CHICAGO (WLS) — For many, a wedding is among life’s most cherished events, with videos capturing those moments becoming invaluable treasures.
The ABC7 I-Team has launched an inquiry into grievances from local couples who claim their wedding videographer failed to provide them with their recorded memories.
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In an exclusive collaboration, Consumer Investigators Jason Knowles and Samantha Chatman are examining numerous allegations.
Heartbroken and frustrated, several individuals approached ABC7, alleging that despite paying a local videographer substantial amounts, they have yet to receive all their cherished footage. They now worry these invaluable memories may be lost forever.
Couples who feel they’ve been given the runaround have sought assistance from the I-Team, prompting an investigation into the videographer they once trusted. The team is unraveling the circumstances surrounding the missing videos.
The complaints against Tony Scott of Magic Moment Wedding Films have also been voiced by two subcontractors who, along with the couples, have turned to the I-Team for help.
The I-Team obtained video from another videographer, who is not associated with the allegations.
The consumers say they paid in full but did not get their videos, and they have all filed reports with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.
“At this point, he has stripped us of our memories and we truly that’s all we want,” said Erin Norton.
Erin and Shawn Norton got married in May 2025.
“The day was wonderful,” Erin said.
Scott showed up and took the footage, but the couple said they never received their video after paying about $2,400.
“When I found her crying in the bed uncontrollably, you know, and there’s nothing that I can do to make that better,” Shawn said.
Jessica Malagon and Orlando Ventura say only a subcontracted still-photographer showed up to their October 2025 wedding.
“We’ve never actually met Tony. He never showed up to our wedding,” Jessica said.
“It’s heart-wrenching,” Orlando added.
The couple said they paid Scott more than $3,200. They say they were able to get a refund after disputing the charges.
“We have been looking forward to this day for years. We’ve been together since we were in middle school,” Jessica said.
Bride Kaylin Olague said she paid $2,500 for her August 2025 wedding footage. She says she has not yet received the videos that were shot.
“It just feels horrible,” she said. “You dream of having all of your family members in one place and, you know, having video evidence of that.”
Gina Toelke said she paid more than $2,200 for her wedding video in August 2025. She said all she has gotten so far is some raw footage, which she says she cannot download. She says she won a fraud dispute with her bank.
“I was depressed. I was crying. I was not focused at work,” she said.
And the two subcontractors say Scott owes them money after they took photos or videos at weddings.
Scott told the I-Team in this email that he would not talk to ABC7 on camera but said, “Many of the claims circulating publicly are incomplete, inaccurate, or lack proper context. Several matters referenced are actively being addressed through appropriate channels, including fulfillment, refunds, and administrative resolution. Others involve misunderstandings related to subcontractor arrangements that are likewise being handled directly.”
Scott’s website was also recently updated saying, “Due to current production volume and operational restructuring, ALL outstanding Magic Moment Wedding Films edits will be delivered by March 1, 2026. This timeline applies to all remaining projects currently in post-production. Clients will be notified directly upon completion.”
Wedding expert Jennifer Stein, the editor-in-chief of “Destination I Do,” says consumers need to do extensive research.
“Make sure that the testimonials that you’re seeing on their on their website are things that you can cross-reference,” Stein said.
Stein says to make sure your contract says when you will receive your footage and to beware of low prices.
“If you have two quotes that are around the same price and a third one comes in and it is half or much, much less than the other two, that is one of the biggest red flags,” Stein said.
Several of the consumers in our story say they were able to obtain still pictures, but they had to pay additional money to those subcontracted photographers, who claimed that they did not get paid by Scott.
“It’s a wedding; you expect things to go wrong,” Orlando said. “But you never expect your videographer to just disappear on you.”
The Illinois Attorney General’s Office says it has received six complaints since 2025 on Scott and Magic Moment Wedding Films. Scott says he has addressed any relevant matters “through appropriate, formal channels.”
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