I don’t understand it.
Barely a day goes by that on one of the many wedding Facebook groups we are a part of we don’t see a post about someone’s wedding vendor cancelling on them. This is often only days or weeks before the wedding too!
How the hell does this happen?
We have never had to cancel on a single client … EVER!
Now, that’s not to say we don’t think we are human and one day it MAY eventuate that we MAY have to cancel, but … we have backup and contingency plans in place to provide something should I personally not be able to perform on the day. (Touch wood and fingers crossed I never have to put my back up plan into action).
The main issue is, we see couples (usually brides to be) posting as if it is sort of a normal and acceptable thing!
(It’s NOT normal and is definitely NOT acceptable).
Posts often looks like this “Hey everyone, my [INSERT SUPPLIER HERE] cancelled for our wedding day on the [INSERT DATE HERE], does anyone have any recommendations?”
What?
If that was me I would be furious! Especially since a lot of these posts are only at best a couple weeks out!
What I want to know is WHY they are cancelling?
More to the point, what was in the contract signed with them about their cancellation policy?
See, when couples book with us, we have a contract that protects both them and us with mutually agreed upon terms of service. One of which deals with the unlikely situation that we have to cancel.
When I ask those posting what the contract they signed with their supplier letting them down stipulated, almost every time the answer is “We didn’t sign a contract!”
You didn’t sign a contract?
No, usually because the couple say they received an amazing price that they were happy with.
Okay, great, but how amazing is that “really low price” now that they left you high and dry only a couple weeks out from your wedding with no replacement?
DEMAND A CONTRACT, READ AND UNDERSTAND THE CONTRACT and SIGN IT!!!
EVERY.
SINGLE.
SUPPLIER.
Sure, we might cost more, but we don’t create that stress with our couples a few days or weeks out from the wedding telling them we have to cancel.
Be careful.
Contracts (when created correctly) are there to protect you.
If you EVER get a supplier who doesn’t have a contract, then warning bells should be going off.
A professional supplier will have a contract. It’s a sign of them entering a contractual negotiation with you that stipulates what they promise to uphold as well as the requirements they expect from you.
Without a contract, it’s your word against theirs and there is nothing there to protect you or your rights (or money paid).
Always work only with suppliers with a contract.
Warmly,
Nik Reeds
