Inside A Wedding Week Crisis And The Comeback

Nine days before our welcome party, the phone call was made:
 “You’re not on the calendar.”

The “perfect” artist we booked? Someone had impersonated them. Contracts looked real. Emails were flawless. $12,000 paid so far was gone AND our deep-South rooftop kickoff suddenly had no heartbeat.

In Episode 2 of the II Dope Chics Podcast: The II Dope Wedding Series, we share how we uncovered the scam, the red flags we missed, and what we did fast to protect ourselves and rebuild the night. From law enforcement calls to last-minute talent swaps, wig emergencies, elevator failures, tech hiccups and yes, signing a prenup in a hotel lobby. We were balancing pressure, style, and a whole lot of faith.

It could’ve fallen apart.

So how did the party still feel like magic?

Press play.

Transcript

The Scam Revealed

SPEAKER_02 0:22

Welcome back. I am Chine, Miss Party Life, wedding and event designer for the two dope chicks, and I am joined again by attorney Millicent and Shantae Pride Daniels. Hey y'all. So I'm gonna cut right to it. We left you guys with knowing that they got scammed. We got scammed. And I I want to tell you a little bit about it, and I'll let the ladies jump in with their emotions on that moment. But as the person who discovered that we were dealing with an impersonator, um, I can give a little background. So we'd um hope to book this artist that was the perfect connection um to to meet Shantae's down, down deep, deep south um vibes. And we were so very excited about it and everything had been going according to plan. I reached out to the artist team um just to discuss simple logistics. I wanted to know about setup time and speakers and space that they needed, and they refused to communicate via phone. They said that they could talk to me via email. And this was, I really think, the first time that I asked Millicent to get involved to help me with something during wedding planning. It just didn't feel good. And she was ready. Um, you know, out email them. Attorney Daniels was ready. She's like, let me know and you know, loop me in. And so she emailed them. And all of their emails were very kind and professional. They weren't these short, snippy, um, they didn't have spelling imperfections. It wasn't that type of a scam. It wasn't something that was easily recognizable. So when she wrote, they responded back quickly. And um, but they still didn't give me what I needed. And um, so I decided to reach out to someone else in the company and I did a little social media searching to find another contact there, maybe someone else that can help. And when I got that person on the phone, she said, We don't have you on the calendar for November 7th. I don't know who you are, and at that moment, um, these ladies were actually in New York at a dress fitting. At our last fitting. Final fitting. Yes, final fitting. Nine days maybe before the wedding. Absolutely. And I had the unfortunate duty of calling to tell them. It's not the kind of news you can hold on to for very long. So, Millicent, why don't we start with you? I chose I chose to call Millicent first. Let's start there.

The Calendar Shock And Fallout

SPEAKER_00 3:20

Yeah, got the call from you. And um I hadn't even started actually my fitting. Shantae was on the other side of the showroom um in a private area. They were finishing up her fitting, and so when you called and said, I just won't ever forget your words, you said, I'm so sorry to tell you this, Mill, but it's a scam. I was just like, What? I had to say it back. Is I can't even believe I got we got scammed. I mean, is did the internet searches, is the names, it was the same name of the manager, this person that I was uh calling and the email thorough. I mean, it was so thorough, the phone numbers, it it matched up except for one digit. We ended up finding out it was one digital is uh the management team, everything was the person did their homework. They did their homework. So I just camera. Yeah, there's camera. There's camera, this is what they do. Exactly. So uh I was devastated. And I was devastated because it was perfect, it was the perfect choice, and it was it Shantae was just so happy. She was so happy, and when she's happy, I'm happy. Happy life, happy wife. And it was, I was just devastated because I knew it was just crumbling at that point. So, you know, we got law enforcement involved involved, and um, there's still an ongoing investigation. We know who you are, we know where you are. They're coming for you. Um but yeah, it even happened, it even happened to me. It even happened to me.

SPEAKER_02 4:59

So And I think that's what's important to share that this is something that can happen to anyone. Um, I think we're all really diligent and professional and bright women and with right in front of us.

SPEAKER_00 5:16

And um And we found out that we weren't the first people who exactly the the the particular artist and his team, this has happened to more than several other folks. Yeah, they've been they were very aware, yeah. They've been scammed also, obviously, by the same person, the same group who knows a lot of information about this artist and their team. Um, so you know, I took some solace in that, but I mean they got us for what about$12,000? Yeah. And um, you know, that's that hurt. I was, I was, I was swinging at the air.

SPEAKER_02 5:50

And then just for those moments where it was just you and I who knew, knowing that she was so disappointed, is you know, in the fitting room. And I've already told you guys that, you know, everything that Millicent does and speaks about is to make Shantae happy and her disappointment knowing that this was Shantae's night. So we've told you already that Friday night's music was geared towards paying homage to her hometown. So Saturday is, you know, going as planned, and now this happens for Friday, and we're stuck with where do we go from here? Um obviously everybody knows where we ended up with an amazing choice that we were really happy with, but um that was disappointing.

