Union County wedding venue closes suddenly, leaving couples scrambling
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Photo: Courtesy of WBTV
The Champagne Manor closed its doors just days after the New Year started, our news partners at WBTV report.
Why it matters: The Union County mansion is one of the most popular wedding venues in the Charlotte area. Now, dozens of couples eagerly planning their dream weddings there are forced to start the planning process over.
Driving the news: In an email to couples who had booked the venue, owner Jason Lottman explained that financial struggles led to the foreclosure of the property, forcing him to close the venue and cancel all weddings.
- The email also promises a refund of their money.
What they're saying: Couples like Clara Vengoechea and her fiancé, Will Adams, booked the venue more than a year ago, aiming for a stress-free, long engagement. They've invested over $30,000 into their May wedding.
- "It really sucks because our parents helped us a lot to pay for this wedding," Vengoechea said. "I know my mom worked so hard to be able to save that money."
Zoom out: Other affected couples have formed a network, sharing stories of canceled weddings and lost deposits.
- Many are now considering legal action to recover their funds.
- Court documents show that Lottman and his company have faced multiple lawsuits in recent years, including allegations of breach of contract.
What's next: Couples are now scrambling to find new venues and vendors on short notice.
The other side: Lottman did not respond to a request for comment from WBTV. According to Vengoechea, Adams and other couples affected, Lottman has not been in touch with any of them since the original email.
Go deeper: Watch the WBTV interview