Check Out Your Wedding Vendors Before Signing any Contracts

You can avoid problem wedding vendors: obnoxious DJs, florists who do not make the arrangements as agreed, talented photographers who are rude to guests, caterers who consistently run behind schedule, a dress shop that brings in a wedding dress inferior to the one you ordered and won’t return your deposit….

You can’t know these things from just meeting with a vendor.

I know checking up on your wedding vendors may make you uncomfortable – you’re a nice person and you don’t want to feel as if you’re judging someone as untrustworthy right out of the gate.

But consider: you are entering into a very important contract with this person or company.

Learn how bride Lisa Spooner saved over $20,000 on her wedding

You must check them out first!

Pitfall Warning: Bridal stores are big ones for consumer problems -- in fact they’re the most complained about by brides, so please check them out before signing a contract.

Be aware that this is where the emotional side of wedding planning – you looove that dress! – and the business side of wedding planning often conflict with each other.

Interview three candidates in each wedding vendor category.

If it’s a caterer, make sure you taste the food and approve of the presentation. If it’s a DJ or band, go to an event where they are working. DO NOT rely on the tape the DJ or the band gave you in your first meeting or at a wedding show.

Ask all your vendors for references and then actually call the references.

Don’t just ask the reference, “How did you like this vendor?” Be specific.

Ask if the vendor was on time, if they delivered the service or goods as expected, if they were available to you and open to ideas and suggestions. Also ask how they interacted with guests (if appropriate).

Contact the Better Business Bureau.

Don’t be surprised if there’s at least one complaint. Some people are impossible to please, so even a good wedding vendor may have a complaint. What’s most important is to pay attention to how the complaint was resolved (or not). Contact your local office or go online.

Not everyone goes to the BBB to register complaints, so you should take an additional step and search online for complaints.

Check out your vendors on consumer complaint websites.

Search a vendor business name or personal name on:

Additionally, Google the business and personal name of the vendor with the word “consumer,” “complaint,” or “rip-off” behind it.

Trust your gut.

If you can’t find any consumer complaints about a particular vendor, but you just don’t feel right about the vendor, don’t use them! And don’t allow anyone to influence you by making you feel that your unease is irrational.

Always go with your gut instinct. This extends to family and friends who volunteer to work your ceremony or reception as a gift.

If you get an uneasy feeling when you think of the friend who volunteered to DJ your reception, don’t do it. Tell the friend you really want them to enjoy the day as a guest, not as an employee.

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