Wedding Wednesdays Q&A: What To Do About a Non-responsive Wedding Vendor

Q: So, I’ve been reaching out to a few different photographers. There is one in particular that I really like, but I haven’t heard back from them. I’ve followed up and have just gotten nothing. I’ve even reached out in social media. Is this normal? Should I keep trying? What do I do?

Thank you for asking this question! Not only do I hear this a lot, but I personally experience this a lot myself. Especially with destination wedding vendors. And it’s a really good question to ask.

Because first impressions are a big deal. It’s important to make a good impression in an interview or on a first date. Or when you’re meeting anyone for the first time.

And your wedding vendors are no different.

(Photo credit: Jerry Yoon Photographers)

The first impressions they make are going to show you if they’re the right wedding vendor for you.

Because how they treat you at the start will show you how you’ll be treated all along the way. If they’re communicative, caring and helpful, that’s a great sign. But, if they’re a non-responsive wedding vendor that is a whole different story.

And it all starts with your first contact.

Because, here’s the thing, you’re the client. They should be paying attention to you and treating you well.

And let’s face it, they should also be excited to potentially be working with you. Because they’re running a business and getting clients is important. And this applies not only to weddings, but to any vendor you work with in life from your plumber to your tax guy.

So, if you have a non-responsive wedding vendor (which it sounds like is the case), then it’s not a good sign. I know you really like their work, but part of choosing the right vendors is finding people who both fit what you want and actually take care of you.

It’s not worth it to hire someone who doesn’t care about you. And them not responding to you shows you exactly how much they care.

Our job as wedding vendors is to make your life easier, to make planning your wedding easier. It’s important to remember that. Because if someone isn’t doing that from the beginning, then they won’t be doing it during your planning, at your wedding or after the wedding day.

And all of the follow up and extra work you’ll have to put in to work with them will only cause you more stress. No matter what your budget is, that just isn’t worth it.

(Photo credit: Emily Piraino Photography)

Because there is a difference between good and professional wedding vendors. True professional wedding vendors will be able to create and execute what you want, but can also handle the business side and be able to take care of you so that you always feel like their only client.

So, my recommendation is to walk away. Walk away from this non-responsive wedding vendor. You’ve reached out to them in multiple ways and they haven’t gotten back to you. It’s time to move on.

I know it can feel like you’re losing out. But, really you aren’t. It’s better you find out now that they aren’t a good fit then later on.

Think of it as walking away from something bad towards something good. Towards finding someone else who is worthy of the time and money you’ll be spending. And I promise, you’ll be much happier in the end.

And I know we’re talking about weddings specifically here, but as I said before, this really applies to any vendor you work with. You want your realtor and your personal trainer to treat you well just as you’d want your wedding vendor to.