- Wave of Chapter 11 filings by venues and vendors is leaving couples stranded, losing deposits, and scrambling to rebook amid closures and safety-related shutdowns.
- Industry contraction from inflation, fewer weddings, and rising costs forces vigilance: document communications, buy wedding insurance, and expect shifts to nontraditional venues.
Imagine this, you’ve spent months dreaming up the perfect wedding, handed over thousands in deposits, and suddenly, your venue vanishes—no ceremony, no refunds in sight, just a frantic scramble to start over.
It’s a scenario that’s become all too common in the wedding world lately, as a wave of Chapter 11 bankruptcies sweeps through venues and vendors.
From historic estates to trendy urban spots, these filings aren’t just corporate headaches; they’re shattering dreams and forcing couples to rethink one of life’s biggest milestones amid skyrocketing costs and a broader industry slump.
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The latest blow hit in August 2025 when Oheka Castle, the sprawling Long Island, New York, estate often called the “largest private home in America,” filed for Chapter 11 protection.
With a checking account balance of just $57.27 and debts piling up to $63.5 million, the iconic Gilded Age mansion—famed for its role in movies like Great Gatsby—teetered on the edge.
Yet, in a twist, the venue stayed open, honoring bookings to avoid total chaos.
“Despite financial strain, the venue remains open for scheduled weddings and events,” as reported by TheStreet.
It’s not an isolated case. That same month, Brooklyn Mirage, the open-air electronic music haven in New York’s Avant Gardner complex, also sought Chapter 11 relief.
Structural issues and safety violations forced its closure and eventual demolition, stranding event planners and newlyweds alike.
“The venue faced structural and safety violations, leading to its closure and plans for demolition.”
These aren’t the first tremors.
Back in August 2024, The Art Factory in Paterson, New Jersey—a go-to for industrial-chic weddings—abruptly shut down after its owners filed for bankruptcy.
Couples got the bad news via social media, with one bride telling ABC7 New York, “We fell in love with the chic industrial space,” only to find themselves venue-less weeks before their big day.
Hundreds of small businesses that rented space there were equally displaced, and refunds remain a sore point.
The owners later messaged clients: “We regret to inform you the company will host no further events.”
Further south, The Farm’s Champion Estate in Durham, North Carolina, became a flashpoint in January 2024 when its managing company, The Farm LLC, filed for Chapter 11 in Florida.
Couples Get Hit with a Hard Bill
The move affected leases across multiple states, hitting dozens of couples hard.
One affected bride, Ashley Welch, shelled out over $12,000 upfront nearly 10 months in advance, only to get an email three weeks before her date notifying her of the filing.
“It’s a standard lease where they have full access to hold events. When they filed the Chapter 11 bankruptcy, though, it gave them the automatic stay, meaning we have to go through the court system,” Welch explained to WWBT.
Jacob Martin, president of The Farm LLC, responded by saying the bankruptcy was to “stabilize our family’s business” and that it impacted fewer than 200 customers.
They promised full refunds for post-filing bookings but urged affected guests to email 11team@thefarmllc.com for help.
Still, the fallout rippled: “Dream weddings being turned into nightmares,” as one report put it.
Even outside formal bankruptcies, the pain is real.
In St. Augustine, Florida, Chez L’Amour restaurant—a popular rehearsal dinner spot—closed indefinitely in October 2025 after failing building inspections tied to pre-existing structural issues.
Couples lost deposits between $2,500 and $3,000 each, prompting a sheriff’s investigation.
The owner’s attorney wrote in a letter obtained by News4Jax: “As Chez L’Amour is only a tenant, this has caused an ongoing dispute with our Landlord…
Unfortunately, as a result of these findings, the restaurant has been closed indefinitely and, regrettably, it is unlikely to reopen.” They pledged “a full and timely refund of all deposits,” but trust is thin.
This cluster of closures comes against a backdrop of broader industry contraction, often dubbed the “wedding gap.”
Industry Data Paints a Grim Picture
Bookings for 2024 dropped 40-50% from pre-pandemic norms, per insights from wedding professionals on platforms like LinkedIn and Reddit.
“Compared to a year like 2022, the largest year for weddings since 1984, 2024 feels like a very real struggle for many venues,” wrote venue marketing experts at Johnson Jones Group.
The Wedding Report forecasted fewer events in 2024 than 2023, and early signs point to a similar slowdown heading into 2025, with more venues chasing scarcer gigs.
Why now? Inflation is the big villain — but also, Millennials aren’t getting married like Boomers did.
Over four years, costs for catering, florals, photography, and cakes have jumped more than 20%, according to The Washington Post.
The average U.S. wedding tab hit $30,500 in 2024, up from $28,000 in 2022, forcing couples to trim guest lists, opt for simpler cakes, and scout shorter bridal gowns.
“Persistent inflation has significantly increased the costs associated with weddings, affecting everything from catering and florals to venues and photography,” explained a report from Elite Wedding Marketing.
Election-year jitters aren’t helping; folks are holding off on big spends, leading to more last-minute bookings within six months rather than the usual 16.
Lingering COVID effects play a role too. Lockdowns postponed or axed countless nuptials, breeding caution that stuck around.
“The COVID-19 pandemic… has had a lasting impact… leading to continued hesitancy and caution among couples,” noted Ruth Mundy in a LinkedIn analysis.
On Reddit’s r/WeddingPhotography, pros vented: “Most people I talk to are down 40-50% in their bookings for 2024 from ‘normal’ pre c-word levels.”
Even venue prices are doubling in some spots, as one r/weddingplanning user griped: “I’m looking at places where I helped plan my best friends wedding that are twice as expensive now.”
Don’t Worry, It’s Not All Doom
It’s not all doom, though. Globally, the market’s still massive—projected to hit $414 billion by 2025, growing 4.6% yearly, with about 2.2 million U.S. weddings expected annually through 2025.
In India, the 2024 season alone could see 4.8 million weddings generating ₹6 trillion ($72 billion), per WedMeGood’s annual report, though even there, hospitality costs rose over 10%.
Trends like eco-friendly setups, non-traditional venues, and destination spots—from Cabo to Morocco—are keeping things fresh.
For couples caught in the crossfire, experts urge vigilance.
“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,” advises Bridal Guide.
Financial records and promotional materials are key for any claims. And don’t skip insurance: Policies can cover venue shutdowns, vendor no-shows, or weather woes.
“Wedding insurance helps protect your money if something unexpected cancels or changes your wedding plans,” says Central Bank.
As 2025 unfolds, the wedding industry faces a reckoning—balancing resilience with reinvention. For now, it’s a reminder that even in the “I do” season, a little due diligence can mean the difference between heartbreak and happily ever after.
Also Read: Las Vegas Strip Casino Venue Now Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
