success stories getting reception sites to lower PP price?
I am traveling back to Long Island on Friday and meeting with some possible reception sites.
The girls on the board have said that everything is negotiable, does anyone have any success stories in getting places to lower the per person price on a package deal?
I plan to play hardball if this is definitely an option! :)
Thanks girls!
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Posted 2/28/06 8:58 PM 
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marymoon
Someday Bride
Member since 2/04 12229 total posts
Wedding Date:
12/31/2013 7:30 PM
Wed. Location:
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Re: Success stories getting reception sites to lower PP price?
When i went back the 2nd time they lowered the price, also if you can guarantee more than the minimum they are asking, they may lower the pp price.
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Posted 2/28/06 9:04 PM
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eden
Cherry Blossoms Chick
Member since 12/05 1226 total posts
Wedding Date:
10/1/2006 7:30 PM
Wed. Location:
WM: A+
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Re: Success stories getting reception sites to lower PP price?
Posted by melbalalala
I am traveling back to Long Island on Friday and meeting with some possible reception sites.
The girls on the board have said that everything is negotiable, does anyone have any success stories in getting places to lower the per person price on a package deal?
I plan to play hardball if this is definitely an option! :)
Thanks girls!
A couple of tactics"
1, Since you're getting married in early March, you can bargain with them for an off-peak price.
2. Also, if you see things in the package that are included but you don't want, ask to see if they'll reduce the price if you opt to exclude that. Things like the 'raw bar' can save you 5-7 bucks per person.
3. If you guarantee more, you will most likely be able to get a much better price. I know of someone who got her price from 150 down to 100 because she was guaranteeing 250+ instead of 150.
4. Don't be afraid to let them know you are trying to decide between one other hall and if they can give you a better price, or throw in some extras (easier to do than reduce price) you'll pick them.
5. Finally, don't show your excitement on the day you see the place. They will notice that and will be less inclined to bargain with you. After seeing the reception hall and getting the quotes, ask the banquet manager 'is that the best you can offer?'
6. Some BMs with a higher status at the reception hall will have more bargaining power. Don't be afraid to call to talk to one and have your FH or MOH call to speak to someone else with more authority. :)
Good luck!
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Posted 2/28/06 10:50 PM
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melbalalala
Mrs. W-J!
Member since 2/06 2997 total posts
Wedding Date:
3/10/2007 5:00 PM
Wed. Location:
Hamlet Wind Watch
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Re: Success stories getting reception sites to lower PP price?
Brilliant suggestions!
It's going to be hard to put on my poker face, Im absolutely in love with the place I want to have my ceremony and reception.
Im getting ready to play hardball though!
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Posted 3/1/06 8:24 AM
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melbalalala
Mrs. W-J!
Member since 2/06 2997 total posts
Wedding Date:
3/10/2007 5:00 PM
Wed. Location:
Hamlet Wind Watch
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Re: Success stories getting reception sites to lower PP price?
bump
anyone else have any success stories? 48 hours until my meeting :)
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Posted 3/1/06 5:08 PM
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Katie&Chris2006
I love Chris
Member since 11/05 5997 total posts
Wedding Date:
11/18/2006 10:30 AM
Wed. Location:
Watermill - A+
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Re: Success stories getting reception sites to lower PP price?
In booking our RH and some of our other vendors, we found that being very honest with the sales people worked for us. My FH is a great negotiator and would say we are looking to spend $X. What can we do to get you there? For our RH place specifically, when it came down to two places (Watermill and a place that was a lot cheaper) we said we are getting $X price at our second choice. They met us halfway, which was the price we were aiming for before we went in.
I was totally intimidated by the negotiating thing, but I've quickly learned that it never hurts to ask. Everything is negotiable! If they are unwilling to lower the price, ask them what else they can throw in.
I would also suggest if it is the first time you are meeting with them, don't necessarily negotiate right then and there. Let them know you are shopping around and when you speak with them again, let them know what else you found out and then let the negotiating begin. Definitely don't let them know that they are your #1 choice or you will lose some of your bargaining power. HTH! And definitely FM if you want more help. Would love to know what place is your first choice!
