How Legit Are the Pros You’re Hiring? 5 Bullsh*t-Free Ways to Authenticate Your Wedding Vendors

You are an ass-kicking, name-taking, feisty little go-getter. You’ve suddenly become the CEO, hiring manager, and CFO of your own wedding planning enterprise. As you’re searching for the people who will work for you, will you require that your vendors have a metaphorical college degree, or just trust that their common sense will get the job done to your standards?

Here’s part of the no-BS truth: on the surface, this list of ways to check your vendors’ legitimacy may not directly benefit to you. How are you affected when your vendor isn’t registered with the state? You probably aren’t. However, a vendor who goes through the time and effort to properly qualify their company to conduct business in this industry is probably taking their role in your day pretty seriously.

Use this list to authenticate your wedding vendors as all-around professional organizations.

1. Do they have a business insurance policy?

A clever business owner has prioritized protecting you and themselves. Find out whether they’ve got business insurance coverage by simply asking. In fact, some venues require proof of your vendors’ insurance policy.

What happens if your guests are infected with salmonella from your luxurious plated dinner? What prevents a lawsuit from your photographer when your Druncle George stumbles into their light stand, dividing it into hundreds of sweepable pieces?

2. If they’re reselling taxable goods to you, do they have a sales tax license?

If you’re paying for tangible products, your vendor should be paying retail sales taxes on those items. Does your price include those taxes? Are you going to receive an unpleasant surprise with your invoice?

If your vendor has a sales tax license, you can see it at their location. You can verify their license online with your state’s department of revenue, and contact your county or city sales tax division for local verification.

3. Are they recognized as a business by the government?

Many businesses need to obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) with the IRS when the business is created. This number allows the company to more easily and concisely conduct business in a myriad of ways, to include opening business bank accounts, paying taxes, etc.

One of the other first steps a business takes when it opens is having its name recognized by the Secretary of State in which it operates. In Colorado, you can verify a company’s compliancy with maintaining the proper records through this link.

4. Do they have a contract for you to sign?

Contracts aren’t just your vendors’ opportunity to impress you with their understanding of legal jargon. A good contract outlines their responsibilities to you as the client, ensuring that you’ll both have an understanding of expectations.

5. Are they willing to provide references?

Whether the vendor has taken these steps or not, they should have references with whom you can talk directly about their dependability, personality, and overall proficiency.