A newlywed couple from Atlanta have described their devastation after their wedding day was marred by the alleged theft of their $10,000 (£8,000) honeymoon fund by the very decorator they hired to make the event special.
A Dream Day Turns Sour
Sherida and Paul McCallum tied the knot in September last year at an event hall in midtown Atlanta, following nearly a year of careful planning. Seeking a reliable vendor, they hired decorator Kendarries Powell, 32, based on strong word-of-mouth reviews. "When you're planning a wedding, you want word of mouth, someone you can depend on," Sherida explained.
The couple had placed a donation box at their reception for guests to contribute towards their honeymoon. However, the celebration took an unpleasant turn when guests began complaining about Powell's behaviour. Paul McCallum told reporters that Powell was "by the bar, and he's not acting professionally. He's drinking all the alcohol... He's intoxicated." Despite their concerns, the couple allowed him to remain.
The Shocking Discovery
The true nightmare began the morning after the wedding, when the McCallums realised the donation box containing the cash gifts was missing. Paul returned to the venue and, after failing to find the box, reviewed the security footage.
The CCTV allegedly showed Powell wrapping the box in a tablecloth and carrying it out of the hall. "You can tell when someone is suspicious," Paul said, describing the moment he saw the footage. "He looked around very quickly to see what was going on. And when I saw the camera spot that box, that hair on my skin went up."
Arrest and Aftermath
The heartbroken couple filed a report with the Atlanta Police Department. Paul attempted to confront Powell directly, urging him to "be a man" and meet at a police station, but Powell refused and did not show up. A warrant was issued for his arrest.
The Atlanta Police Department confirmed that Kendarries Powell was eventually arrested on November 19 and charged with theft. Following the incident, the McCallums have tried to focus on the positive aspects of their new life together and did manage to go on their honeymoon. "We want to focus on the good memory of our wedding," Paul stated. "We don't want this to take away from the hard work we put in."
Sherida reflected on the wider impact of the crime, noting, "To end on such a negative note, it broke everyone's heart... It didn't just affect my husband and I, it affected the entire family."
