Quinceañera photos never delivered to San Diego moms – NBC 7 San Diego

Two San Diego families say they paid thousands of dollars for quinceañera photos and videos they never received, turning what should have been a milestone celebration into months of frustration and heartbreak.

Jackie Alarid and Maricarmen Almanza told NBC 7 Responds they hired Isai Ruiz of Deluxe Events Rentals SD to capture their daughters’ quinceañeras. Nearly eight months later, they say they still have no professional photos or videos from the events.

“We planned this party for about three years,” Alarid said.

The celebration was more than just a birthday party.

“Every single member of my family got together because of my daughter’s quinceañera. So it was a big, not only my daughter’s quinceañera, but it was kind of like a family reunion,” Alarid said.

Alarid said she spent nearly $30,000 on the event. She showed receipts indicating she paid Ruiz nearly $2,000 through Zelle for limo services, as well as professional photos and videos.

“For my daughter, for her age, that’s the most important day of her life,” Alarid said.

But months later, she says those memories exist only in their minds and in a few images captured by guests.

“Everything is just right here,” Alarid said, pointing to her head.

“She cries,” Alarid said of her daughter.

“As a mom, I feel sad. And just think about another little girl, all the other girls went through the same thing. It breaks my heart,” she said.

Almanza said she had a similar experience. Last summer, she also hired Ruiz and paid nearly $2,000 to photograph and record her daughter Gicelle’s quinceañera. She says she never received any professional photos or videos and only has images taken on her cellphone.

“My daughter, I think she is disappointed because we’ve hired another photographer for her to do a photo shoot, and now she doesn’t want to,” Almanza said.

The two mothers say they connected through social media last December after Almanza’s son posted a review on the Deluxe Events Rentals SD Facebook page.

The review read in part: “Do not book with this guy. I have yet to receive video from an event of 5 months ago. Everything was also paid in advance.”

“It broke my heart,” said Alarid.

She says the post confirmed what she was feeling was true: her daughter wasn’t the only one going through that.

Almanza said Ruiz responded after the review was posted.

“When my son left him a review, he sent me a message asking for three weeks.”

Alarid said she received a similar message, but with a warning.

“I told you I would give them to you, but now, with all the things being posted on social media, how can I give them to you if you’re putting all of that out there? Not until you take those things down.”

Both mothers agreed to wait the three weeks Ruiz requested. They say that was Jan. 17. Since then, they say they have received only more delays and excuses.

“There was always something. ‘Oh, you know, they’re almost ready. All I need is to ask your daughter for three songs that we can add to the video. But just give me like three more weeks. They’re almost ready. I just haven’t had time to go pick them up from TJ.’ I mean, you name it,” Alarid said.

After more than eight months without their photos or videos, the families contacted NBC 7 Responds for help.

When reached by phone, Ruiz told NBC 7 he would work on getting the photos and videos to the families through the weekend. As of publication, the families say they have not received them.

Alarid and Almanza say they now plan to take Ruiz to small claims court in an effort to get their money back.

“When you have kids, you will give your life to see your kids smile. For me, my daughter has the most beautiful smile, and he took it from her,” Alarid said.

Consumer advocates recommend thoroughly researching vendors before hiring them. Experts advise checking reviews beyond a company’s website or social media, including Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau. They also recommend getting a written contract, avoiding paying in full upfront or in cash, and always requesting a receipt.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.