every money-saving list of tips for weddings lists holding your wedding off-season...have any of you saved money this way? what was cheaper off-season? all the quotes i've come across have been the same throughout the year.
From my experience, depends on the popularity of the venue (since it's your largest cost). My venue is booked already through 2008 and partial 2009. She doesn't give discounts no matter if its Thursday, Friday, or Sunday or the stiffling Georgia heat cause it's already booked. I mean, she made since, but it sucked.
Now on offseasons, photographers, videographers, etc. will be more willing to negotiate b/c they have alot of down time during off season months.
Yes. My venue was much cheaper in February than in November--about $20 per head cheaper, IIRC. I didn't even get quotes for summer, which I assume would be even more expensive. Not only was it cheaper per head, but the minimum number of guests we were required to produce was lower (which ended up being a good thing, as we had fewer yeses than we expected).
It totally depends on the venue, though: other places I called were a little bit cheaper, and a few were not cheaper at all. But most did have lower minimums.
My location was a restaurant on the water, in a park, in an area that gets ZERO foot traffic in the winter. When I went in for dinner on evenings in the winter, I was often the only person in the restaurant for hours. Therefore, a wedding with a guaranteed number of guests is a huge draw for them in winter. However, in the summer they are much busier, and so their prices for closing the place down would be much higher.
I'm having a November wedding and so far the only thing that it might be saving me money on is Photography. Otherwise, everyone's price list is static.
I suspect that if we were going on a honeymoon, depending on where we chose to stay, like the beach instead of the mountains, then we'd save some money there. I was looking at hotel accomodations this morning to a local beach. The rates drop significantly in our wedding month,
As a photographer, I don't list different prices for off-season, but if a couple brings it up, I will happily negotiate a lower price (to the savings of $1000's of dollars in some cases).
It might help to bring it up when discussing your packages with vendors, sometimes you just have to ask!
it seems that a lot of couples have been planning "off season" or Friday/ Sunday weddings in the past few years, so maybe places have stopped offering lower prices, thinking they can book up without them. this is probably the case in a lot of urban areas. i would agree with those above who suggest just outright asking which is sometimes all it takes. ex: today i bought a pair of shoes & the last pair of 8's were the floor model, so i asked if there was a floor model discount & got an extra 5% off. not much but it was worth the 5 seconds it took to ask. if they say no, nothing lost.
I know people consider November–March to be the off-season, but I'm thinking more and more people are having their weddings in the spring and fall because of summer heat.
At first, I thought my wedding might benefit from off-season lower prices because it is going to be in December. I had completely forgotten about holiday parties. I'm guessing January and February are the only months a bride might get discounts, if then.
Don't hesitate to ask though! My friend asks about a military discount everywhere she goes and if some people don't have one, they'll make one up on the spot! Her photographer gave her 15% off that way!
You wont find "off season" prices but let me tell you, vendors will be willing to negotiate. Especially if you start asking them a year ahead of time, during the time of your wedding.
My wedding is in Jan, when I asked vendors for prices in November, they gave me the "usual" prices, but once I started asking them in January and asked to make a deal, The photographer and caterer were both willing to drop the price, one of the caterers even said "knowing I will have work this time next year will be a god-sent" .
Also, all of the decoration wont be full price, not sure what your colors are but We've been able to find several clearance items on wedding stuff.
Bottom line... ASK the worst they'll say is no.... and then find a another vendor :e)
every money-saving list of tips for weddings lists holding your wedding off-season...have any of you saved money this way? what was cheaper off-season? all the quotes i've come across have been the same throughout the year.
thanks!
posted by larnaye 11 posts 9 months agowhere do you want to have your wedding? i think location is a factor....
posted by Amy 209 posts 9 months agoFrom my experience, depends on the popularity of the venue (since it's your largest cost). My venue is booked already through 2008 and partial 2009. She doesn't give discounts no matter if its Thursday, Friday, or Sunday or the stiffling Georgia heat cause it's already booked. I mean, she made since, but it sucked.
Now on offseasons, photographers, videographers, etc. will be more willing to negotiate b/c they have alot of down time during off season months.
posted by AOEBuckeye 143 posts 9 months agoYes. My venue was much cheaper in February than in November--about $20 per head cheaper, IIRC. I didn't even get quotes for summer, which I assume would be even more expensive. Not only was it cheaper per head, but the minimum number of guests we were required to produce was lower (which ended up being a good thing, as we had fewer yeses than we expected).
It totally depends on the venue, though: other places I called were a little bit cheaper, and a few were not cheaper at all. But most did have lower minimums.
My location was a restaurant on the water, in a park, in an area that gets ZERO foot traffic in the winter. When I went in for dinner on evenings in the winter, I was often the only person in the restaurant for hours. Therefore, a wedding with a guaranteed number of guests is a huge draw for them in winter. However, in the summer they are much busier, and so their prices for closing the place down would be much higher.
posted by Nopinkertons 75 posts 9 months agoI'm having a November wedding and so far the only thing that it might be saving me money on is Photography. Otherwise, everyone's price list is static.
I suspect that if we were going on a honeymoon, depending on where we chose to stay, like the beach instead of the mountains, then we'd save some money there. I was looking at hotel accomodations this morning to a local beach. The rates drop significantly in our wedding month,
posted by GetMarried4Less 403 posts 9 months agoAs a photographer, I don't list different prices for off-season, but if a couple brings it up, I will happily negotiate a lower price (to the savings of $1000's of dollars in some cases).
It might help to bring it up when discussing your packages with vendors, sometimes you just have to ask!
Good luck with your savings!
posted by PerezSistersPhotography 34 posts 9 months agoit seems that a lot of couples have been planning "off season" or Friday/ Sunday weddings in the past few years, so maybe places have stopped offering lower prices, thinking they can book up without them. this is probably the case in a lot of urban areas. i would agree with those above who suggest just outright asking which is sometimes all it takes. ex: today i bought a pair of shoes & the last pair of 8's were the floor model, so i asked if there was a floor model discount & got an extra 5% off. not much but it was worth the 5 seconds it took to ask. if they say no, nothing lost.
posted by piperbenjamin 247 posts 9 months agoI know people consider November–March to be the off-season, but I'm thinking more and more people are having their weddings in the spring and fall because of summer heat.
At first, I thought my wedding might benefit from off-season lower prices because it is going to be in December. I had completely forgotten about holiday parties. I'm guessing January and February are the only months a bride might get discounts, if then.
Don't hesitate to ask though! My friend asks about a military discount everywhere she goes and if some people don't have one, they'll make one up on the spot! Her photographer gave her 15% off that way!
posted by haselwand 117 posts 9 months agoYou wont find "off season" prices but let me tell you, vendors will be willing to negotiate. Especially if you start asking them a year ahead of time, during the time of your wedding.
My wedding is in Jan, when I asked vendors for prices in November, they gave me the "usual" prices, but once I started asking them in January and asked to make a deal, The photographer and caterer were both willing to drop the price, one of the caterers even said "knowing I will have work this time next year will be a god-sent" .
Also, all of the decoration wont be full price, not sure what your colors are but We've been able to find several clearance items on wedding stuff.
Bottom line... ASK the worst they'll say is no.... and then find a another vendor :e)
posted by TallBride 580 posts 9 months agodoesnt hurt to ask - but ifound most palces have their prices same
good luck!!
posted by Anti-Zilla 385 posts 9 months ago