June 25, 2025 • 16 mins
Don't let a scammer crash your wedding!
What's your biggest concern about wedding planning?
This podcast is for engaged couples who are stressed out with wedding planning and family expectations, but want a fun wedding day.
We talk about common scams, red flags to watch for, and practical tips to keep your big day safe from sneaky scammers.
By the end of this edition, you’ll learn tactics to ensure your peace of mind and protect your investment.
How far would you go to ensure your wedding is scam-free?
Stress-free Wedding Planning Podcast #154: Don’t Let Wedding Scammers Ruin Your Day: Essential Tactics to Know
Host: Sal & Sam
Music: "Sam's Tune" by Rick Anthony
TIMESTAMP
00:00 Introduction to Don’t Let Wedding Scammers Ruin Your Day: Essential Tactics to Know
01:00 Podcast Overview and Goals
03:00 Understanding Wedding Scams
03:35 Identifying Red Flags
04:00 Too-good-to-be-true Pricing
04:45 No Contract
05:15 Bad or Fake Reviews
06:45 The Word "Professional"
07:45 Real-Life Scam Stories
10:00 Wedding Tip Wednesday
12:00 Protecting Yourself from Scams
13:30 Tools and Resources
14:30 Ask Your Vendors For References
15:15 Hire A Wedding Planner
16:00 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement
16:30 Closing Remarks and Farewell
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Copyright © 2025 Atmosphere Productions LLC All Rights Reserved.
Produced by Atmosphere Productions in association with After Hours Events of New England
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Today's edition is oneyou do not wanna miss.
Let me ask you, have you ever wonderedif that amazing deal you found
online was just a little too amazing?
Or maybe you've sent the deposit andnow you're not hearing back and you
are starting to get a little nervous.
Or maybe you're in the early stagesof planning and thinking, how do
I know who I can actually trust?
(00:22):
Well, today's topic is all aboutsafeguarding your wedding from scams.
We're going to walk you through thelatest tactics scammers are using, the
red flags to watch for, and what stepsto take right now to protect yourself,
your money, and your peace of mind.
Because planning a wedding shouldbe exciting, not stressful,
and definitely not scary.
(00:43):
Thanks for joining us.
Hi, I'm Sal from AfterHours Events of New England.
We'll answer these questions andexplain how not to let wedding scam
ruin your day, essential tacticsto know, in today's edition, of the
Stress-Free Wedding Planning Podcast.
Welcome to another edition of our podcast.
Hi there, I'm Sam fromAtmosphere Productions.
Listen now and discoverwedding insider secrets for a
(01:07):
stress-free, fun and memorable day.
Our podcast helps engage couplesnavigate wedding planning complexities
while addressing family expectations.
We'll guide you through the journeyof creating the perfect wedding
day without unnecessary stress.
By the end of this edition, you'llget concise tips on budgeting,
wedding party management, ceremony,reception planning, and more.
(01:31):
Perfect for anyone planning awedding all in 30 minutes or less.
Trust me, you don'twanna miss this edition.
Welcome to Stress-free WeddingPlanning, the podcast that will
transform your wedding planningjourney from chaotic to enchanting.
Sal and Sam bring over 80 years ofcombined wedding expertise and exclusive
insider information to the table.
If you're recently engaged, feelingthe pressure of wedding planning.
(01:54):
Struggling with family expectations, butstill dreaming of a joy filled wedding.
You've come to the right place.
Get ready to unveil thebest kept wedding secrets.
Discover practical tips andstrategies and learn life changing
lessons for a Stress-free wedding.
Your unforgettable wedding day awaits.
We're here to take you on a transformativejourney of love, laughter, and memories,
(02:15):
so don't miss out on the podcast.
That just might change your life.
This is the Stress-free WeddingPlanning Podcast with Sal and Sam.
On today's podcast, we'll explain how notto let wedding scammers ruin your day.
Essential tactics to know.
Hi, I'm Sal from After Hours Events ofNew England, we're experts in creating
stress-free, unforgettable weddings,bringing energy, professionalism, and
(02:38):
a personal touch to every celebration.
Let's make your big day extraordinary.
Visit us at After HoursEvents Of N.E dot com.
Learn more about our experienceand journey to help you with
stress free wedding planning in thetrailer or pilot of this podcast.
And today a topic thatevery couple needs to hear.
(02:59):
How to safeguard your wedding from scams.
