How to get discounts

I also asked if any vendors provided cash discounts or early booking discounts. Almost all did one or the other. I also asked about payment plans, and my people who I didn't give my services to until after the wedding were a little more flexible

We always ask (on everything, not just for the wedding) "Is this the best you can do?" or "Do you have any specials you're running right now that could bring these numbers down a bit?"

Just ask. They will let you know whether they have wiggle room or not. Granted, you're not asking for special treatment or trying to rip someone off. You just want to know if this is the lowest they can go to get your business. Most people negotiate on bigger services. Don't accept a price just because someone says that's what it is.

Our caterer price matched on rentals. so we just got cheaper quotes from other vendors in our area and they matched those prices on tables/chairs/linens/barware/etc.

Move your wedding to an off time of year/off day of the week. Be flexible about the amount of time you need.

But just as you don't want to negotiate your salary, we don't want to negotiate our rates. I always try to tell my couples the lowest price I can offer them to start.