Is It Too Good to Be True?

How to Vet Your Wedding Vendors So Your Dream Day Doesn’t Turn Into a Nightmare

Weddings are an investment- financially, emotionally, and personally. In today’s luxury-leaning wedding environment, couples spend significant time and resources ensuring their day looks, feels, and operates exactly the way they’ve always imagined. And while some couples choose to take a simpler or more budget-friendly route, it's important to remember a hard truth:

If it seems too good to be true…it very well might be.

The Rise of “Budget Vendors” ... And Why That Isn’t Always a Red Flag

Many wedding professionals start their businesses by offering entry-level pricing. We did too. It’s a natural way to break into the industry and begin building a portfolio. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a budget-friendly vendor or choosing one. Many vendors prefer the laid-back nature of those events, and many couples are genuinely a perfect fit for that style and structure.

However, budget pricing often comes with relaxed booking policies, low (or no) deposits, flexible cancellation terms, or verbal agreements. And while these practices can be harmless, they also create opportunities for miscommunication, unrealistic promises, or, in the worst cases, intentional scams.

This is where couples must be cautious. A “great deal” can quickly become the most stressful part of your wedding if the vendor cannot deliver the expectations they sold you.

The Hidden Cost of “Too Good to Be True”

As professionals, we constantly evaluate the local market. We see the promotions, the flash sales, the 50%-off promises, and the rock-bottom rates that seem impossible to match. Early in our business, we felt pressure to compete. But over time, we realized something crucial:

We are priced fairly for the quality, time, and expertise our clients receive.

We don’t offer “day-of coordination”- because it doesn’t exist in a functional, successful reality. Our coordination packages begin at least eight weeks before a wedding because that is the minimum amount of time required to gather details, communicate with vendors, confirm logistics, build timelines, problem-solve, and prepare for the execution of someone’s once-in-a-lifetime event.

Our Signature Planning Package includes full-scale detail management and comprehensive event oversight. This is not a side hustle for us- it's our full-time profession. Our clients deserve someone whose attention, energy, and expertise aren’t split between a day job and planning a 200-person event. That level of service cannot be delivered sustainably- or ethically- at $500 for coordination or $1,500 for full-service planning.

A Real Example From Our Region

A few years ago, a new wedding planner began offering steep discounts, heavy promotions, and extremely low rates across social media. The ads were eye-catching and polished- , elegant fonts, countdown timers, “sale ends tomorrow” urgency, and rates that undercut the entire market.

For couples trying to stay within a budget, these offers were understandably appealing. But the pricing was so low that any professional in the industry knew it was financially impossible to execute weddings at that rate without cutting corners- or worse, bailing entirely.

Today, if you search this vendor’s name, you’ll find an alarming volume of “Do Not Book” and “Brides Beware” posts. Clients report missed meetings, last-minute cancellations, lack of communication, and events left unmanaged on the wedding day itself. One of those brides publicly shared her experience (screenshot included below with permission), describing the stress, disappointment, and emotional toll caused by a vendor who simply didn’t deliver the service she advertised.

This is not a one-off. These situations happen across the wedding industry more often than couples realize.

Screenshot from a local Virginia weddings Facebook group.

How to Protect Yourself: 6 Steps to Vet Your Wedding Vendors

Here are concrete, practical ways to ensure a vendor is reputable before signing a contract:

1. Read reviews from multiple platforms

Use Google, Facebook, WeddingWire, The Knot, and local wedding groups. A pattern—positive or negative—matters more than a single review.

2. Ask how many weddings they take per year

If the number doesn’t align with the size of their team or the cost of their services, proceed with caution.

3. Review the contract carefully

There should be:

• Specific deliverables

• Clear timelines

• Payment terms

• A refund/cancellation policy

• Expectations for communication

  
  

Contracts protect both parties. A vague or extremely short contract can be a major red flag.

4. Ensure they have liability insurance

All legitimate businesses carry it. If they can’t provide proof, reconsider.

5. Ask about their process and timeline

A true coordinator or planner will have structured workflows, communication systems, and a detailed approach.

6. Compare pricing with industry standards

If someone is 60–70% lower than the average in your region, ask why. Quality vendors price based on time, expertise, staffing, and the responsibility of executing a high-stakes event.

The Bottom Line: Invest in Peace of Mind

Not every low-priced vendor is problematic. Many are talented, ethical, and early in their careers. But when pricing is drastically out of line with industry norms- especially paired with urgent sales, large discount claims, or promises that sound too perfect- it's worth pausing and evaluating.

Your wedding is one of the most meaningful days of your life.

Investing in reliable, vetted professionals ensures that your day is remembered for joy, beauty, and meaning- not stress or disappointment.

As wedding planners, our commitment is simple: To help you curate a wedding day filled with intention, expertise, and happy tears.