Maine & NH Wedding Photographer // It’s Ghosting Season (And Not the Fun, Spooky Kind)
‘Tis the season where apparently wedding vendors are going full Houdini—vanishing into thin air right before someone’s biggest day. And not the cute “boo, gotcha!” kind of ghosting. We’re talking the “canceled the week before” or “never showed up at all” kind. If you’ve spent any time in a Facebook wedding group lately, you know exactly what I mean—it’s basically one giant ghost story anthology.
And listen, I get it. Planning a wedding is already overwhelming. The last thing you need is the pit-in-your-stomach panic of wondering if your DJ is going to actually show up, or if your hair and makeup artist is going to “forget” to put you on the calendar. Brutal.
That’s why I’m begging you: vet your vendors. I promise it’s worth the extra effort upfront to save yourself the stress, tears, and potential tequila shots later.
Here’s how you can ghost-proof your wedding team:
✅ Make Sure They’re Full-Time
If this is just a side hustle for them, there’s a bigger risk that your wedding won’t be their top priority. You want someone who eats, sleeps, and breathes weddings—not someone squeezing you in between their 9–5 and their cousin’s birthday party.
✅ Ask About Business Insurance
Not glamorous, I know. But a legit business carries insurance. It shows they’re a professional, not just winging it. If they don’t have it? That’s a red flag bigger than your wedding arch.
✅ Look for Experience & Longevity
Anyone can start an Instagram page and call themselves a wedding pro. But someone who’s been in the game for years? They’ve weathered vendor drama, tricky timelines, and probably a few wild uncles on the dance floor. They’re not going to ghost you—they’ve built a reputation they actually care about.
✅ Contracts, Contracts, Contracts
No contract? No deal. Period. A contract is your safety net—it spells out exactly what you’re getting, when you’re getting it, and what happens if things go sideways. If they’re sketchy about giving you one, that’s your sign to run.
✅ Understand the Payment Structure
Paying upfront (before the wedding) is totally normal in this industry. Most vendors require the final balance 2–4 weeks before your date. What’s not normal? Someone only wanting cash, refusing to give receipts, or not putting your payment terms in writing. Always make sure payments are clearly outlined and traceable.
✅ Check Reviews & References
Google them. Stalk their socials. Read reviews that aren’t just cherry-picked. Better yet, ask for references and actually follow up. If they have a history of disappearing acts, you’ll sniff it out real quick.
🚩 Big Red Flags to Watch For:
They take forever to respond to emails/messages.
Their pricing is way, way lower than the average in your area. Not to sound cliche, but you get what you pay for.
They don’t have a website or any legit portfolio.
They don’t offer to send you full galleries from previous weddings/engagement sessions to review.
Every time you ask about logistics, they dodge the question.
Bottom line? Don’t just fall for the pretty pictures. It’s easy to fake an Instagram feed—it’s not so easy to show up and do the work.
The only ghosting that belongs at your wedding is a Halloween-themed signature cocktail or your drunk uncle disappearing into the night after one too many slow dances. Do yourself a favor: vet your vendors, and save the haunting for October.
