The prices of wedding vendors are notoriously hard to gauge -- many do not list costs on their websites. On top of that, it's hard for engaged couples to grasp what's reasonable and what's not when it comes to pricing.
In a new video, Johnny Harris -- a multimedia journalist at Vox and also a wedding videographer in Washington D.C. -- explains why weddings are so expensive and what brides- and grooms-to-be can do to get fairer prices.
Some couples may be surprised to learn that vendors will charge more for weddings than a different event of the same size. This is called the "wedding markup."
And while it may not seem fair on the surface, there is a reasonable explanation.
"Corporate flowers, for example, there's probably going to be direction but maybe there's a little bit more flexibility," wedding planner Karson Butler said. "Whereas a bride has dreamt of certain flowers and she's been pinning it and she wants to talk to the florist multiple times about the bouquet and the ribbon treatment and the fact that her grandmother's brooch is going to be on that bouquet."
Of course there are dishonorable people in any industry, but for the most part, wedding professionals aren't trying to rip you off.
"There's a lot of time and energy spent on those flowers," Butler said. "And that's going to be reflected in the cost."
So how do you get the best price from your vendors? Harris recommends demanding a price range before you hear their sales pitch.
"Vendors might hate it, but it's fair," he said.
Watch the video above to learn more.
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