How to Say No to a Wedding Vendor

Chances are that you’ll send multiple inquiries to your wedding vendors during wedding planning. You might have fallen in love with two wedding photographers, and you want to compare prices, or you might be reaching out to multiple wedding officiants to gauge availability. 

At some point, you’ll have to let a vendor know politely that you have chosen not to work with them. Letting them down can feel awkward, so we’ve got some simple copy-and-paste scripts that you can use. More on that later.

A Few Things To Remember Before Saying ‘No’ To Working With A Wedding Vendor.

• Don’t get overly emotional about it.
  While you might feel bad, wedding vendors are used to it. It’s expected that you’ll reach out to a handful of different wedding vendors to gauge availability, pricing, or whether or not you’re a good fit for one another. The vendors who you aren’t choosing won’t take it personally. 
   
• Be kind.
  Remember, wedding photographers, celebrants, etc. are usually one-person businesses. While you might feel like their quote is overpriced, they have sent you something that is reflective of their business costs. 
   
• Hire a wedding planner if you feel nervous about saying no.
  Aside from the wedding day, this is the part of wedding planning where your wedding planners thrive! Convey what you’re looking for clearly to your planner, then have them reach out to different vendors to get quotes. You’ll be presented with a few options and it will be up to your wedding planner to send the email that politely declines the wedding vendor’s services. 

So, How Do You Actually Say No To Working With A Wedding Vendor?

• Simply let them know you’ve chosen another direction.
  You don’t have to get into explicit details, something simple. Remember, it’s business, not personal. You might find that some wedding vendors will reach out and ask why you’ve chosen to go with another wedding vendor. When you reply, be honest and kind, they’re just trying to improve their businesses.  
   
• Thank them for their time.
  Time and effort goes into creating each and every inquiry and quote. Let them know that you appreciate that.
   
• Don’t ghost them.
  Your wedding vendors might be holding your chosen wedding date, which can impact other couples booking with that client. They’re real humans, with real human feelings and real human families behind their businesses.

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Email Scripts To Politely Decline A Wedding Vendor 

Copy and paste one of these scripts to take the guesswork out of declining a wedding vendor you have chosen not to work with.

Kind And Informative Email Script to Tell a Vendor You’ve Gone With Someone Else

“Hi (Vendor’s Name), 

Thank you so much for taking the time to put together the proposal and taking the time to walk us through your services. We’ve decided to move forward with another (enter the type of vendor they are). For us, it boiled down to (add the reason why you’re not working with them – budget, style, etc.). 

Thanks again for your time!”

Short And Simple Email Script to Tell a Vendor You’re No Longer Interested

“Hi (Vendor’s Name), 

Thanks for your time. We wanted to let you know that we have decided to work with another (enter their type of service).

Thanks again.”

Long And Lovely Email Script to Let a Vendor Down Easy

“Hi (Vendor’s Name),

We are so grateful for your time and the energy you put into your quote for our wedding.

We really loved (insert a few honest sentences about something you loved about their services). 

However, after careful consideration, we have decided to use another (enter their type of service) or explore alternative options.

Although we loved everything you offer, we didn’t feel it fit our wedding (insert why it wasn’t a good fit for you, eg. budget/styling/concept).

We want you to know that you were in the top businesses we considered, and we will not hesitate to recommend you to any friends and family planning a wedding in the future.

All the very best.”