Couples scramble to find new wedding venues after Pineville company closes unexpectedly

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By Jason Stoogenke

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Brides and grooms are scrambling to find new wedding venues after theirs closed suddenly.

A notice on The Royal Orchid’s website and a note on the building’s door in Pineville said the company is moving to a new location.

But Action 9's Jason Stoogenke found out the business filed for bankruptcy.

It first filed for Chapter 11, then switched to Chapter 7.

The court appointed a trustee who hired an auction company to seize the business' assets.

Stoogenke watched as workers loaded a U-Haul truck.

There are questions about whether the reception hall will even re-open and Better Business Bureau President Tom Bartholomy doubts customers will get their money back.

"Chance of getting any recovery is slim ... and, if you do get anything, it'll be pennies on the dollar," he said.

Mike Clark and Lola Williams are among those customers.

They are planning to get married next month.

They booked The Royal Orchid, put down more than $1,700, and lined up everything else.

"DJ, photographer, caterer, coordinator, makeup person ... invitations, everything," Williams said.

Then, one day, Williams stopped by the venue and found out it was closed.

"I was just like, 'This not happening,'" she said.

Now, she and Clark are looking for other venues and may have less money to use.

"If we do go somewhere else, there's still not a guarantee that we can get that date, that time. I mean, it's a mess. It’s a mess," she said.

The business sent customers this email, saying it's "deeply sorry."

The owners said they are opening another site, working on refunds, and working with other venues to help.

It encourages couples to call or email, but Stoogenke did both last week and was still waiting to hear back Tuesday afternoon.

If you have an event scheduled, contact the bankruptcy trustee at

.

[ When you book a venue for an event: ]

  1. Check its track record. Look up reviews online. See how long it's been in business.
  2. See if the contract discusses the venue closing. It's rare, but you may be in luck.
  3. If venue closes and offers you some money back, take it. You may not get another chance.

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