The UK Alliance of Wedding Planners - promoting professionalism in wedding planning

More wedding planner scams to add to the list today:

“Greetings,

My Name is Engr. John Webster,I am looking for an experienced wedding planner who will handle my wedding.
The wedding is to hold on the 8th August 2009 and 40 guests are expected to attend. You are to arrange for Videography, Music,Entertainment,Photography,Officiant/Priest & cake,flowers and Reception Venue.

If there is any of these items that you cannot handle,you let us know so that another company can handle it.
As i do not know what the guests might choose for their meals and drinks,i will make a prepayment as initial deposit for this booking (VIA MY CREDIT CARD) Once availability is confirmed by you.
Get back to me with your response as we don’t have much time left so that we can process our accommodation also within the region more convenient for you and us.And also get back to me with your fee for arranging this for us.

Best Regards,
Engr. John Webster,
Email:  randy_wrye@yahoo.co.uk”

“Hello,

My Name is Dr Allan Brad i need an experienced wedding planner who will handle my wedding and arrange the reception dinner for a group of people who will be attending the wedding ceremony.

The wedding is expected to hold on the 9th of July 2009 and 50 to 70 guests are expected to attend. As i do not know what the guests might choose for their meals and drinks, i will make a prepayment as initial deposit for this booking via credit card once availability is confirmed by you.All checks and balances will be made with you on 8th of june which is the final day of the booking, You are to arrange for a a venue for the wedding  a place for the reception ,Videography, Music Entertainment,Photography,cake and flowers.

If there is any these items that is beyond your capability, you let us know so that another company can handle it. Get back to me with your response as we don’t have much time with us so that we can process our accommodation within the region more convenient for you and us.

Pleas get back to me via my personal email which is brad.allan@ymail.com

Best Regards,

Dr. Allan Brad”

“Hi Dear,

Hope my email reaches you in good faith. I am looking for an experienced
wedding planner who will handle my wedding and arrange dinner for the guest
who will be attending the wedding ceremony.Seven will arrive few days before
the wedding day.

The wedding is expected to hold on the 8th of May, 2009 and 50-65 guests are
expected to attend. As i do not know what the guests might choose for their
meals and drinks, i will make a prepayment as initial deposit for this
booking via credit card.

All checks and balances will be made with you on 7th of May, 2009 which is
the final day of the booking, You are to arrange for a Videography,Music
Entertainment,Photography,Officiant/Priest & Church,cake,flowers and the
venue.If there is any these items that is beyond your capability,you let us
know so that another company can handle it. Get back to me with your
response as we don’t have much time with us so that we can process our
accommodation within the region more convenient for you and us.

Best Regards,
Dr Melvin Pritchard.”

“My name is AFZAL AHMET. I am a Mechanical Engineer by profession.
Presently i am in Liverpool .  My lovely daughter found her
heartthrob early
last year and they are going to wed by 25th July,  2009. For the
love i have for my daughter, i decided to carter for the wedding as a
surprise package for her and her fiance.

Please i want you to handle the wedding arrangements on their
behalf as
my would-be in law is a citizen of your country and as a result he
wants the wedding in his country. Please get back to me with any of
the
services which you can provide as regards the wedding arrangement
of my
daughter.

- Wedding Gown for bride

- Gowns for Bride’s maids

- Vehicles

- Tuxedo Suits for the groom and best man

- Shoes and accessories for both the bride and the    groom

- location for the wedding and reception.

- lodging  for the guests for an estimate of eighty people(24 - 28)
July

- Wedding cakes and decorations

Wedding Budget is at the range of EUR 35,000 for now. it could be
reviewed to be increased or reduced latter depending on the outcome
of the
arrangements process unfold Please do let me have the details of all i
should know so we can make about the services you can provide as
regards
the arrangement. Estimates and calculations should be based on the
quoted budget..”

“Hello Dear,

My name is Mr. A. Eddy. I am a Medical consultant by profession. Presently I
am in WoolWich.I am contacting with respect to my
daughters wedding scheduled to hold on the 9th May, 2009.

I want you to handle the wedding arrangements on their behalf as my would-be
son in law are a citizen of your country and as a result, I need the
blessing ceremony, reception and wedding party to be in his country. Please
get back to me with any of the services which you can provide as regards the
wedding arrangement of my daughter.

- Vehicles /hotel transfers for the guests - (coaches transportation)

- Limousine hire for the couples

- Location for the wedding and reception.

