How to Spot Scam Inquiries in the Wedding Industry
You get an inquiry, and it seems almost too good to be true. The prospective client wants to book your highest package immediately, for an event that’s coming up soon. Do you get excited… or is it a scam?
This article will help you understand how to spot scam inquiries in the wedding industry. Because, as wedding professionals have shared with me, there are tons of scams landing in the inboxes of all wedding vendors, from planners to photographers to makeup artists.
In this Post
The scam I saw
As a wedding SEO and marketing specialist, I often read through my clients’ inquiries— It’s my job to bring in more inquiries for my clients, and I want to make sure they’re good.
A couple weeks ago, I noticed that two of my wedding planner clients had received a very similar inquiry, from a person planning an anniversary party.
Hi
My name is Richard Wallace, I am having a surprise 20th wedding anniversary for my wife on January 26th, 2023. Though the said date is flexible, and I wish to seek your professional touch in planning this party.
I’ll be glad to hear from you if you can handle this for me, any other arrangements will definitely be discussed as we proceed.
Thanks,
Richard Wallace
Adriatic yacht
Electrical Engineer
I thought it was weird that the person put their profession and title at the bottom of the inquiry (“Adriatic Yacht, Electrical Engineer”). Then it was a big alarm bell when both of my clients got a similar inquiry, since they are not in the same market. It just seemed… fishy.
So I posted to my Instagram @SaraDoesSEO, asking if any other wedding pros had gotten the same inquiry, and WOW was the answer yes!
Wedding business owners sent me tons of examples of scam inquiries. Many also offered advice on how they spot them. I want to share that all here, to help you weed out bad inquiries and avoid getting scammed.
How to Spot a Scam Inquiry, Message, or Email
Want to spot a scam? Wedding pros who regularly get these emails shared with me the red flags that help them realize the inquiry isn’t for real.
“It’s a red flag for me when the person is ready to contract for the highest paid service without having a consult or email exchange,” – Pittsburgh wedding planner Jennifer Pecorari of Novalee Events.
“It’s usually a scam when the inquiry has a wedding date that is within a few months or even on a holiday. Occasionally, I get an elopement or wedding with less than 30 guests that want to get married in 3 or 4 months. But most people planning a wedding have a longer time frame.” — Bay Area wedding planner Leanne Bybee of Leanne Lane Weddings.
“I got a scam inquiry from someone who said he wanted to surprise his twin daughters with makeup classes. He was overly complimentary— used the words ‘I’m in good hands’— and has never met or spoken to me before.” – Houston wedding makeup artist Nyoka Gregory of Nyoka Gregory Beauty.
Other red flags that were mentioned multiple times:
- Bad grammar and spelling in the inquiry
- The email address is super random, like a bunch of letters and numbers
- Inquiries that offer a big deposit or offer to pay in full right away
- Including a job title or credentials
- They insist that they can’t talk on the phone
- They say that all payments to vendors will have to go through you
- The inquiry is for a “surprise wedding” (who would want that??)
- For photographer inquiries, when the event date is “flexible” or the person won’t specify a venue
How to Handle a Suspected Scam Inquiry
So you’ve spotted what you think is a scam inquiry. What should you do with it?
Wedding business coach Brandee Gaar recommends deleting scam emails as soon as you’ve seen the red flags and are pretty sure it’s a scam.
If you’re worried it might be an actual inquiry, she says it’s OK to reply (just don’t click on any links in the email!).
“If you reply to a scam inquiry, they’ll usually reply back immediately with a big list of things they want you to do,” Brandee says.
“They’ll sometimes want to book with you right away and tell you to get started. They’ll want you to pay the vendors directly. “
“Usually, on the reply, you can tell really quickly that it’s not a normal situation. When it feels wrong in your gut, just delete it.”
Ultimately, Though, What is the Scam?
I’m a curious person. Sure, I want to know how to spot a scam. But I also want to know—What’s the scammer trying to get out of this?
How does the scam work?
