Our venue for 9/24/11 took $19K 3 weeks before they ceased operations - and won't return our $! HELP

brettannecondon

We are supposed to be getting married 9/24/11 - we paid in full $19,000 3 weeks ago, and found out last week that our venue is going out of business, ceased operations, and has no plans to give us our money back... Our invitations went out.  Plus, it was all-inclusive - our ceremony with officiant AND reception site, our lve band, our caterer, and even our wedding cake.  I do not know what to do.  We have been interviewed by local media and are hoping someone will save us - our wedding is 8 weeks away!  If ANYONE out there knows David Tuter or something, please contact me ! brettannecondon@gmail.com

paprika28

Um... did you check your contract to see what you'd be covered under? I'd contact a lawyer.

Beagle211

I think you need to read your contract and hire a lawyer.  Unfortunately, depending on the circumstances, you may not be able to recover all of your money.

Is this the Elkins Estate?  A friend of mine got married there in May.  Even though they were in bankrupcy proceedings, they were still honoring contracts.

brettannecondon

I am a lawyer. I am on it, legally. I am worried about our wedding set ofr 9/24!  We need people who have contacts in the wedding industry who can help us   It was the Philadelphia Belle.

Beagle211

If you're set on getting married on 9/24, get on the phone or send an email to every vendor you can think of and start lining thingsup.  Some places may still be available. Or you can do something small with a JOP.

You could also call and email everyone and postpone the wedding, if you explain the circumstances I'm sure people will understand.

So sorry this is happening to you.

jelybeancg

That is terrible! Here is the link to all the vendors the girls around here used / are using: http://phillyblog.yolasite.com/knottie-vendor-list.php

I would just start emailing like crazy to see who is available. Sorry, that is my best idea

Sounds like maybe your photog was not part of the package? Maybe contact him/her to see if they are part of some sort of networking club for philly wedding professionals?

Also, was it an independent caterer / band / bakery / officiant that they provided you as part of the package? I mean those vendors would now be out the business so maybe you can contact them and work out something with them. For example, my venue includes the cake as part of the package but they don't make it they use one of 3 local bakeries. Maybe you could find out / know who they were using and try to contract with them directly?

kristinrotondo

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-philadelphia_venue-92411-took-19k-3-weeks-before-ceased-operations-wont-return?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:105Discussion:b9c900e3-6dcb-4cda-95f7-b42066e99259Post:a3b0e730-89c9-44a6-b973-618cd4709ae6">Re: Our venue for 9/24/11 took $19K 3 weeks before they ceased operations - and won't return our $! HELP!</a>:
[QUOTE]That is terrible! Here is the link to all the vendors the girls around here used / are using: <a href="http://phillyblog.yolasite.com/knottie-vendor-list.php" rel='nofollow'>http://phillyblog.yolasite.com/knottie-vendor-list.php</a> I would just start emailing like crazy to see who is available. Sorry, that is my best idea :( Sounds like maybe your photog was not part of the package? Maybe contact him/her to see if they are part of some sort of networking club for philly wedding professionals? <strong>Also, was it an independent caterer / band / bakery / officiant that they provided you as part of the package? I mean those vendors would now be out the business so maybe you can contact them and work out something with them. For example, my venue includes the cake as part of the package but they don't make it they use one of 3 local bakeries. Maybe you could find out / know who they were using and try to contract with them directly?</strong>
Posted by jelybeancg[/QUOTE]

<div>This seems like a great option.</div>

Bean32

I would just start calling places. Even if the vendor is booked, ask if they know of anyone available. Most wedding vendors talk with one another and should have an idea of what or who is available. If you have any other vendors who aren't a part of the Belle, call them and ask too. Jelybean also had a great idea of calling the vendors related to the Belle to see if you can work something out with them.

rom704

This is terrible. I am so sorry for you. If I recall, Steven Starr Events was doing the catering for the ship. Maybe you could contact their corporate office and see if they can assist.

Steven Starr now has a venue. Maybe they can work with you to give you a discounted price or at least help with the catering cost. Good luck!

Kerri154

Did you pay with credit card? I just read an article that credit card contracts are held to a certain contract where you can get all your money back if the vendor doesn't live up their end of the bargain. This is terrible and I hope it all works out for you

_Dagney_

Holy Crap! I'm so sorry you are going through this. Definitely contact Starr Catering and ask what they suggest. I'm sure you will win in court, but if they go into bankrupsy proceedings it could be a very long time till you see your money...if ever.

I'd even consider contacting the press. Fox news broke the story on their closing.  It might help you to pull something together quickly if a lot of people know this happened to you (if you are comfortable with that kind of attention.)

I work at the Independence Seaport Museum. I would be willing to ask the executives here if they could do anything for you to help out.  I have no idea if there is event space available for that date. And we have another company who handles all of our catering, so I cant make any promises.  you can email me at mdenton@phillyseaport.org if you want to discuss this offline. 

brizzie918

any updates?

I think that many vendors in the area would love to pull together and do pro bono/free things for you. Especially if you could get the media to run a story post wedding...this way the business's would get good press since they would be reaching out and helping those in their community and their names would be out there as well for future brides to hire. 
Just a thought....