So you’ve decided to plan your proposal without us huh? No worries, we are still here to help you. If you have decided to plan your own marriage proposal but still want some tips from the experts about how to get the best price, here are some handy tips that may save you money and net you a better overall deal for your upcoming proposal.
Know Your Budget & Stick To It
When discussing prices for services that you would like, make sure that you know your budget. You have to be willing to stick to your budget, and in some cases this can mean not getting everything you want. When negotiating, sometimes you have to give a little to get a little.
For example, if you can only afford to pay $700 for photography but the photographer you’d like to hire has packages on his website starting at $1,000, there’s no need to despair. Ask the photographer if there are any ways they can make your budget work. Perhaps the photography packages include 4 hours of service but you know that you only need 2 hours of service. Or maybe they will reduce their rate if you allow them to use your photos on the website. If you search long enough, you will find someone willing to strike a deal with you. If your budget is lower than what the market value is for a vendor, try seeing if you can find someone that is an amateur or even moving your proposal to a slow day like a Monday (this is where you have to give a little to get a little).
Ask
My momma always taught me, “You never know unless you ask” and it is very true. The first step of negotiating is talking. Remember that you hold the power – you will be able to have a say in both the price that you’re willing to pay, and the services that you will receive for that price. Hammering out a deal is often quite painless and can take as little as a few minutes of conversation for both parties to agree. Sometimes it may take some back and forth communication in order to reach a compromise, but that’s part of negotiating. If you’re willing to speak up, you will likely be able to get a better deal. If you have social anxiety or are uncomfortable with verbal communication, a lot of the time it is possible for communication to take place via e-mail. Just be as clear, direct, and concise as possible. Lay out what you want and what you can pay for it. They can say no – its their right. But often, as long as what you want is reasonable, they may say yes.
Get It in Writing
Once you have an agreement you need to get it in writing and make sure that both parties sign it. Your agreement should include the total price you will pay, and the entire extent of services that you will receive for that price. It should lay out when you have to pay and how you will pay – whether it is by installment or all at once on the day of the event. A verbal agreement is not sufficient for a contract – insist upon having everything in writing. If you need to add something on later, be sure to bring the paperwork with you and get all of the changes in writing as well to protect yourself.
Does the idea of negotiating contracts with proposal vendors intimidate you? Perhaps you’d rather have a professional deal with all of that on your behalf? Consider hiring the proposal experts at The Heart Bandits – they have existing relationships with the best vendors and know how to get you what you want at a price that you can afford. Contact us today to get started.
When doing you’re planning a proposal the last thing you probably thought of was how to hide your engagement ring box on your body the day of. Well www.RingStash.com has you covered! These slim ring boxes are perfect for any proposal, and provide a keepsake that you will cherish for years to come.
Christina Clawson