- lodging for the guests for an estimate of sixty people (8th - 12th May)
2009

- Wedding cakes and decorations

- Sight seeing tours for the guest

- Yacht charters for the couples

The wedding Budget is at the range of EUR 65,000 for now and it remains very
flexible pending our final conclusion. Please do let me have the details of
all I should know so we can discuss the services you can provide as regards
the arrangement. The calculations and Estimates should be based on the
quoted budget.

Do get back to me ASAP through my yahoo email: eddy_a007@yahoo.com

Mr. Eddy.A.”

“Hello,
How are you doing? Thriving!!!
My name is Tessy williams, from Sandton,J’burg,South Africa. We will be coming to the United Kingdom after my shopping trip with my fiancee Scott Toler who’s French by nature to start his new work with the Coca-cola in Scotland. And just before then we will be getting married on the 1st of August 2009,We need a good wedding planner to take care of our wedding both reception and ceremony. We require the best for the best memories for we & our children in future and as a matter of fact we have budgeted 25,000GBP for this special event.
Also, the ceremony and reception event will be taking place in a location and we are expecting at most 50 guests on the day of our occassion because most of our families in Europe,in the United United States and here in RSA will be present for the occassion.
Also, we would like you to know the reception and ceremony will be taking place @ 1 location which the ceremony event would be in a garden location or outdoor while the reception takes place indoors, we are still about to make reservation though but we are making progress with that.

Please let us know if you’re able to help.

Sincerely
Tessy williams
Woolworth Stores
Gauteng,RSA
+27710897374″

“My Name is Mr Micheal Wesley i need an experienced wedding planner who will handle my wedding and arrange the reception dinner for a group of people who will be attending the wedding ceremony.
The wedding is expected to hold on the 9th of June 2009 and 50 to 70 guests are expected to attend. As i do not know what the guests might choose for their meals and drinks, i will make a prepayment as initial deposit for this booking via credit card once availability is confirmed by you.All checks and balances will be made with you on 8th of May which is the final day of the booking, You are to arrange for a a venue for the wedding  a place for the reception ,Videography, Music Entertainment,Photography,cake and flowers.
If there is any these items that is beyond your capability, you let us know so that another company can handle it. Get back to me with your response as we don’t have much time with us so that we can process our accommodation within the region more convenient for you and us.”

Sadly, we’ve been inundated with correspondence from planners who’ve been targeted by the scams we mentioned here and here. Below are a few more that have been received over the last few days, if you receive any similar emails please contact us and we will post them here.

“Hello,

My Name is Dr Ford Anderson i need an experienced wedding planner who will handle my wedding and arrange the reception dinner for a group of people who will be attending the wedding ceremony.

The wedding is expected to hold on the 29th of August 2009 and 50 to 70 guests are expected to attend. As i do not know what the guests might choose for their meals and drinks, i will make a prepayment as initial deposit for this booking via credit card once availability is confirmed by you.

All checks and balances will be made with you on 29th of July 2009 which is the final day of the booking. You are to arrange for a a venue for the wedding  a place for the reception ,Videography, Music Entertainment,Photography,cake and flowers.

If there is any these items that is beyond your capability, you let us know so that another company can handle it the part you cannot handle. Get back to me with your response as we don’t have much time with us so that we can process our accommodation within the region more convenient for you and us.

Pleas get back to me via my personal email which is drfanderson@rocketmail.com

Best Regards,
Dr. Ford Anderson

drfanderson@rocketmail.com”

“Hello,

My Name is Mr Gregory Davis i need an experienced wedding planner who
will handle my wedding and arrange the reception dinner for a group of
people who will be attending the wedding ceremony.
The wedding is expected to hold on the 9th of May 2009 and 50 to 70
guests are expected to attend. As i do not know what the guests might
choose for their meals and drinks, i will make a prepayment as initial
deposit for this booking via credit card once availability is
confirmed by you.All checks and balances will be made with you on 17th
of April which is the final day of the booking, You are to arrange for
a a venue for the wedding  a place for the reception ,Videography,
Music Entertainment,Photography,cake and flowers.
If there is any these items that is beyond your capability, you let us
know so that another company can handle it. Get back to me with your
response as we don’t have much time with us so that we can process our
accommodation within the region more convenient for you and us.”

“Hi,

Hope my email reaches you in good faith. I am looking for an experienced wedding planner who will handle my wedding and arrange dinner for the guest who will be attending the wedding ceremony.Seven will arrive few days before the wedding day.

The wedding is expected to hold on the 23rd of May, 2009 and 50-65 guests are expected to attend. As i do not know what the guests might choose for their meals and drinks, i will make a prepayment as initial deposit for this booking via credit card.

