PHOTOGRAPHY
5 Common wedding Vendor Pitfalls
(And How to Avoid Them)
Planning a wedding is exciting! It is equal parts champagne bubbles and Pinterest boards, until decision fatigue sets in. Between timelines, budgets, and an endless number of vendor options, it’s easy to make choices that create more stress than ease.
After photographing weddings over the past nine years, I’ve seen the patterns. Here are the five most common vendor mistakes couples make, and how you can avoid them with confidence.
How to Choose the Right Wedding Vendors With Confidence
Start with a Vision before you commit
It’s tempting to jump into booking mode right away, especially when Instagram feeds are full of tempting “must-haves,” but hiring vendors before you know your overall style, priorities, and guest experience goals can lead to mismatches and costly re-dos.
A Better Approach:
Start with a simple vision: mood, venue style (garden, modern, rustic, coastal, etc.), color palette, and how you want the day to feel. Once you have that foundation, the right vendors naturally rise to the surface.
Know What’s Included Before You Book
Most couples ask about pricing, availability, and packages—important, yes—but rarely about communication, timeline support, team structure, or expectations on the actual wedding day. Those are the details that make or break your experience.
Ask questions like:
How do you support couples through planning?
What happens if our timeline shifts?
Who will actually be there on the day?
How do you handle unexpected challenges?
You’re not just hiring talent, you’re hiring a team that will support you emotionally, logistically, and creatively.
Remember: peace of mind is worth every penny.
Create a Realistic Vendor Budget
Staying on budget matters, but choosing the lowest price every time often leads to more stress, hidden costs, or underwhelming results. Your wedding day is one of the few investments you’ll never get to redo.
Look for value over cost:
Experience level
Responsiveness
Professionalism
Vendor reviews
Visual consistency in their work
Timeline & planning support
Final product quality
Remember: peace of mind is worth every penny.
Use Referrals as a Starting Point, Not a Decision
Vendor brokerages and Facebook recommendations can seem incredibly convenient, especially when wedding planning feels overwhelming. But convenience doesn’t guarantee compatibility, experience, or quality.
Brokerages often assign whomever they have available, rather than allowing you to choose a vendor whose experience, style, and energy match your vision. Facebook groups have a similar issue: many recommendations come from friends of vendors, people promoting themselves, or opinions based on a single interaction rather than consistent quality.
Why this matters:
You don’t always know the vendor’s wedding experience level
You may not be able to review full galleries or films beforehand
You lose the ability to build rapport (which matters a lot on a highly emotional day)
Standards, equipment, and editing styles can vary dramatically
There is rarely accountability if you’re unhappy
A REAL LIFE EXAMPLE
To give you a real-world example: at a recent wedding, the broker-sourced videographer specialized in filming real estate. It was his first or second wedding, and at one point, he quietly asked me what he should do next. He wasn’t editing the footage, had borrowed his equipment, and had no lighting for the reception. During the ceremony, he had to stand so close to the couple and the officiant just to record audio that he unintentionally became a third participant in their vows.
The caterer, who was highly recommended in a Facebook group, served TV dinners and boxed desserts, and completely forgot the cake.
The couple deserved so much better. And this is where experienced, vetted vendors make a tangible difference. To preserve the beauty of their memories, I later edited the videographer out of every image and sourced little individual cakes and pies so they could still have a meaningful cake-cutting moment. The final images are exactly what they dreamed of: romantic, authentic, and free from the chaos that unfolded behind the scenes.
A better approach:
Use brokerages or Facebook groups for ideas, but always follow up with your own research:
Review full galleries, films, or sample menus
Read multiple reviews across reputable platforms
Ask about wedding-specific experience
Ask about equipment, editing, and deliverables
Meet the vendor before booking, when possible
Your vendor team should add confidence, not chaos. The right vendors provide expertise, preparedness, and artistry—all of which directly impact how your memories feel in the moment and how they’re remembered for years to come.
Secure Your Priority Vendors Early
The top venues, planners, photographers, florists, DJs, and caterers book 12–18+ months in advance, especially for weekends, fall weddings, or popular venues.
Waiting too long can mean settling instead of choosing.
Book these vendors early:
Venue
Planner (or coordinator)
Photographer
Caterer
DJ/Band
Videographer
Once those are locked in, everything else falls into place beautifully.
Final Thoughts.
Your vendor team is more than a checklist—they’re the people who will carry you through one of the most meaningful days of your life. When chosen thoughtfully, they create an experience that feels elevated, effortless, and deeply personal.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, I’m always happy to share recommendations from trusted professionals in the Seattle area who align with your vision and values. You never have to navigate this alone.
READY TO WORK TOGETHER?
Get In Touch
I cannot wait to hear more about you!
Planning a wedding is a beautiful blend of excitement, decisions, and “how do people normally do this?” moments. If you’re still exploring venues, vendors, or timelines, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. I’ve photographed so many weddings across Washington for the last nine years, and I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned. Whether it’s vendor recommendations, venue insights, or simply helping you understand what will best support the experience you want.
If you’d like to chat and make sure we’re the right fit, I offer a relaxed video or phone consult where we can talk about your vision, your priorities, and the feel you want your wedding day to have. There’s no pressure or commitment, just a friendly conversation to help you move forward with confidence.
If that sounds helpful, you’re welcome to schedule a time that works for you.
An Elevated Photographic Experience
for Refined Couples
NAVIGATION:
CONNECT:
SERVICE AREAS:
|
|
|
|
An Elevated Photographic Experience
for Refined Couples
SERVICE AREAS:
LET'S CONNECT
