Newlywed finally gets wedding memories
CLAYTON, N.C. (WTVD) -- Planning a wedding can be stressful and expensive, and not getting what you paid for can cause even more issues.
That is exactly what is happening to newlywed Kimberly Elliot-Williams. Her wedding day was perfect, but she is still dealing with the aftermath.
"That was a fantastic wonderful day," Elliot-Williams said.
The couple hired videographer, Ernest W. Richardson, to capture the memories of such a special day.
"He seemed to be very professional. He had a contract," she said.
Elliot-Williams paid the videographer in full before her March wedding, and after the big day she was anticipating her DVDs.
"In the contract, it states all finished products will be delivered within 60 days of the event," she said.
But 60 days after she tied the knot, Elliot-Williams was still waiting.
"I emailed him on May 29 and asked him would he be sending the DVDs to us," she said. "He said that he was heading to New York to visit some family and he would send it to us the following Monday and we still haven't received anything."
Elliot-Williams continued to try to get answers throughout the summer.
"I've emailed him, text messaged him, as well as my husband, he emailed and texted and everything, he said he was making tweaks to it," she said.
Richardson continued to give excuses to the newlyweds about their videos.
"'It's in the mail. I'll deliver it to your grandmother. I thought that you had received them already,'" she said.
Fed up, Elliot-Williams reached out to ABC 11.
"I just don't understand why he is holding these DVDs hostage," she said.
This isn't the first time we have heard of Richardson. We helped another bride get her wedding DVDs from him after a long wait.
Richardson has many stories. First, saying he already sent the DVDs. He also blamed several issues on Elliot-William -- saying on her wedding day there were problems with the sound and venue that affected his job. Afterwards, he claimed he would send a second set of DVDs by the end of the week.
That was in July, and two months later, still no DVDs.
"It's very disappointing to see the photos, and see everything happen, and just to not have the videos to relive the moment," Elliot-Williams said.
In August, Richardson blamed the delays on equipment issues on his end. On Monday, Richardson emailed saying the DVDs are done and ready, but he wants her to sign a release to get the DVDs.
Elliot-Williams is tired of waiting and is taking legal action. She and Richardson are scheduled to meet in court on Tuesday and Elliot-Williams hopes she can finally get what she paid for and has been promised for months.
UPDATE: There's good news for Kim. She now has the wedding DVDs she's been waiting for. After our story and going to court, Richardson produced the DVDs in court and even played them for the judge. Kim is happy she now has the memories from her special day.
Richardson apologized for all the stress and frustrations he's caused Kim and her husband. He admits his communication could have been better. He also thanked me for giving him the opportunity to make it right.
