- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee Blog
I have one vendor who has been a little unresponsive as of late (I’m not going to name names here, but let’s just say they are pretty crucial to the wedding day 
). I try to keep reminding myself that not everyone has my wedding on the brain 24/7, and for every 4,000 times it crosses my mind, they have only probably thought about it once (if that). Each day seems so much longer when you are awaiting a response - where a normal person might check their email 3-6 times a day, I probably hit refresh every 4-6 minutes (even though my browser updates automatically and I also get my email on my phone). So in my mind it seems like they have taken forever to respond (even though in most cases it’s often no more than a few days).
In this case it has been almost two weeks. I think I have been very patient, but I’m starting to freak out. Why aren’t they responding? Are they not coming anymore? What do I do if that happens?
Am I freaking out prematurely? How long is your ‘vendor response grace period’?
Two weeks is an awfully long time! I wouldn’t have let it gone over a week so I say contact them ASAP.
That’s a tough one, seeing that you are getting married next month I think they need to be responding more frequently! Are you calling as well or just waiting for an email back? I think if they are that important of a vendor you have every right to bug them until you get a response, you are counting down the days and you should be able to get in contact with them as needed.
P.S. Love the new Miss Gloss pic! You look beautiful!
Same thing is happening to us with our caterer. It is driving me totally insane! I think it’s time to email again!
On the one hand, I understand that vendors don’t care as much about a wedding as the bride does, but on the other, two weeks to respond seems very unprofessional. I’ve worked in a lot of fields in the last few years, and people have always expected responses (and I’ve always provided them!) within 24 hours. I would have to be beyond swamped not to respond in that time frame.
Of course, it seems that a lot of brides run into this problem, so maybe the wedding industry is different. I’m sorry they’re keeping you hanging!
Two weeks is really long with your date so close. I’d definitely keep bugging them. We’ve had a couple of unresponsive vendors and it is absurd and very frustrating.
I’ve found that a lot of times its easier to just call a vendor rather than email them. My caterers (for example) are old school and dont really know how to use the computer. When I call they tend to respond right away. Maybe your vendors just happen to be on vacation? Have you tried calling?
My date is less than 2 weeks away and I’m totally freaking when I dont get responses within 10 minutes. I’m trying to play it “cool” though.
I am email OBSESSED and strong email communication and possible a smart phone were on my list of requirements that all my wedding pros have (really). If I don’t get a response in 48 hours, and it’s not over a weekend or they haven’t told me anything about leaving or going somewhere… I am emailing them again! And as it gets closer - it needs to be faster. 
So that two weeks is totally stressful. DEFINITELY email again!!
omg this is so hard with some of my vendors. I’m trying not to be pushy, but I’m sending them emails about every other day now…
I had that same problem the month leading up to my wedding. I didn’t have any problems with vendor unresponsiveness during my entire wedding-planning process, but all of a sudden my organist and my paper designer (programs, menus, escort cards, etc.) fell off the face of the Earth. I had to follow up my e-mails with several phone calls until I received my answers. I found this to be very unprofessional. Even if they can’t get you the answer you want now, they could acknowledge your existence and let you know they are not ignoring you, but looking into something for you. Have you tried calling as well? With your wedding so close, no one would blame you for “pestering.” Do you have a back-up plan for this vendor?
I had a hard time with waiting for vendor response as well. Only a few times was it more than a week though!
I’m totally impatient…but probably because I’m a crazy email checker, I expect people to respond within a couple days. Probably not realistic. After 2 weeks though, I’d pick up the phone!
P.S. you look gorgeous in your new profile pic!
My contact at the venue is not great about responding either. I just send a weekly update: “Have you had a chance to review my questions below?” until she replies (usually with profuse apologies). As my wedding gets closer, though, I think I will not be as easy going about it! It may be that phone is more efficient when seeking a quick response. I agree that it is frustrating.
Email is unreliable. I would call and speak to them directly if possible.
P.S. Both unresponsive vendors did get in touch with me the week of my wedding and carried through. It was as if they only focused on the brides getting married that very weekend, and then when it was “my turn,” I had their undivided attention that week. But it was still unappreciated and unprofessional.
I think two weeks is long enough that I’d probably try and check in again. We had one vendor (our event coordinator for our location) who I thought was kind of unresponsive. It would take weeks for him to email/call, which was really hard! Towards the end, I gave him a week and then I’d call again, because I really needed to know what was going on.
my videographer won’t respond to me. I’m about to go nuts. They seemed not happy when we said we already had a different photographer. I feel like they took our money and now could care less about us.
:-/
Ms Gloss,
*hugs* I’m sorry, I’m going through the exact same thing right now. Except my wedding isn’t a month away!
I’m having a real hard time getting a hold of the caterer for a venue we are seriously considering. It’s been 2 weeks, numerous phone calls, 2 voicemails & 2 emails later and still no response. I’ve gone to the head honcho (event coordinator of the venue). I think if I’m not so exasperated from searching for venues and did not like the place as much I would’ve said screw it a week ago. But frankly, I’m so tired of searching for a venue. The next planned trip home is November…9 months before the date we want. That’s too close to still not have a venue.
Is there another person for this vendor you can contact?
P.S. Tell me, it’s not who I think it is?!
I’m also a crazy e-mail checker! I generally give vendors a week to reply before bugging them. Frankly I don’t care if they think I’m a pain, I’m PAYING them, so they can think whatever they want of me! Just respond to me, people!
I hope you get a response soon!
AHHH!! Its not just me!!!! My wedding is awhile away (in April), but it turns out I’m good at planning and have almost everything done… except for the caterer. We met with them on 6/4/09 and were told that it would be about 2-3 weeks until they had a menu with prices together fo us….. so after 3 weeks and 2 days I e-mailed her just to “follow up and see how things were going”. She responded and apologized profusely and stated they were very busy and had 2 weddings scheduled for the upcoming weekend, but that it would be a week or 2 at the most and we would have our menus. Well… we past the 2 week mark last tuesday…. so tomorrow will be 3 weeks… it drives ME NUTS!!! If you can’t get me a menu for 2 months… THATS FINE! but PLEASE tell me that.. dont’ tell me its going to be 2 weeks when you really mean 2 months. I understand things take time and am very willing to wait, but it really makes me feel like they are lying to me when they give me a timeframe and completely break it.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Mrs. Gloss, Boston/Maine Age and Occupation: 24, Designer/soon-to-be Architect Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Systems Engineer Engagement Date: May 23, 2008 Wedding Date: August 2009 Venue: SS Katahdin/Lakeside Tent About Me: I don't like nickels or the skin that forms on pudding when it's in the fridge for too long. I couldn't live without Pantone markers, fountain soda (3/4 diet, ¼ regular Coke), run-on sentences, or ridiculously oversized sunglasses. I will try to DIY almost anything and am just OCD enough to make most of it work. I am truly excited about having all my family and friends together, becoming Mrs. Gloss, and having amazing photos to prove it!
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
Latest Gallery Pics