NER- Bride's Worst Nightmare Come True

bullfrogmama

Obv, this isn't etiquette related. But I needed to vent somewhere. I just found out my fucking reception venue closed it's doors today. Without so much as a word to a word to anyone. I found out through the grapevine.

I am reeling and panicking trying to find another venue that has my date available and that won't break the bank. We invited almost 260 guests because we found such a good deal at our *old* venue.

 

I just want to cry. And book a ticket to Vegas.

 

Screw this wedding shit.

bullfrogmama

Oh, PS: My wedding is in 5.5 weeks.

Redbride801

What city?

bullfrogmama

I'm in the Milwaukee, WI area.

Redbride801

What's your budget pp?

mlg78

I'm pretty sure a bride's worst nightmare would be the groom not showing up....

Sorry to hear the doors closed. Did they give any explanation or a refund on deposits?

bullfrogmama

Well, this is my worst nightmare, bc if my groom doesn't show up, I'll just continue collecting child support and he can F off. (Please catch my humor here.)

 

Well... I would like to keep the meal at $16 per plate or below. Alcohol doesn't matter, IL's are covering beer & wine. I would have a bigger budget for food had I not invited so many ppl. My prior venue only required we spend $10/head someway, somehow. My aunt was going to be making most of our food bc they were like the only place ever that allowed you to bring food in.

bullfrogmama

And I cant uninvite... they have already been sent. =/

bullfrogmama

Oh and to answer your other question... I am contacting an attorney about suing. They have disconnected their phones and disabled their email. A real screw job.

aurianna

Oh man. Good luck. Something similar happened to us but we had two month's notice and our wedding was in January so we had venue's falling all over themselves for our business.

5.5 weeks from now seems like really good BBQ weather, worst case scenario. I think your guests will be understanding. But if you DO find something open, price might be negotiable if they don't already have something booked by now.

Good luck!

bullfrogmama

Thanks everyone! I don't really want a BBQ... but I guess beggars can't be choosers.

Redbride801

I like the BBQ idea...have you considered renting a pavilion or space at a park? What about outside of your church and do cake & punch? Or Vegas. That works too.

vineheart137

Yikes. Not too long ago, a local bridal shop in my town closed its doors (shortly after David's Bridal and another larger bridal store opened their doors). A lot of women who had already ordered dresses were not only not reimbursed, most of them were not even contacted and told that they had no dress. Those who tried to contact the store were given the runaround and told BS stories about how the dress manufacturer ran out of fabric and crap. I thought THAT was bad. But trying to find a venue that can hold 260 guests 5.5 weeks in advance is crazy!

What about your deposit? Have you tried contacting anybody and what did they say?

In the end you WILL get married to your best friend. Just take everything one step at a time. Start calling up new venues and explain your situation, hopefully they will work with you!

hardlyhannah

I''m in MKE too - what venue closed? (hoping it's not mine!)

So were they your venue and caterer too? 

For that price point I would check out Bunzels - it's delicious and reasonable, they could probably do something nice for you.

bullfrogmama

Root River Center in Franklin, WI. It's a bowling alley... so not classy like most of you probably have... but it's what we could afford to host all our friends and family.

 

But yah, they're done. And they aren't responding at all.

 

We'll find something. But we'll probably end up paying out our ass and going into debt. The majority of the people coming are expecting a huge party... cake and punch won't cut it. And we're not even getting married in a church.

 

IL's have offered to float us $ to cover the new venue if need be. We'll pay them back w/ wedding gifts and tax returns. Thanks for all your sympathizing.

libby2483

I'm so sorry that you're going through this.  I can't imagine the stress you must be experiencing.  A friend of mine had Famous Dave's catered for her wedding, and I believe that it was around $10 per plate.  That could be an option to explore if you can find a venue that lets you bring in your own food.  

ETA: Also check our Alverno College.  They have space for up to 300, and they have several menu options in the $15-$18 range.

In addition, look into the County War Memorial Center.  I was browsing their website, and the one un-booked Saturday of the entire summer is August 17 (according to their website).  If this is your wedding date, you could be in luck.  The Memorial Hall seats up to 260 for dinner.  They have 8 different approved caterers as well.  

I hope this helps! 

StephJean83

I'm sorry that happened. I was looked all over WI and there are a few places that seem decently priced. New Berlin Ale House was maybe $15-20/ person. If you post on the Wisconsin board some of the ladies there might be able to guide you somewhere.

coolwhipz1

bullfrogmama said:

Well, this is my worst nightmare, bc if my groom doesn't show up, I'll just continue collecting child support and he can F off. (Please catch my humor here.)

