Wedding Wednesday Q&A: Fact or Fiction – Are Wedding Prices Inflated?

Q: My wedding budget is pretty small and so I’m trying to find ways to cut costs. I’ve been hearing from a lot of people that I should tell vendors that I’m throwing a birthday party instead of wedding. Because they say that vendors up-charge when they hear the word wedding. While I get it, it also feels dishonest. I certainly don’t want to be charged more just because I’m having a wedding. But, I also don’t want to have to lie. Is this really true? Are wedding prices inflated?

This is such a good question and thank you for asking! Many couples just assume wedding prices are inflated and don’t bother to actually ask if this is fact or fiction.

So the short answer to your question is that it’s both.

All good, reputable vendors DO NOT inflate their prices for weddings. Pricing is based on the work involved. And in product based businesses, it also includes the materials involved.

Whether you tell them the event is a birthday, a gala or a wedding, the pricing isn’t going to differ.

It will be different depending on what you’re asking of them. But, if you’re asking for the exact same thing, it won’t be different because the work (and materials) required is the same.

However, like in any industry, there are always those businesses who are shady. The ones who aren’t honest and will prey on a happy occasion to make more money.

It’s these businesses, that make couples think all wedding prices are inflated.

So, it is both fact and fiction. Mostly fiction, but depending on the individual vendor, it can be fact.

So, the question is, what do you do now? How do you make sure you’re not cheated, but also not have to lie?

Hire reputable businesses!

Talk to them and see if they’re legit. See if they care about you and about your wedding. See if it’s more than just a transaction to them.

Check them out. Check out their reviews and even talk to past clients. See if the front of their business matches the back.

Now for some of these things you’ll only have your gut instinct to lean on. But, your gut is usually right.

If something doesn’t feel quite right or you didn’t get a good vibe or you just don’t like them…

Trust that!

And then find someone who you do feel good about.

Because anyone you hire for your wedding, you need to trust. Regardless of price.

This is a big day that you want to enjoy. And you need vendors who you can trust to take care of you and your wedding.

And any vendor you actually trust once you’ve talked to them and checked them out is not going to inflate their wedding prices. They’re going to be honest and charge you based on the work.

So, while it’s true that there are some bad vendors out there who inflate wedding prices, most do not. Hire those vendors, the reputable ones that you feel good about.

And when you do that, your budget and your conscience will be happy.

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