Reviewing your wedding vendors is a great way to share your opinion with other couples that might be in a similar boat as you. I mean, I always check reviews before making a big purchase and I bet you do the same. Of course, there’s more to leaving a review than simply clicking on some stars. In order to give the type of feedback your vendor and other couples will benefit from we need to think things through a little. Here’s a guide to reviewing your vendors in a way that is helpful to everyone.
1. Gather Your Thoughts
Reflect on your experience - Think about your overall experience with each vendor. Consider aspects such as professionalism, timeliness, quality of service/products and communication. Ask yourself, “Did this vendor deliver on what they said?”
Take notes - Write down specific instances or details that stood out to you, both positive and negative.
2. Structure Your Review
Introduction - Start with a brief overview of your experience, including the type of service the vendor provided (florist, photographer, dj, etc.).
Details - Provide specific examples to back up your overall opinion. Mention things like how they handled unexpected situations, their responsiveness and the quality of their work.
Conclusion - Summarize your experience and whether you would recommend them to others.
3. Be Honest and Fair
Positives - Highlight what the vendor did well. This helps them know what they’re doing well and should continue providing to couples.
Negatives - If there were areas where the vendor could improve, mention them in a respectful and constructive way. Offer suggestions for improvement if possible.
4. Include Relevant Information
Names and dates - Mention the name of the vendor and the date of your event. This can be especially helpful when the vendor was one of many who work for that company.
Services - Clearly state the services you hired them for. Was it engagement photography, wedding photography or something entirely different?
Pics are powerful - If you’re able to, include photos or videos to illustrate your point. Visuals can bring another layer of depth to your review.
5. Post Your Review
Multiple platforms - Post your review on various platforms where potential clients might look for information, such as:
Wedding websites (e.g., The Knot, WeddingWire)
Social media pages of the vendors
Google reviews
Zola
Yelp
Vendor Websites: Some vendors have testimonial sections on their websites where you can submit your review.
6. Follow Up with the Vendor
Share your review - Send the vendor a quick text or email to let them know you’ve left a review. This shows that you appreciated their service and keeps the lines of communication open.
Pss, I need to tell you something - If you have constructive criticism, consider also providing it directly to the vendor in a private message or email. I have trouble believing that any vendor would want to disappoint their couple. Sometimes, talking it out privately can bring about a more positive response for everyone involved.
As a vendor, I can tell you that it means so much to me when a couple takes time out of their day to leave me some kind words. It helps me spread the name of my brand and what it stands for and, hopefully, find other interested couples I can work with in the future. Reviews really help you understand what you’re potentially getting yourself into. On something as important as a wedding, why not share your insights with those that can benefit the most?