Carly of Day of Details Coordination in Florida sent me this email she received after replying to a suspected scam inquiry:
You’ll note the red flags:
- They are going out of town, so “all payments to vendors will have to go through you”
- They promise a deposit or full payment via a check, without you asking for payment
- Overly complimentary
Ways the scammer profits from this
There seems to be multiple ways that the scammer ends up with money.
According to Tampa wedding planner and former anti-fraud employee Albriana Shante Youyoute, “The scammer will often ask right away ‘Do you accept credit card?’ They’ll want you to charge a large sum to their card, which is usually a stolen credit card number. Then, they’ll ask if you can send some of the money back to them. That’s how they profit from this.”
I also saw an explanation (via wedding photographer Chelsea at White Quill Creative) that the scammer would pay by check but purposely over-pay for the service by $500 and then ask you to return the extra or use it to pay someone else (who’s in on the scam). Then their original check bounces, they disappear, and you’ve lost the money you paid out.
It’s such a bummer. And I hope it doesn’t happen to you!
To wrap this up, I hope this article helps you more easily spot scams that target the wedding and events industry. Be careful out there!
Many thanks to the contributors who sent thoughts, screenshots, examples, and advice for me to include in this post.
And a final disclaimer: I am not a fraud expert. Do your own research and due diligence for any inquiry you receive.
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Great blog post. I got an enquiring from the same guy and I’m based in Budapest!:)) I’ve also had other emails where they gave large budgets but like you mentioned they wanted all vendor payments to go through me.
Thank you for the helpful tips!
My best,
Catherine
That guy is planning anniversary parties for his wife worldwide! Ha. Thanks for your comment, Catherine.
This was an awesome read because I’ve unfortunately had so many of these emails or texts. I think it comes from being inactive on your website, social, etc. That could mean to a scammer that you’re desperate for a sale.
That’s interesting, Lisa! I also hear that people get more of the scam emails when they are actively marketing, because they’re easier to find. I think these scams reach everyone, unfortunately!
Dealing with this guy right now. Glad I found this (and other posts) regarding “an electrical engineer from Adriatic Yachts”. Gonna have a little fun with him first. 😉
Ha! Good luck!
Just got this one! Recognized the verbiage right away.
Hi
My name is Daniel Meaker, I am having a surprise 20th wedding anniversary for my wife on 14th January 2023. Though the Said date is flexible and I wish to seek your professional touch in planning this surprise anniversary party for my wife.
I’ll be glad to hear from you if you can handle this for me, any other arrangements will definitely be discussed as we proceed. Do you accept credit card payment?
Thanks,
Daniel Meaker
Thanks for sharing this version with us, Kayla!
Thank you so, so much for this post! I had a 20 minute conversation with this scammer on the phone yesterday and spent the last hour or so trying to confirm that it was a scam. This blog post was exactly the confirmation I needed! His email to me today was word-for-word what you posted above.
Oh NO!! So sorry to hear they even got you to the phone. So glad this could help, Hope.
I’ve gotten two of these scam emails in the last few weeks. Thanks for this post!!
You’re welcome!
Dealing with Johnson Smith from Adriatic Yacht right now! He wants to plan a birthday party on February 31! Gonna have some fun before I tell him about himself. HAHAHA
So many employees planning parties over there at Adriatic Yacht!! 😉 Good luck, Jessica!
Just got my email!
How are you? Thanks for your email, I’m not a member. March 16th is
also a perfect date but I’m flexible with the date. I work as an
Electrical Engineer with Adriatic Yacht Charter presently at Sea,
according to company policy this is the best way I can communicate
quickly is by email, and can make calls once in a while but will be
back in a couple of days before my party.
I want a private function for my 50th birthday party and I am
expecting a total of 30 guests and I have a good budget for this
celebration, hence I need you to provide the foods, wines and
beverages..
Also I want the party to be from 3PM-9PM. Also, I want you to make a
booking with Jays Morrison Band Group. The Band will be entertaining
my guests and they are my Family’s favorite. I would like to hand over
every other arrangement to you. Do get in touch with Mr. Jeff Morrison
” JAYS MORRISON BAND GROUP ” [email removed]
Kindly let me know all that is needed to make the day memorable for me
and my family. Kindly go ahead and put up a great show for me and let
me know the total cost and I shall advise you with my credit card
details for payment accordingly.
