"Let’s Just Be Friends"
Terrica • August 12th, 2008 • Filed under Wedding Advice
There are all sorts of etiquette issues to deal with when you’re planning your wedding. From proper wording on invitations, who should sit with whom, who can wear what color…it truly never ends.
Not even while you’re planning.
Vendors spend a lot of time courting potential clients through gifts, marketing, email and phone follow-up. With the time that each vendor has invested in introducing themselves to you and showing you their product/service, it is only kind that you respond that you are no longer in search of a (insert vendor here). I equate about 90% of the way this business operates like a dating relationship. So, if you were dating someone with the understanding you would date other people, it’s only proper that you tell that person that you have decided to marry someone else.
You have a lot of vendors vying for your attention as you shop for the best service that fits your budget and your wedding’s personality. In the midst of those phone calls and emails, you will find the right match for you. Since there can only be one winner, what do you do with the other vendors you were considering? It’s only courteous to let the other vendors that courted you know that you have decided to go with another vendor. Some vendors may provide you with an “exit survey” so to speak, to find out why you chose another vendor and some thank you for your consideration. In either case, to avoid frustration on your part from receiving multiple emails and causing a vendor to waste their time, be sure to handle it nicely.
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Tags: choosing vendors, etiquette
August 12th, 2008 at 6:43 AM
Good idea to highlight this article Terrica… It has become the polite and right thing to do and couples should be aware of this kind of etiquette.
August 12th, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Hallelujah, amen!
August 12th, 2008 at 9:51 AM
PREACH!
August 12th, 2008 at 12:27 PM
This is DEF. something not a alot of people think about. I did try and vendors know when I was no longer in need of their services, especially if I had been contacting them regularly, or had gotten an actual quote. Sometimes the barrage of calls and E mail was too much to handle ! ( I went to two wedding expos, and now I get ALLL sorts of junk E mail) and I couldn’t keep track of it all, so I’m sure I missed letting some of them know =(
August 12th, 2008 at 7:02 PM
As always, excellent post.
August 12th, 2008 at 7:07 PM
This is another great article!!! It may feel awkward for brides to do this, but it really helps us vendors out to get that email sooner rather than never
August 12th, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Cannot believe you posted this…I thought of the SAME subject this weekend. It’s okay….we understand you went another direction. Just let us know. You have to understand, that is our responsibility to follow up with you and we don’t want to drop the ball….but knowing that the ball has left the court, we can move on as well.
Thanks T! Another great post!
August 13th, 2008 at 11:56 AM
I could not have said this any better.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:22 PM
I know it’s hard for people to let us know they’re not interested in hiring us, but we’d always rather learn that potential clients are hiring someone else rather than never hearing from them after investing that time in those first few “dates.” Thanks for addressing this, T!
August 21st, 2008 at 9:27 AM
Fantastic post Terrica. I think so often brides get caught up in the planning they forget how important it is to relay their choices on to other vendors. I love how you compare it to a dating relationship because it really is. We spend a lot of time getting to know our potential clients and really consider our brides to be our friends. Its a relationship and should a client we are courting decide on a different photographer, that is fantastic, I’m sure it is a better fit for them. However, an email or phone call is always appreciated to let us know of their decision.
Thanks for posting this it is fantastic advice for every bride out there!
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:51 PM
Great post! Wow, makes me realize how many people I date at once.
December 8th, 2008 at 10:45 PM
sigh…this is such a great post. I wish I could forward it along to those who didn’t “just say goodbye”.