The old "Arm and a Leg"

“Wedding Tax” 

“Looking for a supplier that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg”. 

“Reasonable priced supplier”

I’m not sure about you, but these conversations get us a little fired up because we know only too well the heavy expectations that couples place on their wedding day suppliers. And how loudly people scream when things fall apart because they choose to use ‘budget friendly’ options.

But the reality is, that when our industry works with new couples all the time, there will always be couples who tout these phrases because the majority of couples have never planned a wedding before.

I believe the issue stems from two different types of couples: 

1. The couples that do not have a budget - some throw around a random number based on what they think a wedding costs; but it is not the actual value of what they can afford to spend on their wedding; and

2. The couples who do not know how much wedding items cost (and thus, their vision for their day and the cost of items just does not align)

Both types of couples will be the key players in throwing around these icky phrases in their quest to fit everything into their budget.

So what can we do about it? 

The key is in education and communication.

Think:

• Very open and realistic discussions about a couple’s priorities for their day.

• Encouraging couples to actually know what they can and want to spend on their wedding day.

• Honest conversations about the cost of a couple’s vision.

• Clear and transparent pricing.

• Communication around cost of goods and hours spent for the scope of work.

I believe it is every supplier’s responsibility to educate and communicate with couples in order for us as an industry to change the perception of what we do and how we do it. Let’s throw these yuk phrases to the wolves once and for all and show couples that we are on their side, not fighting against them!