Do you email the vendors you've not chosen?

It's nice of you to e-mail. As vendors, often we don't hear anything. I think a one line message something like: "Thank you for taking the time to send me pricing and information. While your services were high quality and your prices reasonable, we've decided to go with another vendor who is a better fit for our needs."

Jon

I like that wording, and I'd defintely use something like that for businesses etc. This lady is a friend of a colleague so I was trying to explain a little about why I went with someone else and apologise if I've wasted her time. Maybe I'm just being too nice though!

I've done these kinds of emails (and appreciate receiving them in my work context, too). I think the most important thing is to indicate that you appreciate the time they took to provide information or assist. I like Jon's example above. You could tweak the end along the following lines to make it more specific: "I was happy/lucky to have several good options, and although I'll be working with someone else, I greatly admired your [something she did that you liked]." But I don't think you need to be overly apologetic or explanatory.

@Kirsty, I would love it if people would email me to let me know they won't need my services. I would be so appreciative even without the explanation. I would like it even more with the explanation. I want to know if it is style, comfort, personality, price, etc. The information would be helpful for managing my business. When I got married last summer, I emailed the vendors I didn't pick with wording similar to Jon's. I think that your thoughtfulness is wonderful!

When I ooh a vendor I generLly send the other vendors that I was considering An email telling them that I thought their work was great but we decided to go with someone else and I would still recommend them to other people. And I really do that. Especially with my photographers. I just think it's a courtesy the vendors deserve after taking time to meet or speak on the phone with you.

G-zus! I am so sorry about the spelling and stuff. I'm on my iPhone and it has this darn auto correct and it makes me look like an idiot!

I too sent brief emails to the vendors that we rejected. Some did follow up afterwards asking us to share why they weren't selected and we responded. It just seemed like the courteous thing to do. And I agree that you don't need to go into great depth even with those with whom you have a personal relationship. If they're professionals they understand that sometimes you get the job and sometimes you don't.

I've done that with a few vendors but what I'm finding found out so far is that most of them want to know the reason and if it's about a better deal, they want to match what the other vendor is giving you and sometime with a little bit extra. It's not so bad but sometimes I just really don't want to go with that company, some of them could be real annoying

It is a lovely courtesy that happens far too rarely. We so appreciate that email or phone call. Even though we would like to be chosen, I know I am not the "right fit" for every couple I talk to, nor would I have the time to do every wedding! Thank you to those that follow up! Your parents taught you well. I know that some are hesitant to confront any negativity concerning their wedding, but it does help the vendor (like reviews) to understand if they are doing something wrong that they could possibly change, or if it's just simply a preference for one over another. I have received clients through other clients that did not book, so I totally understand that can happen and appreciate your comment FabulousBride!

Thanks for all the replies, I've sent her a short email. The simple fact is, she doesn't have a website yet, and 3 photos is not enough for me to judge her work by, especially without customer testimonials. Once she's got her website set up she should do a lot better. She's also only been doing makeup for 2 years and I'd feel safer with someone with more wedding specific experience.

I have sent "rejection" emails. I think it's a nice courtesty, that way they aren't holding your date.

I have sent "rejection" emails too. I simply said "Thank you for your time in meeting with me. I was very impressed with what you had to offer. However, I have decided to go with another company because they fit my needs the best. Thank you again for your time. " or something like that. I HATE when people dont follow up with projects that I have done for them....soooooo.....

I appreciate knowing so I can take the couple off my follow-up list.

If they want to explain why, that's fine -- I'd appreciate the input. And I would not follow up saying, OK I'll drop my fee $5 to meet the other vendor's.

Sending a "rejection" e-mail is just a courtesy. I know as we planned our wedding we e-mailed a lot of vendors, talked to less, met with even less and then ultimately had to choose just one for each service. Even the brief statement of "Thank you for taking the time to send me pricing and information. While your services were high quality and your prices reasonable, we've decided to go with another vendor who is a better fit for our needs." It typically too us off of their follow up list and I didn't get as much junk mail. Plus some thanked me for returning an e-mail to tell them we had gone a different direction.

I know in my own business life I don't like to be left hanging.

So glad you asked this! I was wondering the same thing.

Should I give specifics or just a general message?

I know some vendors like to know why they weren't chosen but others may get defensive?

I guess I'm a horrible person lol I didn't generally follow up because I was just so busy that I forgot! :-(

This is a great question. I have sent emails letting the vendors that I am not using know that I have found someone else.

I have sent rejection emails and I feel that you do not have to go into specific details. Just draft a general email that you can keep on file to send out to vendors that you decide not to use. I mean honestly a lot of people don't even send out rejection emails so I am sure that they would be happy just to get a general message. The vendors have to remember that we are paying them for their services, so they should not be demanding anything. Besides, sometimes once you've booked a vendor, it is easy to forget how many other vendors you inquired with for that same service.

I have also sent "no thank you" emails. I figured they are kind enough to give me their time, it is the least I can do.

I like Jon's e-mail template, and he and the other vendors are right. If you're not going to use a vendor, it's nice to e-mail them and let them know for several reasons, not the least of which is so that they're not rejecting other couples that would likely use them because they're holding out for your response. Although I don't specify it in the contract I send out, I personally tell my couples I am holding their date for 2 weeks from the time I send them the contract. If they don't send the contract and deposit back to me by that 2 week time frame, I free up the date for another couple, and at that point, if another couple books within their 2 week timeframe, the original couple who didn't is just SOL (for lack of a better phrase). lol