The Blacklist

Patterns to watch for before you sign:

• Slow replies during sales stage (48–72+ hours with no response).
• Reschedules or no-shows on initial calls or site visits.
• “We don’t really follow strict timelines, we just feel it out.”
• Can’t give you an arrival window in writing for wedding day.
• They dismiss your planner or venue’s timeline as “too rigid.”

Rule: However they treat you before they’re paid is the best they’ll ever treat you.

High-risk signals:

• They can’t clearly explain what happens if they’re sick or have car trouble.
• Contract doesn’t mention backup gear, backup staff, or emergency contact.
• Everything hinges on one person with no written contingency plan.

Safer alternative: Ask for the exact backup process in writing before you sign.

Red-flag phrases:

• “Non-refundable deposit under all circumstances, including vendor cancellation.”
• “Client assumes full risk of vendor non-performance.”
• No language about force majeure, rescheduling, or vendor-initiated cancellation.

Safer version: Deposit is non-refundable if you cancel, but refundable or transferable if they cannot perform.

Watch out for:

• “Company may send any associate at its discretion.”
• No names, no portfolio, no approval process for substitutes.
• You booked based on one person’s work, but contract locks you to the “brand,” not the artist.

Ask for: The name, sample work, and approval rights for whoever will actually show up.

Budget-vampire behavior looks like:

• Setup/tear-down fees that “weren’t on the original quote.”
• Delivery fees that change based on vague “fuel costs.”
• Mandatory “service charges” that don’t go to staff or are never explained.
• Charging extra to do what was already shown in portfolio photos.

Protect yourself: Ask for an itemized quote with all fees in writing before paying anything.

Concerning patterns:

• 100% of the balance due 90–120 days before the wedding.
• No clear milestone tied to deliverables (designs, proofs, timelines).
• Cash-only with no formal invoice or contract.

Better structure: Split payments tied to real milestones and a final payment closer to the event.

Real-world behaviors to treat as hard no’s:

• Showing up smelling of alcohol or actively drinking while working.
• Flirting with guests or inserting themselves into private moments.
• Yelling at staff, family, or other vendors in front of guests.
• Refusing to follow venue rules or safety policies.

Planner note: If your gut says “this feels off,” you’re usually right.

Before you hand over money, confirm:

• They can provide a certificate of insurance (COI) if the venue requires it.
• They issue invoices and contracts—not just DMs and payment handles.
• They have a business name, website, and real contact info—not just a username.

Rule: If a venue wouldn’t approve them, you shouldn’t either.

Look closely for:

• Only highly curated, editorial images with no full galleries.
• Obvious stock photos or work that doesn’t match the local market.
• They can’t show you one complete wedding from start to finish.

Ask for: 1–2 full galleries or full-event albums from real weddings—not just highlights.

Vague language to push back on:

• “Full coverage” with no hours specified.
• “Unlimited communication” with no boundaries or response times.
• “Day-of coordination” with no list of what’s actually included.

Goal: Get a bullet-point list of exactly what’s included so expectations match reality.

Red-flag phrases in emails or calls:

• “You’re overthinking it, we’ve done this a million times.”
• “We don’t really like working with planners, they complicate things.”
• “Just trust us, we’ll make the right call that day.”
• Answering your questions with sarcasm, defensiveness, or guilt-tripping.

Reminder: You’re the client. Respect is non-negotiable.