Even the “best” vendors may not be the right vendors for you. Here’s how to tell if a wedding vendor isn’t a good fit.
Be honest — you were following a few makeup artists and venues slightly before you got that ring on your finger. And hey, that’s a GOOD thing! Now that the wedding planning and preparation is underway, knowing which vendors you already like will save you some time and stress in the long run.
However, it’s important to keep an open mind before signing your name on any dotted lines. Just because you like a certain vendor’s social media content, their previous work, or their rave online reviews, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be the right choice for your wedding. Here’s how to tell if a wedding vendor isn’t a good fit for you.
They’re out of your budget
There’s no denying that Long Island weddings are expensive. VERY expensive. Even the most laid-back affair can cost you well into the thousands to pull off. While our local wedding industry is filled with the best, most talented, and most experienced wedding pros in the country, you should still be able to find vendors that can accommodate your budget — no matter how big or small it is.
Many vendors offer custom packages to fit your specific needs and requests. But if a vendor’s services are going to cost you way more than you had planned, that may be a sign that they aren’t the right fit for you. It’s true that “you get what you pay for,” but you also don’t want to blow your entire savings account on one day. Don’t be afraid to shop around a bit before deciding it’s worth it to go for broke.
Their ideas don’t match your vision
You’ve stalked their TikTok enough to know that you LOVE their work. But at your initial meeting, they just weren’t offering anything that matched what you’ve been dreaming up in your head. Maybe they specialize in a more”boho” style and you want sleek and modern, or maybe they know your venue well and don’t think your decor inspo will do the space any justice. Whatever the reason, if their ideas and your ideas are at a total mismatch, chances are they won’t be able to deliver exactly what you want.
They aren’t great at communicating
You’ve emailed, texted, and even CALLED them, and they still aren’t getting back to you. And when they finally do respond, they act like you haven’t been this close to filing a missing persons report. In their defense, weddings are a big business and chances are they have a very full calendar. However, part of running a business is managing ALL of your clients effectively and respectfully — not just the ones with weddings coming up soon. If it takes weeks to get an answer out of a vendor, you may want to part ways.
(Psst — Want to avoid this problem altogether? Then it’s time to download Ring Leader).
Their pricing seems “too good to be true”
Like we said above, many vendors offer custom packages to suit your needs and budgets. If you’re having a small wedding with a 25-person guest count in your parents’ backyard, you probably won’t require a second photographer for full-day coverage. Many vendors will cut certain services or working time if you don’t need it, and that can reduce your costs.
The problem comes when a vendor offers the works for a drastically lower-than-average price. Let’s say you’ve met with a few photographers, and you find that most are charging around $5000 for a package that best fits your situation. Then, you meet with a photographer that offers the exact same package for $1000. Unless this photographer owes your family a favor, or they’re still learning how to photograph and are VERY upfront about that fact, that price seems way too good to be true. And if something seems too good to be true…well, you know the rest.
You don’t get a good vibe when meeting with them
Never underestimate your gut feeling! Sure, we want to approach things with an open mind and not make quick judgements. But if you don’t get a great vibe when meeting them for the first time, they probably aren’t the right wedding vendor for you. They may not seem super passionate or excited about your wedding, they may not look like they enjoy what they’re doing, they may seem disinterested in your story or your ideas, or they may just rub you the wrong way — whatever it is, don’t settle for a wedding pro that doesn’t match your energy.
You don’t feel like they’re listening to you
It seems like an almost-weekly occurrence: your DJ reaches out to talk about your playlist, and you have to remind them you already had that meeting — 3 months ago. Again, your wedding vendors are undoubtedly busy (especially during the spring, summer, and fall). However, you shouldn’t have to repeat yourself or remind them of the same things over and over. If they aren’t listening to you, they aren’t a good fit.
They pressure you to commit
You’re obsessed with a certain florist on Instagram and you enjoyed meeting them, but they almost forced you to sign a contract at the end. And now, they’re blowing up your email with every pressure tactic in the book. It’s all giving you the “ick.”
Listen, a vendor should want to work hard to book you, but it should never reach a point where you feel uncomfortable. Good vendors value the option to shop around some, and while they may explain that their dates book fast, they should never pressure you to make rash decisions.
Still looking for your dream vendors? Check out Ring Leader — a state-of-the-art mobile app that lets you browse vendors, check their availability, and book them on the spot.
