If you recently answered “yes” — or heard it while nervously balanced on one knee — congrats!
Once you finish soaking in the glow of the 800 likes your ring photo received, it’s time to get down to business.
You’ve got a major event to organize.
Where there are big occasions, people tend to spend big money. And where money flows freely, opportunistic scammers often follow.
Ah, the calculus of caution.
Be Alert for Wedding Scams
We’re not claiming there’s a conspiracy targeting your nuptials, but stay alert.
Real couples have been duped by wedding-related fraud before. In fact, wedding scams showed up on SiteJabber’s list of thetop consumer complaintsin 2015.
But don’t worry — we’ve got recommendations to help protect you.
Below are 10 of the most frequent wedding cons to be wary of while arranging your celebration.
1. Shoddy Diamonds
If you haven’t popped the question yet, take extra care when buying a stone online or from a distant seller.
It’s difficult to assess a diamond’s quality — or a seller’s integrity — when you only see it through images.
If a deal looks unbelievably cheap, it may well be. Review customer feedback to verify the vendor’s legitimacy.
And don’t fork over cash until you read a reliable guide on how to buy an engagement ring!
2. Inferior Dresses
For many brides, the gown embodies the whole day. It’s the once-in-a-lifetime outfit that symbolizes how radiant she’ll feel, how joyful the day will be, and how fondly she’ll recall it.
That’s why it would be particularly cruel to have that moment spoiled by a scam.
If your dream dress matters to you, beware of heavily discounted online knockoffs. They may arrive as a poorly constructed imitation of the photos.
Worse, you may struggle to get a refund when you try to return it.
3. Unreliable Planners
If wedding planning is overwhelming, you’re in good company.
If you can afford it and want to eliminate the stress, hiring a planner can be smart. But like every profession, there are standouts and there are less competent providers.
In this couple’s case, the planner failed to reserve their limo. That’s just one example of serious issues you don’t want on such a critical day.
Make sure the person handling arrangements actually follows through.
Need guidance? Sites like Bride and The Knot cover this topic thoroughly.
4. Fake Photographers
You probably hope to recall every moment of your wedding forever.
But memories fade and you can’t be in every place at once. Important moments across the room might only be saved if someone photographs them.
What if the pictures are poor quality? Worse: what if they never reach you?
That’s why your photographer is so crucial.
A good tactic is to request three or four complete wedding galleries from prospective shooters.
“Don’t be impressed by a photographer who only displays a few scattered images from different weddings,” warns planner Sarah Chancey.
“You want confidence they’ll deliver excellent work throughout your entire event.”
5. Terrible Cakes
Cakes are one of the reasons I’ll never actually open the bakery I daydream about: they can be stunning!
I’m not particularly handy with frosting, so the artistry amazes me.
But if you’re spending $1,000 on what’s essentially flour and butter, do your homework. Otherwise the end result may surprise you — in the worst way.
It’s funny online, but not when it’s on your reception table.
6. Nasty Fine Print
You’ll likely sign numerous contracts in the months ahead.
We get it — reading dense legal language is dull and time-consuming. But some clauses are downright shocking — and you might want to refuse them.
For example,this hotelfined couples $500 if someone left a negative online review.
So, once again: read the fine print.
7. Questionable Officiants
Yes, this actually occurred.
Confirm your officiant’s credentials so your marriage is valid both legally and emotionally.
8. Disagreeable Crashers
You’ve seen the movie.
It turns out people do crash real weddings. The Knot even has tips on how to spot them.
Before you shrug it off as harmless fun — more guests, more merriment, right? — remember you don’t know these people.
They could spoil the celebration, offend relatives, or ruin photos…
9. Gift Theft
…or even steal presents while you’re distracted.
Sadly, theft isn’t limited to random intruders. Even acquaintances might be tempted by the pile of gifts from well-meaning guests.
And don’t forget about your house. Burglaries spike when homeowners announce wedding dates publicly — thieves know you’ll be away on your honeymoon.
10. Wedding Upcharges
What’s effectively an industry-wide gouge is often considered normal.
Everything can cost more when you reveal you’re planning a wedding. You may pay twice as much for the same hairstyle or bouquet if vendors label it “wedding.”
If you’re uncomfortable with that, consider quietly withholding that detail and not telling vendors it’s for a wedding. It feels unfair to be charged extra just for adding “wedding” to a description.
Also consider reading tips about how to handle situations where a wedding guest asked to give more money than expected, and ways to score wedding freebies to save some cash.
Don’t Blow Your Budget on One Day
We think if you spend the U.S. average of $26,000 — or even the more common $10,000 — on a single day’s event, you’re shortchanging yourself.
Good news: we’ve gathered plenty of ideas to host a memorable ceremony without draining your savings. Some couples have saved more than $20K!
Bonus: many of these cost-cutting approaches bypass the risky vendors above, which reduces your chances of encountering a scam to nearly zero.
Your Turn: Have you ever been targeted by a wedding scam? Share your experience in the comments.
