Published openly
Our Standard
These are the 14 checks every supplier must pass, and how we verify each one. We publish them so couples and suppliers know exactly what membership means. Members are fully re-assessed every year.
The 14 mandatory checks
01 · Legal trading status
Companies House record, or sole trader / partnership registration with HMRC, checked against the name the supplier trades under.
02 · 12 months' trading
Evidence of at least 12 months of trading, such as dated invoices, bank statements or accounts.
03 · Verified business identity
Photo ID of the owner and proof of business address, matched to the trading details.
04 · Active website
A working website in the business's own name, with contact details that match our records.
05 · Active social media
At least one active business social media account with recent, genuine activity.
06 · £5m public liability insurance
A current certificate showing at least £5 million cover, checked with the insurer where needed. Expiry dates are recorded.
07 · Five verifiable couple reviews
Five reviews from real couples, with a sample contacted directly to confirm they booked the supplier.
08 · Three venue or industry references
Three references from venues or other wedding professionals, contacted by us.
09 · Written client contract
A written contract covering what is supplied, payments, deposits and cancellation terms.
10 · Transparent pricing
Clear pricing or quoting information given to couples before they pay anything.
11 · Complaints and refund process
A written process for handling complaints and refunds, with realistic timescales.
12 · Background check
A basic criminal record check on the owner.
13 · Continuity plan
A written plan for what happens if the supplier is ill or can't attend, such as a named back-up.
14 · Signed Code of Conduct
Agreement to our Code of Conduct, including honest advertising and fair treatment of couples.
Category-specific checks
- PAT testing: Electrical equipment such as lighting, DJ and photo booth kit.
- Food hygiene rating: Caterers, cake makers and anyone serving food.
- Transport licensing: Wedding cars, coaches and other passenger transport.
- Fire risk assessment: Venues and suppliers using open flames or pyrotechnics.
- DBS check: Suppliers working with children, such as children's entertainers.
- Data protection registration: ICO registration where the law requires it, such as photographers and videographers.
Fraud and integrity checks
On top of the 14 checks, we run these searches on every applicant to catch the most common wedding scams.
- Insolvency and bankruptcy register: The owner is searched on the Insolvency Service register for past bankruptcies or insolvency.
- Disqualified directors register: Company directors are checked against the Companies House disqualified directors list.
- Companies House filings: Limited companies must have no overdue accounts or confirmation statements.
- VAT number: If the supplier charges VAT, the number is confirmed on the government's checker.
- Advertising and Trading Standards: We search for Advertising Standards rulings and Trading Standards warnings against the business.
- Previous business names: We ask for, and search, any other names the owner has traded under.
- Deposit handling: The supplier explains in writing how couples' deposits are held and protected.
- Name matching: The name on the contract, invoices and bank details must match the business.
- Reverse image search: A sample of portfolio photos is searched online to confirm the work is the supplier's own.
Every year, not once
Membership lasts 12 months from the assessment date. If a supplier isn't re-assessed, or their insurance lapses, their listing is suspended and the checker shows it as lapsed.