Post # 1
Member
7 posts
Newbee
*First time poster; please forgive any posting faux pas*
All, my fiance and I are planning a wedding for Spring 2019 and have begun interviewing officiants… but as we start narrowing it down, we’re not sure how to politely inform those we don’t want to proceed with that we’re going in another direction.
The reason we’re struggling with this particular vendor so much is that we’re working with religious officiants– there’s just something that feels a little easier about informing a photographer or caterer that you’ve chosen to go a different way than telling a man of the cloth… especially because those we’ve met with so far have all be so generous of their time and have really made efforts to get to know us and to educate us about the wedding ceremony.
So… does anyone have any best practices or suggestions? We thought about offering to make a small donation to each of the declined clergy’s congregation or place of worship… is that going too far?
Thank you!
Post # 2
Member
792 posts
Busy bee
- Wedding: October 2016 - Wedgewood Las Vegas
You simply call them, or write them a note, thanking them for their time and that you’ve decided to go with someone else, or that you’re going in a different direction.
We talked to two before we chose. They understand. You’re likely over thinking this. It is no different than any other vendor.
Post # 3
Member
1395 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: April 2019 - USA
erin89leigh : Agree with PP. That’s exactly what we did, we just thanked them for their time and said we decided to go with someone else. It’s your wedding after all- do what feels right to YOU!
Post # 4
Member
3042 posts
Sugar bee
A polite note or email thanking them for their time and letting them know you’ve chosen to go with someone else.
If they spent significant time with you (via phone, email, or in person) I think a small donation would be a nice touch but I wouldn’t feel obligated to do so unless they had spent, say, more than an hour or two with you in person or there were several lengthy emails exchanged.
Post # 5
Member
7398 posts
Busy Beekeeper
Trust me, as a wedding professional, we’re used to rejection. 😉 Once you’ve actually hired (as in booked and paid) an officiant just send a quick email to the rest and thank them for their time and tell them that you’ve decided to go in another direction.
Post # 6
Member
1489 posts
Bumble bee
“Thank you for your time. We have decided to go another direction.”
Post # 7
Member
7 posts
Newbee
Thank you all– for your advice and quickness to jump in and help 🙂
I think, to @steny03’s point, we’re probably just overthinking this and should work with the officiants as we would any other vendor. It’s helpful to get reassurance from others, though.