Red flags to watch out for with wedding vendors

You may leave it to the experts to plan your wedding and ensure things are as well-executed and memorable as ever. But finding the right wedding vendors can be challenging. Who do you pick when there are so many choices? Having too many to choose from can undoubtedly lead to confusion and you never know how to separate the good from the bad until it's too late. While trial and error is often the best way to learn, when it comes to your big day, it's essential to dodge some bullets early on. Here’s what you have to be careful about. 

Online presence and what it means: While you may have narrowed down a list of wedding vendors after asking your friends and loved ones, do not underestimate the power of online reviews. You need to know what other couples have experienced with the vendors you’re short-listing. Be wary if they hardly have any reviews or if there are more negative reviews than good ones. A website or an Instagram page where you can see and judge their work is important to look over. Their years of experience in the industry (which the date of their posts should indicate), their general aesthetics and the kind of services they provide are all handy when comparing options.  

How soon do they respond? You’ll have a ton of doubts and questions for your wedding vendor, no matter the time of the year. While they might be swamped with other weddings during peak wedding season as you reach out to them, anything more than two weeks to get back to you is a sign of things to come. Consistent communication is crucial even once things have been finalised—you shouldn’t have to spend weeks following up with them asking for an update. Another thing to look out for is how mindful they are of scheduled appointments and calls. If they skip essential meetings, it indicates how seriously they take their business and you as a client. How they show up for you in the wedding planning process should tell you how reliable they will be on your big day. 

Their communication style: A vendor who takes the time out to answer your queries thoroughly and patiently is an excellent sign of you making the right choice as opposed to someone who makes you hesitate to bring things up. Conversations with them should also tell you if they’re proactive and solution-oriented. Check on how easily they can adapt to your needs and preferences. If they aren’t interested in hearing you out and working with you, you need to ask yourself if you want them to be in charge of your wedding day. 

Contracts, fees, and transparency: Understanding their billing processes, payment timelines, and overall costs is vital. First things first, get everything in writing, preferably in a contract that sets out their scope of work and fee structure. The lack of a paper trail can lead to complications and disappointments down the road. Ensure that there is as little fine print in the contract about hidden costs as possible. It’s a major red flag if they ask for extra payment, cash or any added fees that weren’t mentioned before. Ask them beforehand about things like insurance and liquor licenses. If they are dodgy about disclosing essential information, you know something is up.

They seem too good to be true: We’re talking about them promising a lot for a pittance. While it may seem perfect for your budget, having a vendor quote significantly lower prices than market rates is a cause for concern. Their reasons for this may be their lack of focus on quality or engaging underqualified staff. Vendors who are great at their job will give you a fair price, be upfront and let you know that quality typically comes with a cost. It's reassuring when someone you will be closely working with for your wedding is being upfront and not looking to make a quick buck on the side. At the same time, you also don't want a vendor who constantly asks that you spend more, trying to sneak in expenses even when unnecessary or not being respectful of the budget you have set for the occasion.

Gut instinct and things just not feeling right: Remember that one size doesn't fit all, and what may have worked for your friends may not work for you. And that may have nothing to do with how the wedding vendor operates. They may be able to promise and deliver things which may not match your aesthetic. Choose planners who have worked with a similar style that you’re looking for. Do not hire a wedding vendor you do not like. Pay attention to how they speak to people who aren’t you or your partner. Remember to trust your gut feeling during and after a conversation with them. If you’re questioning whether the vendor will be reliable, it’s time to take a call.

The wedding industry is big, so there’s someone for everyone, and you don't have to settle. Your wedding is meant to be the biggest celebration of your life and love, so choose the right person to make that happen. Like with most relationships with trust and open communication as their cornerstones, you need to have faith and transparency with your wedding vendor as well. What you don't want is a person making the wrong choices for you and offering poor services with your hard-earned money. What you want is to have a ball of a time on the most special day of your life, and to find someone on the same page to work with you. 

Lead and square image: Prime Video 

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