From the venue to your attire, to the cake, caterer, florist and more, it’s understandable why you may want to cut costs where possible. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to save money. However, with regard to your wedding day, it’s vital to consider the difference between a “good deal” and the value a particular wedding service, vendor, or product holds. In simplest terms, value is what something is worth to you. It can be easy to believe that something labeled as a “good deal” or a “bargain” is also of good value, but that isn’t always the case. It’s important to consider what the real cost of taking a deal or bargain may mean for your wedding.
UNDERSTANDING THE COST BREAKDOWN
From the outset, a discounted price holds a strong appeal. You are a soon-to-be wed couple working together to forge a new future together, and new futures are not free. Regardless of the wedding budget, there can be a bit of “sticker shock” when you begin to receive quotes from various wedding vendors. In response, you may be tempted to opt for wedding services and vendors who offer discounts and limited time offers.
While the special price quoted might seem appealing, it’s important to remember that if something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Discounted wedding packages and offers often come with hidden fees, or last minute add-on costs. There is nothing worse than discovering the great deal you thought you were getting will actually cost 50% more because you failed to read the fine print.
Also recognize that if wedding vendors and service providers are running legitimate, tax paying businesses, there are a wide variety of costs associated with their business outside of the expenses related to your wedding. And these costs cannot be offset. Legal businesses must pay for taxes, business insurance, equipment, staff, backup equipment, professional courses, materials, and so much more.
1. THE COST OF INCONSISTENT SERVICE
The adage “you get what you pay for” is true. When a wedding vendor is willing to discount or offer a bargain to make a sale, this can be a red flag that in exchange for a lower price tag, they are compromising on the experience they provide to their couples. The cost of potential inconsistencies might seem vague and surreal to consider, but in your wedding, this could involve: difficulty reaching or receiving communications, faulty sound or lighting equipment, late deliveries or sub-par delivery, failure to deliver or show up, poor quality products, and more.
Ask any wedding vendor who has been assisting with weddings for a few years and they’ll be able to share a few horror stories of couples hiring vendors online with special deals only for them not to respond to emails after receiving deposits or not showing up to the wedding. If it doesn’t feel right, you’re better to walk away and find a vendor you can trust.
Alternatively, new vendors and/or businesses sometimes offer reduced rates because they are in the process of building their portfolio of wedding work. While their intentions are good and the price may be appealing, it’s important to remember that they are learning their trade and do not have the experience of more seasoned wedding professionals. This could possibly lead to unpredictable results, missteps, or delays. If you are interested in hiring a relatively new company, especially one that creates/captures for your wedding day, like a caterer, baker, or photographer, make sure that you are willing for their work, style, or menu to change between the date you reserve their services and the day of your wedding; their craft is ever-evolving and they are in the process of fine-tuning within their trade.
In addition to potential inconsistencies in service, an inexperienced or “bargain” wedding vendor who has compromised on quality, professionalism, or delivery will also affect the other wedding vendors involved with your wedding. Your wedding day is a culmination of the efforts of a large team of professionals who work together to accomplish your vision. When one team member is compromised, the effects can be widespread as the other wedding vendors are unable to pick up the slack for another vendor because they are busy providing their own services. While they would try not to show it, this puts a level of stress and strain on the other members of your wedding day team. A true tax on the real cost of a wedding deal.
2. THE COST OF ENERGY AND TIME
Your time and energy every day are invaluable resources; once spent they cannot be recovered. It is emotionally and physically exhausting to pursue the “best” deal. Price shoppers fail to consider the quality of what is being purchased, the professionalism, delivery method, or customer service of the wedding vendor. Additionally, most price shoppers fail to recognize the value of their own time, not considering the drain of time they will spend on negotiations, follow-ups, and revisions.
The emotional stress that accompanies price shopping can not be overstated. When fixated on finding the cheapest price, couples can become fearful they’ll “miss out” on a bargain and fall into decision fatigue. They may make an impulsive buying decision in the moment, rather than a measured, thoughtful decision after carefully considering the value of what is being offered.
3. THE COST OF RELATIONSHIP
Your wedding is a once in a lifetime experience. Your vision, dreams, and planning all converge to produce a wonderful experience to celebrate the first day of the rest of your lives with all those you care about most. In a day filled with so much emotion and important connection, you should be able to trust the wedding vendors and providers you have hired to help produce your perfect wedding day.
Choosing a wedding professional based on the cheapest price eliminates any consideration of their individual vision or style. Instead of choosing a wedding vendor whose values, vision, and service match what you hope for, you sacrifice that personal connection and relationship in favor of a transaction.
When you invest in a professional wedding provider who has a proven track record with stellar reviews, excellent reputation, and time-tested process and methods, you are investing in yourself, your future spouse, and your loved ones. You are saving everyone from countless hours of stress by placing your wedding in experienced hands that you can trust.
Professional wedding vendors care about their quality and delivery of work, their wedding couples, and their couples’ guests. They get to know you, and they take personal and professional responsibility to provide an incredible experience to every client. They want your wedding vision to be accomplished just the way you’ve planned, and they will do everything within their power to make it happen.
They may come with a higher price tag, but the difference between a “deal” and “the real deal” is apparent. Professional wedding vendors are invested in your wedding day and in their relationship with you. You are more than just a number to them; they should be more than just a number to you, too.
Enjoy Real Cost of a Wedding Deal? Ready to start finding vendors for your wedding? Check out our collection of Kansas City Wedding Vendors.