Because believe it or not,they're out there, they're sneaky
and they're after your money.
Whether you're booking a dj, a venue,or even a photo booth, wedding scams
are real and they're targeting coupleswho are just trying to plan a dream day.
So, we're gonna share some red flags,some real stories, and our best advice to
(03:24):
protect your investment and your sanity.
I'm Sam from the award-WinningAtmosphere Productions.
Wedding entertainment with expertknowledge and the difference in quality.
Specializing in live ceremonymusicians and cocktail hour string
musicians, plus lighting, and anelegant and classy presentation.
(03:45):
We have exactly what you need.
Visit us at Atmospherehyphen Productions dot com.
That's Atmosphere hyphenProductions dot com.
In today's edition, we'll explainhow not to let wedding scammers ruin
your day, essential tactics to know.
Alright.
Let's start with the biggestred flag of them all.
The number one thing is: too good to be true pricing. (04:05):
undefined
If someone offers, for instance, afull day of videography, package for
$300 and they say they're award-winningeverything, and I won an award for this.
I won an award for that.
That is a major red flag.
You've got to ask yourself, are theyjust starting out or is something off?
(04:28):
We're not saying new vendorscan't be legit, but if there is
no portfolio, no website and noverifiable reviews, walk away.
Major red flag.
Another red flag.
Red flag number two is no contract.
If they say, " just send usyour money and your day is
booked." You have to be careful.
(04:52):
A contract is not a guarantee,but it will get you closer to a
professional who's going to takecare of you and not a scammer.
If you see somebody that says theydon't do contracts, it's a red flag.
Go ahead at your peril.
Bad or fake reviews.
(05:13):
If every reviews five stars andsounds like a robot wrote it, or
there's only one review from six yearsago, that is extremely suspicious.
Keep in mind when you're readingthese things, does it also sound like
a friend of theirs wrote this thing.
That happens so often where DJs willactually open up multiple accounts
to send, or even photographers orwhomever, will have multiple accounts.
(05:37):
So they could actually reviewthemselves multiple times.
So if you see wording that just seemsway too similar on how they stated
something or if it just looks likeit's AI generated, these are things
you wanna watch out for because chancesare these are not real and you're
not gonna be able to verify them.
So now you may see some bad reviewsand you kind of have to use your own
(05:57):
judgment, 'cause I know when I seereviews and sometimes I see a bad one,
and after I've seen a bunch of otherswritten, I don't always give it a lot
of merit because it just seems likeit was just someone who was bitter.
But you should pay attention to thesethings 'cause this could be a big red
flag that there might be somethingwrong with this particular vendor.
And if you're seeing multiple badreviews and many times talking about
(06:20):
the same thing, get out of there.
Find another vendor.
Go with someone you could trust.
Great advice there, Sal.
Just as a reminder, joinus on our YouTube channel.
Just search for the Stress Free WeddingPlanning podcast with Sal and Sam.
Like, subscribe and get it first.
Now, there are some scams thathave been going on literally since.
(06:44):
I've been, a DJ.
One of them is the word "professional",and you'll see this put before
DJs, photographers, you'll seeit put before wedding planners.
Well, the word "professional"doesn't really mean anything
if they don't show up.
One bride hired, quote unquote, "aprofessional wedding planner" who
(07:08):
took her deposit and then ghostedher for two months before the
wedding, never to show up on the day.
No refund, no help.
Just vanished.
Please, please, please.
Watch out for people usingthe word "professional".
Although the word "professional" isnot a bad thing, a lot of DJs and,
photographers use the word "professional".
(07:29):
Just go carefully when you see that,especially if they have the red
flags that we mentioned earlier.
So I wish it stopped there, but one scamthat we heard about is how someone booked
a DJ that they found through a Facebookad, and then there was no contract.
They Venmo them a deposit.
And when it came to the day, crickets.
(07:51):
No dj, no show, no refund.
Heartbreaking.
Gonna tell you about a scamthat I was in and shouldn't
have been, 'cause it wasn't me.
There was actually a company.
quote, quote unquote.
Professional company out there thatwere taking pictures of different DJs
off the internet, giving them new namespassing 'em off as these great DJs.
(08:16):
So they were using a lot of myinformation, but they changed the name.
so they were trying to give some, agood reputation towards themselves.
And it turns out what this company wasdoing was they were taking, deposits and
they were not showing up to the event.
Or they would get a DJ to go thereand not pay the DJ afterwards.
