Wedding Planner Planned to Con….

There’s something in the water. Here’s yet another story about a wedding planner that was arrested on charges of fraud for bilking clients out of about $60,000.  Stanley Kwan, 45, owned a San Francisco wedding planning business called “To Have and To Hold,” which should have been called “To Have and To Hold…Onto Your Money.” Between 2005 and 2006, Kwan accepted money from several clients for all kinds of things, like planning, photography, videography, bridesmaid dresses, tuxedo rentals, alcohol, flowers, and limousine services. But, accepting money was about all he was good at. After absconding with the cash and delivering nothing, the local authorities got involved. However, it took years to find him. Once they did, Kwan was charged with 25 counts of grand theft and one count of conspiracy. He starts his four year bid in the pen this week.

I get calls from frantic vendors who have may potentially be in breach (“I was late,” “I forgot to take pictures of x,y,z,” “I didn’t bring the right music,” etc), and think that they will be hauled off to jail. Generally, the 5-0 do not get involved in civil matters like this unless there is actual fraud that is systematic and clear-cut. So, if you occasionally mess up, you may be looking at a civil suit, but you probably will not be hauled off to the pokey.

Want Texas Tall-Hair? You Better Go to the Salon…

Do you like government regulation of haircuts? Well, go to Texas, partner. Currently, there’s a law in the books that prevents hairstylists from working outside of a salon (or should that be saloon?). The 1978 law states that, “a person licensed by the department may practice cosmetology only at a facility operated by a person holding a beauty shop license, specialty shop license, private beauty culture school license, or other license issued by the department.” Consequently, the statute really  cramps revenue potential for the profession, as stylists cannot travel to venues to work. Hairstylists and Aquanet executives everywhere are now officially at their breaking point.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, or TDLR, the state agency in charge of enforcing the law, aren’t really fans of the law either. The TDLR has investigated a whopping 10 violations of the law since 2012. Susan Sanfrod, spokesperson for the TDLR sings the praises of travelling stylists. “When your daughter is getting married, you may not have time to go to the beauty shop, and to have a hair stylist or a barber come to the venue, that would be a win-win for everyone.”

Currently, lawmakers are working to change the law.