Unleashing unseen perks when booking with hotels
It is no secret that wedding venues in Singapore hotels come with a hefty price tag. However, here’s a little secret: when it comes to booking a wedding venue at hotels, there’s more room for negotiation than you might think. Beyond the listed packages and prices, hotels often have hidden savings and untapped perks waiting to be discovered.
Here’s how you can unlock significant savings when negotiating with the hotel for your dream wedding!
P.S. The golden period to negotiate is when you meet the event/sales manager face-to-face to view the ballroom and discuss the packages.
Disclaimer: This article only provides a rundown of what could be negotiated across hotels in Singapore. We cannot and do not guarantee that you can successfully negotiate the terms mentioned in this article, as every hotel has its own set of policies to abide by.
Accommodation
In Singapore, it is not uncommon for hotels to offer couples a one or two-night stay as a part of the wedding package and couples would usually negotiate to extend their stay for an extra night or to upgrade their room to the next tier. However, an untapped perk would be to negotiate group rates for room bookings.
Negotiating for group rates can often lead to cost savings for both the couple and their guests. Hotels usually have good group rates– going at 10-15% cheaper than the usual booking price; if you choose to book multiple rooms with them along with signing a wedding package with them.
In addition, for the couple, having their guests stay at the same hotel streamlines logistics, making it easier to coordinate transportation and other arrangements, which can lead to overall cost savings.
You may argue that this is an additional expense rather than a saving but realistically speaking, it is a good idea to get complimentary accommodations for your groomsman, bridesmaid or parents because the fact is these people likely would be the most tired or drunk. Letting them stay for a night can be a better idea than grabbing home!
So what are some ways to negotiate for this perk? Firstly, be direct and provide the hotel with a clear estimate of the number of rooms needed It is also important to be an effective communicator and building a positive relationship with the hotel’s event coordinator is key to successful negotiations.
By understanding the hotel’s offerings and demonstrating enthusiasm for their property, couples can create a win-win situation, ensuring a wonderful and memorable stay for all wedding attendees. If you still don’t manage to secure this perk, fret not, chances are the hotel won’t reject you but instead counteroffer something within their capabilities.
Replacing an item in the package
Negotiating to replace an item or two in a wedding package is absolutely possible. Many fail to realise this key negotiation point and become fixated on the mindset that these packages are fixed. Truth is, this is a smart approach to tailor the package to your specific preferences and needs. When discussing with the hotel, express your genuine interest in their package while highlighting the particular item you’d like to replace. Be clear about your reasons for the change and how the alternative you propose aligns better with your vision for the wedding.
Whether it’s substituting a specific decoration to enhance the ambience, or exchanging a service for one that better suits your requirements, hotels are often open to accommodate such requests. For instance, I negotiated to change the complementary wedding card printing to 5 bottles of red wine, which made more sense since people these days would prefer an e-invite and alcohol is a must!
Additionally, be flexible and discuss any potential adjustments in the overall package price if necessary. Effective communication and mutual understanding can lead to a customized wedding package that reflects your unique style and makes your special day all the more memorable.
Beverage packages
Speaking of how alcohol is a must. Alcohol provided in the wedding packages is likely not enough for your guests. This means that you likely have to purchase alcoholic beverages from the hotel or bring in your stash; which is the reason why couples tend to incur more costs than expected. So how do we cut costs on this aspect?
Well, I would suggest bringing your own stash because that might just be more cost-saving, on the caveat that you can negotiate for a waiver on the corkage fee- a key negotiation point that many fear raising.
But we would urge you to try because waiving corkage fees means you can bring your own alcohol for the event without incurring additional charges from the hotel for serving it. This can lead to significant cost savings, especially if you have a large number of guests attending the wedding. In addition to that, it will also enable the inclusion of personalized drinks and ensures higher beverage quality. Couples can also have more control over the quantity and type of alcohol served.
Negotiate for a spa day
This definitely fits in the category of untapped perks. If you could negotiate spa services as an inclusion in your wedding packages, it would be a really nice touch for extra relaxation on top of your special day. However, do keep in mind that not all hotels would be open with this.
Start off by inquiring about the hotel’s existing spa packages for wedding couples and express your interest. Pro tip: Package it nicely and emphasize that this is a wedding event and you would love to have a spa. Weddings are special occasions, and many hotels are willing to go the extra mile to make the experience unforgettable.
Remember, approach negotiations with a positive and friendly attitude. Be willing to compromise and understand that the hotel may have certain limitations and policies. Even if the hotel can offer only spas at discounted rates, I would consider that a win!
Words from author
Let’s be real here, many of us would likely host a banquet wedding and if that is going to be the case, I say you might as well get the best bang for your buck and a dream wedding.
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