Your wedding day is one of the most important and memorable days of your life. Every detail, every vendor, and every moment contributes to the story you will remember—and cherish—for years to come. Unfortunately, not all wedding professionals are created equal. Some enter the industry without proper experience or preparation, leaving couples with missed moments, incomplete services, or even financial loss.

That’s why it’s so important to know what to look for and how to differentiate between someone who is truly professional and someone who is what I call a faux-fessional. In this post, I’ll share real-world experiences, key advice, and actionable steps to help you make confident choices for your wedding vendors.

A Real-Life Example: The Videography Disaster

One wedding I photographed perfectly illustrates why choosing experienced vendors matters. The couple hired a videographer who arrived with only a single lens—completely insufficient for the venue’s lighting and angles. During the entire day, the videographer constantly interrupted me, asked for my guidance, and even appeared in many of my shots.

After the wedding, the couple discovered that the videographer had lost almost all the footage. The only thing available was a one-minute teaser on social media. Beyond that, the company ghosted the couple, refused a refund, and offered only a brief, meaningless apology.

This situation is heartbreaking, and unfortunately, it’s not unique. Without experience, preparation, and professionalism, vendors can create stress instead of joy—and ruin memories that are supposed to last a lifetime.