Avoid last minute surprises on your wedding day by doing research, getting contracts in writing

QUINCY — Couples who got engaged during the holidays can look forward to spending their spring in a whirlwind of wedding planning, bridal shows, expos and consultations. But what happens when a wedding vendor doesn’t come through on their promises?

BBB often receives complaints about wedding-related businesses, including caterers, florists, DJs and photographers. Many complaints about wedding vendors involve delays or failures to provide the promised service.

A woman from Golden told BBB she hired a St. Louis-area based photographer in December 2023 to shoot a wedding in Golden in October 2024. The woman said she paid the business $1,674 to provide photos and video of the event. She told BBB she received an email from the photographer three days before the wedding which said she had a medical emergency and could not make the event. The photographer promised a refund to the customer but never delivered it.

Weddings are already stressful enough. The last thing busy couples need is a business that can’t deliver on its promises. You can prevent unwanted surprises on your big day by researching vendors before you sign a contract.

Before choosing a vendor, BBB recommends learning more about past customers’ experiences and making sure you’re clear on the vendor’s policies, timeline and fees.

Avoid these wedding planning pitfalls:

• Unexpected fees. Some caterers, hotels or reception venues charge extra for “plate splitting,” “cake-cutting” or “corkage” fees. Ask vendors about fees in advance.
• Dresses that don’t measure up. Brides have sent reports to BBB about bridal shops that order gowns in the wrong size or color, dresses that arrive too late for alterations, and alterations that aren’t completed on time. Make sure your order specifies new merchandise, sized to fit you and your bridesmaids. Give the shop your schedule in advance and follow up as deadlines approach.
• Musician switch. Don’t rely on a website, demo tape or phone conversation when hiring a band, musician or DJ. Make sure you hear the musicians in-person before you hire them and get a written commitment that includes the times they will play.
• Photographer issues. Couples sometimes report delays in receiving their wedding photos or videos. Before choosing your photographer, find out when and how the pictures will be delivered, how much time you will have to choose your favorites and whether other members of your family or wedding party will have access to them.
• Transportation problems. If you’re booking a limo or other transportation services, get all the details in writing. Don’t pay the entire amount in advance.
• Floral changes. Fresh flowers are a perishable commodity, and the final arrangements may change depending on what’s available on your wedding day. Confirm a minimum size or number of stems in each bouquet or arrangement. Ask the florist how they handle last-minute substitutions and charges.

Find trusted wedding vendors:

• Do your research. Search for wedding businesses and vendors at BBB.org to see reviews, ratings and complaints. Check how long the business has been in operation and how they addressed any past customer complaints. You can also see whether a business is BBB Accredited, meaning they are committed to BBB’s Standards of Trust and follow ethical business practices.
• Get it in writing. Get written contracts for all services and read them carefully before signing. The contract should outline what services the business will provide, the timeline, any guarantees, cancellation policies and refund policies.
• Don’t pay in full up front. It’s common for wedding vendors to require a deposit, which is often nonrefundable. However, you generally shouldn’t have to pay the full cost up front for services that haven’t yet been rendered. You should also have recourse if the service isn’t provided as promised – pay with a credit card so you can dispute charges if needed.
• Follow up. Avoid unpleasant surprises on your wedding day by contacting vendors to confirm all services one or two weeks prior to the event.

Check out BBB’s Wedding HQ for more tips.

Don O’Brien is the regional director for the Quincy Better Business Bureau. Contact him at dobrien@quincybbb.org or 217-209-3972.