So that scam works both ways, sometimes.
(08:38):
It's not just a couple that's,losing out, it's the person who's
performing that could be losing out.
So you need to do a little research.
I was fortunate.
Someone on my Facebook page had seen this.
Told me about it.
I researched it, and then I letthe person know that, we're gonna
have your website taken down.
And it was down in five minutes.
They took it out right away.
(08:59):
But this is a scam yougotta watch out for.
And it turns out this guy has done it withmultiple names with multiple companies.
So yeah, everyone, thesearen't just stories.
These are real people.
And the damage isn't just financial.
It's emotional.
You've dreamed about this day forever,and one bad apple can really ruin it.
That really is so true.
We've just explained about red flagsand some actual scams to watch out for.
(09:23):
In this edition, we're letting you knowwedding scammers that can ruin your
wedding day and the essential tacticsthat you need to take to stop them.
Coming up.
How to protect yourself.
But first, if you have a questionor concern, go now to Facebook and
join us on the Stress Free WeddingPlanning Community, and now in the
(09:43):
Connecticut Wedding Advice Community.
You can also join uson our YouTube channel.
Just search for the Stress Free WeddingPlanning podcast with Sal and Sam.
Like, subscribe, and get it first.
This is the Stress-free WeddingPlanning Podcast with Sal and Sam.
A podcast for engaged couples concernedabout wedding planning and family
expectations, but who want a Stress-free,fun and unforgettable wedding.
(10:05):
Now it's Wedding Tip Wednesdaytime, but first some advice.
If at first you don't succeed, trydoing it the way your wife told you.
Life would go much moresmoother if you did.
On today's Wedding Tip Wednesday.
Hey, wedding party, get out thereon the dance floor when it's dancing
time, the newlyweds will thank youbecause there's nothing worse than
(10:27):
having a party and no one's dancing!
It's so important that thewedding party get out and dance.
It really does encourage the other gueststo get out there and dance and have fun.
So, wedding party, dance, dance, dance!
Get out there, don't be bashful.
And that's another weddingtip from Sal and Sam.
Wedding Tip Wednesday is availableon the Stress-free Wedding Planning
Facebook group page every Wednesday.
(10:48):
Join the group for free.
Experience the magic of your SpecialDay with Fitzner Productions, our
premier wedding videography companybased in Middletown, Connecticut.
Fitzner Productions dot com.
Our mission is to capture your lovestory candidly and authentically
creating stunning high quality videosthat you can cherish for years to come.
Our founder, Carson Fitznercombines technical expertise
(11:10):
with a passion of storytelling.
Ensuring every moment from the excitementof getting ready to the heartfelt
ceremony is beautifully documented.
We offer a range of customizable packages,including drone footage and multi-location
shoots tailored to fit your unique vision.
Let us help you relive the romance,laughter, and tears of your wedding day.
Visit Fitzner Productions dot com.
(11:31):
That's F-I-T-Z-N-E-R productions dot com.
This is the Stress-free WeddingPlanning Podcast with Sal and Sam.
Welcome back to our discussionabout how not to let wedding
scammers ruin your wedding day.
Essential tactics you need to know.
I'm Sam from Atmosphere Productions.
I am Sal from After HoursEvents of New England.
(11:52):
We've already discussed aboutred flags and different scam.
Now let's discuss how to protect yourself.
So here's how you cansafeguard your wedding.
First step one, do your research,Sam, we've talked about this so
many times in different segments.
You have to do your research.
It is very important to findthat you have a vendor that has
(12:14):
consistent online presence.
Has a website, social
media, and real testimonials.
Step two, use contractsand deposits wisely.
Always get a detailed contract andnever pay a hundred percent upfront.
Most vendors ask between25 to 50% as a deposit.
If they ask for "everything"right away, that is a red flag.
(12:38):
Step three, pay with protection.
Use your credit card.
Use platforms like PayPal, Venmo, Zelle.
All those have protectionsfor their customers.
I will give you another, Protection thatyou should pay for is wedding insurance.
I think that is crucialand it's real cheap.
(12:59):
Also, number four, is trust your gut.
If you feel those little tinglingsinside when they're talking about all
this free stuff that you're going to getand how your gonna get everything for
half price or less than anybody else.
Don't ignore that feeling in your gut.
(13:20):
It's better to ask too manyquestions than to get burned.
Remember all those times youordered from Temu and you didn't
exactly get what you want?
