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2nd Couple Accuses Local Wedding Planner Of Taking Money — And Taking Off

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — It was reported Monday that a local wedding planner had taken a couple's money and skipped out days before their ceremony. Tuesday, a second couple spoke out, claiming the same woman had taken their money and bailed.

Francine Antonio-Brand and her husband, Herb, say they paid $5,000 to wedding planner Rose Smith-Cooper of By The Shore Beach Weddings, who also goes by Rosetta Smith-Cooper on Facebook.

When the couple arrived at their wedding in Santa Monica on Sept. 6, everything they had paid for, including the tent, chairs, flowers and musicians, were not there.

Another no-show at the wedding was Smith-Cooper.

"I was devastated," Francine said. "I mean, even now, talking about it, it just hurts. We don't want her to have a dime of our money. She doesn't deserve it."

On Monday, Speshelle and Tony Garcia made similar claims about Smith-Cooper, saying that none of their vendors had been paid.

According to the Brands, Smith-Cooper told them she was stuck out of town and couldn't make the ceremony.

She allegedly texted Herb, saying: "It's Rose, please arrive at 12:00 for the ceremony. My setup assistant Louie will be there to help you all. As well as Ed will get your license done."

The setup assistant never arrived, and the Brands set up a couple of collapsible awnings they happened to have in their cars.

Brand says her father, who struggles with health issues, had to wait nearly two hours in the sun before walking her down the aisle.

"Some of our friends and family got severe sunburn," Francine said. "(My father) can barely walk. He's on dialysis, he's diabetic, you know, he's had a triple bypass, and my father is not in good shape."

When a family friend posted a photo of the ceremony on Facebook, Smith-Cooper posted a comment, which read, "If you or any of Francine's family/Friends post negative reviews or slanderous remarks against my business, I will make sure to take them to court."

While Smith-Cooper continues to decline interview requests, the Brands say they want their money back.

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