Common questions, real answers.
Couples + vendors. The directory model, the costs, the vetting, and how the inquiry flow actually works.
Is Melaa free for couples to use?
Browsing, wishlists, reviews, saved searches, and the budget calculator are free for couples, always. The concierge (we source vendors, collect real quotes, and make introductions) is free for the founding 100 couples, then a flat $299 for the whole wedding. Vendors may pay Melaa a flat referral fee when a concierge introduction becomes a booking; it never changes who we recommend.
How does the inquiry / wishlist process work?
You browse vendors, shortlist 1-3 you like, and send a wishlist through Melaa. The wishlist lands directly in the vendor's inbox and they reply to your email. We don't intermediate the conversation. Once the wishlist is sent, you and the vendor talk directly. No middleman, no commissions on bookings.
How are vendors verified on Melaa?
We have two signals: (1) every active listing on the directory has a real portfolio, real contact info, and a real category/city, with no fabricated stats or fake reviews; (2) some vendors carry a green "✓ Verified" badge — those have completed an extra review by our team to confirm operational legitimacy and at least one verifiable past wedding. Reviews on the site come from signed-in Melaa accounts only — no anonymous reviews.
Can I see how much a wedding will cost before I book?
Yes. We publish real 2026 GTA pricing across 14 vendor categories in our cost guides and the budget calculator. Per-vendor pricing varies. Some publish ranges on their profile, others quote based on your specific date, guest count, and event scope.
Why does Melaa focus on the GTA?
Because the Greater Toronto Area has the highest density of South Asian wedding vendors per capita in North America. Brampton alone hosts more weddings per year than most Canadian cities combined. Concentrating depth in one region produces a richer directory, more accurate cost data, and tighter quality control than a continent-wide listing service.
Do I need to sign up to use Melaa?
No. Browsing, shortlisting, sending wishlists, and using the budget calculator all work without an account. If you want to track inquiry replies, save filter combinations across devices, save your wedding details for cross-vendor pre-fill, or leave a review, you can create a free account with email and password.
How do I leave a review for a vendor?
After your event, sign in to your Melaa account and visit the vendor's profile. You'll see an "Add your review" button. Reviews are visible immediately and tagged "✓ Verified" because they come from a signed-in account. You can edit or remove your review anytime.
Is Melaa free for vendors?
Yes: listing is free, forever, for every vendor. Public listing, inquiry inbox, profile editor, unlimited forwarded inquiries, no contact paywall. There is no paid tier anymore; the old $49/month subscription was retired before anyone was billed. Vendors pay only a flat, pre-agreed referral fee when a Melaa concierge introduction becomes a booking.
How do I list my business on Melaa?
Go to /apply, fill out the application (about 3-5 minutes), and submit. Every application is reviewed by a real person within 48 hours, usually faster. If approved, you'll get an email with the link to claim your profile and start receiving inquiries.
How does Melaa make money from vendors, then?
One way only: when the Melaa concierge introduces you to a couple (date checked, budget confirmed) and they book you, you pay a flat referral fee that we agreed on in writing before the introduction was ever sent. Never a percentage, never a subscription, never a fee on inquiries that come through your own profile.
Does Melaa charge a commission on bookings?
No. Zero commission, zero per-lead fees, zero per-booking cuts. We never see your contracts, your invoices, or what you charge. The concierge referral fee is flat dollars agreed up front, not a percentage of anything.
How do inquiries reach me?
Couples send wishlists through Melaa's inquiry form. The wishlist lands in your dashboard inbox AND a notification email arrives in your business inbox immediately. You can reply via the dashboard inline (sends through Melaa with your email as Reply-To, BCCs you for your records) or directly via your own email client.
Can I leave Melaa?
Any time: email hello@melaa.ca or use the dashboard and we delist you, usually same day. There is no subscription to cancel and nothing owing unless a concierge introduction you accepted has already booked.
How are vendors discovered on Melaa?
Couples find you through (a) category browse pages, (b) city pages, (c) city × category combo pages (e.g. "Photographers in Brampton"), (d) Google search results that point to your profile, (e) the Cmd+K command palette site-wide, and (f) the editorial buying guides that link to relevant categories.
Couldn't find your answer? Email hello@melaa.ca