Pinterest boards and Instagram feeds constantly stream stunning images to brides and grooms but are these ideas easily implementable within a couple’s wedding budget? Naturally, some are and some are not. These images certainly can provide ample inspiration but when it comes down to a wedding budget reality check, many couples get disappointed that their vision can’t materialise.
Here are three top tips for finding wedding vendors in your price range:
Complaint: “I don’t know how to manage my budget to get what I want on my day!”
Solution: Figure out your budget
Trying to get quotations in without having nailed down your wedding budget is a bit of a wrong-sided approach, yet it’s often what many brides tend to do! It may be better to establish an overall “cap” on what you would like to spend and then get more specific in terms of a limit on each area – for e.g. photography or your cake. This way, at least you have a ballpark figure to give to each wedding vendor as to your limit and they can suggest packages to suit.
Complaint: “I really want to work with this top-notch wedding vendor but I’m not sure I can pay their fees.”
Solution: Negotiate but respect their creative work
If you want to book a wedding vendor who is very high in demand or whose fees are quite pricey, it may not all be a lost cause. A good technique is to honestly compliment their work and earnestly let them know how much you want them to be a part of your wedding team but that you have some budget limitations. Some wedding vendors may be willing to make some adjustments in order to work with you, others may not. However, remember it is all in your approach. Asking for a 50 percent discount upfront may not go over too well so be mindful of their creativity and expertise. Please also have a deposit in hand and be ready to make an immediate downpayment to secure this well sought-after wedding vendor.
Complaint: “I feel overwhelmed. I just can’t seem to find the time to plan this wedding”
Solution: Hire a Wedding Planner
An experienced Wedding Planner will be able to help you save time by distinguishing which prices and fees are realistic and which ones seem inflated. Wedding Planners also have wide networks with diverse wedding vendors in all types of budget categories so they will be able to negotiate to get you more affordable prices.