 

Well... I would like to keep the meal at $16 per plate or below. Alcohol doesn't matter, IL's are covering beer & wine. I would have a bigger budget for food had I not invited so many ppl. My prior venue only required we spend $10/head someway, somehow. My aunt was going to be making most of our food bc they were like the only place ever that allowed you to bring food in.

Anyone else not see the humor in this? I don't find that funny at all but whatever.

Try local libraries, VFW's in the area can be rented really cheap. If you cant afford food there is nothing wrong with having a short reception with cake and punch. It may not be ideal but it would be better than nothing

vineheart137

Just looked up the hall's Facebook page, it looks like there are a few hall owners offering to help accommodate people who got screwed, you should check it out!

Barbiiieee

Try your local board. I would look into either public parks or something like a VFW hall or even a school. If you aren't crazy about BBQ, try an Italian restaurant. They usually have good deals for catering. 

This really sucks this happened! Good luck!

whiskeyglaze

Checkout Lakefront Brewery and explain the situation. They're awesome, inexpensive and have the space.

kmmssg

OP - you might also see if your local news channel will pick up your story.  Sometimes when that happens, people make a move to help you out.

bullfrogmama

Thanks for all your suggestions... I am sifting through the options... it's hard to make phone calls w/ 2 small children, but I'm making it happen. And I am indeed contacting our news station as well as an attorney. 

And to PP, I am not "using" my FI for child support. We had children out of wedlock and until we say "I do" he will continue to pay the CS that's court ordered (though we put the $ in savings bank for the kids now). They're his financial responsibility as well and 18 years is a long time.

But I digress. Thanks once again for everyone's help and suggestions!! I'll update when I find something.

daisey18

 Seriously, how is someone "using" the father of her children who are already in existence by mentioning child support? !!!

 Too many posters woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, I swear.

MoonlightSilver

Ditto PPs to contact your local news station. Getting them to pick up the story usually gets lots of offers for help.

winelover123

PPs have all given great ideas. I wouldn't go into debt for a wedding, so check out alternative (and cheaper) options like a park and getting a restaurant to cater. Good luck!

harper0813

Oh yuck. I am a MKE bride too. I'm really sorry to hear you're going through this.

Definitely contact the local colleges - Alverno, UWM, Mt. Mary, Carroll - they tend to hold a lot of people. Parks too - you could look into the Hart Park pavilion.

Best of luck!!!

Peledreamsofrain

Lobster1987 said:

coolwhipz1 said:

bullfrogmama said:

Well, this is my worst nightmare, bc if my groom doesn't show up, I'll just continue collecting child support and he can F off. (Please catch my humor here.)

 

Well... I would like to keep the meal at $16 per plate or below. Alcohol doesn't matter, IL's are covering beer & wine. I would have a bigger budget for food had I not invited so many ppl. My prior venue only required we spend $10/head someway, somehow. My aunt was going to be making most of our food bc they were like the only place ever that allowed you to bring food in.

Anyone else not see the humor in this? I don't find that funny at all but whatever.

Try local libraries, VFW's in the area can be rented really cheap. If you cant afford food there is nothing wrong with having a short reception with cake and punch. It may not be ideal but it would be better than nothing

Yep. I thought it was a dumb comment.  This is a legit nightmare for any bride, but using people for child support is NOT cool. 

 

Edited for clarity.

Please enlighten me how some asshole who jilts a bride at the altar and leaves her with kids is getting 'used'. I'm all ears as to how the poor unfortunate man who couldn't keep his penis under wraps deserves to not feed his children. I'll get the 'poor baby' mylar balloons ready for the pity party.

bullfrogmama

Lol! Perfectly stated. Thank you.

hauser86

I'm in MKE too, my wedding is in two weeks.  Sorry you're going through this.  Mine is at the South shore pavilion, they let you do whatever catering, bring whatever alcohol you want.  While I'm sure they're booked for for Fridays and Saturdays, check Sundays maybe?  the rates for Sunday- Thursday are lower as well!  260 might be tight there though, if you seat in both rooms, it might work.

itzMS

@bullfrogmama

Try golf courses The Preserve at Deer Creek or Deer Haven in New Berlin.

Check out Married in Milwaukee's site, too. Contact the website's writer, Angela, and explain your situation. She is super helpful and could give you some ideas.

http://www.marriedinmilwaukee.com/milwaukee-reception-halls