That's the same feeling you shouldget, when you're feeling that way.
Now let's talk about tools and resources.
There are some great tools outthere to help you out, sites like
the Knot Weddingwire and a verygood resource is Google Reviews.
(13:43):
These are reviews that help a website getpushed up and get seen more, so you, they
need to be having a lot of positivityfor it to work out for that company.
And that usually tells you that companyis really good at what they do 'cause
they're able to bring in these reviews.
Now this is also gonna give you somegreat vendor feedback from different
people on how they felt about servicesand specific points of their service.
(14:06):
You can also check with one otherbig thing and every state has it.
Is the Better Business Bureauto see if there's any complaints
about that particular company.
But keep in mind now.
If you're looking at a company andthey're not in your state, you're
probably not gonna just have tocall the one in your state, but you
have to call the Better BusinessBureau from the state they are from.
'cause sometimes it doesn't translateto the state that you live in.
(14:29):
And of course, don't forget toask your vendors for references.
I can't tell you how important that is.
We as vendors know each other.
We have little communitieswithin our own little community,
and we recommend each other.
Why?
Because I know that Sal is gonnashow up to your events and Sal knows
(14:51):
that I'm gonna show up to my events.
It's the same with photographers,videographers, cake people,
dress people, we know them.
Don't be afraid to ask anothervendor for a vendor referral.
It really is very important.
Pros stick together.
If you are overwhelmed and don'tknow where to start, hire a wedding
(15:13):
planner that will get you in thedoor, and they will be able to use
their trusted vendors that they use.
And then from there youcan make your choices.
They usually have all thebest preferred vendors.
So a good wedding planner isa great place to start if you
don't want to do it by yourself.
So there you have it.
We just explain how not to letwedding scammers ruin your day.
(15:35):
Essential tactics to know.
The bottom line scammers areclever, but you can outsmart
them with a little extra effort.
Protect your peace of mind, yourwallet, and of course your big day.
Now as you spend the next week planningyour wedding, if you want me, Sal, or our
community of Stress-free engaged couplesand wedding experts to answer any wedding
(15:57):
related questions, then join us in theStress-free Wedding Planning Facebook
group.
Once you're in, go ahead and shareyour concerns and worries, and
we'll let you know if you are on theright track or if there are some.
Things you need to work on.
The link to join us is in theshow notes of this edition, or
go to Facebook and search for thestress-free wedding planning community.
(16:17):
Remember to do something nice forsomeone today, and if you can't,
then do something nice for yourself.
If you've enjoyed what you've justheard, leave a review and share it
with a friend or someone who wouldbenefit from this information.
Until next time, it's TTFN, Tata now.
Thank you for listening to this edition.
A new edition is released every Wednesday.
Subscribe and get it first.
(16:37):
We'll catch you then.
Ciao.
The Stress-free Wedding PlanningPodcast is produced and copyrighted by
Atmosphere Productions in associationwith after hours events of New England.
Today's edition is oneyou do not wanna miss.
Let me ask you, have you ever wonderedif that amazing deal you found
online was just a little too amazing?
Or maybe you've sent the deposit andnow you're not hearing back and you
are starting to get a little nervous.
Or maybe you're in the early stagesof planning and thinking, how do
I know who I can actually trust?
(00:22):
Well, today's topic is all aboutsafeguarding your wedding from scams.
We're going to walk you through thelatest tactics scammers are using, the
red flags to watch for, and what stepsto take right now to protect yourself,
your money, and your peace of mind.
Because planning a wedding shouldbe exciting, not stressful,
and definitely not scary.
(00:43):
Thanks for joining us.
Hi, I'm Sal from AfterHours Events of New England.
We'll answer these questions andexplain how not to let wedding scam
ruin your day, essential tacticsto know, in today's edition, of the
Stress-Free Wedding Planning Podcast.
Welcome to another edition of our podcast.
Hi there, I'm Sam fromAtmosphere Productions.
Listen now and discoverwedding insider secrets for a
(01:07):
stress-free, fun and memorable day.
Our podcast helps engage couplesnavigate wedding planning complexities
while addressing family expectations.
We'll guide you through the journeyof creating the perfect wedding
day without unnecessary stress.
By the end of this edition, you'llget concise tips on budgeting,
wedding party management, ceremony,reception planning, and more.
(01:31):
Perfect for anyone planning awedding all in 30 minutes or less.
