In my 5+ years of wedding planning, I’ve seen a wide range of vendor quality. At Significant Events, we help our clients book professionals who elevate the experience — even if it means spending a bit more to ensure quality, reliability, and professionalism.

Unfortunately, we can’t prevent every couple from learning the hard way during their wedding planning journey. When price is the only factor driving your decision, you may end up with more than just buyer’s remorse. These are real examples from real weddings — a look at what we’ve seen happen when couples choose the lowest bidder.

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The Caterer:

• Refused to cut and serve the cake
• Had no plan for flipping the space from ceremony to reception
• Bussed tables with a large trash bag during toasts
• Served dinner over an hour late because “the food wasn’t here yet”
• Left the venue’s kitchen in poor condition

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The Photographer/Videographer:

• Delivered the gallery six months late
• Missed key moments of the wedding day
• Over-edited photos, leaving subjects looking washed out
• Spoke poorly about the couple to other vendors
• Never delivered the wedding film

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The DJ:

• Didn’t show up — claimed they forgot
• Brought their child due to a lack of childcare
• Played the wrong first dance song
• Mispronounced the bride’s name over the mic
• Had no MC skills or understanding of event flow

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The Florist:

• Ran out of flowers
• Included wilted, broken, and dying blooms in arrangements
• Left flower foam and mechanics exposed in centerpieces
• Created bouquets with sharp wires visibly sticking out
• Arrived two hours late, resulting in no bouquets for pre-ceremony photos

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The Venue:

• Provided no rentals or basic equipment (tables, chairs, trash cans, lighting, restrooms, or even a dumpster)
• Claimed to provide linens, but they were wrinkled, sheer, and incorrectly sized
• Did not require a planner or coordinator, leaving the couple to manage logistics on their own

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The Rental Company:

• Delivered linens with stains and holes
• Sent linens that were supposedly matching, but inconsistent in size and fabric
• Provided furniture that was visibly scratched or damaged
• Added undisclosed fees to the final bill after the wedding

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The Hair & Makeup Artist:

• Left the bride’s mother with an orange complexion
• Used excessive hairspray, leaving bridesmaids with stiff styles
• Took significantly longer than scheduled, delaying the ceremony
• Canceled on the bride the morning of the wedding
• Arrived visibly unwell and unprepared

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Final Thoughts

If you’re in the midst of wedding planning, know that the vendors you choose directly impact how smoothly and professionally your day unfolds. While budget is always a consideration, it should never come at the cost of quality, communication, and experience.

Need help building a trusted team of professionals while wedding planning? That’s what we’re here for. Let’s make sure your wedding day goes exactly as it should — beautifully, seamlessly, and without surprises.