No answers for heartbroken couples after The Willows in Melbourne goes bust

BROKEN-HEARTED couples still have no answers about whether they will get their money back after the shock shutdown of a popular Melbourne wedding venue.

BROKEN-HEARTED couples still have no answers after their wedding plans were left in tatters following the shock closure of a popular Melbourne mansion.

The Willows on St Kilda Rd closed suddenly at the weekend with some customers getting emails saying the venue had gone into liquidation.

But others had no idea the venue had been closed and their wedding stalled with calls and emails going unanswered.

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“It is a huge shock to us, because we have booked our wedding in November this year with them and have paid a deposit of $6500,” Vatsal Desal said.

“(We) have been trying to get in touch with them, but to no avail”.

Clive Amery is another disappointed customer who said they had received no news after making a sizeable payment for an end of year wedding.

“The industry seems to be riffe with either shonky operators or poor management. Would love to know when they new they were in trouble,” Mr Amery said.

Bride-to-be Caroline Huggard had no idea the venue had closed until the DJ they had booked for the wedding contacted her on Saturday.

“I’m just devastated. We were actually about to post out our wedding invitations today,” Caroline Huggard told the Herald Sun.

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She and her partner had paid $8000 up front to secure the venue for their nuptuals in January after being told it would save them $600.

“I started crying as soon as I heard … it’s really sickening.” Ms Huggard said.

The mum said she had been saving with her partner for the wedding along with a home deposit and funds were low.

The Willows as pictured in a wedding brochure. Supplied.

She has called and emailed the venue but has not received any response.

Teacher Rhiannen Skelley received an email on Friday evening from The Willows telling her the company had gone into voluntary liquidation.

“My first thought was that it was a joke or a scam or something,” she said.

But after finding the website and all social media pages taken down, Ms Skelley and her partner realised it was true.

“I have been planning this wedding for two years and I was in bliss, thinking I had everything had been taken care of, and for this to happen is just awful,” she said.

The pair had also paid the $8000 in full and had been putting down money for a bar tab until last week.

“They’ve just taken our money and run away,” she said.

Thankfully, the wedding will be going ahead at a different venue but the money will be coming from the pair’s first-home savings account.

But the bride has heard nothing from the venue except the original email and is unsure about whether she and her fiance will get their money back.

The cost of a wedding ceremony at The Willows. Supplied.

“If we can get our money back that would be awesome but I’m not feeling very positive about it,” she said.

Others couples have been venting their frustration online after the website and social media pages for The Willows were taken down.

“We just paid $3500 for our wedding reception, they promised to refund on Monday, it seemed to be a big lie!!!” Ton Do wrote.

Lyle Rosales said she was due to be married there in two weeks.

“I’m absolutely disgusted, crushed and devastated … Now to find a new venue and plan a wedding all over again with just a handful of days,” she said.

Australian Securities and Investment Commission has received several enquiries about the liquidation of the business, according to a spokeswoman.

The company that operates the venue is Lewis Hospitality Management Pty Ltd which has run it since 2010.

However ASIC does not currently show that an external administrator has been appointed.

“An external administrator would notify us within 1-14 business days, depending on the type of appointment, so it’s possible that an external administrator or liquidator has been appointed and we are yet to be notified of the appointment,” spokeswoman Angela Friend said.

People who have paid by credit card may be able to exercise chargeback rights but customers need to contact their bank or provider, she said.

However other venues have stepped up to help those who have been left without a wedding venue because of the closure.

Wedding Directory Easy Weddings is aiming to help couples who no longer have a venue for their special day.

“We know this can be an extremely stressful and upsetting time for any couple going through this sort of heartbreak in the lead up to their wedding,” spokeswoman Elise Hughan said.

“We want to help you to organise a replacement venue as soon as possible so that you can get back to looking forward to your wedding stress-free.”

Rockpool Dining Group manager Joshua Hillary has also offered to help host the displaced weddings and work with any budget.

The Willows advertised itself as a “unique” wedding venue for discerning couples.

“See how we offer the perfect wedding setting for you,” a cached website shows.

The Willows has been contacted for comment.

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