ETA: Forgot about the off-season thing. Most places I went to definitely had different pricing for different times of the year. March was still considered off-season in most of the places so you can use that too.
Message edited 3/1/2006 5:20:19 PM.
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Posted 3/1/06 5:18 PM
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MJDoc12
Happy 4th of July!
Member since 10/05 10791 total posts
Wedding Date:
2/25/2007 11:15 AM
Wed. Location:
Watermill Caterers.. A++++
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Re: Success stories getting reception sites to lower PP price?
Just an FYI ladies---be careful what you say in this thread....as many times halls and or other brides are reading this. If you say you got some kind of 'better deal' and your hall name is listed in your bio--you'd be surprised how other brides can try and use that for their advantage.
As many of you know--a bride told my BM at my hall that I said I got a specific type of deal (which I NEVER said), and used my wedding date, mine and FH's first names, and hall--as proof that she knew me. Needless to say, receiving a phone call from my BM questioning me about this incident was quite embarassing!
So offer help--but choose your words wisely!!! Some brides out there will be cut-throat to get what they want!!
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Posted 3/1/06 5:22 PM
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melbalalala
Mrs. W-J!
Member since 2/06 2997 total posts
Wedding Date:
3/10/2007 5:00 PM
Wed. Location:
Hamlet Wind Watch
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Re: Success stories getting reception sites to lower PP price?
I definitely think that this girl lying was an awful person.
I wasn't really looking for specific deals gotten, just aspects of the packages offered that you were able to adjust to get a lower price.
BUT while we are on the topic, shouldnt we be banding together as future brides and sharing the deals that we are able to get? The wedding industry is very sketchy and does everything it can to milk brides that are so caught up in planning the perfect day that they are willing to shell out ridiculous amounts of money if put under pressure.
If there was a way for people to compare rates and perks that they got, the market would be a more fair one and perhaps vendors would be a little less deceitful.( I'm an Economist, so I guess the dork in me is coming out.)
I've only been engaged for 3 weeks and I just get angry reading about bridal shops, RH, florists, DJs, etc trying to rip-off brides. (i.e. a DJ charging $700 for a 4 hr party on a Saturday night but $1200 for a 4 hr wedding on a Saturday night).
Thanks for letting me vent about my (possibly premature) anger at the industry.
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Posted 3/1/06 5:39 PM
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akaMrsT
Formally Mrs. T -aka no longer
Member since 7/04 3998 total posts
Wedding Date:
3/30/2006 6:00 PM
Wed. Location:
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Re: Success stories getting reception sites to lower PP price?
My best advice after visiting 30+ halls, be willing to walk away. March is not prime wedding season so most halls WANT YOUR BUSINESS 
Everything is negotiable 
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Posted 3/1/06 7:23 PM
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MJDoc12
Happy 4th of July!
Member since 10/05 10791 total posts
Wedding Date:
2/25/2007 11:15 AM
Wed. Location:
Watermill Caterers.. A++++
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Re: Success stories getting reception sites to lower PP price?
Posted by melbalalala
I definitely think that this girl lying was an awful person.
I wasn't really looking for specific deals gotten, just aspects of the packages offered that you were able to adjust to get a lower price.
BUT while we are on the topic, shouldnt we be banding together as future brides and sharing the deals that we are able to get? The wedding industry is very sketchy and does everything it can to milk brides that are so caught up in planning the perfect day that they are willing to shell out ridiculous amounts of money if put under pressure.
If there was a way for people to compare rates and perks that they got, the market would be a more fair one and perhaps vendors would be a little less deceitful.( I'm an Economist, so I guess the dork in me is coming out.)
I've only been engaged for 3 weeks and I just get angry reading about bridal shops, RH, florists, DJs, etc trying to rip-off brides. (i.e. a DJ charging $700 for a 4 hr party on a Saturday night but $1200 for a 4 hr wedding on a Saturday night).
