*UPDATE* Wedding Disaster - What to do now?

Omg I would need all my money back asap

Dare I ask where this was so we can avoid this location if any of us are in your area?? This is outrageous and I'm sorry that happened to you.

Get money back. I am so sorry, I would have been so upset!

I am so incredibly sorry that this happened to you. I am not someone who has ever sued anyone (and I probably should have once or twice) but this definitely sounds like something that needs to go to court.

This is why I am so wary of the far out booking process, honestly. Coming from 25 years of restaurant experience, things can change DRASTICALLY in a year or two, especially if there's a change in ownership.

What a mess, I'm so sorry this happened to you!

@bemyguest - the honeymoon was wonderful! Unfortunately we go back to reality now

@lucille - I honestly only want my money back for the things they did not provide

@kara - this was in Alabama. So if any AL brides are getting married around Springville hit me up before you book!!!

WAs this a destination wedding? It sounds like they said they would fix a lot of things, and I think I would have been seriously panicked and would have been checking up on their progress leading up to the wedding. That being said, this is a horrifying story and I can't imagine how you must feel.

You have a number of options. 1) Approach them yourself with all of your documentation and request a refund. (Contrary to what A PP said, you DO have documentable damages in the legal sense). 2) Check to see if they are BBB rated. If so, pursue your complaint through the BBB. They offer mediation and binding arbitration. 3) contact your State Attorney General and ask for the Consumer Protection division. You may have recourse under the CPSA. 4) You may want to pursue an action in small claims court, but most max out at 5K. It sounds like your damages will be more than that? 5) Consult an attorney. If you can't afford one, contact your County Bar Association and see if they maintain a list of attorneys who might take this pro bono. Sometimes law schools run a "clinic" that handles civil cases. A 3rd year-law student would handle the case under the supervision of a licensed attorney. Good luck-I'll be rooting for you!

Congrats, but wow that sounds awful. Not having enough chairs for your guests?? Best of luck, keep us updated, please!

Don't forget to write this all on every review site available (WW, the knot, yelp, etc.) please keep us updated!

If they offer you less than a 100% refund retain counsel to sue for breach of contract (at a minimum). I don't think intentional infliction of emotional distress would fit here but depending on your state considering everything was in their control and it was your wedding day. One of the biggest life events a human goes through....

There was a wedding planner?! How did she let all of that slip through the cracks?! I'm so sorry this happened :-/

I'm so sorry hunny ....the good news is you are married and will live happily ever after

Yes yes you are..

Yes, if need be talk with a lawyer first. How they treated you is horrible.

Oh my gosh, I am soooo sorry. I can't even imagine this. Get ALL of your money back, don't take no for an answer.

I will say that the guests that didn't know what all was missing thought it was a beautiful wedding (other than the missing tables and the stinging insects) but those who knew what we had paid and what we were supposed to have knew that it was not anywhere close to what was promised and there were a lot of things that reflected poorly on us as hosts like lack of seating and running out of food.

Op, I have no words other than to say I am SO sorry this happened. We all dream of the perfect wedding and I hate that they ruined yours. It looks like you have been give some great advice from the other posters! I hope you guys had a wonderful honeymoon. Good luck with the meeting on Tuesday. Please make another post and let us know how it goes. Keeping my fingers crossed and sending up a few prayers for you!

I would absolutely request money back. They didn't fulfill the contract.

This sounds awful. I'm not trying to be an asshole, but did you rent a low budget venue?

First of all, brides to be, don't rely on venues to do your décor. We do décor all of the time, and you'd better believe that we deliver more than the bride paid for or expected. An all inclusive venue who sells you on their décor is relying on a florist/decorator who has a job, regardless of his/her performance. Pay for your décor -- don't leave it to the venue.

Lastly, and most importantly, pull out your contract. Go over it -- line by line -- and wherever, and I mean wherever -- they blew it, you point it out. If you have photos, even better. If they took your money, they are contractually, legally obligated to provide to you everything they promised. Will you get every dollar back? No, that's no going to happen. You still had a wedding there, and even it wasn't up to par, it's worth something. However, it sounds like you are entitled to a partial refund.

Please tell me that all of the promises (the rotted wood, the dead plants, and the dirty pool) were not part of a verbal agreement you had with the venue. Unfortunately, the written contract trumps anything a salesperson told you when you were checking the place out. But seriously, line by line -- go over that written contract. Dirty linens? Hell yes...you deserve a reimbursement. Thirty guests standing? Oh, yeah...you deserve a HUGE reimbursement. That is unforgivable. Ants and stinging insects? Well, some of that is to be expected at a late spring, outdoor wedding, but if they told you they'd deal with that, then find the clause, quote it, and demand compensation.

Send your letter via Certified Mail -- Return Receipt Requested, and don't give up. If what you say is true -- and I have no reason to disbelieve you -- you got shafted. If you wanted a insect ridden, short of tables, crappy décor wedding, you could have saved yourself a lot of money if you just invited everyone to a port-a-potty, pot luck, public space, cheap wedding.

Wow full refund is a must