Regards
Richard Dowell
Thanks for sharing this version, Regina!
I am a planner in Tampa, FL and I just got a nearly IDENTICAL email as the one you posted and 7 mos after your post – so this scam must be working well for them! There was just something about the wording that caught my eye as fishy, the fact that he included his job and title in the auto signature, and I Googled his name and job title to come upon your post. Thanks so much for posting this! Maybe I should have some fun and scam the scammer!
Cano James
11:53 AM (15 minutes ago)
to Heather
Good afternoon,
My name is James Cano, I am having a surprise 20th wedding anniversary for my wife on 28th July, 2023. Though the Said date is flexible, and I wish to seek your professional touch in planning this party.
I’ll be glad to hear from you if you can handle this for me, any other arrangements will definitely be discussed as we proceed.
Best Regards,
James Cano
Adriatic yacht
Electrical Engineer
So sad this is still going on!! Thanks for the update, Heather.
Just got this today! From “Andi Scotts, Chief Engineer Adriatic Yacht! And the “band” he wanted was The Tripp – he mentioned a man in my hometown (who I know but didn’t know he wasn’t a musician – which it turns out he isn’t!!)
I even had called a vendor – thank goodness she’s my friend! Trying to leave on a vacation to Italy tomorrow – needless to say, I didn’t need this hassle!!
Glad I saw this – thanks!!
SO crazy!! I’m so glad you were able to find this. Enjoy your vacation– no need to reply to this guy!!
Thanks for this article! I just received one of those emails. It seemed fishy, but I wasn’t sure, so I Googled it and found this article, thank God! It’s very helpful, every restaurant owner should know about this! Thanks again!
You’re welcome, Viktoria!
Thank you so so much for your post. I literally received the email from Nate White from Adriatic Yatch this morning and he called 2 weeks ago asking if he can pay with credit cards. Then 2 weeks later today, he sent email that has the same exact words on your post. Thank God I saw your post about this scamming !
Thank you again and I really appreciate it.
OMG… Nate White emailed me about it as well but its for his bday. I thought it was strange so I have started to dig about this. Until I find all this info. Thnak you guys.
Yikes!!! Glad you found this!
Thanks so much for this post, Sara!! I just received two inquiries last month and my events manager was corresponding. I’ve just taken over and something didn’t sit right, so I googled it and found your Adriatic post! Thanks so much!!! We’re a restaurant in Savannah, GA. So industry beware!
You’re welcome, Katie! Thank you for letting us know this is affecting restaurants too!
Great post.
I am a Justice of the Peace. Years ago I received an email that was overly complimentary and in somewhat stilted language just like you said. It was from the “groom’s uncle.” He said he could not make the wedding, but wanted to pay for it as a wedding present. He asked my fee and sent a “bank check” via FedEx for about 12 times what I had quoted him and asked me to cut checks to the photographer etc. I googled the return address from the FedEx envelope. It was a bus stop. I sent back an email saying that I was happy to officiate but would not be their banker and where did they want the “bank check” sent back to? I then copied the email and sent it to other JPs in my area. The uncle had actually booked multiple weddings. We even contacted the police hoping they would catch these crooks but the cops did nothing.
JUST RECEIVED ENQUIRY AS DETAILED BELOW. ON THE SURFACE IT APPEARS GENUINE AND QUITE INNOCUOUS
HOWEVER THIS EMAIL FOR ME WAS HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS. MISSING/WRONG FROM THIS IS:
1. THE NAME OF OUR VENUE IS MISSING (SO A LAZY CATCHALL TO SEND OUT TO MULTIPLE VENUES?)
2. THEIR PREFERRED AS A PHRASE IS MENTIONED BUT THEN DATE HAS NOT BEEN SPECIFIED, THEY MAKE MENTION OF COMING MONTHS/YEAR. THIS IS A CONTRADICTION IN TERMS .
3. ‘We understand that you likely receive numerous inquiries’ ERR? NO ONE PUTS THIS IN AN ENQUIRY.
