By James Connolly
A bride and groom’s dream day turned into a nightmare after $5,000 worth of wedding gifts vanished – just hours after they said “I do.”
Steph Hallas, 34, and husband Alex, 36, had just celebrated their nuptials when all their cards, gifts and honeymoon fund disappeared.
The gifts had been loaded into an Uber taxi which picked them up from their wedding venue in Wetherby, West Yorks.
The driver took them to a nearby hotel but the boot was never emptied before the car drove away again on October 24.
The gutted couple, of Leeds, have now reported the incident to police who are investigating the alleged theft.
Dental nurse Steph said: “My heart just sank, it was devastating.
“I’ve left my bag in an Uber before and they were really good at returning it. But this has shattered my faith.”
The driver reportedly contacted the couple 24 hours after leaving the venue and insisted he did not have their treasured gifts.
Among presents was $5,000 in cash, gifted by guests for a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon trip to Mexico.
Steph added: “I was really angry, more than anything, and Alex has been really emotional.
“The most painful loss isn’t the money, it’s the missing bag containing wedding cards and a photobook signed by all their guests.
“The venue said they’d send us another photobook, but it won’t have those sentimental messages.
“The fact someone could do something like this on our wedding day is unbelievable.”
The couple got engaged 2022 and spent three years planning the perfect wedding day which was attended by more than 100 guests.
A friend has now launched an online fundraiser to help replace some of the lost gifts and ensure the couple can still enjoy a honeymoon.
An Uber spokesperson said: “What’s described is unacceptable and our specialist team are urgently investigating this matter. We stand ready to support the police with any investigation.”
A West Yorkshire police spokesperson said: “We are investigating a theft from a motor vehicle on 24 October on York Road, Wetherby around 11pm. Enquiries remain ongoing.”
