To ghost or not to ghost? That is the big question today, which just so happens to also be Halloween. If you've decided not to book with a wedding vendor, should you let them know? The answer is always yes, and I'm going to teach you how to politely decline a wedding vendor with no hard feelings.
Before we dive into how to tell a wedding vendor know you've chosen someone else, let's talk about why you should.
Photo Credit: Sami Strong Photography
Why It's Important to Let Wedding Vendors Know If You’re Not Booking with Them
It Allows the Vendor to Book Other Clients
Wedding vendors often work with a limited number of clients at a time to give each couple the personalized attention they deserve. When you promptly let a potential vendor know that you won’t be booking their services, it frees up their schedule to take on another couple.
It’s Courteous and Professional
Letting a potential vendor know that you’ve decided to go in another direction is simply good manners. It shows that you value their time and the effort they put into creating a proposal or scheduling a consultation for you. Any wedding professional with
It Maintains a Good Relationship
So gothic Halloween "Til Death to Us Part" isn't your vibe. Even if you decide not to work with a vendor now because of style or pricing differences, that doesn’t mean you won’t cross paths again in the future. By letting them know early on, you’re leaving the door open for a positive relationship down the road. Who knows—your best friend's cousin twice removed might need a recommendation for a wedding photographer or florist, and that vendor could end up being a perfect match.
Photo Credit: Sami Strong Photography
It Helps the Wedding Professional Improve
When a couple chooses not to work with me after asking for a quote, I always politely ask for feedback! You have the unique nopportunity to provide constructive insights that will help a small business owner grow their brand. Whether it’s about pricing, style, or timeline issues, sharing why you didn’t choose a wedding company can help vendors like me fine-tune their services.
It Helps Reduce Follow-Up Emails and Calls
The easiest way to avoid a clogged inbox is by being upfront. Without a clear answer from you, most vendors will follow up multiple times to gauge your interest. After all, I want to be 100% certain you're not interested before allowing another couple to fill your spot.
Weddings are about creating beautiful moments—and that includes how we treat each other along the way. Now that realize the importance of politely declining each wedding vendor you've spoken to, here's a few tips and tricks for keeping things quick and painless.
Photo Credit: Sami Strong Photography
How to Tell a Wedding Vendor You've Chosen Someone Else
How do you tell someone "sorry, we're not going with you" without being mean?
There's really no right or wrong way to turn down a wedding professional as long as you're kind, considerate, and professional. But if you're stressing over what to say, here are a few tips:
Acknowledge the time spent preparing your quote or proposal
Let the vendor know as soon as you've made your decision instead of putting it off
Don't over explain your decision (unless they ask for feedback!)
Stay professional and make your decision clear
Wedding Vendor Rejection Email Template
Still stressing? I've got you covered! You can copy and paste the email template below for a quick, painless
Hello [Vendor Name],
After looking over your proposal, we have decided to go in a different direction for our wedding. We really appreciate your time and wish you all the best.
We'll keep you in mind for any future needs!
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
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