is this true about wedding vendors?

Question

i have heard from several people that mentioning the word WEDDING causes prices to skyrocket in catering, florists, reception halls etc...is that true? one of my college room mates just got enagaged and im helping her plan everything and im going to be the MOH and her mom said to tell all the vendors that we need everything for an anniversary party so we dont get screwed over for price....could that cause any issues if the vendors find out its not a anniversary party and that we lied just to keep the cost down...can we get in any legal trouble for that....please help...she doesnt want the prices to jump up just cuz its a wedding but i also dont want to lie to everyone and potentially cause more issues...and please no mean comments...i know it probably is a stupid question but i dont know anything about this..thanks

Answer 1

you should call just asking for quotes about the place don't even mention what type of event it is and if they ask you just say you are looking to host several events in the upcoming months and it would be easier to just use the same people and then after you receive the quote let them know its for a wedding

Answer 2

You can use private party and get better results than anniversary party. When you boil it down what is a reception? Its a big party to celebrate you getting married. There is an invitation list which means it's private so you are totally telling the truth. If you claim it's an anniversary party but it's the wedding then you are lying.

This is a completely fine tactic with one exception: The photographer. Shooting a fundraiser and shooting a wedding require two completely diff. skill sets so you want to make sure you get a photographer who does WEDDINGS. Otherwise when it comes to things like food, flowers, and chairs...its all the same regardless of the function.

The thing about "wedding" or "anniversary" is the vendor knows this is likely a one time deal. Sure they may get some word of mouth refrences, but overall they don't have any motiviation for you to come back again so they might as well make their profits now. The other thing is they KNOW the emtional attatchment to such milestones and that couples are bombarded with crap like "It's worth it! You are investing in your memories!" and they use that as a tug. The also expect for the couples to be so bombarded with details they will just shrug and accept the price because "weddings are expensive".

There is no legal reason why you have to tell them it's for a wedding.

Answer 3

In this day and age, most reputable photographers, DJs, etc should have websites that list their prices, so that you know what you're paying before you even talk to them. A place like a reception hall should have a flat fee, no matter what the event.

Yes, things are more expensive for weddings. In some cases, there are very good reasons for this. A bridal bouquet, for example, is going to be more elaborate than a bouquet you might get for prom, so the price will go up. And a photographer at a wedding has to do a lot more work and be a lot more skilled at a wedding than at an oldies dance. If you lie to a wedding photographer about the event, you run the risk of him or her not bringing the appropriate equipment (lighting to take a picture of the whole family, for example, or enough film/memory cards to hold a thousand pictures - as opposed to the hundred or so pictures they might take at an anniversary party.)

When calling about things that are not necessarilly wedding-specific (ie, catering, centerpieces, etc), simply don't mention the type of event at all. Ask "how much do you charge per-person for a sit-down dinner" or "how much would it cost to order five table centerpieces."

As for wedding-related items that you can buy at a store --avoid the wedding section like the plague, unless you absolutely have to shop there! When we were getting our unity candle, guest book, etc, we went to the wedding section, where a unity candle holder (made of cheap materials and painted gold) was $15. The IDENTICAL candle holder in another part of the store was $4 - because it just said "candle holder" instead of "unity candle holder."

Answer 4

Yes, it is a sad fact. Even officiants will charge you for the different elements you include in your ceremony, like a lot of attendants, doing the unity candle; so make sure you discuss this with whomever you have in mind.

Rather than "lie" about things & chance getting into legal issues, there are some ways to get around the rise in cost. Others you'll just have to do like the rest of us.

When booking a reception hall, tell them it's for a party, not a "wedding reception".
To save costs on the cake, get a smaller cake & then buy sheet cakes in the same flavor (or different); it's MUCH cheaper. Or if you can get over the stigma, Walmart & some of the larger chain grocery stores have GREAT cakes & wonderful decorators.

There are some great books on the market showing you how to cut costs. One is Diane Warner's, 'How to have a big wedding on a small budget'. Retails for $15. Check out your local halfprice book store or library.

