Couples warned to do their research after weddings ruined by Auckland planners

Monday, 4 March 2019

Dodgy wedding vendors can ruin your big day.

An Auckland wedding blogger says couples should give contracts with wedding vendors and planners the same scrutiny as they would any other legal document to avoid falling victim to cowboys in the industry.

The warning, from Megan Hutchison of She Said Yes, comes after Stuff revealed multiple Kiwi couples had their dreams of a romantic Cook Island wedding ruined when Auckland-based planners Paradise Wedding Desires failed to organise basic services for their big day.

Megan Hutchison, founder of the wedding advice website She Said Yes, warns if a wedding deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Hutchison, a former lawyer, said when planning a wedding, couples were at risk of making decisions based on emotions and should be vigilant.

'As Kiwis, we're naturally so trusting of people, but in making decisions for something so important, especially when large sums of money are involved, we really can't be too careful.'

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Before signing on the dotted line, brides- and grooms-to-be should 'go over your wedding agreements and contracts as closely as you would any other legal document, as well as preferably getting the advice of a savvy friend or parent', she said.

Tegan Iakimo said her dream wedding in Rarotonga turned into a 'disaster' after Auckland-based wedding planning company Paradise Wedding Desires failed to provide basic services she'd paid for.

'For those couples who arrived in Rarotonga only to be disappointed, I would definitely have suggested that even if they're working with a wedding planner, to have some correspondence with individual vendors well in advance of the big day.'

Her advice to engaged couples was: 'Take the time to read reviews, or ask the company to allow you to contact their previous couples for references'.

Teuila Benioni, the creative director of Auckland wedding planner Wedding She Wrote, said reputable planners were transparent with their clients.

'The more information we get from our clients, the better job we can do. And the more information the couple has, it just them feel at ease with themselves.

'They have confidence about their day, they know where their money's been spent [and] they know contingency plans.'

She recommended couples ask lots of questions when meeting with potential vendors or planners to ensure both parties were on the same page.

Ségolène de Fontenay, general manager of the New Zealand Events Association (NZEA), said when planning a large event like a wedding, reference checks were 'worth their weight in gold' to consumers.

Knowing an event planner was a member of an industry group like NZEA could also provide people with peace of mind, she told Stuff.

NZEA's code of conduct required members to demonstrate 'the highest levels of professional and ethical behaviour'.

HOW TO SPOT A WEDDING SCAM

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

'If a wedding vendor's offer or price was hugely different to others of the same quality or experience, alarm bells should ring,' Hutchison said.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Under the Fair Trading Act, businesses must ensure consumers get accurate information about products and services before they buy them.

It is illegal for businesses to deceive or mislead customers.

I THINK I'VE BEEN SCAMMED – WHAT DO I DO?

If you think you've been the victim of a scam or fraud, contact your bank or the service you used to make the payments and don't pay the scammer any more money.

Other agencies that may be able to help include the police, the Commerce Commission, Financial Markets Authority, Banking Ombudsman or Department of Internal Affairs.

More information about avoiding or reporting scams is available from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.