Trust me, you don'twanna miss this edition.
Welcome to Stress-free WeddingPlanning, the podcast that will
transform your wedding planningjourney from chaotic to enchanting.
Sal and Sam bring over 80 years ofcombined wedding expertise and exclusive
insider information to the table.
If you're recently engaged, feelingthe pressure of wedding planning.
(01:54):
Struggling with family expectations, butstill dreaming of a joy filled wedding.
You've come to the right place.
Get ready to unveil thebest kept wedding secrets.
Discover practical tips andstrategies and learn life changing
lessons for a Stress-free wedding.
Your unforgettable wedding day awaits.
We're here to take you on a transformativejourney of love, laughter, and memories,
(02:15):
so don't miss out on the podcast.
That just might change your life.
This is the Stress-free WeddingPlanning Podcast with Sal and Sam.
On today's podcast, we'll explain how notto let wedding scammers ruin your day.
Essential tactics to know.
Hi, I'm Sal from After Hours Events ofNew England, we're experts in creating
stress-free, unforgettable weddings,bringing energy, professionalism, and
(02:38):
a personal touch to every celebration.
Let's make your big day extraordinary.
Visit us at After HoursEvents Of N.E dot com.
Learn more about our experienceand journey to help you with
stress free wedding planning in thetrailer or pilot of this podcast.
And today a topic thatevery couple needs to hear.
(02:59):
How to safeguard your wedding from scams.
Because believe it or not,they're out there, they're sneaky
and they're after your money.
Whether you're booking a dj, a venue,or even a photo booth, wedding scams
are real and they're targeting coupleswho are just trying to plan a dream day.
So, we're gonna share some red flags,some real stories, and our best advice to
(03:24):
protect your investment and your sanity.
I'm Sam from the award-WinningAtmosphere Productions.
Wedding entertainment with expertknowledge and the difference in quality.
Specializing in live ceremonymusicians and cocktail hour string
musicians, plus lighting, and anelegant and classy presentation.
(03:45):
We have exactly what you need.
Visit us at Atmospherehyphen Productions dot com.
That's Atmosphere hyphenProductions dot com.
In today's edition, we'll explainhow not to let wedding scammers ruin
your day, essential tactics to know.
Alright.
Let's start with the biggestred flag of them all.
The number one thing is: too good to be true pricing. (04:05):
undefined
If someone offers, for instance, afull day of videography, package for
$300 and they say they're award-winningeverything, and I won an award for this.
I won an award for that.
That is a major red flag.
You've got to ask yourself, are theyjust starting out or is something off?
(04:28):
We're not saying new vendorscan't be legit, but if there is
no portfolio, no website and noverifiable reviews, walk away.
Major red flag.
Another red flag.
Red flag number two is no contract.
If they say, " just send usyour money and your day is
booked." You have to be careful.
(04:52):
A contract is not a guarantee,but it will get you closer to a
professional who's going to takecare of you and not a scammer.
If you see somebody that says theydon't do contracts, it's a red flag.
Go ahead at your peril.
Bad or fake reviews.
(05:13):
If every reviews five stars andsounds like a robot wrote it, or
there's only one review from six yearsago, that is extremely suspicious.
Keep in mind when you're readingthese things, does it also sound like
a friend of theirs wrote this thing.
That happens so often where DJs willactually open up multiple accounts
to send, or even photographers orwhomever, will have multiple accounts.
(05:37):
So they could actually reviewthemselves multiple times.
So if you see wording that just seemsway too similar on how they stated
something or if it just looks likeit's AI generated, these are things
you wanna watch out for because chancesare these are not real and you're
not gonna be able to verify them.
So now you may see some bad reviewsand you kind of have to use your own
(05:57):
judgment, 'cause I know when I seereviews and sometimes I see a bad one,
and after I've seen a bunch of otherswritten, I don't always give it a lot
of merit because it just seems likeit was just someone who was bitter.
But you should pay attention to thesethings 'cause this could be a big red
flag that there might be somethingwrong with this particular vendor.
And if you're seeing multiple badreviews and many times talking about
(06:20):
the same thing, get out of there.
Find another vendor.
Go with someone you could trust.
Great advice there, Sal.
Just as a reminder, joinus on our YouTube channel.
Just search for the Stress Free WeddingPlanning podcast with Sal and Sam.
Like, subscribe and get it first.
Now, there are some scams thathave been going on literally since.
