ABC7 I-Team tracks down wedding photographer who brides say did not show up or refund them

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Rubi Salgado and Matt French have been counting down the days until they say "I do" next year.

They booked Grace Avalos Sanchez, a wedding photographer they found in a local Facebook group, because they were excited to work with her.

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"Her deal was amazing," Salgado told 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 said they booked her for their engagement photos and wedding. But on the day of the engagement shoot, they said she was a no-show, and so they 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 said. "Angry, upset... I was near tears. It was like, I can't even think. I can't even talk to her."

The couple said they terminated their contract with Avalos Sanchez, and she promised to pay their $1,000 deposit back, but she didn't 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 said.

Josee Ladzinski says she also found Avalos Sanchez on a Facebook group. Ladzinski says she paid Avalos Sanchez $1,650 to film her wedding, but she didn't show 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 said. "It was very heartbreaking. I almost cried."

Ladzinski says Avalos Sanchez told her that she didn't make it because she got in a car accident.

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

After weeks of promises, the bride says she still hadn't gotten her money back.

Salgado and Ladzinski said they did research and learned that they and many others with similar stories about Avalos Sanchez.

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

She says Avalos Sanchez sent her half of her money back, $500, after hearing from police. She's still waiting for the other half.

The photographer initially agreed to interview with ABC7 but then decided against it.

In a written statement, she acknowledged that there are clients who have experienced delays in receiving refunds or services and said she regrets the stress this has placed on clients.

She cited personal emergencies and a decline in business because of negative online reviews.

"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 said.

The brides say they just want to be made whole and want to warn others about this local wedding photographer.

After the I-Team got involved, the photographer ended up paying one of the brides back in full: $1,650.

As for the woman who had the engagement shoot, she said she's still owed $500.

The photographer said there are other former clients who have received refunds and expressed satisfaction, but she said they changed their position online.

The Aurora Police Department said this is a civil matter but if additional information comes to light that may indicate a criminal offense occurred, that information can be provided to their police department for further review.