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I got a big discount on my chocolate fountain from my venue (which caters for themselves and doesn't allow outside vendors to come in). I just showed them prices from comparable chocolate fountain rental companies and they cut the price immensely!
Do your research! Come prepared and don't be pushy, but be persuasive.
Yes - do your research. Vendors will tend to try to match your price. I have negotiated almost everything. Everything IS and should be negotiated.
I have a friend that will just try to get about 18-20% off. I use the dollar amount method and just tell them what amount I am willing or want to spend. Like - can you give it to me for $XX amount? I think having a number works best than to say.. "can you lower it or give me a discount?"
But make sure it is a reasonable amount by doing your research. Everything is marked up. A few hundred dollars off is usually not a big issue.
Great post! I need all the help I can get working up the courage to ask for discounts. Although, from what I've heard, many vendors are more than willing to offer discounts these days because times are so tough.
One piece of advice I would offer, though, is to be honest with vendors about your budget. We told our caterer, for example, the total amount that we wanted to spend to feed everyone and to pay for service, and they worked backward from there to put together a quote for us that was within our budget. This way, they didn't try to sell us any "extras" because they knew what we had to spend, and we didn't have to worry about what number they would come back with.
Good luck everyone! 
We got discounts - by asking - from Florist, venue/caterer (for additional add-ons above the base), band (not listed above!), photographer. We managed to get anywhere from 10%-30% off, and this was when the market was relatively strong, on a Saturday night in June! we found the best approach was letting them know how much we liked them and wanted to work with them, let them know what our budget was (maybe a little low=balled, but not much) and then ask if there was any way we could work to bridge the gap.
I know Janna19! I went to edit and add a few more options like entertainment, other, and none, but couldn't figure it out.
Lately, I have been asking for discounts on everything. I got some posters framed, and asked for a discount. We were shopping for groomsmen gifts and got a 50% discount. I got bridal jewelry at a discount, and a coupon for my dress.
I believe that in this economy, everything is negotiable... I also believe in giving people a fair price for their service. I'm paying *alot* for our photographer, but we felt that her craft was worth a significant amount of money... It's a little harder to negotiate on something that you see as art!
We haggled down the rental fee associated with our venue by more than 50%. Instead, we agreed to guarantee a minimum number of guests (which was much less than we will utlimately have.) A little awkard at first, but definitely worth it.
I tried to bargain about the price of my dress, but there was no budging. I bought it anyways : )
Think of it like any negotiation. Get a list of all the items/services you want, and then offer a price. It's helpful if they have already given you an itemized estimate. It's harder to negotiate if you have your heart set on something, but I got my photographer to include his travel for no cost. Then, and I don't know how, my Dad got him to go down another $1K in price. There is a bit of a game involved, but I think it's better to deal with solid numbers than asking for % discounts. If you are serious enough to make an offer, then they know that they'll have your business if they accept it. They will be in a much more willing position to bargain.
I called around about a wedding dress I wanted, not seeking a deal but trying to actually find it. The last place I called offered to order the dress for me for 2/3 the price - so I think calling around just to see what others can offer you would help you save!
Some vendors will discount their services if you tell them what your budget is for the item/service. Or they can find a less expensive alternative to make both parties happy!
Charger_Trio.JPG (1246.7 KB, 34 downloads) 2 years old 
I'd say independent vendor are much more likely to negotiate, in my experience. If you aren't comfortable negotating price, consider things like photographer packages. Our photographer had an album credit in her package but I wasn't going to buy an album, so I exchanged that for an engagement photo session.
I find that vendors may not always be about to give a discount, but they are usually very happy to negotiate costs and services to work within your budget. Our caterer can work with most budgets, so we are just coming up with a menu that works within our price range. Our bakery charges extra for gum paste and sugar decorations so we are saving a lot by adding on fresh flowers instead. Often vendors will be more than happy to help you find something within your budget, so if you feel yourself getting sticker shock, ask if they can provide a similar service/product with less bells and whistles at a cheaper price. We are literally saving thousands doing this, and we doubt anyone will notice. :-)
i agree with many of you...independant vendors have the ability to negotiate. I must admit though, there's a small part of me that worries that because I negotiated, I'm not going to get their 100% service/attention. 
ali925,
I used to feel that way too, but as an artist who does a lot of commissioned work, I never feel slighted when I am doing discounted work because I know that that client is probably going to go tell ten more people about my reasonable rates! If you are worried, ask them for a bunch of business cards to let them know you want to strum them up some more business!
I think discounts are easier to come by when you have a planner at your back. It's like going into a negotiation with a lawyer at your back. The vendor knows that they planner knows what is and isn't reasonable, and what is and isn't possible.
I also find that it's easier to get discounts if you're in an off month (we're january, and most venues already have a January discount as well as some negotiation room in terms of hours, minimums, etc.).
It's also easiest to me to request discounts without coming right out and saying "can you give me a discount?" In my case, I tend to say something like, "I love X package, and would love to have you/your work be a part of my wedding day, but it's just a little bit outside our budget. Is there anything we can do to make it work?" It puts the ball in their court, and most vendors (especially right now) are willing to do what it takes to get the job. :)
I hope that helps!
thanks thriftsiren, that's an aweome idea, i appreciate your honesty too!
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I have real issues with asking for discounts. I know every bridal magazine out there says to ask, but I never feel comfortable. Has anyone in the hive asked for a discount? How did it go?
Any tips?
Also, what vendors are more likely to give discounts?
I am shopping around for our wedding bands and I'm looking or the best price. Do jewlers give discounts?
if you received discounts on anything else, please list!