We’ve all been there. Disappointed in something we spent money on. Hurt by someone you trusted. Those feelings are all the more intense and compounded when your wedding day is involved. Being short-changed by a wedding vendor is complicated given the large investment, one-time event, and all the emotions involved. So what do you do after the wedding day to address the incident?

1. Accept that an honest error may have occurred. Vendors are humans, too. Everyone makes mistakes. This mindset will help keep things from getting blown out of proportion.

2. Revisit your contract to identify specific failures. Did the vendor show up too late? Not include a previously agreed upon bonus? Short you on centerpieces? Times, package specifics, and deliverables should have been explicitly stated in the contract. The absence of these specifics makes further steps difficult.

3. IF you find evidence of a vendor violating their contract with you, think long and hard about how you’d like to proceed. What do you feel you are owed or what would help resolve the situation? Are you looking for a refund, discount, a future perk or service of some sort? You need to know this before reaching out to the vendor.

4. Gather pictures, statements from witnesses (if applicable), and your proposal to resolve the issue before reaching out to the vendor.

5. Call, e-mail, or arrange a meeting with the vendor. Choose whichever method (or a combination) allows you to keep your emotions separate, share your concern, and reach a fair conclusion without airing your dirty laundry on social media. No name-calling. No profanity.

   **Be conscientious of your wording and approach. State only facts in your communication and avoid accusations.

6. Allow a day or two for the vendor to investigate, review the contract, and reply to your proposed solution. They may be willing to do as you’ve asked to right the situation, or they may have an alternate resolution.

7. If you are unable to reach a suitable agreement, it may be time to bring in a mediator or pursue legal options.

If you want to warn other potential clients about a vendor, wait to do so until you’ve completed the above process.

• Posting or reviewing right away when emotions are high only adds fuel and bitterness to the incident.

• Sit tight until the issue has been resolved as you will be able to better explain how the vendor worked with you through the dispute.

• Keep your wording tactful and to-the-point. No one wants to hear “he said/ she said,” name-calling, or how your brother’s best friend’s mom saw the vendor at a bar the night of your wedding.

• Again, avoid accusations and defamatory comments unless you’re wishing to invite a lawsuit.

Ultimately, bad reviews are sometimes warranted. What’s not fine is assembling a mob to attack a vendor on every social media and web platform imaginable. To avoid finding yourself addressing a wedding vendor nightmare, consider our tips for hiring wedding vendors and always read your vendor contracts.

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