4. PHRASES LIKE ‘FURTHERMORE’ ARE UNUSUAL IN AN EMAIL ABOUT A WEDDING, ITS TOO FORMAL.
4. THEY REQUEST A BROCHURE: OUR BROCHURE IS ON OUR WEBSITE TOGETHER WITH AN ENQUIRY FORM THEY HAVE TO FILL IN TO SEND AN ENQUIRY
Item 4 above is an essential safety mechanism, I would recommend any venue or service does this to weed out scammers. We ask for full contact details, dates where they know us from and more. From this we can gleam if they are genuine or a scammer or even a competitor (Yes that happens!) The information they put in the enquiry form lets us know a lot about them and whether they are a genuine enquiry.
If my suspicions are aroused, I search the email address on social media and try to find the contact point somewhere. Not always possible, but I did manage to alert someone to the fact their email account had been hacked and the fact we are in London and that he was in Texas, it was along way to come for his wedding!
Scammers are using chatbot/AI to get around the normal difficulty of language barriers.
Dear Sirs,
I hope this email finds you well. My partner and I are currently in the exciting process of planning our wedding, and after conducting some research, we were thrilled to come across your venue.
Before we proceed further with our planning, we would greatly appreciate it if you could provide us with some additional information. Specifically, we are interested in receiving your brochures outlining the various wedding packages and services you offer, as well as detailed pricing information.
Additionally, if you have any availability calendars or schedules for the upcoming months or year, it would be immensely helpful for us to review those as we try to coordinate our preferred date with your availability.
Furthermore, if there are any upcoming open house events or opportunities for us to visit the venue in person, please do let us know. We believe that seeing the space firsthand would greatly assist us in making our decision.
Lastly, if there are any special promotions, discounts, or packages available for weddings booked within a certain timeframe, we would love to learn more about those as well.
We understand that you likely receive numerous inquiries, but we genuinely believe that your venue could be the perfect setting for our wedding, and we are eager to gather all the necessary information to move forward with our planning process.
We look forward to hearing from you soon and hopefully having the opportunity to discuss our wedding plans further.
Warm regards,
Derek & Judy
Really appreciate you sharing this example and your analysis of the red flags, Terence!
Thanks Sara. Just received two more scam emails today, one reads:
Hello,
We were excited to find you. We’d love to get more information about your services and any packages you have available for 80/100 pax
Thank you,
Andrulyte.
Although a short message, this is classic AI written, I was suspicious, immediately : ‘We were excited to find you’. This for me was the giveaway and typical of AI generating a message. Wedding enquiries are often enthusiastic, but ‘excited to find you’ oversteps the mark as an opening gambit certainly in an initial email.
I have learnt to recognise AI written copy. We recently employed a graphic designer and asked him to write copy for an event. I didn’t at the time know he was useless at writing copy, I found his copy over wordy. He then told me he had started to use AI a couple of years back. The AI he utilised was equally dreadful and even more wordy. He didn’t stay in the job long. It is the same on Ebay I can see right through descriptions written by AI/Bot. It tends to put me off.
A good writer should not have to use AI, it is a cop out and shows them to be lazy and unimaginative.
AI needs to radically improve to overcome being instantly recognisable when used in copy. The worry of course is that it will.
Really appreciate this detailed analysis, Terence! Great point on AI written copy and not getting the sentiment right. I think the only thing we need to be careful of is that I’ve seen some real couples using AI to write their inquiries, since it’s easier and really entering the mainstream.
Has anyone got one from Joseph Kratz planning a surprise bday for their daughter??
Hi Sara! Thank you so very much for this information and insightful topic! I’m a mental health therapist and received a very similar email today from a ‘prospective client’ that had many of the details you described in your post. This particular email came from a Frances Terry, and came from a gmail account from Frances Terry. Perhaps the scammers are stepping up their game?? Anyway, I wanted to give you a BIG thank you! I, too, was confused how a scammer would benefit from this, but when you mentioned over-paying and then asking for money back, that made sense. This post helped me tremendously! Many thanks, Sara!
Oh no! It looks like this scam is reaching beyond the wedding industry. Thanks for the update, Natalie!