Top 5 Red Flags in a Wedding Vendor

#1 Poor/Limited Communication

When a vendor is slow to respond to calls or emails in a timely fashion it could show that they aren’t as reliable as needed. Although some vendors may not respond within the hour, it should not take them several weeks. As well as if the vendor is severely lacking on their communication skills it could show they don’t excel in customer service, which is an aspect that is so important for your wedding day and the planning process. If the vendor you are wanting to hire for your big day doesn’t make you feel like you are their top priority, that is a major red flag. 

#2 Lack of Reviews 

When searching for a vendor, most people look at the reviews for a feel on the type of person they are hiring, as well as the type of professionalism they bring with their service. But what if the vendor you are looking into doesn’t have any reviews anywhere? That can be a red flag. With no reviews it can cause a very unsettling feeling. You should always be able to read reviews in an unbiased setting before booking the vendor. It’s great if reviews are on their website, but it’s always beneficial to see them on other platforms too! If they don’t have reviews, they might be newer to the industry (which is totally okay, but just make sure you’re getting communication about that!)

#3 Outdated Website/ Social Media

Most professional vendors take pride in their websites and social media. It’s the top way they advertise their service and a major way to get to know them on a personal level. There are many reasons that the vendor you are looking at hasn’t updated their website: it could be because they are no longer providing any services or they’ve shifted their attention to something else – read through their posts to see if there’s any major life updates for why they aren’t posting! Social media is a major way for vendors to communicate and connect with their clients too! Having updated websites and social media sets the expectation about them and their work. 

#4 No Contract or Unclear Terms

A reputable vendor should provide you a clear contract that includes but is not limited to their services, fees, and any applicable terms and conditions. If a vendor doesn’t send you a (legit!) contract, it won’t protect you in the event that something goes wrong. Your wedding day should be a success and full of everything that you want. Don’t allow an unreliable person to put strain on your special day. If you’re confused about something in their contract, you should always be able to ask for clarification! 

#5 Gut Feeling 

You have to trust the feeling in your gut when picking vendors. While you are choosing your vendors, if anything seems off, listen to that feeling. I have had clients (and gone through it myself) that have booked a vendor just because they were the lowest cost, even though they didn’t feel any connection and felt weird about it. Although you may not be best friends with your vendors after the day is over, there still needs to be an aspect of trust and being comfortable with anyone you are working with. Always listen to your gut and talk things over with your partner!