u/Ok-Webling-6686

I'm currently comparing a few suppliers for a product I'm considering and I'm trying to avoid choosing one based only on price.
I've been using Made-in-China to find potential manufacturers, but I'm not sure which checks are most important before moving forward.
Do you usually look at things like company history, certifications, samples, MOQ, production capacity, or previous customer feedback?
For anyone who has sourced products before, what are the biggest signs that a supplier is actually reliable?

I’m helping planning an outdoor wedding event around the NC and I’m currently trying to find a good local company to work with.
If you’ve organized an event or celebration in this part of North Carolina before, who did you use and how was your experience?
I’m especially interested in hearing from people who had a smooth experience from booking through the actual event. Any local recommendations would be really appreciated.

My partner and I are trying to prioritize our budget, and it's made me realize how different everyone's must have are!
My question is, was there anything you almost decided against because of the cost, but ended up being completely worth it? It could be a photographer, live music, flowers, rentals, catering, a day-of coordinator, or something else entirely.
On the flip side, was there anything you spent money on that you probably wouldn't do again if you had the chance?
I'd love to hear what surprised you the most while planning your wedding. I feel like hearing real experiences is a lot more helpful than just reading vendor websites.