Founding Vendor Standards

Why this exists

Founding Vendor status is meaningful precisely because it's earned and maintained. These standards aren't to penalize. They're to ensure the badge always represents active, high-performing vendors that couples can trust.

The six ongoing requirements

1. ★

   1. Maintain at least a 4.0 average verified review rating

   Verified reviews are the ones tied to bookings paid through United Vows. We use only those for the maintenance check, so off-platform Google reviews never push you under or over the line.

2. 🏦

   2. 80%+ of UV-discovered bookings paid through the platform

   When a couple finds you on United Vows, we ask that the booking close on the platform. That keeps Welcome Credit redeemable, dispute resolution available, and Verified Reviews accurate. Off-platform booking with UV-discovered couples drifts the badge meaning over time.

3. 🟢

   3. Active on the platform: signed in and answering inquiries within the last 60 days

   A Founding Vendor badge means a vendor a couple can actually reach. If you go quiet for two months, the badge stops representing what it claims.

4. ⚖️

   4. No unresolved escalated disputes in the last 12 months

   Escalated means the dispute landed on UV admin review, not the everyday back-and-forth. One open issue is fine. Patterns or unresolved escalations are not.

5. 📋

   5. Profile complete: 8+ portfolio items, services priced, calendar updated within 90 days

   A Founding Vendor profile is what couples point to. Empty portfolios and stale calendars work against everyone listed alongside you.

6. ⚡

   6. Response time: 80% of inquiries answered within 48 hours

   Fast does not mean instant. The 48-hour window is the floor below which the marketplace stops working for couples. Anything inside it is fine.

The review process

We run a monthly automated check across all six conditions. We'll notify you if any drift below threshold so you have time to recover before any consequences land.

• First miss: Notification + 30-day grace period.
• Second miss (60+ days): Probation + admin review.
• Third miss (90+ days): Founding Vendor status revoked.

Revocation and re-application

Status revocation removes the cohort badge, premium perks, and your spot on the public Founding Partner directory.

You can reapply after 12 months by demonstrating sustained good standing. Spots may not be available depending on the current 20-spot caps per category and city.