Ask Liz: Why Aren't Vendors Calling Me Back?

Posted: January 30, 2016

Waiting for the phone and laptop to light up? It will. Photo: The Broke Ass Bride

I just got off a plane and I have a cold, so I’m cheating again. A version of this originally appeared as my column in The Broke Ass Bride. I updated my answer…

Dear Liz:

I got engaged last month, and I was so excited to start planning my wedding. But it’s taking so long to even get to see any venues, we aren’t going to visit the first one on my list until this Sunday. It’s also been really hard to get a hold of any photographers too, and I don’t know what to do. Is this the way it’s going to go, I just have to keep calling and emailing over and over until I can get meet with anybody? How am I supposed to hire people if they won’t call me back, or can’t see me for weeks?

Signed,

Bride Blocked

Dear Blocked,

Most of my job as a wedding planner is trying to get in touch with one person or another, so, believe me, I get your frustration. I know it feels like bad customer service, but a lot of it’s just bad timing. Bad timing and busy, busy schedules. The venue you’re going to see this weekend most likely has a wedding right after your visit and another wedding next weekend. Same thing with photographers, plus they’re editing weddings they’ve already shot, too. Your wedding is months away, and not actually their wedding, yet. It can be easy to get lost in the shuffle…or at least to feel like you are.

Knowing what to expect helps. Generally speaking, the best time to get ahold of any vendor is between Tuesday and Thursday. Venue managers usually take Mondays off. Friday is not great because everyone is gearing up for Saturday again. Photographers might work on Sundays, too. Never try to contact them during the weekend and expect to hear back ASAP. You’ll hear back from between Tuesday and Thursday. Never drop by without an appointment.

In your initial contact with any vendor, give them as much information as you can. Date, guest count, location, overall budget, anything you know about your wedding so far. Try not to create a phone tag situation – if you are emailing or have to leave a voicemail, give them the best time to get back to you and wait. If you reach an assistant, find out what the best days and times are to reach the boss, and try again. Figure out your schedule beforehand too: If you can only meet in person on a weekend because of your schedule, say so. If you can meet after work or at lunch, say so. Give them specifics to respond to. Always give specifics.

Now, I’m not saying that I haven’t run into wedding pros who simply will not respond in a timely manner, but that’s not the norm. Most are eager to talk and, well, get paid. A good rule is if you do not hear back in two days, move on to the next company on your list. If they miss a scheduled phone call or meeting, seriously consider moving down the list. It’s not going to get any better once you hire them – it shows disrespect for your time that is not going to change.

What’s going on with your wedding? Schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation with me this weekend and let’s talk about it. How I can help?

See you at the end of the aisle,