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In today’s hive:
To add your question to the beehive, leave a comment below and we’ll update this post to include your question. See all past beehives here.
flobster, EVERYTHING is negotiable. If your venue offers the wedding cake in its package but you have your heart set on an outside bakery, ask if you can get credit towards a chocolate fountain or other dessert options. Large parties are often cheaper too (I was quoted $115pp for a Sat evening affair w/ a 120-min, my friend had a 300-min for a Sat night but her price only went up to $89pp).
I think it helps if YOU put offers on the table too- our original minimum was 150, and my fiance asked if we brought 180 ppl, could we get a free mashed potato bar. Not only did our banquet manager say yes, she threw in an extra hot station at the cocktail hour to boot!
I have a question for the hive, I’d like some suggestions for good dance music (not like waltz/salsa dancing, like party music). We’re thinking of doing the Ipod/computer thing, and I’d like to avoid playing YMCA and Love Shack type dance music. Some suggesions for modern dance music that is family appropriate would be welcome!
I also have a question for the hive! I’ve seen lots of comments/posts about Costa Rica lately (and I love it there), but FH and I are going to Belize for our honeymoon and I’d love some input from people who’ve been there before. We’re going over Labor Day and I want someone to reassure me that it’s still warm and sunny even during rainy season 
Of course you can negotiate! We negotiated, and ended up having a June reception–the busiest month for weddings–at only $5 a head more than what their literature calls their absolute bottom price. How? Well, we wanted a Sunday afternoon, and we were looking at a date only six months in advance. They obviously wanted to fill the date, we didn’t have to negotiate very hard. They don’t make any money with an empty venue. But it helps if you have leverage in some way, such as being willing to book only six months ahead, or for a non-Saturday night, or for an “off” month like January. The more guests you have, the cheaper the price per head, usually. And if they won’t move on price, then ask for other stuff–free extras like the special coffee service or the chocolate fountain. That sort of stuff really doesn’t cost them that much, so they’re often willing to throw it in. And you can also get money off for other things–I’m doing my own flowers, so we’re getting credited for the centerpieces in the package. I didn’t like the lousy draft beer in the package, but bottled beers were an extra $3 a head, so I arranged to have the open bar hard liquor exchanged for decent bottled beer. We know our guests would rather have a good beer (or five) than a Scotch.
Hi Mrs. Bee, I have a question to add:
I am actually desperate to find my dream wedding shoes…the J. Crew “big bow” slingbacks in ivory. I have been told that they run small, so I would need a 9. I am asking all Weddingbee readers if they have a pair they would be willing to sell me.
Thanks!!
Question for the hive…
I will be going with a country/rustic theme for my wedding and (I know, I’m EXTREMELY weird!) I hate tuxes (suits almost as much)! Besides, my guy is definitely NOT a tux/suit wearing kind of guy! Any ideas for alternatives? Something down home, yet classic, without looking like white trash. I’m kinda thinking white western-style shirts, black jeans, and black cowboy boots w/ silver toes, but my guy isn’t really into the whole cowboy/redneck thing either. Suggestions?
yes you can negotiate! the original price quote we had was $27 higher than we signed for. (granted we got rid of a caviar, vodka station but that was minimal pp.)
i dont know how you’re going to be paying for the venue or other vendors, but if you’re going to be paying cash for them, ask them. they normally cut down the price if it’s in cash.
Thanks gals,
Having a difficult time thinking of what else to ask for if they are not moving in price. cake, viennese table, and chocolate fountain is already included as well as a premium bar. We will also be reserving a year and a half in advance and in the summer so not much negotiating power there. They also require cash and no credit card. -=\
Do you need all those things? Do you want a chocolate fountain? Will your guests need a premium bar (for some groups it can be a waste)? If you don’t want those things and they don’t matter to you then having them included in a package is not a value to you. Make them customize your price so that you have what you need, not just what they offer.
Do they offer a champagne toast? If you don’t want that, maybe you can save money.
Do they offer snackies during a cocktail hour? if they do, and you chose just one or maybe a less expensive option, would they move on price?
Do they offer a choice of entrees? If you did away with the choice (or had buffet) would that modify the price?
Are they full service? Will they be setting up your tables or will you need to do that? If you will need to do more work at their venue than you would need to do at another, then bring it up. Or if you volunteer to do it instead of them, can you save money?
Think about what they need to save time and money as a business and use that to guide what you ask for to save yourself money.
Is this a really popular place? Do you need to book a year and a half in advance? It’s weird that what seems to be a high end place is cash only — especially `for a reception hall. Maybe if you just seemed to be more critical of the prices and didn’t seem as eager they would fold. Keep in mind that the money you pay now has nothing to do with your wedding in 18 months — that’s paying for their current operating costs and it’s easy to scare you into paying for their bills right now. You have the control here. I hope that there is just a small amoutn to hold the date and that you have more wiggle room on signing a contract.
Hi Linny,
The venue is right off the beach and boardwalk so its pretty popular. I’m planning to have it in june ‘08 since school is not out yet and the shore is not as busy. They had only 1 saturday left in june but i definitely didn’t make it seem like i had to have it. Alcohol is pretty important to the FI and there is also a champagne toast. Buffet is actually more expensive at this hall because its unlimited food. The price also includes tax and gratuities. I think overall the price and food provided was definitely better than a lot of the other reception halls but in the end i still wanted to try to get more for the money. The reservation fee is $500.
You can’t use guitar amps if you go the i-pod route - you need power speakers or a mixingboard with speakers. Do a search on mobile beat’s dj most requested songs for 2006
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