All checks and balances will be made with you on 22nd of May, 2009 which is the final day of the booking, You are to arrange for a Videography,Music Entertainment,Photography,Officiant/Priest & Church,cake,flowers and the venue.If there is any these items that is beyond your capability,you let us know so that another company can handle it. Get back to me with your response as we don’t have much time with us so that we can process our accommodation within the region more convenient for you and us.

Best Regards,
Dr Karl Busche.
Email:blessmywedding@ymail.com
Yahoo chart ID is karl_karl@ymail.com”

“Hello,

My Name is George Anderson, I am looking for an experienced wedding
planner who will handle my wedding and arrange the reception dinner
for a group of people who will be attending the wedding ceremony.

The wedding is expected to hold on the 13th of June. 2009 and 25 to
40 guests are expected to attend. As i do not know what the guests
might choose for their meals and drinks, i will make a prepayment as
initial deposit for this booking via credit card once availability is
confirmed by you.

You are to arrange for a venue for the wedding (its a civil wedding),
a place for the reception ,Videography, Music
Entertainment,Photography,cake and flowers.

If there is any these items that is beyond your capability,you let us
know so that another company can handle it.

Get back to me with your response as we don’t have much time with us
so that we can process our accommodation within the region more
convenient for you and us.

Best Regards,
George”

“My name is Jennifer Kenth from Quebec,CANADA. I will be coming over to United Kingdom with my Husband Eric Phillips who’s French by nature but has actually naturalised in Canada
We’ll be moving to the UK to start a new life because my husband to be just got a job with the Coca-cola Co. in London and i have made plans of opening my new kiddies fashion store in  as soon as we are settled.
Just before then we will be getting married on the 28th of April 2009 and we have decided to get married in the city since we’re moving on and we pretty know our new move would be wonderful.
We will be needin’ a good wedding planner to take care of our wedding event both ceremony and reception for our guests and our convenience because we require the best for the best memories fost on our wedding day.
We prefer the ceremony and reception event to take place in a location and we are expecting at most 70 guests on the day of our occasion because most of our families in Canada and in the USA  will be present for this wonderful occassion.
Also, we would like you to know we prefer the reception and ceremony to take place in a location for the convenience of our guests and would love the ceremony to be in a garden setting and the reception in an indoor location in  London or surrounding areas because the weather is unpredictable at this time of the year.
We haven’t made any venue reservations yet but we are sure the wedding planner can do that on on our behalf as we are looking for a customized wedding planning package that involves virtually every aspect of planning except the band which we are already making arrangements for. The total wedding budget is £ 20,000.
Please let us know if you can help work with us for the success of our event and can help work within our budget as we’re not opened to spending a pound more than the above bidget?
Thanks and God bless,
Jennifer “

We mentioned wedding planner scams back at the beginning of the month. Below are some that have come to our attention in the last few weeks:

“I am David Roy, from London England. I am writing to get more information on wedding/ reception venues and also so in need of the services of a wedding planner.

Daisy and I are planning to have a wedding in July 2009 (any date in July will be fine) and will require more information on this as we plan also to have the wedding in your region We are looking for venue and a planner to help us plan our wedding/reception.

So far, we have not made any arrangement. 30 to 40 guests are expected to attend. We are considering a budget of $45, 000 USD but will allow a few extra if necessary. I will make a prepayment as initial deposit for this booking via credit card once you confirm availability. Please note that you (wedding planner) are to arrange for a Videography, Music Entertainment, Photography, Officiant, cake and flowers.

Please do confirm this date and get back to me.

Thanks for your anticipated response

Best regards,
David.”

“My Name is Dr. TOM GREEN,
I am looking for an experienced wedding planner who will handle my wedding and arrange the reception dinner for a group of people who will be attending the wedding ceremony. The wedding is expected to hold on the 30th of May. 2009 and 25 to 40 guests are expected to attend.

As I do not know what the guests might choose for their meals and drinks, i will make a prepayment as initial deposit for this booking via credit card once availability is confirmed by you. You are to arrange for a venue for the wedding (its a civil wedding), a place for the reception ,Videography, Music Entertainment,Photography,cake and flowers.

If there is any these items that is beyond your capability,you let us know so that another company can handle it. Get back to me with your response as we don’t have much time with us so that we can process our accommodation within the region more convenient for you and us.

Best Regards,
Dr. TOM GREEN”

“Hello,

My name is Mr .Booby, I am an Medical consultant by profession. Presently i
am in WoolWich.I am contacting with respect to the my daughters wedding
scheduled to hold on the 3rd June,2009.

