3 Reasons Why Your Vendors Are Terrible and How to Know Before the Big Day (Red Flags)

Let’s be real: your wedding is one of the biggest days of your life, and the last thing you need is a vendor who turns your dream into a disaster. From DJs to caterers, photographers, and florists, each vendor plays a crucial role in making your day unforgettable (in a good way!).

But what if they drop the ball? A terrible vendor can tank your timeline, ruin the mood, and leave you wondering why you didn’t see the red flags sooner. The good news? You can usually spot the warning signs before your big day. Here are three reasons why your vendors might be terrible and how to figure it out in time to avoid a wedding-day catastrophe.

1. They’re Impossible to Communicate With

Red Flag: You’re playing the world’s most frustrating game of phone tag or they take forever to respond to emails. Even worse, when they do respond, the answers are vague or don’t address your concerns.

Imagine this: You’ve sent three emails about the timeline or specific details you want for your wedding day, and it’s been crickets for a week. Or maybe they’re replying, but their answers are so confusing that you’re left with more questions than when you started.

Why this matters: Clear, responsive communication is everything when it comes to wedding vendors. If they’re dropping the ball now, when they’re trying to win your business, just imagine how flaky they might be when the big day rolls around. Bad communication often means they’re either overwhelmed, unorganized, or just plain bad at their job—all things you don’t want to deal with on your wedding day.

How to know before the big day:

• Pay attention to response times. If they’re slow now, expect that trend to continue.

• Ask detailed questions about your event early in the process. If they provide vague or unhelpful answers, they’re likely not great with details.

• See how they communicate across platforms—do they do well over phone calls, emails, and meetings?

Pro tip: If you feel like you’re chasing them down for information, it’s a sign to run the other way and find a vendor who’s just as committed to making your day smooth as you are.

2. They’re More About Themselves Than You

Red Flag: They don’t seem to care about your vision, preferences, or ideas. Instead, they spend more time talking about their portfolio or pushing you towards things they want to do, regardless of what you’re asking for.

This is your big day—not theirs. You want vendors who get excited about your ideas and help you make your wedding uniquely yours. But some vendors seem to forget that. They’ll push you towards their favorite songs, their preferred menu, or their style of photography, even if it’s not what you envisioned.

Why this matters: A vendor who’s more interested in their own agenda won’t go the extra mile to make sure your wedding feels personal. They’re likely to take creative control in ways you won’t love—and you won’t even realize it until it’s too late.

How to know before the big day:

• During consultations, see how much they ask about you versus how much they talk about themselves.

• Bring up specific requests, even small ones. Do they listen and respond with enthusiasm, or do they brush your ideas aside in favor of what they normally do?

• Check reviews—did other couples mention the vendor being flexible and collaborative, or did they feel steamrolled into decisions?

Pro tip: You deserve vendors who listen to your ideas and get excited about bringing your vision to life. If a vendor seems more concerned with showcasing their talents than understanding your wishes, they’re not the one.

3. They Can’t Seem to Stay Organized

Red Flag: You show up to a meeting and they have no idea who you are, forget key details from previous conversations, or can’t answer basic questions about your wedding date, venue, or preferences.

Nothing is more stressful than realizing your vendor is completely disorganized. If they’re constantly rescheduling meetings, mixing up details, or seem to be juggling way too many events, it’s a sign that they may not be able to give your wedding the attention it needs. The last thing you want is a vendor who loses track of important information—like, say, your ceremony start time.

Why this matters: Weddings are all about details. A vendor who can’t keep track of them is a ticking time bomb, ready to explode on your wedding day with missed cues, forgotten details, and chaotic execution.

How to know before the big day:

• Pay attention to their organization during meetings—do they come prepared? Are they taking notes? Do they follow up with confirmations of what was discussed?

• Ask about other weddings they have booked on your date or during your wedding weekend. If they’re overbooked, they may be spread too thin.

• Check in with them about details you’ve already discussed and see if they remember without you having to repeat yourself.

Pro tip: Look for vendors who send detailed timelines and reminders without you having to chase them. If they’re organized from the start, they’re much more likely to keep things running smoothly on the big day.

Final Thoughts: Spotting the Red Flags Early

Your wedding vendors are crucial to making your day run smoothly, but not all of them will be up to the task. By watching for these red flags—bad communication, a lack of interest in your vision, and being disorganized—you can avoid the vendors who will make your life harder. The earlier you notice these warning signs, the sooner you can find a team that’ll make your day as perfect as you’ve always dreamed.

Trust your gut, do your homework, and you’ll avoid these common vendor fails—leaving you with nothing to worry about but having the best day ever.