Planning A Wonderful Winter Wedding

Posted on: 29 November 2016

For most weddings, one of the more expensive budget items will be the rental of a banquet hall to host the reception. While you can choose to forgo the banquet hall altogether, renting one provides a special, memorable place to hold your reception and will usually allow you to comfortably accommodate many more guests than an at-home reception would allow. If you have a modest wedding budget, there are several ways that you can potentially get an excellent banquet hall at a reduced cost.

Be Flexible With Your Dates

The easiest way to get a discount price on a banquet hall is to rent it on a less-desirable date. For example, if you rent during the week as opposed to the weekend, you can usually get a considerable discount. When you talk to the banquet hall director, ask if there are any dates or times available at a reduced rate. 

Consider Taking Over Someone Else's Reservation 

If a person has already paid a large deposit for the venue, they will likely sell their slot to you at a reduced cost rather than lose their entire deposit. You will have to ask around to find out if anyone is thinking about switching dates and you may or may not be able to find an available time slot this way. But if you do, you may be able to shave a couple hundred dollars off of your deposit. 

Ask About Discounts If You Have Any Special Circumstances 

Many venues will give out discounts to couples with special circumstances. For example, if you or your fiance is a member of the military or police force, your venue may be willing to give you a special discount. Similarly, if you are a member of any clubs or associations that are connected with the banquet hall, you should ask about a membership discount. 

Don't Be Afraid to Haggle 

Although most banquet halls, especially those in high demand, will have set prices, it never hurts to make a slightly lower offer. This is especially true if there is a lot of competition in the area or if the banquet hall is not constantly booked. However, do not offer too low of a price. Consider offering 85%-95% of the asking price. 

You may not always be able to get a discount on your banquet room, but many banquet hall directors will want to work with you to ensure you can afford your special day. You can also ask about payment plans or any special concessions they may be able to provide, such as a discount on associated vendors.