How do I tell a vendor/venue I'm not going with them?

I am actually wondering the same thing... a flower shop called me today and wants me to let them know either way... I am going to hate telling them I'm going in a different direction, but when you think about it, they probably here it a lot, so it's a lot more awkward for you than it is for them. I'd just be vague and honest, and try not to stress about it too much! Good luck!

Wait until they follow up with you. Then tell them that their package options were out of your budget.

However, keep in mind- with some vendors, pricing is negotiable. Photographers may offer smaller packages. DJs may not provide the lights. If they aren't too far out of your price range, you may be able to negotiate unneeded services out of the package to reach a price agreement you can both live with.

I've sent a few follow emails to thank them for their time and let them know the reason I wasn't booking, I figure it can't hurt to let them know the issue. Maybe it will result in a counter offer. Photographer: " Thank you for sending my your pricing information,we have already decided to spend $XXX for photography so while we enjoy your work it's not at a price point we are comfortable spending"

Let them know that their services aren't within your budget and you're going to have to go with someone else. They may want to work with you on pricing if they really want your business.

If you don't want to state it in that manner you could just say we've decided to move forward with a different vendor. Thank you for your time, it was greatly appreciated.

I kept it pretty vague and simply said "we have decided to go with a different photographer/venue/DJ" and thank them for their time. I also wished them the best in their business

Be upfront, don't dance around the subject. This is business, you're not breaking up with them. They'll appreciate a straight answer. If they're out of your budget, say you're out of our budget, but thank you for your time. If you just don't like they're work, say Thank you for your time, but we're going in another direction.

The vendors will also appreciate knowing who they lost the business to (who you ended up going with).

I thanked them for responding to my inquiry and let them know that we have decided to go with another vendor that better met our needs. One vendor however I did say I can't afford you. That was after the first email didn't work

Just thank them for their time and assistance, and let them know you have chosen to go a different route. Definitely let them know if your budget is the issue. I agree with other posts that some vendors are more willing to find a way to meet your needs -- Not by lowering their prices, but by making adjustments to the services you need, in order to fit your budget. I think its great that many of you are responding to let the vendor know that you haven't chosen them for services. As a vendor, it can be frustrating at times, not knowing why or if they found someone else, or chose to DIY, etc. Knowing the reason behind your choices helps us improve our services, packages, etc.

Just simply letting the vendor know is sufficient, as many don't even do that. If you want to supply a reason, that is fine, but I don't think you are obligated to do so. Obviously if you aren't booking them, they just weren't the right fit.

Dear Vendor,

I really appreciate you taking the time to send me your information. Due to budget restraints we've decided to go with another local vendor.

I thank you again for you time,

Olivia.

Before we decided on a venue, I was simply telling the ones that followed up, that I appreciated their quick response, but after looking at their pricing and options, they were not in our budget. Now that we have decided on a venue, I simply tell them thank you for their reply, but that we have already booked another venue.

Thanks!

As a vendor I REALLY appreciate when a potential customer is nice enough to take the time to drop me an email at least stating they are going another way.. (for me nothing counts till they ask for the contract, but its till nice to know)

something simple like

"Dear XXVendor, Thank you for your time and information, but we have decideded to go another way.. yours truly, Bride"

If you havent actually found someone else.. then it doesnt hurt to admit it is a budget thing.. who knows, they might be able to change some things and get closer to your budget, or at least suggest some options..

As a vendor, and someone who functions on budgets I definitely understand that brides are. Hippydogs response is one that is very suitable. We vendors know what are rates are too, if we know our market.

Agreed with hippydog. That's what we did. We had to contact a lot of venues because sadly, many people don't put their regulations and prices upfront on their website. If they had, I wouldn't have needed to reject them. It really makes me angry thinking about it. After a while, I stopped contacting people who were not upfront about their pricing. A lot of vendors get aggravated when you email them for more information but if they would take care of their webpage and provide accurate information instead of trying to change the price depending on the bride (IE RIP PEOPLE OFF) they wouldn't have that issue.

And if a vendor cannot be bothers to contact you/follow up I didnt bother letting them know I found someone else. I was shocked early on that I would meet with a vendor and never hear back...

All vendors are accustomed to not getting the booking it's part of their business. Just be pleasant and I'm sure they won't take the non-booking as an insult. If money is an issue and you would like their services be honest. There's no harm and they may be willing to work with you.

Good luck and remember it's business and not personal.

I've only broken up with one vendor, and I was sad to do it, but I simply explained that as much as we wanted to use her, she was out of our budget and that we'd consider her for future events.

All other ones I just never really called back.. but we hadn't spoken past them giving me a breakdown of their costs and services so it wasn't a big deal.

I really do appreciate clients who let me know that they have picked someone else for one reason or another. In some cases, my 'big' ceremony wasn't the right pick for them, but neither one of us got to the point of saying, "Maybe you need something smaller". In other cases, the personality mesh wasn't there.

We are all very used to not being used for one reason or another, and it's always good to clear the decks and make room for new clients (and vendors).

We're okay with not being chosen....and we really do appreciate hearing back one way or the other.

I think what the others have said is just fine...."Thank you for your time, but we've decided to go in another direction."

It's not an insult... . But if it is a budget issue, and you like the vendor, see if they have ideas to get the idea you want, in your price range, without insulting them. If you love their style, and you wanted orchids and they quoted you cymbidiums, work with them, maybe they can use fewer and feature them, or use dendrobiums instead, for instance. But don't just try to knock down the price. Be flexible with the vendor, and the vendor can be flexible with you!