The wedding nightmare.

mayv2010 · August 2010

I am supposed to get married on 10-10-10, at the Arts District Banquet Facility. I just found out a few hrs ago, they had gone out of business for a few weeks from my florist. Gosh!!!! I am feeling sick to my stomach now.

[Deleted User] · August 2010

Ok. Are you asking us what you should do?

First of all, I would try to contact them and find out what really is going on. Sometimes you can't always believe what others tell you. Stuff gets twisted around, etc. If you can't get ahold of someone and already had deposits down, then I would definitely file a complaint with your local Better Buisness Bureau.

Then I would start calling around to different places and hopefully someone has something available. Or is their any way you could have your reception in the basement of the church (if you are getting married in one) or a facility they church owns? This would be relatively cheap as well. Check out local country clubs and restaurants that may have a banquet room. Worst case scenario, someone could do a backyard reception somewhere for you or you could have it in a park (even though state parks probably won't allow alcohol) but you could always go out for drinks afterwards.

mayv2010 · August 2010

thanks for the advice.

I drove to the venue after I read the email, and for sure they are out of the business, they took more than 8,000 from us. now we barely have anything left to plan.

Roxygrl2002 · August 2010

You must be able to get your deposit back. Even if they are out of business. If you have proof of your deposits then go to the police, do whatever it takes. Do NOT let them get away with your money.

mayv2010 · August 2010

well, they filed bankruptcy, so they are protected under the law. I found out from one couples, these thieves is opening other restaurant out of state. They took our money knowingly they are not going provide the services. I vowed not to let them get away with it. they are listed as "the knot pick" venue, do you know what need to be done to change that?

mayv2010 · August 2010

oh and one couple called the police on them, but they were told they have to take it to the civil court.

It's a robbery, except these thieves dress in nice suit and hide behind lawyer.

Noellesmama · August 2010

That is complete and utter bs...I would be livid!

I'm sorry that this is happening!

MissIntentional · August 2010

that really is a nightmare. i'm sorry. i don't really see how you can get your money back unless you can prove they took your money knowing they were going to close prior to your wedding.

vegasgroom · August 2010

If they were allowed to declare bankruptcy, your only recourse is a civil suit, but obviously that will take a lot longer to run its course than two months. Really sorry to hear you got stuck in this situation.

jmkes · August 2010

Oh gosh I am so sorry to hear that. I'm sure you are heartbroken. Have you been calling some other places? Maybe tell them what happened and they can give you a discount?? Post reviews on yahoo and google to warn others. Maybe contact TK to tell them to take them off of the "knot pick" list. GL!

mayv2010 · August 2010

Ladies,

I really appreciate your advices and sympathy. I can't sleep at all last night. if you guys know any venues that is available for 10-10-10, and willing to help. please let me know.

My financee and I are trying are best not to start our lives in debt, that spend months, and read multiples reviews before decided to go with these people. We read our contrast word by word, but didn't know someone can simply take all our hard earn money and leave.

I will get married on 10-10-10, even if it mean we have to do it our back yard and have hot dogs as our mean course

have to go for my 12hrs shift now. bye

JZags · August 2010

Aww Mayv2010, I'm so sorry you're going through this! I'm sure you already know this, but regardless of how long a civil suit will take you should DEFINITELY go through with it even if it doesn't help you right now. I'm sure 10-10-10 is very special to you but if it comes down to it, you could always go with 9-10-11, that's a fun wedding date as well if you want that and it gives you a year to get things back in order. I'm sure it feels awful to have to change things so last minute regardless of if it's the date of your wedding or the venue, but good luck and try and get some sleep!

MairePoppy · August 2010

That's really awful!
Have you checked out your Texas Attorney General's website? You will find contact information as well as complaint forms there.

You could also check your local (knot) board to get information on venues in your area.

jenellsrevenge · August 2010

I wish you the best of luck, especially with getting your money back.

One of our local funeral homes filed for bankruptcy, and everyone who had prepaid for their final arrangements lost it all with no recourse.

aettinge · August 2010

Did you pay your deposit with a credit card? I know here (Canada), you have recourse through visa if a company goes out of business and you can provide proof that they are out of business...So sorry you are going through this.

mayv2010 · August 2010

yes, we paid with credit card. and we called them. but it's unsure whether we going get our money back.

mayerel · August 2010

I would definitly file a civil suit!! Don't let them get away with that!!

Now, in terms of your venue, sit down and start calling!! How many people? If it's smaller you could do it at a restaurant, bar or park, if it's bigger it may take a little more work!

I'm so sorry that happened to you!!! Best of luck!!

zitiqueen · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_wedding-nightmare-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:d317afc8-57a7-4824-bc9c-c67847cb0c84Post:71691456-6ef4-4468-8392-ba74842a98de">Re: The wedding nightmare.</a>:
[QUOTE]yes, we paid with credit card. and we called them. but it's unsure whether we going get our money back.
Posted by mayv2010[/QUOTE]

Keep us posted. And hey, a hot dog wedding reception sounds kind of awesome!

nhoncell · August 2010

I am just so sad for you! Keep searching and keep us posted, make sure when asking other venues you tell them what happened. When people know you have been wronged they tend to be more helpful! I am just so sorry

Good Luck

slubkin · August 2010

So sorry to hear this happened to you. Previous posters have given excellent suggestions, and I hope you are able to find a workable solution.

On the advice of our on-site venue coordinator, we purchased wedding insurance (we had to provide a liability policy for the event anyway in order to book it).

If you don't know about wedding insurance, it's something to consider- many venues require you to get a liability policy ("event insurance"), but if you are concerned about anything beyond that, you might consider getting an event cancellation/postponement policy as well. Wedsafe (recommended to us) offers both types of policies and so we got both (link at bottom of post).

