The Wedding Industry Has a Problem — And It’s Not Just Trista

Planning a wedding should be joyful, exciting, and full of promise. But for far too many couples, it becomes a nightmare — not just because of one bad vendor, but because the wedding industry as a whole lacks meaningful accountability.

We’ve shared our story about working with Trista Croce and BTS Event Management. We left honest reviews on platforms like WeddingWire. Others have privately reached out to us with similar stories — vendors and couples alike — describing broken contracts, unexplained charges, ghosted communication, and retaliation when they tried to speak up. Yet somehow, the same names keep getting awards, accolades, and glowing PR coverage.

So How Does This Keep Happening?

It turns out the wedding industry is built to protect itself — not the couples it serves.

• Vendors vote for each other in local “best of” awards, with little or no verification.

• Review platforms are limited in how they allow complaints to be shared — some even remove reviews when vendors protest.

• Clients sign vague contracts that favor planners, with little clarity on markups, service charges, or deliverables.

• Retaliation is real. Multiple vendors and professionals have told us they’re afraid to speak out about unethical behavior because they could lose business.

All of this creates a culture where flashy Instagram reels and styled TikToks can easily cover up what’s happening behind the scenes.

What Can Couples Do?

Until the industry is forced to hold itself to higher standards, couples have to protect themselves. Here are a few steps we wish we had taken:

• Ask for itemized estimates and invoices. Don’t settle for vague lump sums.

• Clarify who actually signs vendor contracts and who handles the money.

• Be cautious with large retainers and understand exactly what they cover.

• Don’t be afraid to bring in your own vendors — and if a planner gets hostile, take it as a red flag.

• Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.

To the Industry: It's Time to Do Better

Magazines, award platforms, venues, and vendor directories need to ask tougher questions — not just reward whoever has the most followers or the biggest advertising budget.

Accountability shouldn’t be controversial. Couples spend tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars on these events. They deserve transparency, integrity, and professionalism — not smoke and mirrors.

To the planners, vendors, and publications doing it right: thank you. We hope you’ll help raise the bar. To everyone else: we see you. And we’re not afraid to keep speaking up.

If you’ve had a similar experience — as a couple, vendor, or industry insider — we want to hear from you. Whether you’re ready to go public or prefer to stay anonymous, your voice matters. The more stories that are shared, the harder it becomes for bad actors to hide behind curated social media feeds and industry awards.

📩 Email us at quack@tristacroce.com