Answer 5

I think it's because they sell you a BIG package- like wedding with the cater is the largest fancy package but if you want the picnic package they will do it but it doesn't include cake or the charge for cutting the cake- all the extra plates and forks. Same with toast- it will be extra for all the glasses to have them filled and extra.... And these things are not included in anniversary parties packages.
Like people always complain about the cost of a wedding cake to a birthday cake- but a wedding cake is 10 times fancier, takes more cake and supplies plus it's harder to make. If you want a sheet cake or a small birthday cake- you can buy it cheaply through the baker but it just won't look like a wedding cake.
So if your not going to have the traditional things like cake and toast....ect... then it won't matter but these things add up when you try to add them.

To be honest with your flower are $$$ no matter what- I think when you say wedding they just try to give your the best grade of flower. If you want cheap flowers- just tell them that!

We tried it and found out that- you get what you pay for.... a photos is half price for a birthday party because they only work 3 hours while for a wedding you have them 8 hours.
Just be honest and tell them you have a very small budget!!

Answer 6

I am getting married in a couple weeks. AND YES, they do jump. I thought about lying but I didn't because I was worried about what would happen when they find out. But legally no I wouldn't say there is anything wrong. Once they are contracted to provide service I don't think there is much they can do. I will tell you there are a few discount things you can do without lying...use a limo from a funeral home...no dead bodies have been inside, they rent them cheap with driver because if there is no funeral they just sit, I save 150 this way.

Also for invitations go here, it is the same invitations in all the nice stores, but they are selling invitations from the major vendors, Carlson Craft etc. at almost wholesale prices

Answer 7

Its only going to get you in trouble if the event is specified differently on the contracts than what you are actually hosting. If you're just getting quotes, it won't do any harm. In fact, it gives you the upper hand, because if they give you one quote for a "party" and then you meet with them and tell them its a wedding, they won't be as likely to jack the price up. And if they try to, they'll have to explain why. The only vendors I wouldn't suggest you try this with are the photographer and the florist, because you'll need different services from those providers for a wedding than you would for any other type of event. Once you go to sign the contract though, you have to be upfront. Lying on a contract makes it void and could cause a lot of problems.

Answer 8

I don't kow how you can around having a florist made "bouquets" for a conference LOL!

Caterers, you can probably get around it. Get a quote for one price and then when they learn that is a wedding, they better come uop with an explanation why us more expensive for the same food. Most catering co. will go ahead and go with your original quote.

The only thing that I won't advise you to do is to try to trick your photographer. In a wedding, photographers actually work harder than in a regular event.


TIP: When browsing for invitations and favors, don't go to the "wedding" sections. They are grossly over priced and they are the same as the other categories.
Good luck

Answer 9

I noticed this with our DJ. When I first had called for our 10th anniversary party, I made the mistake of saying "We kind of want to redo our wedding reception, the quote I got for basic DJ services was $700. When I actually went into the same company months later my husband and I just said a big anniversary party and the quote was $500, to which we signed right then and there. When I got out I looked through my notes and told my husband what had gone down and he couldnt believe it. People hear wedding and they see dollar signs.

Answer 10

This isn't a stupid question at all. Sadly, it seems true - that when "bridal" or "wedding" is attached to something, prices are higher. It's been frustrating to me while planning my wedding (2 weeks away - eek).

I ran across this video the other day and it made me laugh, but also felt how sadly true it is. (Warning - there is some profanity in the clip.)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=gimiDBAK2wA


When I watched it for the first time, as soon as the man said he needed a cake for just an 'ordinary party' I knew exactly what was going to happen.

Answer 11

Unfortunately ther are unscrupulous people in thsi world who know that there is a larger budget for a wedding and use that information. They give the moral of us a bad name.
I am sorry to say that what you hear is mostly true..
Legally, you cannot get in trouble for it. You are requesting a service. you are signing for a service. The end result isnt that important as far as they are concerned..Just so that they know the exact details of what is expected of them.
When you go there to find out prices, tell them it is for a party. They really dont need to know what kind..I do want to caution you though, since weddings do require more detail than most, you will get what you sign for. and its the little details that matter.