Weddings, rentals, receptions, and budget...

[Scott99999]

Hello,


I'm wondering if someone can help with advice here. My fiance and I have looked at about 15 core places (of 40) to have our Friday night wedding reception next year. Our final guest list is about 200.

With all considerations (venue, price, food, quality, etc..), we're down to only a few choices: a catering hall that routinely does weddings and a private residence with a separate, very professional caterer. We're doing our ceremony at the site. The catering hall is "OK" -- nothing special, just a big room with good food. Everything is a solid "B." The private residence is a more special location and the food choices are far more extensive.

When reviewing the buget, the #1 thing that seems to be overpriced (and causing us to go over-budget for the private residence) is the rentals -- from plates to tents to linens.

QUESTION: how much negotiating room there is with the rental outfits? The caterer itemizes every item. I'm not sure if the caterer gets a fee tucked into each rental, but the rentals are almost the most expensive thing right now.

Any ideas?

Negotiatations? Other sources for items?

Thanks!!!!

 

[rfath]

I found that different vendors have different agreements with rental companies. My caterer, for example, has an awsome relationship with the linen provider, so offered terrific prices for those rentals. I know that my florist has connections and offered that if I needed to rent anything, she''d get it at her cost (that cost has her ''finder''s'' fee built in). Both of these prices for rentals were cheaper than those that I could get if I called the rental companies myself... so.. you may want to investigate your other vendors if your caterer will allow that.

Some people have had luck with rentals online - they''ve actually saved money on their linens and chair covers even with the additional shipping charges by using companies that advertise online. I think a search on theknot would probably reveal a few sources.

I don''t know about negotiating with the companies for a better price... at least around here, they have no problems renting out what they have at their prices. Then again, weddings are highway robbery on much of the east coast

Good luck!

 

[gingerBcookie]

I just finished signing a contract for catering/rentals and I feel ya...its horrifying the cost of rentals -- made me consider dropping out of med school and starting a party rental company myself! I''mnot sure if you''re in the same situation, but my catering company was providing the rentals also and so I negotiated with the entire contract, and they were surprisingly more accomadating than I had expected. on''t be afraid to tell them "This is my budget, we are $XXXXX amount over. We really like you and would love to work with you but there is a reality of the budget. What can you do for us?" This should work for a caterer (mine itemized items too). I''m not sure about a rental company, but I don''t see why they can''t throw in a few freebies if you''re spending a ton of money on other htings (i.e. don/t charge for the linens since your renting tables, chairs, place settings etc...).

Good luck!