As anyone involved in wedding planning today knows, the overall cost of an average wedding is around $19,000 and often much higher. Of that amount, the largest amount of money for a wedding is usually spent on the wedding reception.

What if we could find ways to reduce just this expenditure alone? How much money would that free up to use on other things or to save for the future?

Clearly it would make a big difference, but where do you start? If you are a wedding planner, how can you reduce this expense without sacrificing certain things that are important to the bride and groom?

The secret? NEGOTIATE!!

I know, I know. Some of you may be cringing and some may be running for the door. But, in all seriousness, this is one of the most important "tools" of professional wedding planners. It is through relationships and negotiating that professionals are able to get significant discounts on decorations, flowers, food, etc.

The key to successful negotiating is to start with the proper wedding mindset and realize that everything is negotiable. You must put emotions aside and approach each interaction with vendors from a business setting. This will help prevent you from going over budget, protect yourself in the event of a service agreement being broken, and help you get exactly what you want for your reception.

Others keys to successful negotiations include:

1)Do your homework ?C Know your price points and don't simply go with the first deal you see

2)Check with referrals ?C Credible, experienced vendors will be more willing to negotiate, especially if you have done your homework

3)Test your vendors ?C Put them in a "what-if" situation and see how they respond, especially if something were to go wrong

4)Book vendors and locations early ?C The earlier you book, the more willing vendors may be to negotiate

5)Make volume purchases ?C If you can buy certain things like candles or centerpieces in bulk, you can often get a much better deal. This alone can save you hundreds of dollars, especially if you are doing everything yourself

There are many other strategies and tactics that can be used to successfully negotiate with wedding vendors. Just remember to not be afraid to ask for what you want and know how much you are willing to spend.