What Bride's Don't Know

This post from Amy Rubin's Blog at Fete Perfection caught my attention. Here is a re-post. In the wedding business referrals are so important and we are happy to be referred by some of the best venues and wedding vendors in the Twin Cities. We have never paid to be on "preferred vendor lists" or paid in any way for referrals and we refer other wedding business's who do good work that our brides love.


My best advice is to work with established local business's that have a long history of happy brides and grooms. It is especially important in this economy to work with trusted, established vendors. Need a referral? Just ask me! Ruth 651.335.8198

What Bride’s Don’t Know
March 19th, 2010

As a wedding planner and one who believes in and teaches ethical business practices, I am dismayed by the number of wedding professionals who violate an unwritten “code of ethics”. So one might ask, if it’s unwritten how can it apply? Quite simply, our every day business practices should be dictated by the moral compass inside each of us. The compass that says cheating, lying and misrepresentations are wrong and do a disservice to our clients. Unfortunately, brides aren’t privileged to this inside information so here’s “What I Know and What Brides Don’t Know”

1.Accepting commissions or kickbacks for referrals to vendors is a conflict of interest. For example, if I refer a client to Vendor X who pays me 15% of an order rather than a more suitable vendor who pays zero, whose best interests are being served?
2.There are some wedding professionals who refuse to do business with others who do not provide kickbacks. Wow, I was shocked when I heard that.
3.Being on a “Preferred Vendor List” doesn’t always mean a vendor exhibits high standards and provides an excellent product or service, it can otherwise mean that vendor paid a fee to be “Preferred”. By the way, late last year the FCC required clear disclosure of paid relationships and advertising on websites, social media, blogs and other internet outlets.
4.There are a lot of awards and best of … distinctions in the wedding industry that do not represent the honor and achievement they appear to represent. Some are nothing more than a popularity contest - who garnered the most votes; and when you break it down, voting can be from anyone, anywhere in or outside the wedding world. To me, industry awards are much more representative of the excellence bestowed. These are awards given to recipients whose work was judged blindly by a committee of peers and recognized for their superiority in a variety of categories. I’m all for best of awards when voted on by brides – they have the right to vote for their favorite vendors because they have first-hand experience and provide honest feedback.
I am happy to say that most wedding professionals and all of the pros we recommend do follow that “code of ethics” but how can one be sure? Quite simply, ask. The wedding market is quite competitive and the only way to find out about a vendors business practices is to ask. Then decide who you want working on your behalf.