How to tell if your wedding vendor is a scammer. (Something that's not talked about enough)

Let’s be honest—most of us have fallen for a too-good-to-be-true deal at some point. But when it comes to planning a wedding, the stakes are way higher. It’s one of the most exciting—and yes, expensive—experiences of your life. With so many moving parts like venues, florals, dresses, and photography, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and vulnerable.

And that’s exactly what scammers count on.

Unfortunately, not everyone in the wedding industry operates with integrity. There are people out there who prey on couples in love—knowing you’re busy, emotional, and just trying to pull off your dream day. It’s a side of the industry that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough.

That’s why I’m here—to help you protect your investment, your memories, and your peace of mind.

Let’s break down the red flags to watch for when hiring wedding vendors—and why choosing a trusted, transparent professional like myself can save you time, stress, and potential heartbreak.

🚩 1. No Contract or Vague Agreements

A legitimate wedding vendor will always provide a detailed contract outlining services, payment schedule, deliverables, and cancellation policies. If so

meone says, “We don’t really do contracts,” or sends you something vague and informal, RUN.

🚩 2. They Demand Full Payment Upfront

Money talks—and when it comes to wedding vendors, how and when they ask for payment can tell you a lot about their professionalism and intentions.

Let’s start with the biggest red flag: They demand 100% of the payment upfront.

No reputable wedding vendor should ask for full payment before any services have been provided. A standard industry practice is to require a retainer or deposit—usually between 25% to 50% of the total cost—to reserve your date. The remaining balance is then due closer to your wedding day, often 30 days before.

If someone insists you pay the full amount immediately, especially by cash, Cash App, Zelle, or another non-refundable method with no paper trail, that’s a major red flag. This tactic is often used by scammers who plan to ghost after they get your money—or deliver subpar services because they’ve already been paid in full and have no incentive to follow through.

But here’s the lesser-known red flag: A deposit that’s too low can also be suspicious.

Sure, it might sound like a great deal—why wouldn’t you want to book your wedding photographer for just $50? But in the wedding industry, pricing reflects professionalism, quality, and commitment.

Vendors who ask for a super low deposit may:

• Be overbooking themselves, knowing they’re not fully committed to showing up

• Cancel last-minute without much financial loss

• Lack the business structure to handle real bookings and timelines

• Use the low fee to lure in many clients, then ghost most of them

I require only a deposit to secure your date, with a transparent payment plan you can track. Your peace of mind matters as much as your photos.

🚩 3. Zero Online Presence or Suspicious Reviews

(A Small but Important Flag)

In today’s digital world, most professional wedding vendors will have some kind of online footprint—whether it’s a website, social media account, or client reviews. But if a vendor has no presence at all, or only a handful of overly perfect-looking reviews posted all at once, it’s worth pausing for a closer look.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit—this isn’t always a dealbreaker.Speaking from personal experience, I’m a full-time photographer, a mom, and I juggle real life just like everyone else. I don’t always have time to post on Instagram every day or update my website weekly—and that doesn’t make me any less passionate or professional about my work.

However, here’s where you should be cautious:

• If a vendor claims to be fully booked and thriving but has no samples of work, no client testimonials, and can’t provide any references—that’s a problem.

• If their reviews all sound copy-pasted, overly generic, or were all posted within a single week, they may not be genuine.

• If you ask for proof of past work and they hesitate or avoid the request, that’s a major red flag.

Instead of writing someone off immediately, try doing a little digging:

• Ask to see full galleries or recent wedding albums

• Request contact info for a couple past clients

• See if they’re tagged in posts by real brides or vendors

📸 As for me, while I may not post every single day (because #momlife and #editingmarathons), I’m always happy to share full wedding galleries, direct you to real client reviews, or hop on a quick call so you can get to know me and my work.

🚩 4. Poor Communication or Pushy Behavior

One of the clearest signs that a wedding vendor may not be trustworthy is how they communicate—or fail to.

Let’s be real: planning a wedding is a big deal. You’re juggling timelines, guest lists, and countless decisions. The last thing you need is a vendor who’s hard to reach, constantly dodging your questions, or giving vague, one-word answers.

Here’s what poor communication really looks like:

• Taking days (or even weeks) to reply to emails or texts

• Avoiding direct questions about pricing, availability, or contract terms

• Changing details last minute without notifying you

• Giving you a “we’ll figure it out later” attitude, especially for big day logistics

• Leaving you in the dark about what's next after booking

  
  

Worse than poor communication? Pushy behavior. Scammers often try to pressure you into booking immediately, using tactics like:

• “You have to book today or the price goes up.”

• “I have three other brides asking for your date—if you don’t send payment now, I can’t hold it.”

• “We don’t have time for a call or meeting—just trust me.”

You deserve better than that. A trustworthy vendor should make you feel confident, not cornered. They should offer helpful answers, be responsive and respectful, and give you time to think things through. After all, you're not just booking a service—you’re building a relationship with someone who will be part of one of the most intimate and emotional days of your life.

📸 When you hire me as your wedding photographer, you get someone who’s not just responsive—I’m present. I check in regularly, I help with timelines, I answer every question (even the ones you think are “silly”), and I make sure you feel totally at ease.

Whether you’re planning a year out or scrambling to finalize the last details, I’m here to help guide the process—not pressure you through it.

🚩 5. Their Work Doesn’t Match Their Portfolio

Some scammers steal photos from other photographers and pretend the work is theirs. If you notice inconsistencies in style, image quality, or editing, ask to see full wedding galleries or raw examples.

📸 The images you see on my website and social media are 100% mine—shot by me, edited by me, and filled with real love stories. I’d be happy to show you full galleries so you know exactly what you're getting.

So... Who Can You Trust?

It’s heartbreaking to hear stories of couples losing money—or worse, losing memories—because they booked someone who never showed up or delivered poor work. That’s why trust, transparency, and connection are everything in this industry.

I’m not just here to take pretty pictures. I’m here to be your calm, creative, reliable partner in one of the biggest chapters of your life.

From getting teary-eyed during your vows to hyping you up during golden hour portraits, I’ll be right there—capturing it all and cheering you on.

Ready to Work With Someone Who’s Got Your Back?

If you're looking for a wedding photographer who’s passionate, professional, and genuinely cares about your experience—I’d love to chat.