I want you to handle the wedding arrangements on their behalf as my would-be
son in law is a citizen of your country and as a result, i need the blessing
ceremony,reception and wedding party  to be in his country. Please get back
to me with any of the services which you can provide as regards the wedding
arrangement of my daughter.

- Vehicles /hotel transfers for the guests - ( coaches transportation)

- Limousine hire for the couples

- location for the wedding and reception.

- lodging  for the guests for an estimate of sixty people(2nd - 6th
June)2009

- Wedding cakes and decorations

- Sight seeing tours for the guest

- Yacht charters for the couples

The wedding Budget is at the range of EUR 65,000 for now and it remains very
flexible pending our final conclusion.Please do let me have the details of
all i should know so we can make about the services you can provide as
regards the arrangment. Estimates and calculations should be based on the
quoted budget.

Do get back to me asap through my yahoo email:boobyg22@yahoo.com

Mr Booby.”

“Hello,

I am contacting your property so that you can help in organising  my daughter’s wedding in your location which will be coming up in July,2009 and i have decided to solely sponsor the event as a gift to the couple.Kindly see below the wedding details;

Wedding Arrangement: Dates will be July 23rd to July 27th 2009.But we will appreciate if there will be availabilty on the 25th July,2009.

Total Number of Guests: 60-70 Adults.

The reception will be a total of 60 to 70 Adults And food arrangement will be Buffet Style.

Please be informed that you will take care of the whole event including reception venue,catering, accommodation…ect excluding the transportation & civil matters that will been taken care of.

We have already made arrangements as regards our Flight and automobile needs for the event the with a transportation Logistics Agent.  I hope to have informed you enough to get started,Kindly get back to me with a proposal for the entire arrangements so that i can advise payment details.. Be advised that i shall be making payment via my Credit Card.

Regards,
Dr. Collin Small.
40 Lothian Road
EH3 9BY,
Edinburgh,
SCOTLAND
+447035966378
+447024076538″

If you recieve any scam emails, please help to stamp out this practise by contacting us.

These days it seems you can’t go very far before attracting the eagle eyes of a fraudster. Sadly, the wedding planning industry is no exception and there are rafts of individuals attempting to con planners into handing over their hard-earned cash.

The ways these scams work is that you will receive an enquiry (usually via email but I have had one by phone) from an individual interested in your services. The wedding will only be a few weeks away so the fraudster will be keen to get things moving and eager to sign a contract and send a deposit. They will then inform you that they have accidentally paid too much and would you mind refunding them the difference immediately. Once you do this, you discover that their initial payment never cleared, leaving you hundreds of pounds out of pocket. The fraudsters will use both bank transfers and cheques (some of which will even temporarily clear) and in some cases ask you to pay the ‘extra’ money to a ‘supplier’.

This is a despicable practise that can be especially hard to swallow when you’re starting out, desperate to get the first few weddings on your portfolio.

Things to look out for are:

Particularly bad spelling and grammar
Unrealistic names and non-existing places e.g. Kings Larry, Westertharm
Very short lead times
An overly detailed initial email, containing menu preferences, accommodation details, names of attendants etc
A fixed date (nothing is booked but they have confirmed a date)
No questions about how you work, your fees or experience

Below is a typical example of a scam:

“Hello,

I am contacting your property so that you can help in organising  my daughter’s wedding in your location which will be coming up in July,2009 and i have decided to solely sponsor the event as a gift to the couple.Kindly see below the wedding details;

Wedding Arrangement: Dates will be July 23rd to July 27th 2009.But we will appreciate if there will be availabilty on the 25th July,2009.

Total Number of Guests: 60-70 Adults.

The reception will be a total of 60 to 70 Adults And food arrangement will be Buffet Style.

Please be informed that you will take care of the whole event including reception venue,catering, accommodation…ect excluding the transportation & civil matters that will been taken care of.

We have already made arrangements as regards our Flight and automobile needs for the event the with a transportation Logistics Agent.  I hope to have informed you enough to get started,Kindly get back to me with a proposal for the entire arrangements so that i can advise payment details.. Be advised that i shall be making payment via my Credit Card.
Regards,
Dr. Collin Small.
40 Lothian Road
EH3 9BY,
Edinburgh,
SCOTLAND
+447035966378
+447024076538″

To help stamp out this practise we’ll be posting any scams we hear of here and would love for you to drop us an email if any come your way.

Zoë Lingard owns Weddings by Zoë Lingard, operating throughout South East England.