Vendors not replying

My first venue didn't respond to me coming in to put down a deposit because I "sent too many e-mails and he didn't think it was important to read it". I immediately restarted my venue hunt

Have you tried to reach out to vendors on their personal website? I've seen a lot of people say they received answers when you go to their website and contact them from there.

I have this issue with our alcohol provider. Per my venue, I have no other option. It took them over a month to respond to my email requesting changes to my quote. Now I follow up after 5 days with a phone call, and that seems to be working well.

My catering contact (through the reception venue) has been taking over 1-2 weeks to respond to simple emails. After two unanswered emails each about a week apart, FH called our reception coordinator and basically fired him and asked for a new one.

See if there is anyone above them in the company you can contact. If not, I would send a last email saying you will be taking your business elsewhere if you don't hear a response.

That's not good business! If they don't respond after you've reached out twice, then they are showing you they don't need/want your business. You should keep looking for someone who will make you a priority and respond in a timely manner.

Good luck!!

Had this issue with the person we originally hired for the flowers. Eventually I decided I'm obviously not worth their precious time and they don't want my business. I went elsewhere. If you have tried communicating with absolutely no responses and no help, I wouldn't bother. Obviously they don't want the business and another person would love the opportunity.

I had this trouble with caterers ... I just moved on if they were bad at responding. I wanted responsive vendors because I want them to be communicating effectively on my wedding day!

My initial photographer did this. I reached out to her several times about signing the contract/putting down a deposit. She never responded so I had to go with another photographer. If it's a biggie vendor, definitely go with someone else if you don't have faith in their abilities to actually show up and do their jobs!

I soooo had that problem and it drove me nuts! I say if they are sketchy now, then get rid of them and move on! It will save you a lot of stress. I definitely dropped some vendors during my planning process. I think some just aren't equipped to handle their business. If I did that at my job I'd be fired. I always respond same day or next day to phone calls or emails.

I had this issue with a few caterers, too. One never did respond! I'm using a caterer that a friend used and now I'm worried I'll be the one not answering emails enough. My friend said if you don't contact her for a while, she'll call your venue to make sure you're still getting married!! (Laughing tears emoji)

I agree with the previous comments. If it's through a website, I would double check but if it's email and/or phone, then they clearly don't value your business. I haven't had this so far, but I am early in my vendor bookings. Good luck

If it wasn't for my wedding planner I swear I would still be waiting on vendor replies and I got married 6 months ago. Some people suck at correspondence. It doesn't help that your wedding isn't until next year since they are probably prioritizing 2017 brides at the moment. If they continue to brush you off it's time to find someone else.

E-mail, text, call, website contact form -- try all of them.

I've had my e-mails bounce back to me because the bride/groom entered their e-mail incorrectly on my contact form.

Another time, my website was down and I didn't know it until a bride called and told me!

Their e-mails usually don't end up on my spam folder, but maybe that happens with other vendors. Also, check YOUR spam folder -- maybe they have replied. I have a hard time getting through AOL.

I tried to note how each vendor communicates n use that form (msg, txt, email, call, etc). It hasn't happened often but sometimes had to reach out a 2nd time. After that, I'd probably start looking elsewhere...

I 2nd checking Spam/Junk mail folders.

I have this issue with a hair/makeup vendor I met at a bridal show. I reached out through WW message and it was "seen" but no reply. Not sure what the deal is! I may try and reach out through her direct website

My motto for my wedding. NEVER chase anyone to give them your money

I discovered wedding vendors tend not to work Monday Tuesday sometimes Wednesday, since they work the weekends. Once I worked that response time in it got better. Otherwise I would try calling once, realizing emails can go to junk, then if it was a vendor I hadn't signed, move on.

If you have not yet signed contracts with these vendors then move on. Vendors will immediately demonstrate how much they value you as a customer, period. Whether that's good or bad is entirely up to them. The Wire informs us as service providers that:

• Over 70% of engaged couples find vendor responsiveness

to be one of the most important characteristics to look for

while researching professionals.

• Most couples expect to hear back from a vendor

within 24 hours of sending an online request for more

information.

If we fail to act on that it's our loss not yours. Don't worry. You'll find the right vendors. Best wishes!

I think human errors happen, they have a lot going on. However to the vendor who was suppose to call you in March, you emailed in April and still haven't heard back from-I'd move on. If you're sure they've seen the message, I'd move on. It just doesn't seem like a future headache I'd want to deal with. And you certainly shouldn't have to hunt vendors down to give them money.

ETA: If they do eventually respond, I would let them know that communication is very important to you and due to the lack of communication you have decided to pursue other vendors who better fit your needs. Maybe that will help them in the future.

SUPER ANNOYING!! Bad communication is one of my biggest pet peeves! If they don't respond after about a week (especially if you have followed up already) find someone new. Have you already paid for these vendors/booked them yet? If not, I'd seriously consider looking elsewhere. A few days to respond, fine, but a professional should respond within a week (even that is way too long for my liking) and at LEAST acknowledge your message/voicemail and say they'll get back to you soon. If you've booked them, send them another message or leave another voicemail and be clear in your expectations... "Hi so-and-so. We really love your work and are looking forward to having you provide X services on our wedding day. I just wanted to touch base to let you know what I'm hoping for as the planning goes forward/as we work together/etc... I'd really like to be able to know how long after I reach out to you to expect a response so I can manage my expectations. I'd really appreciate if you could respond within X days. I'm not comfortable if I have to wait X days to hear back from a vendor, or if I don't hear back at all. I'd really appreciate your input and expectations on this so I can have peace of mind. Unfortunately, if we can't come to an agreement about communication, we'll have to look elsewhere for services".

I might be in a feisty mood so that sample message above might be a little too much, but you get the gist. Be clear about your expectations so your vendors know what you want and need. If they don't know, they don't think they're doing anything wrong. If you tell them and they still don't fulfill it, find someone else.