Ugh I feel so bad for my friend...

[ame]

My friend Laura is getting married in Sept. She booked her reception site last June and had to start making payments because she couldn''t put enough down up front. They were cool enough to work out a deal. Fast forward to last month, and she gets a call saying that the location had been sold and it''s new owners were not hosting weddings there anymore. We are going to try to pay you back but we can''t promise youll get your money back...we cannot honor your contract bec of the sale contract voiding it. SHe''s devastated....spends 3 weeks trying to find A caterer thats even available...finally finds one, still having no site for her reception...she gets a call yesterday saying that they took another job for that day that was more lucrative and they have to cancel. She had JUST gotten her contract in the mail to sign and send back with her first payment.

I don''t even know what to tell her! She can''t find anywhere to have her wedding reception, and she cant reschedule or bail on her ceremony site.

My husband offered to make his specialty--mac and cheese with cut up hotdogs and ketchup--and we would host it here.

 

[Dodger Gurl]

Oh my gosh, that IS horrible!!! Poor thing!!! Maybe a backyard barbq type ceremony and reception thing would work?

If this happened to me I think I would pass out from the stress!!! Really scary too because it did almost happen to me. There's a spot around here that my sister used - I researched it on their website to use it too because the prices and food were awesome. Fortunately for me, I was on the knot back then too and all of a sudden all these girls started posting messages about this place - that they had received notice that it was apparently closing due to bankruptcy and weren't going to give the deposits back!

None of this was posted on the site's website either!!! SCARY!!!

 

[ame]

Luckily her ceremony is safe. My aunt works for the caterer that works for the ceremony site--but I think the reception time slot is booked so she can''t really get that...we offered to use our house and I mentioned a few restaurants she might be able to work with...wow. She really is freaking out.

If I eat at my desk tomorrow I might call the place I had my reception at and a few other ideas and hopefully will help her out.

She''s the last of our clan to get married so we are all doing all we can to help.

 

[Jelly]

That''s terrible! Hopefully she has enough time to find a new site. Whereabouts are you looking? Maybe the gals here on pricescope could help her search around town for a nice new location.

 

[ame]

Good thought...I only know of a few locals but it''s worth a shot.

We are in St. Louis--South City/County. Her wedding itself is at Palm House in Tower Grove. The reception was supposed to be in Sunset. So...something in the Hill, St Louis Hills...something like that might work. I mentioned she should try Orlandos...or some restaurants. I feel awful for her.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

That is SOOOO awful! I cannot believe they can do that (WTF about not refunding the WHOLE amount?!?)

I am sure she will find a great place but talk about stress. You are a good friend to help!

 

[Caribou]

That''s horrible!

They can legally do that? Take her money, sell the place and not give her money back?!?!?!

You''re a good friend for offering up your place. I''m sure that put her a little at ease.

 

[icekid]

I don''t have any advice, but WOW, that sucks!

 

[flopkins]

I would be heartbroken and PISSED AS HELL.... OMG... good luck to her and your family in stepping up to help...

 

[FireGoddess]

Date: 1/11/2006 9:09:46 AM
Author: Caribou
That''s horrible!

They can legally do that? Take her money, sell the place and not give her money back?!?!?!

I highly doubt it, and I''d start threatening legal action to whomever tried to sell me that load of crap. The new owners are not obligated to pay her back, but the old owners who took her money and did not provide the service certainly are. That''s ridiculous. What a bad situation. It''s difficult enough to plan a wedding without that kind of nonsense.

 

[Strawdermangrl]

AME- there is a country club/golf club that my friends are friends with the owners- PM me and i will get you the information for it. They got married there and it was BEAUTIFUL!

 

[AndyRosse]

How horrible!!!

I sure hope your friend can figure something out soon...

As for the return of her money, I would certainly be contacting a lawyer to see what my rights are.

 

[moremoremore]

She has to sue the first company with whom she had the contract.

 

[ky6]

How terrible for your friend! I really hope everything works out well for her.

 

[ame]

She''s in law enforcement and her fiancee is a lawyer so they are looking at their options. The attny general is in their building. Ironically... so far it''s not looking like they can do much since the contracts on the buy/sell are wisely worded....she''s working through it.

I think it''s possible it might become a pot-luck.

 

[cutes814]

OMG! Express my sympathies to your friend. She must be extremely stressed! You are very kind to offer her help. I hope everything works out for her.

 

[ame]

I am hoping that the meetings she said she has planned work out. It''s hard for us to see her freaking out. She''s SUCH a planner and it''s got to be tearing her up more than even we can see.