The Right Way to Negotiate With Your Wedding Vendors (Without Pissing Them Off)

The Feminist Wedding Podcast

This episode is an answer to a question from a listener (now client!) who asked about the wedding tax and negotiating with wedding vendors. I couldn’t fit the answer in an Instagram story, so here’s an almost hour-long episode about it!

Here’s what I cover:

• What is the wedding tax, and can it be justified? I look at arguments from both advocates and critics and give my take on it;

• I also talk about some of the more common economic models of wedding planning, breaking down commissions and kickbacks, and explaining how the percentage-based model works, giving you, as always, my unfiltered opinion on how things are done BTS;

• The do’s + don’t's of wedding vendor negotiation (haggling) including:

  • Templates for the first and second email you’ll send during the process;

  • Red flags to look out for;

  • Who you could consider negotiating with;

  • Understanding that when you pay less, you should expect to get less…

  • And reasons you might be eligible for a reduced rate!

• Why you shouldn’t ghost your potential wedding vendors (and what to do instead)

• How not to be a red flag and operate in good faith when negotiating with a vendor!

Find me on Instagram, where I answer all of my DM'S, and check out my website to find out how you can get me as your personal wedding coach!

Music is Blackout Romeo by The Spin Wires.

RESOURCES

I mention two episodes where you can hear me coaching past clients: one with Jamie Moar and another with Marlee Rabin.

I talk briefly about my dad! His company is Kloda Productions, and while he used to do absolutely everything event production-related… he sold most of the company and now focuses on inflatable games. One day I’ll do an episode about being an event brat ;)