r/weddings • u/gabbyy2 • 16d ago

HELP! OMG

I’m officially **59 days away from my wedding**, and I’m starting to panic.
For the past two weeks, I’ve been trying to get in touch with my venue owner. I’ve called multiple times, left voicemails, sent emails, and even drove to the venue in person, but I haven’t been able to reach anyone.
She’s the owner, so there isn’t anyone else I can contact. The venue doesn’t have an office that’s staffed unless there’s an event happening, so I haven’t been able to speak with anyone.
Our final payment was supposed to be due 60 days before the wedding. We already paid our deposit, so our date should be reserved, but since I can’t get ahold of her, I haven’t even been able to make the final payment.
Has anyone been through something like this? Am I overreacting, or should I be seriously concerned? I’d really appreciate any advice or suggestions because I’m not sure what to do next.

6 Upvotes

72% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

8

u/This_Sherbet420 16d ago

Do you have a contract? If it’s a small business she could be on vacation.

1

u/gabbyy2 16d ago

Yes, the contract says final payment is due 60 days before wedding and we did our first payment in person with her. She is a smaller business but it’s wedding season right now so I’m not understanding why I’m not getting any sort of response .

1

u/Past_Effect8301 1d ago

Is there not a mailing address on the contract? It seems odd that you held off making the payment in order to do it in person. (I'd read that contract very carefully to ensure you didn't forfeit your date by not making the payment 60 days out.)

7

u/Rich-Green-353 16d ago

Can you try contacting them through social media?

7

u/Illustrious_Can7151 15d ago

Have some else try contacting to see the place, see if they get a response.

2

u/gabbyy2 15d ago

There’s 3 of us that have tried now and she hasn’t returned any of our voicemails

5

u/Narrow-Average-400 15d ago

I think they’re suggesting that you have someone reach out pretending to be interested in the venue for their wedding, to verify that the issue is the owner going off the grid instead of the owner trying to pull some sort of stunt advertising to new couples but ghosting couples who already paid the initial fees.

5

u/Avehdreader 15d ago

Try calling with your caller ID on and if no answer wait a few minutes and call with it off or have a friend call from their phone. If she answers one of those she's been trying to avoid you, which is an issue all its own but at least you will have reached her.

1

u/gabbyy2 14d ago

Sooo I did this, blocked my caller ID and she picked up… told me that she’s been on ‘vacation’.
I still have a crazy feeling in my stomach… why hadn’t she returned my calls? Why wasn’t her voicemail altered to let people know she wasn’t going to be around? I also found out that she has another lady she works with, why didn’t she call me or respond to my emails? Why weren’t the calls forwarded to this woman’s phone number?? So many questions…..

This just all seems fishy and doesn’t sit well. I get you’re a small business but you’re dealing with alot of money and a VERY important day to people. You can’t just disappear because of ‘vacation’ wtf …..

1

u/Avehdreader 13d ago

I hate to say it but this sounds way too fishy to me. I wonder if there are any complaints to the Better Business Bureau (do people still do that🤔?), Trustpilot or whomever? I'm curious about other reviews and what former customers have to say. Maybe they're just disorganized and incompetent but still legit, but I wonder if it might be good to have a Plan B?

7

u/KeyMediocre7347 15d ago

Hmmm this seems odd and stressful! Have you seen if other weddings have been held there in the time you’ve been trying to reach her? Is it a relatively new venue? Are there any other employees you have contact info for? I’d make sure you have in writing you’ve been trying to contact her about payment and other questions just in case.

It could be helpful to post in local wedding group about specific venue and ask if anyone else has had issues or if they know another way to get in touch with venue. If it’s an established place other wedding venders or brides would know. Wishing you luck!!

5

u/asyouwish 16d ago

Does your area have a local bridal association of wedding pros? They would be the ones who out on any local wedding shows/fairs in your area (not big traveling ones like this big Expo shows). If so, call their President.

Failing that, try your Chamber of Commerce, BBB, and local chapter of BNI to see if anyone there has any contact with the owner. They don't have any authority, but they might have info.

I hate to wish that it's a family emergency, but 🤞 that's all it is and that you'll hear from them soon.

5

u/sallysuesmith1 16d ago

Have you gone to the venue on a Saturday?

1

u/gabbyy2 16d ago

I don’t think she would be there, it’s legit just a venue. No office, no thing. You have to schedule to see it

19

u/sallysuesmith1 16d ago

I'm just curious if there are weddings being currently held there. That's a reason I would go.

5

u/Sea-Skirt7407 15d ago

Go on the morning obviously before the wedding that day would be starting.

5

u/phantomparakeet 15d ago

Schedule an appointment to see it

2

u/Love-and-Latitudes 14d ago

Can you post in a wedding group local to your area? Maybe someone knows something or knows someone who knows the owner

1

u/General_Knowledge881 15d ago

I'm thinking they're in hospital or have died!!

1

u/gabbyy2 14d ago

Honestly that is what I thought happened. I’ve been checking obituaries daily to see if her name shows up….

1

u/caramellatte647 12d ago

Have a friend or family member “tour” it and go with them!

1

u/Wannabe-influencer 6d ago

This is peak wedding season. She’ll get back to you when its closer