Bali wedding plans in tatters
The wedding plans of some WA couples are in tatters after a Perth-based Bali event planner went broke, leaving clients tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Consumer Protection said nine WA couples had reported problems with Bali D'Luxe, which was declared insolvent yesterday after sole director Catherine Williams, of Wanneroo, voluntarily wound up the business.
The WA complainants paid almost $105,000 to Bali D'Luxe, including two couples who paid more than $20,000 for weddings yet to take place.
Victoria Park couple Michael Simmons and Marina Attwater are due to get married today. Ms Attwater told _The West Australian _last night she arrived in Bali on Monday to find most of her dream wedding had not been paid for, despite transferring almost $20,000 to Bali D'Luxe.
She said the couple had since had to repay for many elements of their wedding but were "lucky" to have independently booked their venue, meaning today's ceremony could go ahead.
Ballajura bride-to-be Amy-Mae Perry, 25, said her November 8 wedding might be cancelled because she and fiance Jake Smith would struggle to find extra cash after already paying $6300 to Ms Williams.
Former Perth Glory player Matt Horsley and Susan Henderson organised their September 2 wedding through Bali D'Luxe but are now not certain whether their marriage is legitimate because they had not received a certificate.
Ms Henderson said the couple also had not received their wedding video and photographs despite paying for both in full.
Consumer Protection expects more affected WA couples to come forward and the final amount lost could exceed $200,000.
Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard said the insolvency process would take time and Bali D'Luxe customers who paid upfront by EFTPOS, direct transfer or cash might not get any money back.