i have started to book things but should i be haggling?

Kynthia

Is a Master of Ceremonies the same as a Toastmaster?

At my sister's wedding my parents really wished they had booked a Master of Ceremonies. When you have a drink in your hand, family you haven't seen in years, children running round, people taking photos of you, you can forget when you planned to cut the cake, what time to start the speeches so that they're finished before evening guests arrive, get everyone seated for the meal, etc. They also liase with all of the venue staff so that you're not bothered unecessarily.

I hope to have one for my wedding, or if my budget doesn't allow then possibly delegate the role to a member of the wedding party.

A Master of Ceremonies told me that the best man used to cover some of those duties but nowadays they are often young men who are chosen because they are the grooms best friend and not necessarily someone the bride thinks is responsible. But then he was trying to get my business.

Lexxi

Try some of the wholesalers too for wines and champagnes, if you know someone that has a business, we just got 6 bottles of cava for £20 (it's nice stuff). Majestic and I think oddbins do have a sale or return basis, which means that what doesn't get drank can go back

binkyboo_2

thanks for all the comments guys, wine and champagne isn't a worry i have access to it at about 50% off store price at various times throughout the year so will be able to stock up as and when i can get it. I have contacted the venue and said we are on a very strict budget but will be happy to pay the deposit if we can strike a deal on the chair covers champagne breakfast, toastmaster and red carpet. I am on the hunt for a dj seperately but if they turn out to be beyond my budget then i will go for the ipod idea. i will let you know when they reply!

binkyboo_2

well no reply from the venue so far, they normally respond to emails in the evening but nothing last night, i hope i haven't offended them!
On the plus side i have been looking for a dj, the first one i contacted was an old school friend for my budget estimates who charges £350 for the evening. I have since found another dj who will do it for £250 and a relative has haggled him down to £150 for the evening so i am happy with that and saved £200 off my estimate!

floss2

So, if you are in the same town as me, what's your venue? You've probably worked out where ours is! PM me if you don't want to publicise it....

katsmasterplan

I think some things you can haggle on but deffo not things like registrar fees! It's a set price, as is your notice of intent to wed.
With buying things, some people will haggle, others won't. You can get good deals from car places if you know exactly how long you need the car for etc

floss2

katsmasterplan wrote: »

.... You can get good deals from car places if you know exactly how long you need the car for etc

Wish I could - can't get below £120 for a single journey for me & bridesmaid of approximately 15 minutes / 2 miles :mad:

binkyboo_2

The venue have responded to say they are happy for me to use another company for chair covers so that saves me £200 on their prices. They are adding champagne breakfast in bed onto our complimentary bridal suite and a member of the management team will be acting as toastmaster for us and we will have the red carpet all free of charge so i am very happy about that! i am now only paying for canapes, wedding breakfast, evening supper, corkage costs, chair covers and dj plus whatever i decide for decor and hopefully still coming in at between £500 and £1000 cheaper than their package offer so all in all i think i have haggled well!
My next lot of haggling will be for clothing and decor so any tips on that will be most appreciated

floss2

Look at The Wedding Place on Church Street, they have a website so google them (and no, I don't work in the business!!) they do flowers, decor, think they do balloons too.

binkyboo_2

thanks i got a leaflet from them when i went to a wedding fair i was planning to go and have a look for some ideas next time i'm that way.