Imagine Getting Ghosted on Your Wedding Day

Last month, we were booked to cover a beautiful wedding reception. Like every event we attend, we arrived early. And as always, the first thing we saw was the event decorator rushing, sweating, trying to beat the clock. It’s a sight we’ve grown familiar with, and this day didn’t feel any different. Well, that's what we thought.

The guests began to arrive. Laughter and chatter slowly filled the hall. The bride and groom were minutes away. But something wasn’t right. The decor still looked… half-done. The stage was bare. The aisle looked incomplete. At first, we assumed they were still setting up but time kept ticking, and nothing changed.

And then came the moment that broke our hearts the bride walked in, took one look at the venue, and started to cry. What was supposed to be a grand reception for her side of the family turned into a moment of shock, humiliation, and heartbreak. Her family was furious. She was reluctant to even walk up to the stage. And the worst part? No one from the decor team picked up their phone. No explanations. No apologies.

The groom, though… oh, bless him. He stood by her, holding her hand, whispering gentle reassurances throughout the evening. He kept her calm, made her smile when she was trying not to sob, and reminded her of the love they were there to celebrate. He didn’t let her walk through that chaos alone — and to us, that was the real decor of the night.

Now, you might be wondering: How bad could it have been?

Let’s just say… it was bad.

There were no carpets. Instead, there was a canvas banner, an old one flipped upside down to mimic a stage floor. It was slippery. At least 6–7 guests (adults) who went up to greet the couple ended up slipping. The couple had paid for a grand 30ft stage decor setup with a beautifully lit entrance walkway. What they got instead? A barely-there 10ft stage design that looked like an afterthought in a hall made for royalty. It was disheartening.

As photographers, all we ever want is for our couples to be happy. So we stepped in not just behind the lens, but beside the couple. We assured them, “This stage won’t be the star of your photos. You will be.” We shot from every angle that flattered. We framed every smile, every sparkle in their eyes, while artfully hiding the missing pieces behind them.

We cracked jokes. We gave them space when needed. We hyped them up when they looked down. And by the end of the night, there were laughs again. A little shy, a little bittersweet but real.

After the event, the couple came to us, holding our hands, thanking us with the sincerest hearts. They were still angry — understandably, but they had decided to park the rage for another day. That night, they chose grace. And when we asked if we could share their story to raise awareness for other couples, they didn’t hesitate — they said, “Please do. And tag us.”

We’re incredibly proud of them. It takes courage to show vulnerability, to share when things didn’t go as planned. But their story could help someone else avoid the same pain and that, to them, mattered more.

What Really Happened?

1. The decor vendor was unresponsive from the beginning and ...THEY FORGOT ABOUT THE EVENT. After bride's family members chased them down earlier on that day, they came in to fix what they could. The final outcome looked nothing like the sample image shown earlier. We assumed it was incomplete, but that was actually it.

2. The couple paid for 30ft full-stage decor, entrance arch, and walkway.What they got: 10ft of underwhelming stage decor, a sparsely decorated entrance, and a dangerously slippery canvas banner AS A CARPET that made guests fall.

3. The vendor ignored their calls before,during and after the event. The couple confronted post event and the response they got from the vendor was “this is what you paid for.”

   In short they got cheated.

4. The couple finally received RM2000 refund but after all the mess they have gone through, no more amount of money could ever compensate.
   

   
   

   

If You’re Planning Your Wedding…

Please ... do your homework. Check for Google reviews. Ask around. Talk to friends who recently got married. Some vendors may be expensive, but what you’re paying for is peace of mind. Don’t let your once-in-a-lifetime celebration be handled by vendors who ghost you at the worst possible time.

Your money is hard-earned. Your love story deserves better.

Choose wisely. Celebrate boldly. And remember, even if the decor fails, love always finds a way to light up the night.