• A number of wedding industry venues have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
• When that happens couples often have no warning.
• There are ways to protect your wedding.

It’s the nightmare of every bride and groom.

You book a venue for your wedding, rehearsal dinner, or some other marriage-related festivity, and the company goes out of business. That can be a mild problem, like you need a new cake at the last minute, or a major one, like literally not having a place to get married.

This actually happens quite a bit in the wedding business because venues, caterers, bands, and even wedding dresses are purchased so far in advance.

In 2023, for example, when David’s Bridal filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, many brides did not know the fate of their dresses. Had the company ordered them? Would they arrive? And would there be a company location where customers could pick them up?

That brand was saved at the last minute by a bankruptcy court that weighed an offer for the company’s assets and factored in what would happen if the chain closed.

“It’s essentially this or nothing,” U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christine Gravelle said when she reluctantly approved the no-cash sale to CION, Reuters reported.

David’s Bridal was not a unique situation, and now another vital wedding industry brand has closed down without notice, leaving couples unsure of what is happening.

Florida wedding venue closes with no notice

While a rehearsal dinner is not the same as a wedding, couples (or whoever might be footing the bill) pay thousands in deposits many months in advance to secure a location.

Now, “The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation into complaints against Chez L’Amour restaurant and its owner, Jeanetta Cebollero, after multiple couples reported losing deposits ranging from $2,500 to $3,000,” reported Florida’s News 4 Jacksonville.

The venue closed abruptly with no explanation and no clear plan for refunds.

A letter obtained by News4JAX from the St. Augustine Law Group, which represents Cebollero, explained some of the problems.

• The restaurant failed multiple critical building inspections.
• These issues are related to latent conditions within the structure that predate Chez L’Amour opening its doors.
• As Chez L’Amour is only a tenant, this has caused an ongoing dispute with our Landlord as to how to resolve these issues.
• Unfortunately, as a result of these findings, the restaurant has been closed indefinitely and, regrettably, it is unlikely to reopen.
• The letter states the owner is working to provide “a full and timely refund of all deposits.”

The venue has not filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

It can be impossible to replace a wedding dress at the last minute.

Getty Images

Wedding venues that have filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy

• Oheka Castle (Long Island, NY): Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2025, reporting only $57.27 in its checking account and $63.5 million in debt. Despite financial strain, the venue remains open for scheduled weddings and events. Source: New York Post
• Brooklyn Mirage (Brooklyn, NY)Part of the Avant Gardner complex, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2025. The venue faced structural and safety violations, leading to its closure and plans for demolition. Source: New York Post
• The Farm’s Champion Estate (Durham, NC): Managed by The Farm LLC, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2024. Couples with reservations were informed that the venue might not honor future bookings due to financial instability. Source: ABC11 Raleigh-Durham
• The Art Factory (Paterson, NJ): Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2024, leading to the sudden closure of the venue. Couples were notified through social media, leaving many without a wedding venue. Source: CBS News
• Maple City Wedding Venue (Leelanau County, MI): Closed and declared bankruptcy in early 2024, leaving couples without a venue for their planned weddings. Source: Leelanau News & Events

How to protect your wedding

If you are planning a wedding, there are steps you can take to protect your investment.

“Gather as much documentation as possible, including all communications with the vendor from the very beginning. Print out emails and save text messages as screenshots,” shared Bridal Guide.

It’s important to be very meticulous in your recordkeeping.

“Couples should also retain a copy of all promotional items (websites, brochures,  advertisements, etc.), which will help prove the misrepresentations made. Most importantly, all documents showing the financial transactions between the parties (i.e., bank records, receipts, and canceled checks) will be vital to any claim,” the website added.

More Bankruptcy:

• Hollywood movie and TV company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
• Major seafood company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
• Women’s fashion company files Chapter 11 bankruptcy

You can also buy insurance to protect your investment.

“Wedding insurance helps protect your money if something unexpected cancels or changes your wedding plans. It covers things that happen before or on the wedding day that are out of your control. Since weddings can be costly, insurance helps keep your money safe,” Central Bank shared.

The site shared what your policy could cover (but make sure to read it and ask questions).

• Location: Any damage or inaccessibility to the ceremony site due to the building going out of business or damage.
• Climate: It may cover things like flowers, tents, and food if weather conditions prohibit anyone in the immediate wedding party or the majority of the guests from attending the ceremony.
• Vendor: If an essential caterer or officiant can’t make it, it covers the costs or rescheduling or postponement.
• Illness or injury: Covers unexpected sickness or injuries of the essential wedding party. This doesn’t include pre-existing medical conditions.
• Gifts: Some wedding insurance plans pay for lost or damaged wedding gifts, up to a certain amount.

Other wedding-related bankruptcies

• David’s Bridal: Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2023, leading to the closure of many stores and the layoff of over 9,000 workers. The company has since been acquired by CION Investment Corporation and is working to stabilize operations.
• Origami Marquees (UK): Ceased trading in early 2025, leaving clients without their paid deposits. The company cited “insurmountable financial challenges” and is under investigation by authorities. Source: The Guardian