Hello my bridal babes! This one is specifically for you. Now that you’ve found your forever partner, the one with ALL the green flags, it’s time to begin planning for your epic wedding day! 

Throughout the planning period, you are going to be researching, and feeling a little(ok maybe A LOT) overwhelmed with all your wedding day vendor options. If you don’t think so, go ahead and google “wedding photography Orlando” and just see how many options there are! 🤪 That’s where we come in, we’re here to shed some light on those wedding vendor RED FLAGS, so that you, as a client, can make informed decisions when selecting the businesses that are going to execute your wedding day vision! Let’s talk about it!

🚩 NO CONTRACT: MAJOR do not book! If your vendor does not have a contract in place, do NOT work with them. Period. Sure, most contracts protect the business, but they also protect you, the client! Your vendor is not held to any sort of accountability, if there are no stipulations and standards set in place. 

🚩 NO WEBSITE: A website helps to share the vendor’s work, helps you learn about who runs or owns the business, allows you to view pricing, and so much more that social media just cannot do! Although, I wouldn’t say this is necessarily a huge deal breaker, but it does show a lack of professionalism.

🚩 NO REVIEWS FROM CLIENTS: There is only one exception to this rule, and that is if they are an industry newb! Some vendors are JUST building their business and do not have tons of online reviews to showcase and that’s ok!(Especially if they are upfront and honest that they are just starting out)…But if your wedding vendor says they’ve been working in the industry for more than 2-5 years and they don’t have one review online from past clients, RUN! Do not pass GO and do NOT book! How are you supposed to know if they are a credible and reputable brand if you can’t learn about them from past clients!?!

🚩 LACK OF COMMUNICATION: Ok, if you inquire on a Friday night at 9pm, maybe don’t expect an answer until Monday or Tuesday morning (remember most vendors who work weddings are working Fri-Sun for 10+ hours onsite and don’t have time for admin on these busy days). However, if you’re getting left on read, and every correspondence you send isn’t being answered within 48 hours, then don’t do it! You’re going to spend your entire planning process chasing that vendor down for answers, or possibly end up with them ghosting you after you’ve paid them a deposit (trust me, I have seen it happen MANY times).  If the communication isn’t clear and consistent then YOU DON’T WANT IT, babe! 

🚩 WON’T TAKE PHONE CALLS: If your vendor will NOT take a call and only wants to communicate via text and email, then in the words of Randy Jackson, that’s a NO for you, DAWG! Yes, I will say my preferred methods of communication are text and email, because having everything in writing makes it easier to reflect back on. However I do take scheduled phone calls for clients that prefer chatting! Then I always follow up with an email recapping the call, so that what we discussed is in writing! Chatting over the phone also helps explain things that aren’t easily explained via email, or can help convey a certain tone! 

🚩 NOT INSURED: OH NO NO NO! The last thing you need to do is book a vendor who is uninsured. Mistakes and accidents DO happen! The last thing YOU need is to be held responsible for someone else’s BIG mistake that can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars! 

🚩 CASH ONLY PAYMENTS: Once upon a time (like 14 years ago) this is how I ran my business. Pay Apps weren’t really a thing, and neither were things like Square or Tap to pay. However, times have changed and everyone has access to Pay Apps, and online platforms that help vendors and businesses collect money. If your vendor wants their $5,000 payment in cash, DO NOT DO IT. Chances are that business could potentially take your money and run with it, since cash has no paper trail, unless they’re writing you a hand written receipt 😳. Tips are the only form of payment that should be in cash for all vendors! 

I hope this helped you in your wedding planning journey! Keep an eye out for those RED flags, and only book those vendors who give you all the GREEN feels and flags! Pro Tip: The BEST way to find vendors, is to ask the vendors you already booked! Many of us in the industry work together regularly, so it sure is a bonus when you have a team that knows the drill and will execute your vision FLAWLESSLY! Want to book a GREEN FLAG hair and makeup team in Orlando, FL?! Head to our contact us page and fill the form!

PS: ALL the vendors showcased here are GREEN FLAGS 

Venue: The Howey Mansion

Hair and Makeup: Beauty Brigade

Photo and Film: Kindle and Grain