How to Part with a Vendor who isn't "working for you"
Maybe you booked a vendor from a referral, a good deal, maybe you really liked them, but something has changed, and that is okay. But a couple things before you part with your vendor.
A while back, I had a friend and past bride reply to one of my posts about what to talk about for my #kjweddingtipwednesday on Instagram. She said she was a bridesmaid in her cousin's wedding, and they ran into a couple of issues, and she gave me some ideas... So here is the first one!
How to part with a vendor who isn't working for you. This is a tough one. Relationships change, and working relationships are no different, breakups suck and breakups suck with people you are paying. Maybe you went with a good deal, maybe you went off of a referral from a friend, maybe you really liked them, maybe you just changed your mind, and that is okay.
Two things make parting with a vendor a little difficult.
You paid a deposit, and you will likely lose out on that money.
Like I said, breakups suck and that includes someone you are paying.
But your wedding day is your wedding day and if the wedding vendor isn't "working for you" anymore, how do you make them not work for you anymore.
Tip One… Review your contract
Tip number one, review your contract, and I really hope you have a contract. Check how you need to cancel with them, what they require and what you are going to lose out on, and if you have to pay them in full if you cancel too close to the wedding date. Unfortunately, I have had this happen and I feel awful for the couples that this has happened to, but I can't (and won’t) budge on my contracts, and not every company can or will. A phone call or text message or email may not be sufficient to cancel.
Tip Two… You don’t have to tell them why
Tip number two, you don't have to tell the vendor the reason WHY you are canceling. If it is for personal reasons, ie. the wedding is canceled, you don't have to tell them why or what is going on. It may help them understand the situation a little bit more, and maybe pull on their heartstrings...and they may be willing to budge on the cancellation rules. But don't feel like you have to divulge why you are cancelling, if it is a personal reason.
However, if you are cancelling for professional reasons with the, whether it is the way they dealt with you, if you just don't trust them for your wedding day, heard bad reviews. Use your discretion, but I would think that a small business or company may want to know the reasons for cancelling to help better their business for future clients. But that may be easier said, than done.
Tip Three… Be prepared to lose out on some money
You most likely signed a deposit with your vendor, and there was likely a section about a “non-refundable retainer" or “non-refundable deposit” and you will probably not get that back.
Don't be afraid to cancel with a vendor. Because it is your wedding day and you should have companies and people you trust. Be sure that they are going to show up on your wedding day and bring their best selves. I have seen it where couples are unsure about their makeup artists, baker, venue, or caterer, and that is hard, especially when you have sent out your invitations, talked to people about who you've booked, and held that company up on a high pedestal. Don't be afraid to stand your ground, stick to your guns... it is your day, and your vendors are there to show up for you.
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I hope this helps! If you have any questions or comments for future posts, send me a message here or at info@katlynjane.com
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