Heartbroken newlyweds are still waiting for precious footage of their big day despite the videographer at the centre of a police fraud probe being released without charge.
More than 200 couples hired Wallflower Weddings, run by Sarah Stanton, 35, from Kent – only to be left high and dry, with no videos and no refunds.
Kent Police launched a criminal investigation into the business in January this year following a flood of complaints from furious brides and grooms, some of whom said Stanton cancelled on the morning of their weddings.
Officers seized a trove of wedding footage as part of the inquiry but despite the operation spanning months, police have now concluded there is no evidence of dishonesty, and that no further action will be taken.
Newlywed Amy Campbell-Parker, 38, from Bexley, tied the knot in February 2023 and paid £515 for a full video package, but were left with nothing but heartbreak and unanswered messages.
She said: ‘It’s devastating. That video was supposed to be how we remembered the most important day of our lives. Now we might never get it.’
It wasn’t until almost a year later that Amy discovered she was far from alone – finding a Facebook support group titled Victims of Wallflower Videography, now with nearly 350 members.
More than 200 couples hired Wallflower Weddings, run by Sarah Stanton, 35, from Kent – only to be left high and dry, with no videos and no refunds
Wallflower’s owner, Ms Stanton, has previously insisted she is not a con artist, saying: ‘Those who know me know I am not a scammer.’
But as complaints stacked up and dozens of couples turned to police and civil courts, she continued to claim she was simply overwhelmed by the backlog.
Kent Police has now confirmed the investigation has concluded and that negligence ‘does not constitute dishonesty’.
A spokesperson said: ‘There was insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution.
‘Complainants have the right to pursue civil action for any alleged breach of contract.’
The decision has enraged couples still battling for justice and for their footage.
One bride, who wished to remain anonymous, said she and her husband are still fighting to retrieve video from their April 2023 nuptials after paying £775 for a comprehensive video package.
She said: ‘It’s a real slap in the face they’re saying no further action. We’ve done everything right. We paid in good faith. We’ve waited. We’ve been patient. And we’ve been ignored.’
The couple say that when they contacted Stanton on their first anniversary, she offered them raw, unedited footage only if they signed a gagging agreement.
According to the couple, the contract stated they must waive their rights to pursue legal action, not leave any ‘negative or derogatory’ reviews, and absolve Wallflower from responsibility for the final edit.
They refused and won a civil court case in February. The judge ordered Stanton to hand over the footage, issue a full refund, and pay compensation and court costs.
But when she failed to comply within 14 days, the couple were forced to obtain a writ of enforcement – sending in bailiffs to recover the footage and funds.
Even then, the bride claims, there was ‘very little of value to seize’.
Ms Stanton, who launched Wallflower Weddings in 2021 after 16 years of amateur videography, previously told KentOnline she had sunk into depression due to the backlash – and accused angry customers of launching a ‘witch hunt’.
She said: ‘Clients seem to like the contract when they want it to work in their favour, but refuse to acknowledge it when it goes against something they want.
‘This entire ‘witch hunt’, bullying and harassment snowballed from initially starting cheaply.’
The backlash began last summer after multiple couples accused her of vanishing after being paid or worse, cancelling on the morning of the wedding.
Others say they waited months or even years for footage, only to be ignored or blocked after reaching out.
It’s understood that more than 100 couples were still waiting for videos to be edited at the time of the police investigation.
Despite the conclusion of the criminal probe, many say they feel utterly let down – and that justice has not been served.
One bride summed it up bluntly: ‘We’re not scammers. We’re not bullies. We’re just people who want what we paid for.’
