Your wedding vendor is there to help you through everything when it comes to your wedding. But, sometimes there are things that stick out, that you don’t, well…’love’. We get it. As a cautionary tale, we read back to what some brides have said in the past about their vendors they worked with. Some settled on these vendors for cost, availability, or both!
We never advise doing any of those things. When you settle, you often realize later why they were the cheapest option, not booked up, or just not the overall most professional person to do business with.
MEET THE EXPERT
Hannah Reese, the owner of @writefullyours_ is a female entrepreneur who helps other female entrepreneurs and wedding industry owners market to their ideal clients, with unorthodox marketing strategies. Writefully Yours is a marketing agency that specializes in everything marketing. From designing a dream client’s logo to helping run social media ads that bring in real money and real results.
Call ‘em as you see ‘em – RED FLAGS ARE OUT THERE, DON’T MAKE THEM ORANGE (lol). Here you’ll see what brides have seen they hated:
“SIGN UP FOR OUR PRICING GUIDE”: “If I wanted to be on their email list, I’d book with them. I don’t want to see all their emails about their pricing if I don’t book with them, trying to steer me against my budget.”
Katie
“AFFORDABLE PHOTOGRAPHER”: “Everyone’s idea of affordable is different, so when they put that in Facebook groups it makes zero sense. And no, I won’t bite because you’re selling your ALL DAY package at $600 bucks, that to me seems way too low, and you can’t be making money.”
Nicole
LONG ASS EMAIL JOURNEYS: “I’m already booked with them, why do I need to read every blog you put out there? I already get too many emails as is. I rescheduled my venue because it was too sales-y”.
Kara
THEIR WEBSITE + SOCIAL HAVE NO INFO: “I don’t understand how we are supposed to feel they are our vibe, if they have like zero content on their website. No pricing, no other brides have said they liked working with them, etc.”
Marcelle
MY VENUE SAID THEY HAD A COORDINATOR – NAH IT WASN’T A COORDINATOR”: “The venue said they had a day of coordinator that came with the event space, the day of my wedding – I needed help with a timeline issue, they were too worried about the gravel outside being laid, and my chairs being put up. I was late out to my ceremony and reception. Pay for a coordinator 🙄”
Kelsie
YOU DON’T LIST YOUR PRICING ON YOUR WEBSITE: “It’s like if I don’t see prices, I automatically think you’re outrageously priced.”
Alyssa R.
** If you don’t list your prices, because of competitors, I promise you the ‘competitor’ who does list their pricing is getting more leads and bookings. **
LONG ASS EMAIL JOURNEYS: “I’m already booked with them, why do I need to read every blog you put out there? I already get too many emails as is. I rescheduled my venue because it was too sales-y”.
Kara
50% REMAINDER BALANCE RIGHT BEFORE WEDDING DAY: “I just spent thousands of dollars already with you and other vendors, as much as they deserve it, I would recommend them doing something as a longer payment plan so brides don’t feel so much pressure right before the wedding day.”
Amy R.
PIXELATED PICTURES + NO WEBSITE: “When trying to find information to see if your past work fits with my vibe, the last thing I want to see is just pixelated, blurry photos, and no website that gives me more information. I want to know all the info before I reach out, because I don’t want to waste your time if I’m not interested.”
Maya W.
RETURNING EMAILS! (this one is from me): I know as a vendor how muuuuch it sucks being ghosted from a bride, but the amount of inquiries I’ve sent out as a bride for information with no reply – IS ASTONISHING. REPLY TO EVERY INQUIRY! (unless it’s a bot, of course).
These stories are unfortunately real, but are also a reason to remember to think before you book, look at reviews (with a grain of salt, too!) and always, always, always interview your vendors before signing any contract.
Vendors, if you are reading this, and some sound familiar, it’s not always bad for every situation or every vendor type, but I think we can all agree that without feedback directly from the couples themselves there is never going to be growth.