Thanks for letting me vent about my (possibly premature) anger at the industry.
i totally understand where you are coming from about us all banding together!! i wish that was the case also. and MOST of the ladies on here are that way, but it's the few rotten apples that spoil the bunch for the rest. being burned has made me suspect of anything on here.....sad but true. i will no longer give out any info on my hall, vendors, etc. because of that incident!! i was mostly just stating that FYI for the other brides who might make, what they think, is an innocent statement--that could backfire on them later
you already are ahead of the game--by knowing how many vendors can be when you use the word "wedding" and suddenly they see  best piece of advice--don't jump too soon into ANYTHING! no matter what that vendor says. (they'll try the old 'you should at least put a deposit down before it gets away" or "our rates will go up real soon....book us now!") mostly you'll just KNOW when you find a vendor that you truly wish to book with--because they will make you feel comfortable and be easy to relate to.
good luck in all your planning---and remember that this is supposed to be a happy time!! don't let the bad ones ruin it for you!
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Posted 3/1/06 9:00 PM
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08/06
Board Enthusiast
Member since 6/05 221 total posts
Wedding Date:
8/31/2006 11:00 AM
Wed. Location:
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Re: Success stories getting reception sites to lower PP price?
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Message edited 3/1/2006 9:04:52 PM.
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Posted 3/1/06 9:04 PM
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eden
Cherry Blossoms Chick
Member since 12/05 1226 total posts
Wedding Date:
10/1/2006 7:30 PM
Wed. Location:
WM: A+
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Re: Success stories getting reception sites to lower PP price?
Posted by melbalalala
I definitely think that this girl lying was an awful person.
I wasn't really looking for specific deals gotten, just aspects of the packages offered that you were able to adjust to get a lower price.
BUT while we are on the topic, shouldnt we be banding together as future brides and sharing the deals that we are able to get? The wedding industry is very sketchy and does everything it can to milk brides that are so caught up in planning the perfect day that they are willing to shell out ridiculous amounts of money if put under pressure.
If there was a way for people to compare rates and perks that they got, the market would be a more fair one and perhaps vendors would be a little less deceitful.( I'm an Economist, so I guess the dork in me is coming out.)
I've only been engaged for 3 weeks and I just get angry reading about bridal shops, RH, florists, DJs, etc trying to rip-off brides. (i.e. a DJ charging $700 for a 4 hr party on a Saturday night but $1200 for a 4 hr wedding on a Saturday night).
Thanks for letting me vent about my (possibly premature) anger at the industry.
I wholeheartedly agree with you on this. We brides shoud band together. There shouldn't be any reason whatsoever why a wedding should cost 2 or 3X more than a big retirement bash for Grandpa.
Studies have shown this to be the case at many reception halls/restaurants. We have to make a stand and not just try to justify that 'it's a wedding so they are offering us more'. That's a bunch of crock because
all they're throwing in for you is a mediocre cake (if any) a bridal room and attendant (if you're lucky).
Otherwise, there should be NO reason for such a price disparity. The national average for a wedding is 25K nowadays. Why should that be? Is a big birthday bash also costing us 25k? I don't think so.
I refuse to believe that it's ok for reception halls to charge us more than $100 per person for a wedding (then an additional 25-30% for tips and taxes) don't care if you're serving heaps of the finest caviar with unlimited servings of lobster tails and sharkfin soup. :P
I'm open to sharing my wedding budget ideas with any brides who wants to FM me 'cus I too am fed up with how the wedding industry is milking us. It's supposed to be our special day - give us a break!
Message edited 3/1/2006 9:41:57 PM.
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Posted 3/1/06 9:29 PM
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melbalalala
Mrs. W-J!
Member since 2/06 2997 total posts
Wedding Date:
3/10/2007 5:00 PM
Wed. Location:
Hamlet Wind Watch
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Re: Success stories getting reception sites to lower PP price?
Woohoo! I hear ya girl! :)
Once I start my hunting I hope to share negotiating tips with other brides.. I'll keep you posted :)
Its tough doing this long distance, so I think I'll feel pressured to make more decisions on the spot, but I'll stay tough!
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Posted 3/2/06 12:21 AM
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