Venue-shopping Etiquette

For places we just visited or only emailed and never saw, we didn't send anything.

I guess if you've been emailing a venue a lot and went with a different one you could send an email. It's a business so they except that not everyone who comes to them is going to book.

I sent an email back to each venue we corresponded with to let them know we were going with a different venue. It doesn't take more than a minute to send a quick "Thank you for your time, but we've decided to go another direction." And it prevents the coordinator from wasting his/her time sending a follow up email when they haven't heard from you in a couple of weeks.

I did the same thing for photographers, DJs, and HMUAs. I just don't like leaving loose ends out there.

Same as PP, for any vendor with whom I had some level of extended conversation, I emailed them as a courtesy

I think it's really a courtesy if they've spent time with you. Although we all know we can't be everyone's fave, a quick email is always appreciated.

A note is a nice gesture to let the vendor know you are going in a different direction. It's nice, but not mandatory.

It depends. If it was just a venue tour with really no further conversations than the typical information and brochure...no, there is not any need. You were just another bride to them.

If the venue you are not choosing is still contacting you and such, then yes, I would let them know that you have made another decision so not to waste their time any further.

I have just been going through this myself - booked my venue last Saturday. Others that I had inquiries or tours that followed up with me via email - I replied and kindly let them know I'd gone another way. But if they dont go out of their way to follow up with me, I wont follow up with them.

I sent a quick email to any small venues that we toured just as a courtesy. We had a small guest list in the beginning and toured b&b's and what would be the equivalent of small mom and pop venues in the wedding world.

We spent a decent amount of time touring, talking, and getting to know the coordinators/owners. So when our guest list ballooned, I thought it was only right that I give them notice that we were no longer interested.

If you want to send a quick email if they're holding the date for you just say "thank you for your time. We've decided to go with something else. Thank you again and all the best."

None of the venues we saw followed up with us at all, so I didn't find it neccessary.