Negotiating

Sooooooo I'm getting married in 50 days. Time flies when you are fighting with your family. I'm scheduled to leave for Maui, Hawaii on November 5th to be married on November 8th. I've been using a Maui-based wedding planner. So far she has been a great resource. Her husband is my ceremony musician and reception DJ. She has gave me a wonderful second option for my reception site. She has impressed me with her ability to calm me down when things seemed glum, but now that I'm getting closer to the date......I'm realizing that all of her ceremony price quotes are 20% more than what I had originally budgeted for. The reception costs are more than 25% more than what I had originally budgeted for.

I've left a voice message and a detailed email asking her "where there's wiggle room" in the pricing. It's been over a week and I haven't heard anything. The only document I have for "a contract" was the original wedding inquiry signed in March 2008 and the deposit for her fees. Whenever I asked for a detailed itemized listing, she said she would take care of it.

Does anyone have some advice?

I think your on the right track. Without a firm contract of rates/services/pricing... sounds like you need to tighten that up.

good luck

This doesn't sound good. I think you should keep trying to reach her on the phone. I hope you can get this straightened out.

Best wishes,

Tod

Welcome to the forum!

Welcome to the Forum....good luck )

I hope things get worked out for you. Sounds like you need to get a hold of her ASAP. If you gave her a budget and she's going over that's something she needs to work out. Don't worry though, everything will work out...it usually does!

I think this is kind of common unfortunately. Just be firm and say this $$ is my budget. And keep trying to call her! I am positive everything will work out regardless. Keep trying through the weekend and the beginning of the week consistantly. If you don't hear anything by wednesday it is time for plan B. And tell her that in the message!

Best wishes!

Congrats and welcome to the forum! We have the same wedding date YAY!!

Anywho, I would do like the girls said and call cal call. When you signed the contract with her things should be binding to the prices you were shown. Do you have any printout from her site or anything saying the original prices? Let's hope you do. My TTD photog changed her prices after setting everything up with her and I had to email her back with the orig pricing when I saw the new pricing (300 difference) for the same thing. Thank goodness for printers with stamp dating on the footer. This saved me.

It will all get done. Welcome!