Avoid wedding horror stories

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - You have heard them before, wedding horror stories because the bridal salon abruptly closes, or the videographer doesn't deliver on his promises.

Make sure you are hiring legitimate vendors for your special day.

Mary Lee's Bridal in Kenmore was seized by the state for back taxes, leaving some brides in a bind.

Bride-to-Be Sara Bruckheimer asked, "Do you know when I'm going to be able to get my dress back because I paid for it?"

A Solid Gold Sound hasn't given one couple their wedding video.

"And it was always, they are in editing, the videos are in editing, or we already sent them out to you, or you will get them in another two weeks, and they never came," said Kylee Lamattina.

Choosing legitimate and honest wedding vendors is not easy, especially when emotions are involved.

"A lot of brides and grooms make the purchases with their hearts instead of their heads," said Ellen Tucker, the Director of the Better Business Bureau Foundations.

Tucker says brides and grooms can never ask too many questions. For example, when hiring a band, get the name of the band members in writing. If you're going with a photography company, find out who exactly will be shooting your wedding and ask to see his or her pictures. For a limo, take a tour of the one you want and ask for only that limo.

Tucker said, "If they're not OK with you asking for details in your contract, you should get up and walk away."

Talking to other brides, family members, and co-workers for references is crucial, but BBB.org goes into a lot of detail about hundreds of local wedding vendors. You'll learn by browsing that Clara Milas Bridal in West Seneca, for example, has an F rating.

Tucker said, "They have 25 complaints with the BBB and some of them are unanswered, some of them are unresolved and they do have an F rating with the Better Business Bureau."

Experts say couples need to treat a wedding like any other major purchase.

Tucker said, "Do their research, make sure to have written contracts, and they're sure to have the wedding of their dreams."

News 4 spoke with the owner of Clara Milas about the Better Business Bureau rating and she tells News 4 that she has responded to all of her customers complaints. She doesn't agree with the rating and she believes the BBB won't fix her rating because she won't pay to become an accredited member.

The lesson? Do your research and speak with references.