(06:44):
I've been, a DJ.
One of them is the word "professional",and you'll see this put before
DJs, photographers, you'll seeit put before wedding planners.
Well, the word "professional"doesn't really mean anything
if they don't show up.
One bride hired, quote unquote, "aprofessional wedding planner" who
(07:08):
took her deposit and then ghostedher for two months before the
wedding, never to show up on the day.
No refund, no help.
Just vanished.
Please, please, please.
Watch out for people usingthe word "professional".
Although the word "professional" isnot a bad thing, a lot of DJs and,
photographers use the word "professional".
(07:29):
Just go carefully when you see that,especially if they have the red
flags that we mentioned earlier.
So I wish it stopped there, but one scamthat we heard about is how someone booked
a DJ that they found through a Facebookad, and then there was no contract.
They Venmo them a deposit.
And when it came to the day, crickets.
(07:51):
No dj, no show, no refund.
Heartbreaking.
Gonna tell you about a scamthat I was in and shouldn't
have been, 'cause it wasn't me.
There was actually a company.
quote, quote unquote.
Professional company out there thatwere taking pictures of different DJs
off the internet, giving them new namespassing 'em off as these great DJs.
(08:16):
So they were using a lot of myinformation, but they changed the name.
so they were trying to give some, agood reputation towards themselves.
And it turns out what this company wasdoing was they were taking, deposits and
they were not showing up to the event.
Or they would get a DJ to go thereand not pay the DJ afterwards.
So that scam works both ways, sometimes.
(08:38):
It's not just a couple that's,losing out, it's the person who's
performing that could be losing out.
So you need to do a little research.
I was fortunate.
Someone on my Facebook page had seen this.
Told me about it.
I researched it, and then I letthe person know that, we're gonna
have your website taken down.
And it was down in five minutes.
They took it out right away.
(08:59):
But this is a scam yougotta watch out for.
And it turns out this guy has done it withmultiple names with multiple companies.
So yeah, everyone, thesearen't just stories.
These are real people.
And the damage isn't just financial.
It's emotional.
You've dreamed about this day forever,and one bad apple can really ruin it.
That really is so true.
We've just explained about red flagsand some actual scams to watch out for.
(09:23):
In this edition, we're letting you knowwedding scammers that can ruin your
wedding day and the essential tacticsthat you need to take to stop them.
Coming up.
How to protect yourself.
But first, if you have a questionor concern, go now to Facebook and
join us on the Stress Free WeddingPlanning Community, and now in the
(09:43):
Connecticut Wedding Advice Community.
You can also join uson our YouTube channel.
Just search for the Stress Free WeddingPlanning podcast with Sal and Sam.
Like, subscribe, and get it first.
This is the Stress-free WeddingPlanning Podcast with Sal and Sam.
A podcast for engaged couples concernedabout wedding planning and family
expectations, but who want a Stress-free,fun and unforgettable wedding.
(10:05):
Now it's Wedding Tip Wednesdaytime, but first some advice.
If at first you don't succeed, trydoing it the way your wife told you.
Life would go much moresmoother if you did.
On today's Wedding Tip Wednesday.
Hey, wedding party, get out thereon the dance floor when it's dancing
time, the newlyweds will thank youbecause there's nothing worse than
(10:27):
having a party and no one's dancing!
It's so important that thewedding party get out and dance.
It really does encourage the other gueststo get out there and dance and have fun.
So, wedding party, dance, dance, dance!
Get out there, don't be bashful.
And that's another weddingtip from Sal and Sam.
Wedding Tip Wednesday is availableon the Stress-free Wedding Planning
Facebook group page every Wednesday.
(10:48):
Join the group for free.
Experience the magic of your SpecialDay with Fitzner Productions, our
premier wedding videography companybased in Middletown, Connecticut.
Fitzner Productions dot com.
Our mission is to capture your lovestory candidly and authentically
creating stunning high quality videosthat you can cherish for years to come.
Our founder, Carson Fitznercombines technical expertise
(11:10):
with a passion of storytelling.
Ensuring every moment from the excitementof getting ready to the heartfelt
ceremony is beautifully documented.
We offer a range of customizable packages,including drone footage and multi-location
shoots tailored to fit your unique vision.
Let us help you relive the romance,laughter, and tears of your wedding day.
Visit Fitzner Productions dot com.
(11:31):
That's F-I-T-Z-N-E-R productions dot com.
