Couples lose wedding bookings after sale of Mudgeeraba venue, cafe and accommodation

Couples set to tie the knot next year have lost their wedding bookings following the shock sale of a Gold Coast venue, cafe and accommodation provider.

Couples set to tie the knot next year have lost their bookings following the shock sale of a popular Gold Coast wedding venue.

After almost 18 years in business, the owners of Mudgeeraba’s Ecostudio Fellini, The Summer House and The Barn announced the sale to customers via email.

The email, seen by the Bulletin, advised the venue would be closed for at least 12 months while the new owners redeveloped the property.

“The new owners of the property are experienced wedding venue operators with exciting plans for renovating and developing buildings and landscape,” it said.

It stated the sale of the site, also with a cafe and accommodation, was due to occur on January 17, 2023 and “as such, we will be unable to proceed with your wedding plans”.

Located in the Gold Coast Hinterland on the corner of Springbrook and Boomerang Road in Mudgeeraba, Ecostudio Fellini is set on five acres of land.

Couples were told any deposits paid would be refunded after January next year.

Southport bride-to-be Steph Reis was shocked to learn her wedding booked for October next year would be cancelled.

“I’m devastated. It was the only venue we had looked at because it was the only venue that was within our price range and had everything we wanted,” Ms Reis said.

“I just thought it was a bit careless not to give us a call.

“I do understand they’re a business and things happen, but on a personal scale, it absolutely sucks.”

A wedding held at Ecostudio Fellini. Picture: Natasha Smith, Spade & Sparrow Photography

The venue’s owner, Carlo Percuoco, was unable to be reached for comment.

According to his Facebook profile, Mr Percuoco currently lives in Bali and lists his job title as “owner/manager/CEO at Mr and Mrs Dick Bali”.

Ms Reis said she booked Ecostudio Fellini because it was affordable.

She was set to pay $6250 to have her wedding there, which included the reception, ceremony and food.

The Southport business owner said other places had quoted $15,000 for a similar package.

“We also have to move house soon and we’re looking at going from paying $500 a week (for a house) to $650 a week,” she said.

“I don’t know if we can afford to get married now.”

Another customer who lost her wedding booking at the venue took to social media to complain.

“This leaves a lot of couples, including myself and fiance, without a venue,” she wrote.

“I feel for the couples who are (booked) earlier in the year than us and am honestly so disappointed with the lack of communication in the last few months from the venue.”

Couples have had their wedding plans dashed. Generic image.

Gold Coast wedding venue operator Darren Taylor, who owns Merrimac’s Braeside at Ginhouse Creek Estate, said Ecostudio Fellini was in need of a renovation.

“It’s a site that was rundown,” Mr Taylor said.

“It’s disappointing for brides and grooms to miss out on securing wedding dates they had already booked.”

Braeside director Samantha Taylor-Reynolds said they were helping some couples who had lost their wedding bookings.

“We feel for their situation. We are quite busy, but we do have some availability.

“We’re talking to couples about the remaining dates we have left and hopefully we can help them out.”

Ecostudio Fellini was once among the city’s most sought after venues.

It was named the best wedding reception venue in Queensland for 2014 at the Queensland Annual Bridal Industry Awards.