I would like to urge all budding wedding planners out there to be more alert when planning your client’s wedding.  I learnt it the most costly way.

What happened was, my client wanted to pay some money to a caterer before testing the food.  Despite my advice not to do so, I was instructed to make the payment.  Since it was about a month before the wedding, I was asked to pay more than the required deposit.  In total, I paid RM2500.

As it turned out, the client managed to test the food and somehow it didn’t meet the family’s expectations.  They decided not to proceed with the caterer and demanded the money back.  The caterer said he will return the money but according to his own timeframe and affordability.  The wedding took place and now after the wedding, the client kept quiet about topping up with the RM2500 to cover for other expenses and the caterer didn’t reply my messages.  And I’m left to pay the photographer, for the canopy and the mak andam.  All from my own pocket money.

Where is the fairness in that?  I was just following instructions and I’ve to use my own hard-earned money for my client’s wedding.  I feel sad and cheated, by both – my client and the caterer.

I have given the caterer until 8 October to return the money.  If he failed to do so, I will have no choice but to make a police report.