Courtesy is a 2-way street; stress-free steps to turning down vendors

“After interviewing wedding vendors A, B, and C, you’ve decided on lucky vendor C. What about A and B, though? Will they just get the hint when you stop replying to their e-mails?

Probably, but there’s a simpler, kinder, and more straightforward way to decline their services.

Not responding at all or ghosting is the worst “response” you can give! Remember, the vendor has put time, and effort into working up a pricing strategy and communicating personally with you.”

4 “Don’ts” of Declining a Wedding Vendor

1. Don’t avoid their questions. Vendors aren’t asking you why you went with someone else and who you chose because they want to change your mind. Instead, wedding vendors want to know what’s happening in their local market so they can improve their own business. If you really don’t want to clue them in to why you made your choice, just say, “I’d prefer not to say.”

2. Don’t keep sending the vendor to voicemail. They’re not calling because they want to bug you, they’re simply following up on your inquiry. Remember, some brides are so busy planning their wedding that many vendors have closed deals by being persistent.

3. Don’t apologize! You’re not actually doing anything wrong, even if it’s never easy to say “no” to someone. As much as we love our jobs and want to work for you, this is business for the vendor, even if it’s a love-filled romantic day for you.

4. Don’t say “I wish we could have worked with you.” if that’s not really the case, some vendors view that as a invitation to negotiate and may prolong the conversation and if that’s not what you want its best to keep things as short and brief as possible.