Canadian Bride Attacks Photographers On Social Media, Ordered To Pay $89,000

A disgruntled Canadian bride, who launched a series of attack on social media against the photographers at her wedding, was ordered to pay $89,000 (CAD $150,000) by British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Gordon Weatherill.

In his Feb. 22 ruling, Judge Weatherill said the bride, Emily Liao “failed to prove that her displeasure was justified," CBC reported.

"This case is an example of the dangers of using the internet to publish information without proper regard for its accuracy," Weatherill wrote. "Emily, and others who think it is acceptable to use the internet as a vehicle to vent their frustrations, must be given the message that there will be consequences if their publications are defamatory."

The court documents revealed that in early April 2015, Amara Wedding — who primarily cater to Chinese clients — received an email from Liao enquiring about wedding services. They entered into an agreement later that month. However, following the wedding in July 2015, Liao who was dissatisfied with the quality of the photographs took the owner of the business, Kitty Chan, to small claims court alleging a breach of contract.

Liao, who stopped the payment on the balance owed to the company, sued Amara Wedding for a breach of contract in failing to provide quality pictures. Chan counterclaimed for the balance owed.

The court documents revealed that Amara Wedding didn’t fully process the photographs that were “raw”, “untouched” and “unfinished” because Liao ceased payment.

In addition to the photographs as promised in the contract, Amara Wedding provided the makeup, hair, photography, flowers and master of ceremony services.

In October 2016, the small claims action filed by Liao was dismissed and Amara Wedding won their counterclaim.

A week later Liao posted apologies on social media sites but according to Chan it was too late.

According to report by CBC News, in a barrage of disparaging comments that began in August 2015, posted on English and Chinese language social media platforms, Liao accused Amara Wedding and its owner Chan of a "bait and switch scam", "dirty tactics", and "lying to consumers."

Judge Weatherill said the posts implied Amara Wedding "was a major scam shop and deceitful photography mill business engaged in extortion, dishonesty, unfair practices, bait and switch and other dirty tactics, lies to its customers who it tricks and coerces to enter into contracts which it breaches and attempts to falsify, had provided raw unfinished photographs under the guise of the finished product, had destroyed evidence, used a secret, fictional identity and had threatened the defendants."

For a year, Liao attacked the business, causing them to shut down.

"What I have lost has already gone, so I don't think anything can compensate that. I want to prove to people that they have to face any consequences when they say something on the internet," Chan told CBC News Wednesday. "We know how bad it could be when a rumor is spreading on the internet, but I have never thought this will happen to me."