A bridal beauty agency in British Columbia has closed down amid widespread complaints from couples and makeup artists who claimed they experienced last-minute cancellations, double-bookings, and substantial unpaid debts. The closure of the Cassidy Watt Artistry Collective in Kamloops came after numerous social media posts from clients in early September.
Owner Cassidy Watt stated to CBC News that health issues led to the decision to shut down the agency and that efforts are being made to reimburse clients. The issues surfaced after a Vancouver bride named Iris Chow received a sudden cancellation notice just 16 hours before her wedding, with Watt citing a medical emergency and assigning a replacement artist.
Allegations emerged regarding triple-bookings when Chow discovered that the replacement artist had been recruited by Watt four days before the wedding. Similar incidents were reported by other brides, such as Amelia Henderson, who also received last-minute cancellation emails from Watt. Social media posts and videos under the hashtag #BridalGate shed light on these experiences, leading to a wave of similar accounts.
CBC News spoke with multiple couples and contractors who detailed similar experiences of abrupt cancellations, unmet agreements, and delayed refunds. The sudden closure of the agency left clients like Kelowna groom Mike Johnson and his fiancée scrambling to find alternative vendors just weeks before their wedding.
Contracted artists also faced challenges, with some reporting significant outstanding payments. Mia Johnson, for instance, revealed she is owed $32,000 for completed work and has not received any payments despite promises from Watt. Artists also expressed concerns about their reputations being tarnished due to Watt allegedly continuing to advertise services under their names after they had stopped working for the agency.
Watt attributed the closure of her business to “a significant health challenge” and mentioned that refunds are being processed regularly. While some individuals have reported receiving their owed payments, others, like Mia Johnson, are still awaiting resolution. The repercussions of the agency’s closure have extended to couples with future bookings, prompting affected parties to collaborate in online support groups and consider legal actions.