We live in a very earthquake-prone area and the venue is in a historic building- the possibility of an earthquake making our venue un-usable on our date is very real. If that were to happen, the insurance company would help cover the cost of finding a new venue at the last minute (independently from any refundable deposits we might get back from the venue). They also cover last minute changes/replacements for vendors, delays in the wedding due to a member of the wedding party becoming injured, stolen wedding gifts, etc.

While we are on a tight budget, and I was reluctant to pay $300 more just for insurance, I think the added stress and cost of trying to deal with a last minute problem would be much worse. To me, that has made this a good investment for us, and I would certainly suggest it to other brides who have not considered that a situation like this could happen to them.

http://www.wedsafe.com

ReneeJacob · August 2010

Oh wow, I'm sorry you're dealing with this...like others have said, DEFINITELY file a complaint. However, you have time to initiate legal action after your wedding. Hopefully you are credited back but if not...your attitude is in the right place and either way, it will work out.

mayv2010 · August 2010

Well ladies,
I truly despite this website now. so you will no longer see me log-in or post it. I wrote to about this venues, and there is what they wrote back:

""Thank you for your email. All advertisers on The Knot.com are paying advertisers. They are not "recommended" by The Knot. Therefore, the best thing to do is to contact the Better Business Bureau with this information. We have notified the sales person for this area.

We are truly sorry for any inconvenience this vendor has caused you and your family.

Kindest Regards,

The Knot Customer Service Team""

So any company that PAY them enough money, they will the "the knot pick" award
so, my advice for you bride out there, don't choose your venue base on that.

I can be reach at may.vong@gmail.com. can't ever have enough friend during these hard times.

thankyou,

Roxygrl2002 · August 2010

Knot picks are paying vendors or are you referring to the vendors listed under each area as I believe they are two different things....

Sad if that's the way it is. What a nightmare you are going through. I would definitely check into wedding insurance and for sure go through with the matter in civil court. Check local parks as well. Maybe one of them will have a nice pavillion you could use... not sure what the weather will be like in October where you are though. Sorry to hear everything. I wouldn't necessarily stop using the knot because of their policy though... it is nice that they notified the sales person at least. Good Luck. Keep us posted on how it turns out.

mooner1 · August 2010

We had our wedding here last weekend (August 21st) at the ADBF and everything went so well, we had no idea that they were in any trouble! I feel for you but I have looked into a few places you may want to look into:

T&P Station - Downtown Fort Worth
http://johnhweddingblog.com/tag/t-p-station-ft-worth

Marc Events Center - Dallas Design District
http://www.marcevents.com/

Hotel Lumen - Near SMU
http://www.hotellumen.com/lum-meetings/lum-weddings.html

Alderage House
http://www.aldredgehouse.net/

Hope this helps!

kbmeow · August 2010

Make sure you find out about the Bankruptcy and get your name on there list of people to pay back. Also if you paid by CC fight the charges. You can say you didn't get your item etc.. Good Luck. I know this happened last year in the Boston area and quite a few other places stepped in to help displaced brides. Hopefully they do it by you too

redhed831 · August 2010

One other option... go to the local media. They love these stories. The venue operators will be exposed for the scum that they are AND you will get a lot of publicity. If there is a venue available that day, ask that they contact you. Many times they will also help you out financially after hearing your story.

Good luck and please do at least post once more and tell us how things went.

526SadieSadie · August 2010

Go online (maybe starting with your local boards) and see if there are any other brides who got scammed too. Then try to get everyone on board with a lawsuit.
It's immaterial if the venue "knew" they were going to go out of business when they took your money. If you signed a contract, which they broke, you get your money back. Period.

I am so sorry this happened to you! I hope you get a resolution quickly!!

jess9802 · August 2010

Frankly, I wouldn't bother with a lawsuit. If the company is in bankruptcy and has listed you as one of their creditors, then you would have to apply for relief from the stay in order to pursue them. Even if you are able to do that and win a lawsuit, how are you going to collect your judgment? A bankrupt and/or dissolved company has no assets and your odds of ever collecting your money are quite slim. Your best hope for repayment is through the bankruptcy proceeding, and even that depends on what liquidated assets the company actually has.

I'm really sorry to hear this has happened to you.

Meg1979 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_wedding-nightmare-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:d317afc8-57a7-4824-bc9c-c67847cb0c84Post:31e5ced8-d1eb-4baa-ba83-356a3996812e">Re: The wedding nightmare.</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>One other option... go to the local media. </strong> They love these stories. The venue operators will be exposed for the scum that they are AND you will get a lot of publicity. If there is a venue available that day, ask that they contact you. Many times they will also help you out financially after hearing your story. Good luck and please do at least post once more and tell us how things went.
Posted by redhed831[/QUOTE]

I completely agree with this. Getting in contact with your local news agency will give a bigger spotlight to the whole situation. I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. I would be frantic.

mooner1 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_wedding-nightmare-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:d317afc8-57a7-4824-bc9c-c67847cb0c84Post:3a4b6792-fd31-4a69-827a-0a0410f31a21">The wedding nightmare.</a>:
[QUOTE]I am supposed to get married on 10-10-10, at the Arts District Banquet Facility. I just found out a few hrs ago, they had gone out of business for a few weeks from my florist. Gosh!!!! I am feeling sick to my stomach now.
Posted by mayv2010[/QUOTE]

Saw your story in the Dallas Morning News, I hope someone reaches out to help you guys and the 21 other brides, this was a really good move to make the public aware of you and the other girls situation.
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The wedding nightmare.

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