Two Wedding Scams To Be Aware Of: Bridal Show aka Wedding Expo, And The Fake Wedding Planner

How the scam works:

(with video below) The Bridal Show scam, aka Wedding Expo or the Wedding Planner scam, is a double-edged sword scam, affecting both businesses in the wedding industry, as well as newlyweds. In this article, you'll learn how the scam works and where to report it.

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This scam comes in two variations, with victims being on both sides of the spectrum: newlyweds and wedding planners (or photographers). The first scenario is the Bridal Show/Wedding Expo Scam.

Watch the video below to see the Bridal Show/Wedding Expo scam exposed perfectly:

Bridal Show / Wedding Expo Scam Video

In this variation, a big bridal show is about to be organized in your city. You find advertisements online for it, and it piques your interest. Registration is $300-400, and you are promised a great location for your booth and maximum exposure.

You're ecstatic and pay your registration fee. However, a couple of days before the event you are notified that the bridal show is cancelled for various reasons, and you're promised your money back. Months will go by you won't get the fee.

Scenario 2: The Wedding Planner Scam. In this case, victims are the newlyweds. According to Wikipedia, “the wedding planner scams prey on the vulnerability of young couples, during a time when they are most distracted and trusting, to embezzle funds for the planner's personal use.

In the first type of fraud, the wedding planner company may offer a free wedding in a tie-up with a media station for a couple in need of charity, and collect the donations from the public that were meant for the wedding.

In the second type of fraud, the planner asks couples to write checks to vendors (tents, food, cakes) but leave the name field empty, which the planner promises to fill in. As most vendors were never hired nor paid, the scam would then be exposed on the day of the wedding.”

 

How to avoid the Wedding Planner/Bridal Show/Wedding Expo scam:

In both cases, extensive research is the way to avoid this. Whether a bridal show is about to be organized in your city or you're looking for a reputable wedding planner, always use names that have been doing this for a long time and are known for it.

Research the organizers (individuals) of the show. Look for their names and Google them with the word 'scam' attached. Do the same with the wedding planners. You can't afford to risk your wedding day.

Chances are you'll get a good idea of how things will go according to their online reputation.

 

How to report the Wedding Planner/Bridal Show/Wedding Expo scam:

Make your family and friends aware of this scam by sharing it on social media using the buttons provided. You can also officially report the scammers to the Federal Trade Commission using the link below:

Report To The FTC Here