If you or a loved one is currently planning a wedding, be careful not to get swept up in the joy of the event when hiring vendors. Unfortunately, wedding-related scams are common because weddings involve large sums of money and emotional investment.
In recent years, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has filed cases against florists, photographers, a bridal shop, and catering companies that had accepted downpayments but failed to deliver the goods or services after receiving payment.
Among the known wedding-related scams that the AGO has seen:
- Fake wedding planners. Posing as professional planners, scammers offer full-service packages at low prices. They create polished websites and fake portfolios, then disappear after taking a deposit. Among the red flags to watch for: no verifiable references, no physical address for the “planner,” pressure to pay in full upfront.
- Venue scams. Advertisements might tout beautiful venues that don’t exist or aren’t available. Some scammers hijack the identities of real venues and collect deposits without authorization. Red flags to watch for: unusually low prices, inability to visit the venue in person, vague contract.
- Counterfeit wedding dresses. Online scam artists promote designer gowns at steep discounts but deliver poor-quality knockoffs or no dress. Red flags to watch for: dresses under $200, no contact information for the online business, missing terms and conditions.
- Fake photographers and videographers. Scammers steal portfolios from real professionals, take deposits, and then don’t show up or deliver unusable photos. Red flags to watch for: lack of verifiable reviews, reluctance to meet in person, request for full payment upfront.
- Florist and decor scams. Fraudulent florists promise luxury arrangements but deliver discount-store-quality decor or nothing. Red flags to watch for: low quotes, vague contract.
How to protect yourself from wedding-related scams:
- Research vendors thoroughly. Check reviews on Google, product and venue review sites such as Yelp, and wedding planning sites such as WeddingWire.com or TheKnot.com. Check the Ohio Attorney General’s website for any complaints about a vendor. Also, ask vendors for recent client references.
- Meet in person. Whenever possible, schedule at least one in-person meeting.
- Use secure payment methods. Avoid full upfront payments, and consider escrow for large sums. When possible, pay using a credit card.
- Read contracts carefully. Make sure that all services and costs are itemized.
- Trust your instincts. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
How to report a wedding scam:
- Gather evidence. Collect all relevant documentation, including contracts, invoices, proof of payments (credit card statements, checks), emails, texts and other communication logs.
- File a complaint. You can file a complaint with the Ohio Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section online or by phone. Visit the official OhioProtects.org website to submit a complaint or call the Ohio Attorney General’s Help Center at 800-282-0515.
- Dispute charges. If you paid by credit card, immediately contact your card issuer to dispute the charge. The Fair Credit Billing Act offers certain protections.
If you suspect a scam or an unfair business practice, contact the Attorney General's Office at www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.