A wedding is a magical event, especially if it is yours. So the last thing you want is to have it ruined by a wedding-related scam. Unfortunately, it is easy to be taken in by con artists. And they don’t even have to be that good to score big at your expense. The reason is that the most magical time of your life will also be the most emotionally charged time of your life. We are most vulnerable when emotions are running wild while rationality is running low.
At the same time you are emotionally vulnerable, you will be making one of the most expensive purchases of your life. The average UK wedding cost well over £23,000, or approximately $26,000. As everyone knows, the reason people rob banks is because that’s where the money is. And that is also why people scam couples planning a wedding. Falling victim to even a small scam could cost you thousands. So be sure to protect your investment in the following ways:
Quality Pyrotechnics
When you are going for a grand exit with wedding sparklers and the like, you have to be sure you are getting the genuine item from a quality dealer. This is not one of those areas where you should try to spare the budget. If you are going to do it, you absolutely have to do it all the way.
The best thing you can do is research. Find the handful of companies that specialize in that sort of thing. Then make a decision based on what you find. Pyrotechnics are serious fun. So take it seriously. Once you narrow your choice down to a single vendor and product, you can be confident in using them again for gender reveal ideas that you will need soon after the wedding.
Genuine Jewelry
An engagement and wedding ring set can cost several thousands of dollars. Depending on where you buy them, you could be out all that money with nothing but fakes for your troubles. Jewelry scams are relatively easy to pull off because the vast majority of people know nothing about jewelry and what makes it valuable. They wouldn’t know the difference between a good cut and a bad one, a real diamond or a fake one.
The purchase of a wedding ring is one of the most emotional purchases you will ever make. A lot of it comes down to who you can trust. If you get your jewelry from a shopping mall retailer, you will likely be getting genuine pieces. But you will also be overpaying for what you get. That is a type of scam in and of itself.
You could try to save money and get your jewelry from a pawn shop. But you simply don’t know what you are getting and there might not be any provision for refunds. Buying jewelry online is a happy medium, but still challenging. You can find legit pieces from reputable retailers all over the world. But at the end of the day, you are clicking links and mashing keys. You have to do twice the research to be sure that you are not getting scammed. Use services like the Better Business Bureau and other trade organizations to help you navigate to a great deal.
Catering, Photos, and Music
Weddings should be full of food, photos, and fun. All of that can be ruined by hiring out shoddy services that were not at all as advertised. That’s the problem: People can advertise literally anything. A standup comedian can advertise a laugh a minute, which really isn’t that good when you stop and think about it. The cake can cost thousands and you don’t get to taste it first for quality. Can you even count all the bad wedding singers you have endured? You certainly can’t take chances on the photographer.
Step away from the ads and talk to your friends who have already been through it. This is where word of mouth is priceless. If you are going to hire a musician or photographer who is just starting out, audition their work. Don’t just accept a discount, get test photos and audition part of their musical set. Don’t get taken in by bad talent.
The wedding scene is ripe with scams. Avoid them by dealing only with reputable vendors, with trusted reviews, and who can demonstrate their work.
