Sobbing brides-to-be slam Minnesota wedding venue after it permanently closes just days before their nuptials – as the owner’s brutal email to couples is revealed
A devastated bride-to-be is left scrambling for a reception venue after her ‘historic’ wedding barn announces its closure in a brutal email just days before the couple’s big party and offers them no refunds.
Katelyn Stalboerger, 26, uploaded a video to TikTok to share the heartbreaking news and appeal to viewers for help after she was told the picturesque barn she had chosen to host her wedding had suddenly closed.
In the video, which has been viewed less than three million times, Stalboerger describes with tears in her eyes how she and her fiancé would get married in less than two weeks at Circle B Wedding and Events Center.
The pair had booked the Isanti, Minnesota location a year ago, paying more than $10,000 to the owners in advance.
However, the location suddenly sent an email stating that the business would be closed immediately. ‘We regret to announce that the CIRCLE B wedding and events venue will close with immediate effect.’
Katelyn Stalboerger, 26, uploaded a video to TikTok to share the heartbreaking news and ask viewers for help after she was told the picturesque barn she chose to host her wedding had suddenly closed
Stalboerger and her fiancé Isaac Nelson had booked the location a year ago, paying more than $10,000 up front to the owners.
The location suddenly sent an email stating that the business would be closed immediately. ‘We regret to announce that CIRCLE B wedding and event venue will close with immediate effect’
“We can’t go anywhere and we can’t get our money back,” the bride-to-be revealed.
After the church service, Stalboerger planned to pack 185 guests into the “historic” barn for a picturesque wedding reception.
She now has a fully planned wedding reception – including photographers, caterers, flowers and entertainment – but nowhere to host.
“To be honest, at first I thought it was a scam. I realized it wasn’t a scam when their website disappeared and they deleted all their social media shortly after,” Stalboerger said.
The email further explained: ‘It is no longer possible to maintain the business in the current economic climate; the change in the economy, the proliferation of new wedding venues on the market and especially the increased costs have forced management to make the difficult decision to close the historic venue.’
“For those of you who are getting married soon, we are truly sorry, but unfortunately we cannot accommodate your special event.
“We understand that this news will not only be disheartening for many of you and your families, but for many of you this will be devastating to your plans, and for that we are truly sorry.”
Stalboerger now has a fully planned wedding reception – including photographers, caterers, flowers and entertainment – but nowhere to host
Circle B was owned by Wayne and Angi Butt, who also owned another wedding venue in Cottage Grove called Furber Farm
In the most recent update, Stalboerger said their former location would not respond to calls and has removed the company’s website.
“There’s no trace of them anymore,” she revealed.
Circle B was owned by Wayne and Angi Butt, who also own another wedding venue in Cottage Grove called Furber Farm.
The owners didn’t open the Isanti County Wedding Barn until 2023, but the “historic” venue quickly closed less than a year later.
Some other couples upset by the sudden closure had managed to contact the Butts or their lawyer – and were told no costs would be reimbursed.
These payments include some payments that were requested and paid just a few days before the email was sent.
Stalboerger and her fiancé Isaac Nelson, who are getting married on May 4, have received tremendous support from TikTok users eager to save their special day.
“I think I’m sadder just because I had this day in mind about what it would look like and it all came crashing down very quickly in one email,” Stalboerger shared. FOX 9.
The owners didn’t open the Isanti County Wedding Barn until 2023, but the ‘historic’ venue quickly closed less than a year later
Stalboerger and Nelson aren’t the only couples affected by the sudden closure. Mikayla Minikus says she and her fiancé saved money for a year to book Circle B as the venue for their June 1 wedding.
Viewers flocked to the comments with advice for the bride, mainly encouraging her to get a lawyer and call her bank to try to get a refund for what she already paid.
Some Minnesotans offered their own backyards and outdoor spaces to Stalboerger, and local businesses offered their own amenities.
Stalboerger and Nelson are not the only couples affected by the sudden closure, Mikayla Minikus says she and her fiancé saved money for a year to book Circle B as the location for their wedding on June 1.
Now Minikus and her fiancé are in the same boat and are looking for another venue they can afford before their wedding date.