Hotel wedding venue package help please!

CompBunny

Hello

I've found a suitable venue, but they do not offer wedding packages. I looked on their website at the other hotel in my county that is part of the same chain, found its package and asked them if they could match it.

We had originally been wanting a village hall reception but decided it would be extra stress and that I wouldn't be up to the getting married bit if I had been directing others at the village hall the day before! (suffer from M.E) A hotel seems the safest option.

The package was:
£2400
Venue hire
Place cards, table plan
Welcome drink for 60
Three course meal for 60
Half bottle of wine per person
Evening buffet for 100
Chair covers and sash
Fresh flower centerpieces on tables
Top table fresh flowers
Place cards, table plan
Disco
Night at the hotel for bride and groom

They came back to me saying that they could match it but would not be able to include:
Chair covers and sash
Fresh flowers centerpieces plus top table
Disco

Their reason being that they outsource these things.

As a dedicated moneysaver I naturally want to make a counter offer :A What do you think I should suggest and how should I word the email? My absolute ideal would be for them to include a drink for the toast plus a bit of money off, not sure how much?

I've put the main points in bold so its easier for people not wanting to read my probable ramblings;) x

CompBunny

If anyone has any thoughts I'd love to hear them x

laura_hoggle

The hotel you are trying to book, is it a similar rating to the other hotel of the same chain? If you can, have a quick look and compare the cost of booking a room in both on the same date to see what the difference is. They might use that they are a higher starred hotel or something to try and charge you more.

I would try and get some quotes for the things that they are not able to include, and ask them if they could do a package of £2400 minus the cost of those things.

So for example (and this is just an example!!)

Say something like 'We have contacted some local companies and have been given the following quotes for the items which you are not able to include in the package:

Chair covers - £200
Disco - £250
Flowers - £200

Would there be any chance that you would be able to reduce your quote to still be similar to that of X hotel so that we can organise and pay for these separately? Or is there anything else, such as drinks for the toast, which you would be able to include in your package?'

It's definitely worth asking. We got money off our ceremony venue, our photographer and my dress just by asking if they'd take a lower offer. Good luck and post back on how you get on!

CompBunny

Thankyou Laura_Hoggle I appreciate you responding. The hotel we want is a 4 star but the trip advisor reviews aren't great as it is undergoing refurbishment, the other hotel is a 3 star but has better guest facilities (pool, sauna, golf etc) and better reviews.

I'm so at loss as to how much of a reduction in the package price to ask for without being too cheeky..

You have done well getting discounts on your suppliers! I wish I'd made an offer to our photographer too now!

CompBunny

Just to update if it is of help to anyone, we managed to negotiate:
The package in the original post (minus the extras they can't provide):
Venue hire
Place cards, table plan
Welcome drink for 60
Three course meal for 60
Half bottle of wine per person
Evening buffet for 100
Room for bride and groom

Plus

Toast drink which wasn't included on the original deal

for £2100

Really pleased with that Thanks again Laura_Hoggle

laura_hoggle

:T That's really good, well done! :T