Red flags are rarely dramatic — they're small inconsistencies you notice early and talk yourself out of. Here's a framework rather than a blacklist.
Watch for vagueness where there should be specifics: no clear day-of point person, no written scope, "don't worry, we'll sort it" instead of a real answer. Watch for portfolios that all look the same — that usually means a fixed inventory being re-used, not design responding to each couple. Watch for pressure and secrecy: urgency to sign, reluctance to put quotes in writing, or discomfort when you ask how they charge.
The deepest signal is how they handle your hard questions. A trustworthy team gets more precise under scrutiny; a risky one gets defensive or slippery.
None of this means a smaller or newer studio is a risk — many are excellent. It means the way to protect yourself is to insist on clarity in writing: scope, who's accountable, and how cost can move.
We'd rather lose a couple to too many questions than have them feel misled. Ask everything up front — the right partner will make that easy.