Law Enforcement And The $12K Loss

SPEAKER_00 6:41

It was disappointing, it was disappointing, and I hated in that moment. I remember after her fitting, and that I was still on the phone with you, and she walked across the stroke the showroom, and uh my face couldn't even hide it. She was like, What happened? And I was like, We got scammed. And immediately she knew she knew, and it was I mean, I just saw the disappointment, and that it hurt me to to to even hurt her that way.

SPEAKER_02 7:11

So, how talk a little bit about how you decided um what to do next from there? Because we didn't immediately say, let's get someone else.

SPEAKER_01 7:21

First, I think it just it really changed the whole mood of our final fitting because we had um, you know, some things planned in New York um with our what 48-hour trip there. And so our trip ended up being going back to the hotel. And went to the hotel and went to sleep. Uh well, before we went to sleep, we were literally calling law enforcement and just trying to work through everything on the phone with you. And yeah, that ended up being our trip and ordering some takeout in, and that was it.

SPEAKER_00 8:00

Yeah, so it really put a damper on our last fitting. I mean, what was supposed to be just a beautiful occasion just um just turned into just a bit soiled, you know, because uh spoiled because of uh the fact that that someone uh took advantage of us.

SPEAKER_01 8:18

And was saying all the right things, you know, they did a very good job of saying all the right things.

SPEAKER_02 8:25

We did get in touch with the actual artist and um they tried their very best to to to make it into to make it right. It still, you know, didn't end up working out. But um I want everyone to to know just because you were so intentional about those choices, um, we, you know, when choosing someone else, it wasn't a quick decision. Oh, yeah. Probably talked over nearly a dozen artists. And so we're battling who you love, even though we have a week to decide. We have a day, really. We don't we don't have a week um to decide and their availability, and still also getting through the hurt of the day.

SPEAKER_01 9:07

So I think um you guys were really I think for me, um it's so crazy because she doesn't like to see me hurt. I'm hurting because I know she's hurting for me, if that makes sense.

SPEAKER_02 9:23

So, of course, getting scammed is not something that um we want to spend too much time on because it was an absolutely beautiful weekend. We had an amazing welcome party. Even though everything looks good on screen, there's there's always things that are going on behind the scenes. So, to talk a little bit more, even using Friday still, our welcome party as the example. Um let's let's let's talk a little bit about the upside. Let's talk about your looks. How how did your looks come about for Friday?

Choosing A New Performer Under Pressure

SPEAKER_01 9:58

Man, our looks came about from the one and only stylist Jay Bolin out of Dallas, Texas. Um Jay did his thing. Jay did his thing along with designer Anthony Lamore. Uh, the two of them tag teamed us for Welcome Party, the first sip, and we look good. Yeah, baby.

unknown 10:22

Fucking amazing.

SPEAKER_01 10:23

Look at this. Look amazing. We look good, honey. Um, I really loved our looks. Um well, hold on. There was a moment. There was a moment. There was a moment. Is she about to skip the moment?

SPEAKER_00 10:36

I did not know if Shantae was gonna make it to the welcome party. Yeah, I decided I wasn't attending the welcome party. She decided and she, yeah, she announced to the that she was.

SPEAKER_01 10:44

She announced to everybody in the room that I would not be attending. Um I I had something going on with my wig. So my wig, um, beautiful wig done by um Salon PK, Klaquila, Riley. Beautiful style. However, um, for whatever reason, the wig just was not wigging. It wasn't wigging. And no matter how um the stylist on set, which was um hair by rennan, my stylist, love her to death, we could not figure it out. So I'm having this. And this was very new to you.

SPEAKER_02 11:23

Very new to me because I don't really new hair scope.

SPEAKER_01 11:26

I don't have the box really wear wigs. And so we're going through it and we're we're curling, we're fixing, we're curling. And the wig looks like to me, like it's growing wings. Like the thing is getting bigger and bigger and bigger. And then Millison makes the comment something about Diana Ross. And I just was like, you know what? I'm not going. Yeah. So Jay can be with us the weekend, but Anthony was there. So now Anthony comes into the room. He's trying to help with the wig. Millicent's trying to help with the wig. Rennan is on the wig. Lauren, Millicent's stylist, she starts helping with the wig. Now Jay Bolan appears via FaceTime, like, what is going on? He's literally directing them, styling them through the phone. And I'm just like, do the FaceTime. Do the FaceTime.

SPEAKER_02 12:22

And this is when I walk in and say, come to your party.

SPEAKER_01 12:25

Yes. Because at this point, it's when it's seven o'clock. Yeah, I wasn't coming. Yeah, so. But teamwork make the dream work. Teamwork makes the dream work. We fixed it. I looked amazing. Um, throughout the night, the um the wig did grow. I just want you to know. It was his own person by the end of the day. Baby, it was on the dance floor, dancing my wig.

