What is in the file
An .xlsx workbook with two sheets.
| Sheet | What it does |
|---|---|
| Compare quotes | One column per supplier and one row per element of scope, so you are comparing what is included rather than the headline number |
| How to compare | The method: what to normalise before comparing, and the questions that make two quotes comparable in the first place |
Why the cheapest quote usually is not
Quotes are rarely comparable as written, because suppliers include different things. A venue quoting £90 a head including service charge, three courses and half a bottle of wine is cheaper than one quoting £75 excluding all three — £90 against roughly £112 once you add them back.
The sheet exists to make you do that addition before you decide, rather than after you have signed.
The rows that matter most
| Row | Why it changes the comparison |
|---|---|
| Service charge | Commonly 10–15% of food and drink and frequently excluded from the per-head figure |
| Hours of coverage | Photographers and videographers price by the hour; a cheaper quote is often a shorter one |
| What is delivered, with numbers | Edited images, arrangements, set lengths — "a selection" is not a quantity |
| Delivery deadline | The most common missing term, and the one that causes the most complaints |
| Delivery, setup and breakdown | Flowers, furniture and decor are often quoted ex-delivery |
| Overtime rate | Agreed now, or negotiated at 11pm |
| Deposit, balance and due date | Feeds straight into the payment calendar |
| Cancellation terms, both directions | Yours is always there. Theirs frequently is not |
Read the method first
What to normalise, and the five questions that make quotes comparable.
Common questions
What is in the wedding vendor comparison sheet?
An .xlsx workbook with a compare-quotes sheet — one column per supplier, one row per element of scope — and a how-to-compare sheet explaining what to normalise before you compare anything.
How do you compare wedding vendor quotes fairly?
Write down everything one supplier includes, then price that same list at the others. Service charge, coverage hours, delivery and what is actually delivered routinely swing a comparison by 20% or more.
Why is the cheapest wedding quote usually not the cheapest?
Because it excludes things the others include. A venue at £90 a head including service, three courses and wine beats one at £75 excluding all three, which lands nearer £112.