Is it appropriate for vendors to hand out business cards at the wedding?

At my first wedding our photographer did, but it included a link to our wedding pictures online. She had talked to me about it beforehand and since it had the link so guests could see our proofs, I was fine with it.

The cards were on the tables, she didn't physically hand anyone anything.

Otherwise no. If people want to know, they can ask the couple.

The only time I've seen this done they weren't really business cards in the traditional sense - they were actually cards that had the link so you could view the photos after the wedding. That being said, they did have the vendor's contact info on them too!

Otherwise, it rubs me the wrong way unless a guest specifically requests the business card.

I don't really think your photographer should have handed cards out but I think the business cards next to the cake are fine. From memory for our engagement party our dessert buffet lady left 4 or 5 cards on the table for anyone interested in her services. I didn't have an issue with that. I would have had an issue with the photographer physically handing cards out to my guests though.

I don't like the idea at all, and it sounds unprofessional to me.

But I want to hear the recap and see a couple of pics Bmorebride!!!!!!

I don't think the cards had link for our pictures because he did not give me card. I will have to talk to him about it after I get my pictures back.

@Mrs S. I'll try to post my recap and pics tonight.

@BmoreBride, he might not have handed you a card because you don't need one--he'll be giving you the pictures directly. The link is generally for guests to view photos and they can choose to purchase some if they want.

Absolutely not. I would have been furious!

I don't like that at all and agree it is very unprofessional. I can see giving you the cards to hand out later if someone asks or if someone asks them directly, then provide the card. But not just randomly handing them out. I don't even like the idea of the cards on the table. This isn't a bridal show, it's a wedding!

That sounds SO unprofessional. Even if it had a link. I'm obviously going to be posting my pro pictures on FB and I'll have the link to the photog's blog there. They don't need to pester my guests, that's not what I'm paying them for.

Nope. We have heard from brides-to-be who attended a wedding that featured our work, but they get our name from the bride.

But even if it's the link to pictures, I did NOT want all our guests to have access to all the pictures.

I think it's inappropriate and I would be upset.. Not hysterical crying upset, but I would certainly include that information in their reviews when completing vendor reviews! It's VERY important to me that my guests feel appreciated and cared for.. I would NOT want them feeling like they were trying to be "sold" something?

Yeah that's not professional. I have asked a vendor at a friend's wedding for a card because I was interested but they certainly shouldn't be soliciting sales to all your guests!

I've seen them passed out at tables or handed directly to guests after they got pictures taken; I don't see the problem if it is a link to your pictures and NOT a business card.

I would also have no problem with vendors having business cards on hand to give to people IF someone asked for one.

Completely unprofessional. I would also note this in my review so other brides are aware and can address this if they decide to use these vendors.

I would not be ok with the photographer handing out a link to MY pictures. I get to decide what pictures will be available to guests to view.

Agree with it being unprofessional to just walk up and hand them out... link or no link. (Besides I want to be the one to share my photos.)

We were going to use a high school friend of FH for the dessert table and FH said she could hand out/have cards on the table... I wasn't okay with it! It's my wedding not a expo event. If a guest asks for a card it's one thing... but for them to just be there is another thing completely!

I only hand out business cards when asked.

I make a card with one of the couple's picture from their engagement session with a link to where the pictures will be posted (with the couple's permission).There was a time I would leave a stack of these close to the guestbook I had created using their engagement pictures but I no longer do this. Now I give these to them to send out with their thank you notes to their guests.

The only time my photographer handed out his business cards is when ppl asked him for one.. He def didn't do that during the wedding neither did my florist when she was there earlier that day..

Thanks everyone. I will def. put it in my review after I get my photos back. I don't think the cards had links because when we first met with him he said he did not host photos on his website but rather he gives you a disk of images after the wedding, and that's what he did with our engagement photos.