ABC7 I-Team tracks down wedding ceremony photographer Grace Avalos Sanchez, who brides say didn’t present up or refund them

CHICAGO (WLS) — Rubi Salgado and Matt French have been counting down the times till they are saying “I do” subsequent 12 months.

They booked Grace Avalos Sanchez, a marriage photographer they present in a neighborhood Facebook group, as a result of they have been excited to work along with her.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click right here to look at

“Her deal was amazing,” Salgado informed the ABC7 I-Team. “Photography, videography, drone, content creation, she had a variety of, just the shots that she was posting, it looked really beautiful, it looked like great work.”

The {couples} stated they booked her for his or her engagement photographs and wedding ceremony. But on the day of the engagement shoot, they stated she was a no-show, and they also tried contacting her

“She calls me right away and says, ‘I had an emergency on Friday. I’m so sorry, I forgot about your engagement photoshoot,'” Salgado stated. “Angry, upset… I was near tears. It was like, I can’t even think. I can’t even talk to her.”

The couple stated they terminated their contract with Avalos Sanchez, and he or she promised to pay their $1,000 deposit again, however she did not return the funds.

“It kind of broke my heart, as a fiancée, as a groom-to-be. I think it devastates any groom to see your fiancé, or even your future wife go through something like that,” French stated.

Josee Ladzinski says she additionally discovered Avalos Sanchez on a Facebook group. Ladzinski says she paid Avalos Sanchez $1,650 to movie her wedding ceremony, however she did not present up.

“She texted me that she was on her way. Then, an hour and a half went by and she still wasn’t there,” Ladzinski stated. “It was very heartbreaking. I almost cried.”

Ladzinski says Avalos Sanchez informed her that she did not make it as a result of she acquired in a automotive accident.

“I said, ‘I do feel bad if you were in a car accident, but I still deserve my money back,'” Ladzinski stated.

After weeks of guarantees, the bride says she nonetheless hadn’t gotten her a refund.

Salgado and Ladzinski stated they did analysis and discovered that they and plenty of others with comparable tales about Avalos Sanchez.

Salgado says she filed a police report with Aurora police, the place an officer contacted the photographer.

She says Avalos Sanchez despatched her half of her a refund, $500, after listening to from police. She’s nonetheless ready for the opposite half.

The photographer initially agreed to interview with ABC7 however then determined towards it.

In a written assertion, she acknowledged that there are purchasers who’ve skilled delays in receiving refunds or companies and stated she regrets the stress this has positioned on purchasers.

She cited private emergencies and a decline in enterprise due to adverse on-line evaluations.

“At no point have I intended to scam or intentionally mislead my clients. My business has served many couples successfully over the years, and I have always worked to resolve issues when they arose… I want to be clear that I have never intended to deceive anyone or permanently withhold money owed. I remain committed to honoring every legitimate obligation and continuing to resolve outstanding refunds as i am financially able,” Avalos Sanchez stated.

The brides say they only wish to be made entire and wish to warn others about this native wedding ceremony photographer.

After the I-Team acquired concerned, the photographer ended up paying one of many brides again in full: $1,650.

As for the lady who had the engagement shoot, she stated she’s nonetheless owed $500.

The photographer stated there are different former purchasers who’ve obtained refunds and expressed satisfaction, however she stated they modified their place on-line.

The Aurora Police Department stated it is a civil matter but when further data involves mild that will point out a felony offense occurred, that data could be supplied to their police division for additional evaluate.