This is the Stress-free WeddingPlanning Podcast with Sal and Sam.
Welcome back to our discussionabout how not to let wedding
scammers ruin your wedding day.
Essential tactics you need to know.
I'm Sam from Atmosphere Productions.
I am Sal from After HoursEvents of New England.
(11:52):
We've already discussed aboutred flags and different scam.
Now let's discuss how to protect yourself.
So here's how you cansafeguard your wedding.
First step one, do your research,Sam, we've talked about this so
many times in different segments.
You have to do your research.
It is very important to findthat you have a vendor that has
(12:14):
consistent online presence.
Has a website, social
media, and real testimonials.
Step two, use contractsand deposits wisely.
Always get a detailed contract andnever pay a hundred percent upfront.
Most vendors ask between25 to 50% as a deposit.
If they ask for "everything"right away, that is a red flag.
(12:38):
Step three, pay with protection.
Use your credit card.
Use platforms like PayPal, Venmo, Zelle.
All those have protectionsfor their customers.
I will give you another, Protection thatyou should pay for is wedding insurance.
I think that is crucialand it's real cheap.
(12:59):
Also, number four, is trust your gut.
If you feel those little tinglingsinside when they're talking about all
this free stuff that you're going to getand how your gonna get everything for
half price or less than anybody else.
Don't ignore that feeling in your gut.
(13:20):
It's better to ask too manyquestions than to get burned.
Remember all those times youordered from Temu and you didn't
exactly get what you want?
That's the same feeling you shouldget, when you're feeling that way.
Now let's talk about tools and resources.
There are some great tools outthere to help you out, sites like
the Knot Weddingwire and a verygood resource is Google Reviews.
(13:43):
These are reviews that help a website getpushed up and get seen more, so you, they
need to be having a lot of positivityfor it to work out for that company.
And that usually tells you that companyis really good at what they do 'cause
they're able to bring in these reviews.
Now this is also gonna give you somegreat vendor feedback from different
people on how they felt about servicesand specific points of their service.
(14:06):
You can also check with one otherbig thing and every state has it.
Is the Better Business Bureauto see if there's any complaints
about that particular company.
But keep in mind now.
If you're looking at a company andthey're not in your state, you're
probably not gonna just have tocall the one in your state, but you
have to call the Better BusinessBureau from the state they are from.
'cause sometimes it doesn't translateto the state that you live in.
(14:29):
And of course, don't forget toask your vendors for references.
I can't tell you how important that is.
We as vendors know each other.
We have little communitieswithin our own little community,
and we recommend each other.
Why?
Because I know that Sal is gonnashow up to your events and Sal knows
(14:51):
that I'm gonna show up to my events.
It's the same with photographers,videographers, cake people,
dress people, we know them.
Don't be afraid to ask anothervendor for a vendor referral.
It really is very important.
Pros stick together.
If you are overwhelmed and don'tknow where to start, hire a wedding
(15:13):
planner that will get you in thedoor, and they will be able to use
their trusted vendors that they use.
And then from there youcan make your choices.
They usually have all thebest preferred vendors.
So a good wedding planner isa great place to start if you
don't want to do it by yourself.
So there you have it.
We just explain how not to letwedding scammers ruin your day.
(15:35):
Essential tactics to know.
The bottom line scammers areclever, but you can outsmart
them with a little extra effort.
Protect your peace of mind, yourwallet, and of course your big day.
Now as you spend the next week planningyour wedding, if you want me, Sal, or our
community of Stress-free engaged couplesand wedding experts to answer any wedding
(15:57):
related questions, then join us in theStress-free Wedding Planning Facebook
group.
Once you're in, go ahead and shareyour concerns and worries, and
we'll let you know if you are on theright track or if there are some.
Things you need to work on.
The link to join us is in theshow notes of this edition, or
go to Facebook and search for thestress-free wedding planning community.
(16:17):
Remember to do something nice forsomeone today, and if you can't,
then do something nice for yourself.
If you've enjoyed what you've justheard, leave a review and share it
with a friend or someone who wouldbenefit from this information.
Until next time, it's TTFN, Tata now.
Thank you for listening to this edition.
A new edition is released every Wednesday.
Subscribe and get it first.
(16:37):
We'll catch you then.
Ciao.
The Stress-free Wedding PlanningPodcast is produced and copyrighted by
Atmosphere Productions in associationwith after hours events of New England.
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