A devastated bride-to-be is seen struggling to find a reception venue after her “historic” wedding barn announced its closure in a brutal email just days before the couple’s big celebration and failed to offer them a refund.
Katelyn Stalboerger, 26, uploaded a video to TikTok to share the heartbreaking news and ask viewers for help after she was informed that the picturesque barn she had chosen to host her wedding had suddenly closed.
In the video, which has not racked up more than three million views, a teary-eyed Stalboerger describes how she and her fiancé were supposed to get married at the Circle B Wedding and Event Center in less than two weeks.
The couple had booked the place in Isanti, Minnesota, a year ago and paid more than $10,000 upfront to the owners.
However, the venue sent out a sudden email saying the business would close immediately. “We regret to announce that CIRCLE B wedding and events venue will be closing with immediate effect.”
Katelyn Stalboerger, 26, uploaded a video to TikTok to share the heartbreaking news and ask viewers for help after she was informed that the picturesque barn she had chosen to host her wedding had suddenly closed.
Stalboerger and her fiancé Isaac Nelson had reserved the place a year ago and paid more than $10,000 in advance to the owners.
The place sent out a sudden email saying the business was closing immediately. ‘We regret to announce that CIRCLE B wedding and events venue will close with immediate effect’
“We have nowhere to go and we won’t get our money back,” the bride-to-be revealed.
Stalboerger had planned to gather 185 guests in the “historic” barn for a picturesque wedding reception after the church service.
Now you’re left with a fully planned wedding reception (including photographers, caterers, flowers and entertainment), but nowhere to host it.
‘Honestly, at first I thought it was a scam. “I realized it wasn’t a scam when their website disappeared and shortly after they deleted all their social media,” Stalboerger said.
The email further explained: “It is no longer possible to maintain business in the current economic environment; the change in the economy, the proliferation of new wedding venues on the market and, most importantly, the increase in costs have forced management to make the difficult decision to close the historic site.’
‘For those of you who have upcoming weddings, we are very sorry, but unfortunately we will not be able to accommodate your special event.
‘We understand that this news will not only be discouraging for many of you and your families, but for many of you it will be devastating to your plans, we are very sorry.’
Stalboerger now has a wedding reception fully planned, including photographers, caterers, flowers and entertainment, but nowhere to host it.
Circle B was owned by Wayne and Angi Butt, who also own another wedding venue in Cottage Grove called Furber Farm.
In the most recent update, Stalboerger said its former headquarters were not responding to calls and had taken down the company’s website.
“There is no trace of them anymore,” he revealed.
Circle B was owned by Wayne and Angi Butt, who also own another wedding venue in Cottage Grove called Furber Farm.
The owners didn’t open the Isanti County Wedding Barn until 2023, but the “historic” venue was quickly closed less than a year later.
A few other couples distraught by the sudden closure managed to contact the Butts or their attorney, and were told that no fees would be refunded.
These payments included some that were requested and paid just days before the email was sent.
Stalboerger and her fiancé Isaac Nelson, who are getting married on May 4, have received immense support from TikTok users who are eager to save their special day.
“I think I’m sadder just because I had this day in mind of what it would be like and it all fell apart so quickly in one email,” Stalboerger said. FOX 9.
The owners opened the Isanti County Wedding Barn only in 2023, but the “historic” venue was quickly closed less than a year later.
Stalboerger and Nelson aren’t the only couples affected by the sudden closure, Mikayla Minikus says she and her fiancé saved money for a year so they could book Circle B as the venue for their June 1 wedding.
Viewers flooded the comments with advice for the bride, mostly encouraging her to find a lawyer and call her bank to try to get a refund for what has already been paid.
Some Minnesota residents offered their own yards and outdoor areas to Stalboerger, and local businesses offered their own services.
Stalboerger and Nelson aren’t the only couples affected by the sudden closure, Mikayla Minikus says she and her fiancé saved money for a year so they could book Circle B as the location for their June 1 wedding.
Now, Minikus and her fiancé are in the same boat and are struggling to find another place they can afford before their wedding date.