How to Handle Wedding Stationery Enquiry Ghosting (and Keep Your Confidence)
If your dream couple suddenly vanishes mid-enquiry, you’re not alone. Here’s how to understand why it happens, protect your energy, and move forward with confidence.
When the inbox goes quiet
It’s a familiar story. Your enquiries are coming in thick and fast, you’re chatting to dream couples, and everything feels full of possibility. Then suddenly, one of them vanishes.
The consultation went brilliantly, the ideas flowed, the proposal felt spot on, and then, silence. No thank you, no feedback, just nothing.
We’ve both been there. It’s a horrible feeling, that mix of hope, deflation and self-doubt. It can knock your confidence if you let it. But here’s the truth: ghosting almost never means you’ve done anything wrong.
Why ghosting happens
Ghosting feels personal because our businesses are personal. Every email carries a little piece of us, and when a couple goes quiet, it can feel like rejection. More often than not, though, the issue lies with the client, not with you. Their silence usually says far more about where they’re at than about anything you did or didn’t do.
Couples disappear for all sorts of reasons. They might be comparing quotes, waiting on budget conversations, or simply overwhelmed by planning. Sometimes a parent has weighed in. Sometimes they don’t know how to say no politely, so they say nothing at all.
It’s frustrating, yes, but not a reflection of your work, your skill or your worth. And while you can’t control whether someone replies, you can take small steps to make it less likely to happen and to handle it with confidence when it does.
Step one: Check your process
Before assuming you’ve been ghosted for good, take a look at your enquiry process. Clarity and confidence at this stage can make all the difference.
Ask yourself:
When someone enquires, do they clearly understand what happens next?
Does your reply make it easy for them to take action?
Are you transparent enough about pricing and timelines to help them decide quickly?
Does your proposal feel human and personal, or does it sound like a form letter?
A small tweak can have a big impact. Adding a booking link, including a short price guide, or saying “I can hold this design slot for the next five days” helps couples feel guided. It also subtly communicates that your time is valuable.
Step two: Mind your language
Let’s talk about tone. Those little filler phrases such as “just checking in,” “if you’d like to chat,” and “no worries if not” might sound polite, but they quietly chip away at your confidence and authority.
Try phrasing that combines warmth and clarity instead:
“I’d love to book a quick call next week. Here’s my calendar.”
“If everything looks good, I can secure your design slot today.”
“Would you like me to adjust your proposal with the revised quantities we discussed?”
It’s not pushy. It’s professional, helpful and it shows you’re leading the process. Couples feel reassured when you sound confident.
Step three: Find closure, even without a reply
Even with the best process and tone, ghosting will still happen sometimes. When it does, closure has to come from you.
Here’s a simple three-step email rhythm that works beautifully for us:
1. The Proposal or Initial Response
Kind, confident and full of personality. Include clear pricing guidance, next steps and a simple way to confirm. Think of it as opening the door with a smile.
2. The Gentle Nudge (One Week Later)
Light and friendly:
“I hope you’ve had a chance to look through your proposal. Please let me know if you have any questions or if you’d like to chat things through. I’d love to help bring your stationery ideas to life.”
No guilt, no pressure, just a reminder that you’re still here.
3. The Final Follow-Up (After Two Weeks)
Warm, direct and respectful:
“I wanted to see whether you’d like to move forward with your stationery or if I should close your enquiry for now. Either way, I’d really appreciate a quick reply so I can plan my schedule accordingly.”
That last message offers closure even if they never reply. It lets you draw a line under the enquiry and move forward with peace of mind.
Keeping your confidence intact
Here’s what we remind ourselves whenever an enquiry goes quiet: you can’t stop every ghost, but you can stop them from haunting you.
You’ve already done the hardest part: showing up with kindness, professionalism and clarity. The rest is out of your hands.
So take a breath, clear your inbox and pour something that feels like a reward. Maybe coffee, maybe a glass of something sparkling. We won’t judge.
Ghosting is part of running a creative business, but it doesn’t have to dim your enthusiasm. Every new enquiry is another chance to connect, create and refine your process. The ones who do reply are the ones who are meant to.
And in the meantime, know that we’re right there with you, laughing about it, learning from it and occasionally muttering at our laptops too.