Dresses, tuxedos, planners lead wedding complaints

Bridal shops , tuxedo rental and wedding planners all made repeat appearances on Angie’s Lists’ “Most Complained about Categories” list for 2011.

Grades on Angie’s List, the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews , are based on overall experience, price, quality, responsiveness, punctuality and professionalism.

Common complaints with bridal shops/tuxedo rental:

• Issues with ordering
• Poor customer service
• Problems with alterations/measurements

Common complaints with wedding planners:

• Contract disputes – agreed upon services were not honored
• Planner was unresponsive
• Deadlines were not met

Angie’s List talked to highly-rated wedding professionals who say managing expectations and a little pre-planning will help you as the big day approaches.

Angie’s List Tips: How to get quality wedding service

• Work with a reliable company: Look for someone with experience in providing services for numerous weddings. Is the company helpful and professional? Check review sites such as Angie’s List and ask for recommendations from family and friends.
• Develop a budget: Weddings can be costly. It’s important to develop a budget before you talk with vendors. A good reputable company will map out a plan to meet your price point. In addition, you’ll get better customer service if you are upfront about your budget, rather than wasting time trying on dresses or visiting venues you can’t possibly afford.
• Read the fine print: Before you sign anything, ask and make sure you understand deposits, fees, terms, conditions, store policies, etc.
• Do not pay in full: Put down the minimum deposit on a credit card and stretch out the rest of the payments until your order is complete. Pay with a credit card, so you can file a claim dispute if necessary.
• Document everything: Your best defense in case something goes wrong is documentation. From phone calls to emails – keep a record of who you talked to and when.
• Don ’t delay: Don’t wait until the last minute to hire vendors. Once you have researched and found reputable companies to work with, make and effort to communicate them about your plans. The best professionals typically book up far in advance.