Slight rant - how long does an email take?

Have you tried phoning rather than e-mailing? You may get a quicker response :-)

That is quite a long time and i would be irritated too as I always expect people to reply within a couple of days! However, I found the best thing to do when I was looking at venues was to ring them all as there's no waiting around, you speak to the person there and then and get the info straight from them. I did have a few frustrating waits when they gave me most info over the phone and then said they would email proper quotes and then I had to wait for a few of those. But if the wait was getting on i just rang them again and reminded them, and did have one place admit they had forgot lol Throughout all supplier queries I realised it was easier to ring in the end then follow up via emails once i'd had that initial contact. Try giving them a ring and then if they still keep you waiting maybe it's not worth bothering with them as may be a sign of what they'd be like to deal with if you did book your wedding there.

I actually did call, last weekend, and was told that their wedding coordinator works Tuesday to Thursday in the office 9-5 and was fully booked with events on Fridays and Saturdays this month... Which makes it kind of hard as I work 8 to 5. I do have Thursday off so I shall wait and see, and call again.

But yes, this does kinda worry me as to what they would be like to deal with. I know I have over a year to go, but I don't want to have to chase someone all the time. Weddings are stressful enough as it is!

Thank you girls.

We had the same so I ended up calling the manager and just explained that I would like a timeframe so I knew where I stood. Everything was fine afterwards so no need to write them off just yet

My thoughts exactly. I would be worried that they would not be very responsive or customer service orientated if they are already so lax at this early stage.

I've felt irritated when all I was after was a few quotes for hair and makeup! Luckily I didn't have this problem with the venue quotes.

I just feel like if they can't even be bothered to send me a quick message about prices (not exactly asking for much!) then why should I bother with them. Feels like some people just don't care about getting some new business!

Sounds a long time to wait just for a date confirmation. Everyone i asked were as quick as your other venues, so personally i'd have written off the first. That being said, we found a great venue we were happy with, and put in a date to reserve for 2 weeks. During those two weeks the lady was happy and helpful to answer my Qs. We then booked within the time frame - sent off the forms and paid half the deposit - and then their correspondence dried up! I didn't get a confirmation it had even been recieved, and eventually after two phonecalls they spoke to me and confirmed the date is now mine. So great customer service at the start, and now it's all booked the service dipped. So you never know i guess!

I completely discounted any venues who couldn't be bothered to get back to me. I figured I couldn't trust them to make me feel secure and not add to my stress in the wedding build up. Go and see some of the others and go from there

If a supplier can't be bothered with you now there is a very strong chance they won't be bothered with you then.

This ^^^^^^^^^^ I never understand suppliers taking so long to reply, I understand if they were having email problems but most of the time they just don't care for new business and if they are taking a long time to respond now then what happens closer to the time.

Thanks all!

Good to know it's not just me! I though I might have been being unreasonable as it's the busy season - or that this kind of thing is usual. I suppose as this is something that we only really do once (hopefully, fingers crossed!) it takes time to find your feet and what is 'acceptable' and 'normal' with vendors.

Funnily enough a friend went to a wedding there this weekend and he said the wedding consultant had time to speak to several couples there. Couples that aren't engaged, aren't planning on getting married, and was handing our cards while sipping champagne.

The venue is amazing, but I think I'm going to put it on hold and see some other places that have been more responsive. x

I'd see it as a possible warning sign. We had to push our first venue to let us pay them a deposit, and a few months later they sent a generic email saying that the venue would no longer be in business and we could not hold our event there.

Luckily we found something even better, but I should have realised that if they were not snapping up our custom something was seriously amiss.

I'd agree with the majority, and suggest just writing them off.

Sorry but did you say that the co-ordinator was handing out business cards at a wedding? This would really bother me. How unprofessional. A customers wedding is NOT an opportunity to tout for business.

Hi ClaireyLou,

This is one of my pet hates! It makes me feel bad if I haven't replied to a client within the hour, let alone a week!!

You're totally justified in being annoyed!

James x

If you're struggling with them now, and feeling annoyed at them before even booking anything, imagine how you'll feel during the planning process to have the same thing to contend with....

Same here! When I get an email I answer it ASAP even if it's just to give a time frame for a proper reply.

I finally got a reply, the date was available and I got a basic quote but still none of my questions answered. ?

And to add to that they quoted the most expensive options available! Just asked a friend who had a wedding there a month ago and they did it for £3500 for the same numbers - for me they've quoted £4940!! I don't think inflation can account for that. ¬_¬

How frustrating! I know some venues are open to a bit of negotiation so it might be different if you actually go there and look and the place and speak to them face to face. But it does seem tbey aren't making it easy for you and you're doing a lot of running around. It depends how much you want the venue but I might steer clear.