The initial, indirect interaction between a transport vesicle membrane and the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. This interaction is mediated by tethering factors (or complexes), which interact with both membranes. Interaction can occur via direct binding to membrane phospholipids or membrane proteins, or via binding to vesicle coat proteins. This process is distinct from and prior fusion.
vesicle tethering to endoplasmic reticulum