Couples were left stranded after a wedding venue suddenly closed and canceled all bookings.
Manor on Elizabeth, which is located in western Sydney, sent out emails announcing the news and immediately closed all of its social media accounts.
The closure is believed to be the result of a series of ongoing lease disputes between wedding planners Manor on Elizabeth and the owners of the Wetherill Park venue, the Slovenian Association Sydney.
Shocked and angry customers have been forced to look for alternative venues and say their calls and emails are not returned, even though the company has promised to refund all $1,000 booking fees.
“It is with great regret that the company informs you that occupation of the event premises at 2-8 Elizabeth St, Wetherill Park has ended,” the email said.
‘Unfortunately, termination is beyond the company’s control and notification of termination of the right of occupancy is a case of force majeure.’
‘We apologize for any inconvenience caused by circumstances that have arisen which are outside the company’s control and which prevent the company from continuing its function.
They told an anonymous bride-to-be 7news She was disappointed by the lack of assistance and “common decency” offered by the company, even if they refunded her money.
Popular wedding venue Manor on Elizabeth, located in western Sydney, has suddenly closed and canceled all bookings.
“$1,000 means nothing to us when the stakes are so high,” he said as he raced his car to check out other locations.
“I just felt like it was miscommunication,” he said, noting that the email announcing the shock went to his spam folder.
‘It was annoying that the company didn’t try to help couples at all. It could have been addressed in a better way. Let us know and find a solution for us.”
Manor on Elizabeth’s Google reviews quickly filled with angry customers who were left in the lurch.
“I know this means nothing to them, I hope you can’t sleep at night knowing you did this to excited couples,” said one critic.
‘Disgraceful behavior!’
Another accused the company of “weak behavior.”
“Zero stars, although the world probably doesn’t care about ratings anymore,” they said.
Venue in Sydney’s Wetherill Park closed due to lease dispute between wedding vendors and venue owners The Slovene Association Sydney
‘All of us who have been left in the dark now have to stress even more… so close to our wedding.
‘Their phones are off, social media is off. Weak behavior.
‘If I received a phone call with a warning, I wouldn’t be so angry.
‘I guess as much as you said you were there for us, to help us… it was all about money, right?
‘There is no respect for us at all. I wish you nothing but the worst.
The owners of Manor on Elizabeth revealed that the Slovenian Association of Sydney indicated the venue could still host some booked weddings in the coming months.
The association said anyone who has booked weddings should call 0414 541 157 for help and is negotiating with a catering company so the venue can reopen.
A spokesman for the association said they were “disappointed and shocked” at the way Manor on Elizabeth “abandoned” the premises and “left them in such a poor state”.
The members of the Slovenian Association have raised $2.5 million for the legal battle over the lease, which dates back to 2020.
An anonymous girlfriend said the email announcing the venue’s closure had gone to her spam folder.
A 2020 letter from the association committee details the difficulties the club faced at the property, most of which centered on the allegedly devastating financial impact of the wedding venue lease.
“The Slovenian Association of Sydney… is at a crisis point,” said a 2020 letter to its members.
“Due to the poor lease agreement, the club suffered the loss of its restaurant, loss of its function room, loss of its kitchen, loss of its games area (and) loss of its tennis courts,” the letter said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Manor about Elizabeth for comment.
