After dudding dozens of couples on their big day, a wedding photography company has been convicted and slapped with a $100,000 payment order.
Emily Andres of Parramatta-based firm Andres & Co has been outed by NSW Fair Trading for no-shows and "ghosting" newlyweds over two years.
The watchdog placed a public warning on Andres & Co in 2024 after receiving 68 complaints from couples who did not get the expensive packages they paid for.
Photographers did not show up for some weddings, while other clients were not sent their photos or received dodgy work.
One of those complainants was Esta Argyrakis, who wed her partner in 2024 and paid Andres & Co around $2800 for two photographers, including Ms Andres' partner Joey.
"We had to chase for the photos, it was six weeks, eight weeks, 12 weeks ... and eventually we got half of the photos," she told AAP.
"There were all 'derpy' and there were a lot of things missing. We had given him a lot of shots we wanted and they didn't listen.
"And then he blocked us, our email got blocked, I would try to call and text and it was blocked.
"Then we got a call from the second photographer asking if we ever got her photos, because Joey completely ghosted her too."
Facebook's wedding discussion pages from the area are awash with angry and anxious brides after contracting the company.
One self-described "sad and stressed bride to be", posted in urgent need of a stand-in photographer after realising they'd been "completely ghosted".
"Another Andres and Co victim here," they posted.
"Once a deposit was paid, we have had no contact from them despite calling and emailing them for weeks on end ... right now I have no faith that he will even turn up for our wedding day."
On Tiktok, a newlywed shared her frustrations after buying a photography package but receiving nothing back.
"He shot all of the most amazing coverage of my ceremony ... now he's not responding to anything," she said.
She told others to "trust your gut" when hiring for their special day.
"Alas I wish I trusted mine. I wish I went and found someone new when all the story broke out ... and now I'm suffering."
Subcontracted photographers or production assistants also shared their frustrations online at not being paid for work.
On Monday, NSW Fair Trading announced the complaints produced a successful prosecution.
Ms Andres was found responsible for 15 breaches of consumer law, fined $48,250 and ordered to pay another $51,760 to compensate couples.
"There is only one opportunity to capture a wedding day, and this trader has robbed many couples of that moment," NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said.
"While no monetary penalty can change that, I am pleased to see the trader being held to account."
The offending took place between March 2023 and February 2025, including couples that were left up to $5000 out of pocket.
The Andres & Co website and Instagram remains online - though without new work posted for more than a year.
AAP has attempted to contact the company for comment.
