The decorator stopped answering calls two days before the wedding. The deposit was gone, and so was the decor. Stories like this circulate every wedding season in Accra and Lagos. Most vendors are honest and hard-working, but couples who know the warning signs can avoid the few who are not.
1. No written contract
A vendor who refuses to put agreements in writing is a risk. A contract should state services, prices, dates, payment schedules and what happens if plans change.
2. Pressure to pay everything upfront
Deposits are normal. Demands for full payment long before the wedding, especially in cash, are a warning sign.
3. No portfolio or references
Ask to see past work and speak to previous clients. Vendors who cannot show real examples may not have the experience they claim.
4. Stolen photos
Some vendors post other people’s work as their own. Reverse image searches can reveal copied photos.
5. Vague answers
If a vendor cannot clearly explain what is included, how many staff will attend or what the backup plan is, be cautious.
6. Too good to be true
Prices far below the market rate may mean poor quality, hidden costs or an intention to disappear.
7. Poor communication
Slow replies during planning often get worse closer to the wedding. Pay attention to how a vendor communicates before you pay.
8. No physical address
Vendors who operate only through social media with no traceable address or registration are harder to hold accountable.
9. Bad reviews
Search for reviews and ask friends. Several complaints about the same problem are a warning.
10. Unwillingness to meet
A vendor who avoids in-person or video meetings may have something to hide.
Protect yourself
Pay through traceable methods, keep receipts and records of conversations, and confirm details a week before the wedding.
Trust your instincts
If something feels wrong during early meetings, take time before signing. It is better to lose a deposit than to lose your wedding day to an unreliable vendor.
Ask about backup
Ask every vendor what happens if they are ill or their equipment fails. Good vendors have backup staff and spare equipment.
Choosing vendors is an act of trust. Checking a few details before paying makes it far more likely that trust will be rewarded on the day.
