Comments on: Dream Weddings for Less http://www.mint.com/blog/finance-core/dream-weddings-for-less/ The blog of the free, simple personal finance solution. Track all your spending automatically, find the best deals, save more money. And save the world. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:26:43 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Caroline http://www.mint.com/blog/finance-core/dream-weddings-for-less/comment-page-1/#comment-42254 Caroline Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:22:56 +0000 http://www.mint.com/blog/?p=2751#comment-42254 I think a lot of those comments are a little naive. I just booked a place and was completely astounded... weddings are still more than expensive - they're offensive. A good example of that is actually trying to *book* a place on a Sunday for example, and seeing how many places offer a discount. You'd be surprised at how little that discount is!! We also thought going further away, like wineandroses in Lodi, CA (that's really in the middle of nowhere) on a Sunday would be cheaper. *Wrong*. They wanted more than most places that have a view over the San Francisco Bay. The whole cocktail/small plates is also a naive suggestions. A lot of places don't let you choose a caterer, let alone menu options. The bottom line is, everyone's worried about their bottom line, so they don't let you just cut back wherever you want. So for eg. a place in Berkeley we visited didn't let you go under a minimum of $6,000 WITHOUT taxes or tips. Guess what happens if you do? They increase site fees to make up for the difference. Corkage fees, security fees, and other fees can also really add up on the bill. So there, my advice is, ask for the bottom line - you may be able to negotiate the little things like corkage fees. So, in short, the best way to negotiate is #1 do NOT underestimate the power of emotional decisions #2 be willing to walk away (and that applies to everything - wedding gown shopping is like going to a used car lot) #3 always ask for the bottom line #4 keep it simple as much as possible #5 don't hire a wedding planner, they make money on what you spend, and therefore their interest is unfortunately not on your side. I think a lot of those comments are a little naive. I just booked a place and was completely astounded… weddings are still more than expensive – they’re offensive. A good example of that is actually trying to *book* a place on a Sunday for example, and seeing how many places offer a discount. You’d be surprised at how little that discount is!! We also thought going further away, like wineandroses in Lodi, CA (that’s really in the middle of nowhere) on a Sunday would be cheaper. *Wrong*. They wanted more than most places that have a view over the San Francisco Bay.
The whole cocktail/small plates is also a naive suggestions. A lot of places don’t let you choose a caterer, let alone menu options. The bottom line is, everyone’s worried about their bottom line, so they don’t let you just cut back wherever you want. So for eg. a place in Berkeley we visited didn’t let you go under a minimum of $6,000 WITHOUT taxes or tips. Guess what happens if you do? They increase site fees to make up for the difference. Corkage fees, security fees, and other fees can also really add up on the bill. So there, my advice is, ask for the bottom line – you may be able to negotiate the little things like corkage fees.
So, in short, the best way to negotiate is #1 do NOT underestimate the power of emotional decisions #2 be willing to walk away (and that applies to everything – wedding gown shopping is like going to a used car lot) #3 always ask for the bottom line #4 keep it simple as much as possible #5 don’t hire a wedding planner, they make money on what you spend, and therefore their interest is unfortunately not on your side. ]]> By: Chuck http://www.mint.com/blog/finance-core/dream-weddings-for-less/comment-page-1/#comment-31307 Chuck Mon, 18 May 2009 21:15:00 +0000 http://www.mint.com/blog/?p=2751#comment-31307 These are some great money saving wedding tips. Although I've attended many expensive weddings I've often wondered if the money spent on the wedding might have been better invested as a gift nest egg for the newlyweds. I like the $99 wedding special option depicted in the article photograph and who can beat the above commentator Katie picking up a wedding band for 87 bucks? Then again that's probably why I'm still single. These are some great money saving wedding tips. Although I’ve attended many expensive weddings I’ve often wondered if the money spent on the wedding might have been better invested as a gift nest egg for the newlyweds.

I like the $99 wedding special option depicted in the article photograph and who can beat the above commentator Katie picking up a wedding band for 87 bucks? Then again that’s probably why I’m still single.

]]> By: Katie http://www.mint.com/blog/finance-core/dream-weddings-for-less/comment-page-1/#comment-31064 Katie Fri, 08 May 2009 20:06:21 +0000 http://www.mint.com/blog/?p=2751#comment-31064 I'm getting married in October and we're trying to save as much as we can. My biggest advice is BORROW! We are borrowing several items for the ceremony and reception decorations. In fact, we aren't using flowers at all and instead getting creative with the centerpieces. Also, the jewelry I'm wearing is my 'something old' which also means it's free (and sentimental). We are also having friends play music and DJ at the reception so that will be their gift to us (we will probably throw in a little gift too). Lastly, for wedding bands go to Overstock.com! I got my fiance's ring for $87. :) I’m getting married in October and we’re trying to save as much as we can. My biggest advice is BORROW! We are borrowing several items for the ceremony and reception decorations. In fact, we aren’t using flowers at all and instead getting creative with the centerpieces. Also, the jewelry I’m wearing is my ’something old’ which also means it’s free (and sentimental). We are also having friends play music and DJ at the reception so that will be their gift to us (we will probably throw in a little gift too). Lastly, for wedding bands go to Overstock.com! I got my fiance’s ring for $87. :) ]]> By: FreeFamilyFinance.Com http://www.mint.com/blog/finance-core/dream-weddings-for-less/comment-page-1/#comment-31015 FreeFamilyFinance.Com Tue, 05 May 2009 16:23:04 +0000 http://www.mint.com/blog/?p=2751#comment-31015 I personally got married in December. My wife & I used a lot of these same ideas. We ended up with a significant savings. I was astonished at our vendors and how willing they were to negotiate. We saved so much money by kindly asking. Great post. I personally got married in December. My wife & I used a lot of these same ideas. We ended up with a significant savings. I was astonished at our vendors and how willing they were to negotiate. We saved so much money by kindly asking. Great post. ]]> By: Justin Chen http://www.mint.com/blog/finance-core/dream-weddings-for-less/comment-page-1/#comment-30901 Justin Chen Sat, 02 May 2009 07:22:57 +0000 http://www.mint.com/blog/?p=2751#comment-30901 Great list - we followed about 80% of those tips at our wedding. Seems like most weddings I go to now are all DJs instead of live bands. Some even do the laptop or ipod. Here's a list of <a href="http://www.theweddinglens.com/cheap-wedding-tips" rel="nofollow">cheap wedding tips</a> we have at The Wedding Lens. Great list – we followed about 80% of those tips at our wedding. Seems like most weddings I go to now are all DJs instead of live bands. Some even do the laptop or ipod.

Here’s a list of cheap wedding tips we have at The Wedding Lens.

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