What's your best tip for wedding negotiation?

Question

I need to bring the cost of my wedding and I want to negotiate with vendors (venue, caterers, dress, florist). What are your best tips for getting discounts and/or added extras?

Answer 1

Tell them you can get it cheaper somewhere else....just down the road. They will want to put the price down to undercut their rivals, even if its not true!!  

Answer 2

tell them you will use them again next time you get marry.

EDIT- thumb down.  come one can't you take a joke.

Answer 3

http://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/user/...

See "Tips On Haggling" . . . about three-quarters of the way down the page.

And from http://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/user/...

* Negotiate. Depending on what business you or your FI is in, you may be able to cut a deal with a vendor. Maybe you work at a car dealership and can get them a sweet deal if they can do the same for you. Also let them know if another bride or customer recommended them to you and maybe that'll score you some points. And let them know that you will gush about their service to everyone you know - mention that you found them on The Knot and/or that you post on its message boards. It may or may not get you a discount, but it can't hurt to try.

* Use your connections ... if you or your FI or your parents/grandparents are members of any clubs, alumni associations, supermarket discount clubs, veterans' associations, museum benefactors, etc., see if you can get a discount on merchandise or services. Maybe you can rent a members-only hall or borrow a sound system free-of-charge or something. If your dad/mom is a member of the PBA or the Firefighter's Guild, maybe you can get a police escort or make your reception getaway in a police squad car or a fire truck!

* Talk to other Knotties in your area. If you've become friendly with them and have met them several times (through get-togethers or what have you), see if you can swap services or materials with each other in order to save some cash. Can you split the cost of church decorations if she's marrying in your town the week after you? Can you be each other's day-of coordinator?

* When you visit vendors, don't wear fancy clothes or accessories, or carry an expensive-looking handbag. If you look like you've got money to burn, some vendors may take that as a sign that they can con you into paying more for their services. It's going to be hard to convince your DJ that you only have $200 to spend if you're carrying a Marc Jacobs handbag and wearing Jimmy Choo heels. You can still dress nicely, but be smart about it. And you also might want to leave your engagement ring at home in a safe place, so that vendors aren't judging your budget by the size of your diamond (thanks Knottie k&m06).