The Barter System is Alive and Well in Wheaton

Gavin and I revisited Arrowhead yesterday to get the skinny on what exactly is included in their price and how flexible it is. Good move.

Although it has been the clear favorite since we toured the facility last week, it didn’t seem feasible based on the information we had, or rather did not have. It sounded as though nothing but the basics were included in the price, unlike other possible venues. Also, because the chef is new, they had nothing concrete to share about what could be included in the price. After yesterday’s meeting, they’re back in the realistic running and probably going to be “the place.”

Ellen, their unbelievably nice banquet manager/wedding coordinator extraordinaire, walked us through the exact breakdown of the price, down to how much wine costs and when you get a good deal on it. She explained how we can get the best value for what we want and that, like all other places in DuPage county, discounts are available in the off-season and on Sundays. Of course, our desired holiday weekend doesn’t apply for the discount.

SO, being myself and forever bending the rules, I proposed a proposition of seemingly preposterous dimensions.

I asked Ellen how they are promoting this new, beautiful facility to the community to let everyone know that a) they’re open to the public this spring and b) it’s unlike anything available in the western suburbs. She replied that right now, they’re in a period of transition and have no one doing communications for the park district’s facilities at this time.

Because we had discussed it between ourselves and with my parents beforehand, Gavin knew what was coming next. He lowered his head and looked busy with his notes while I dove in. I can’t imagine what he was thinking.

I proposed that I help them with the public relations and marketing surrounding the opening of the facility this spring in exchange for a discount on our wedding.

Who does that?!

I was sure she would laugh at me and bar us from having a wedding there on account of the bride being nuts. That’s not what happened.

She lit up and said that, as a park district, they LOVE to barter because they can’t exchange money for services like that. She must have said they love to barter several times, and made it clear that it is a real possibility.

Unfortunately, with the new facility comes a new hierarchy. Previously, Ellen would have made the final call on such decisions, but now it has to pass through the banquet boss (I don’t know the real title) and the board.

SO, the current wedding project is putting together a proposal for the board to explain what services I can offer for how long and how much it’s worth monetarily, aka how much of a discount we’re asking for. I also have to explain the monetary benefit they’re going to get if I do a good job, which is way more than the cost of a wedding, but the bane of the public relations industry is that no one gets that until after the fact so this isn’t going to get me a free wedding. (Shucks.)

The moral of the story: It never hurts to ask.

Also:

Laura just won’t give up when she wants something… Good thing Gavin knows that already and has (somehow!) figured out how to get around it – occasionally.