SPEAKER_02 12:58

Well, yeah, we're very happy that worked out.

SPEAKER_00 13:02

I was still low-key mad about the the other situation, though. You know, I'm I'm a Scorpio, so I just couldn't let that thing go, you know, all night. I was like, man, this would have been perfect had we had our original artists here.

SPEAKER_01 13:15

The night was. But it was still nice. It was still nice. I mean, I walked up there and just this was gorgeous. It was gorgeous. All of our people, just the dancing, the energy, the vibes. We had this cute little video um done by D2R, Dre Jenkins, at the bar that had us making the drinks. And I'm like, oh my God, okay.

SPEAKER_00 13:38

But I'm still mad about it.

From Setback To Party Planning

SPEAKER_02 13:40

I'm still mad about it. But I'm gonna move on. And I didn't know that. And so it's it's really, I mean, I knew you were upset about the situation, but I mean, in that moment that night, you guys both did a good job, wig and artist aside.

SPEAKER_01 13:54

We got the name, you know, having a good, I think we did.

SPEAKER_02 13:58

We didn't know. I think I think we did. We don't remember her name. We gotta we gotta come back up with that. We'll come back with that. Um, just enjoying the moment because your guests were having an amazing time, but there were other things. So while you're going through your wig moment or a little bit before, um, not even just a little before uh an hour before the party is set to start, the elevators were out of service. This is something that the ladies were not aware of until after it was fixed, of course. Um, and we were contemplating how to finish getting furniture upstairs to the pool deck, and it was uh miraculous that it was pulled off in time. We actually ended up running six minutes behind. I think we maybe had one guest there. Um, so it was, it felt like a perfect execution in uh comparison to what was actually going on behind the scenes. And that's just one of the small things that happened, even in addition to um just other uh transportation and logistics issues, it was a huge festival in town. Um, and you know, guests were delayed and running behind. And so it's always just those little things that stack up um that that you know come together. But when an evening is successful, when an evening is purposeful, and when you have the right people around you, yes, it all turns out well.

SPEAKER_01 15:35

I mean, it turned out very well. The DJ, DJ Swag, he had us swanging. I mean, it was an amazing time, and everything looked gorgeous. I walked in, I felt like I was walking into like essence meets I don't know. Party life. It was just yeah, essence meets party life. It was absolutely gorgeous.

Style Team Saves The Night

SPEAKER_02 15:59

So it is, it's important, and we'll we'll show you all, but there's there's some elements. You all had a gold acrylic uh runway stage over the pool uh that Slim performed from Yeah, we were standing on the pool. Standing on the pool. That pool was that. Um we had an artist drawing all of your guests and giving them these amazing photos.

SPEAKER_01 16:24

Shout out the paper bar company.

SPEAKER_02 16:26

There are your custom um and signature drinks. There is someone dancing inside of a ball on the pool. Um there is, of course, there's the music playing. You have a video playing like you were telling them about your drinks. Something else that happened. We filmed this video so that it could be put up on large TVs around the pool bar area, only to find out day of possibly the TVs don't work. Um, and we tried everything, there was nothing we could do about it. And so uh D2R did come through with the wonderful iPad display, and guests were able to see it. Um, but things happened. Things happened.

SPEAKER_01 17:13

But why did it have to happen on my night?

SPEAKER_02 17:15

On your night.

SPEAKER_01 17:17

It I think that could have possibly it happened on Chantase on my night, but the night was it was still beautiful. Beautiful. It was dope, it was dope, too dope, too dope. I wouldn't have it any other way. And we still coming for you.

SPEAKER_02 17:36

FBI CIA. Okay, so we know that the night ended wonderfully, but there's something that I need to go back to. This was right around the moment when um I was having my own little personal breakdowns when the elevator had gone out. Um uh one of the the cars was being towed from one of my team members. Um, the valet had placed their car in the wrong place. There was a lot going on. And so I'm downstairs in the hotel. All of their guests are arriving, people are everywhere, and I see them. They're down, they're downstairs. They should be getting ready. Maybe that wig could have been, you know, getting getting tamed a little bit earlier, but they're they're downstairs. And can um one of you tell me a little bit about what you were doing down there?

SPEAKER_00 18:35

So, yeah, is uh what we were doing is the mobile notary had just arrived uh to the hotel, and we were downstairs right in the middle of the lobby, um, actually actually signing the prenup.

unknown 18:51

Yeah.

Wig Drama Meets Welcome Party

SPEAKER_02 18:52

Like a we won't prenup. We won't prenup. Yeah, like a prenup prenup. Yeah. So attorney Millicent Daniels at the moment, in that moment, and uh is is downstairs moments before she should be getting dressed for her wedding weekend welcome party, is downstairs signing a prenup. Signing a pre-up. We're gonna need to come back to this. Thank you all so much for joining us for the city.