You should not play full price for anything these days. Have you seen the signs, 20 percent off, 50 percent off, everything must go. And though the wedding industry has a reputation of gouging wide-eyed brides and grooms, it does not have to be like that.
I am honoring my budget-consciousness and my wedding will be fabulous.
In fact, this depression is forcing everyone to re-evaluate and re-price goods and services, and that includes the wedding industry.
Two months ago I had a photographer quote me $2,000.00 to take photos at my wedding. I was floored! And I told him I would like to negotiate that price, but he said that he didn't negotiate, at all—then proceeded to tell me that if a potential client did not like his prices, he always had someone else in the wings.
Of course my black woman neck started circling and I said in my head, "Oh hell no, you will not have my business." I went about my way and found other options that were better priced, and the photographers were extremely accommodating.
I don't care what type of business patronage the first photographer claimed he had, everyone has been affected by the financial climate. EVERYBODY.
Negotiating is everything with this wedding. I am learning fast, and in some cases, in uncomfortable ways. Though I must admit, I have been getting blessed with great deals.
So let me give you some of the huge finds:
My wedding planner (who has bent over backwards) was a steal and has become a dear friend. Plus she finagled hotel rooms @ the JW Marriot Staple Center for the lowest group price rate that the hotel offers.
The wedding venue is a top-notch place that has been featured on Wedding Central. I got a 50% discount.
My future mother-in-spirit found a soap mold of the Adinkra symbol and is making chocolates as souvenirs.
I just saw some Old Navy fuchsia flip-flops I want to purchase for my circle of sisters who will be walking with me through this. The shoes are $1.49 with a 30% discount on top of that.
The flowers and decor will be purchased in the flower district in downtown LA @ bulk prices that are a fraction of flower shops.
These are just some of the savings I am using to make sure I get good quality at budget-conscious prices.
But I must stress, you must be damn near vigilante, even when you don't want to, and even when you are not doing wedding things. It is something that must become habit.
For instance, I purchased some spices at some frou-frou place in an upper-class side of town this weekend. The woman shorted me 8 cents change from the 88 cents I was supposed to get. I slowly counted my money and didn't move. She smiled, and I smiled right back and told her I was waiting for my change. She admitted that she did not have the rest and just had dollars. So I asked for a full dollar and gave her the 80cents. When she said she couldn't do it, I told her to give me my refund.
My money is precious and I work hard. The last think you will do is short me and I accept it. I have to admit, I am still learning, but an old Jewish told me one day, "Count your pennies and you don't have to worry about your dollars."
Love & Balance
Namibia Indigo
1 comment:
I like your persistence and insistence for staying on budget for the wedding. HOWEVER (don't read that as yelling) sometimes you get what you pay for. The best advice is, look at the quality of the work and also match it to the personality of the vendor. If one is off, it's all off.
Sometimes the service is worth the high price and you are right, sometimes it is not. Vendors find it hard to negotiate because taking something away from the service means you loose in quality.
Cheap is not always Chic, sometimes it is just cheap. Don't put the documentation of your wedding in the hands of someone with the right price. You will want a photographer with a great eye. That may cost more than you expect. Best of luck
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