Weddings are expensive and they can break the bank in more ways than one, especially if brides and grooms fall prey to scams. Better Business Bureau encourages couples to be on the lookout for con artists when it comes to planning for their nuptials.

Within the past 12 months, BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington has received nearly 30,000 wedding industry inquiries, including 109 complaints. Most of the complaints center around wedding supplies and services.

Scammers often times target engaged couples because they’re willing to spend big bucks on their weddings. They’re also inexperienced when it comes to hiring vendors, finding a venue and buying a gown.

BBB offers the following tips before saying “I do.”

• Beware of fake vendors. Every year, brides shell out cash to DJs, photographers and bakers who don’t show up. Before deciding whom to hire, research companies by reading reviews on bbb.org.
• Be on the lookout for gift theft. Brides and grooms have reported having wedding crashers steal thousands of dollars’ worth of cash, checks and gift cards. Assign a friend or family member to be in charge of securing gifts.
• Watch out for home burglars. Wedding announcements in newspapers and on wedding websites give would-be thieves information on when couples won’t be home, and sometimes even their addresses. Couples can limit the risk by locking up valuables before leaving for their honeymoon and asking a neighbor to stop by regularly.
• Don’t get conned into buying a counterfeit gown. Imitation dresses often look exactly like the designer ones online, but are actually made of cheap materials, less elaborate and poorly constructed. Sometimes, the dress never even arrives. To avoid fakes, look for authorized retailers on the designer’s website and buy from BBB Accredited bridal shops.