Couples have been left stranded after a wedding venue suddenly closed and canceled all bookings.
Manor on Elizabeth, located in Sydney’s west, sent out emails announcing the news and also immediately shut down all its social media accounts.
The closure is believed to be the result of a number of ongoing rental disputes between the wedding organizers of Manor on Elizabeth and the owners of the Wetherill Park venue, the Slovenian Association Sydney.
Shocked and angry customers have been forced to look for alternative locations and say their calls and emails are not being answered, although the company has promised to refund all $1,000 booking fees.
“It is with great regret that the company informs you that occupancy of the event site at 2-8 Elizabeth St, Wetherill Park has ended,” the email said.
‘Unfortunately, the termination is beyond the control of the company and the cancellation of the right to occupy is an event of force majeure.’
‘We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the circumstances that have arisen which are beyond the control of the company and which prevent the company from continuing your position.
An unnamed bride-to-be 7News she was disappointed with the lack of help and “common decency” the company offered, even if they refunded the money.
Popular wedding venue Manor on Elizabeth, located in Sydney’s west, has suddenly closed and canceled all bookings
“A thousand dollars means nothing to us when the stakes are so high,” she said as she surveyed other locations in her car races.
“I just felt like the communication was poor,” she said, noting that the email announcing the shock development ended up in her spam email folder.
‘It was disturbing that the company was not trying to help couples at all. It could have been handled in a better way. Let us know and find a solution for us.’
Manor on Elizabeth’s Google reviews quickly filled with irate customers who were left in the lurch.
“I know this means nothing to them, I hope you can’t sleep at night knowing you did this to excited couples,” said one reviewer.
‘Disgraceful behaviour!’
Another accused the company of “weak behavior.”
“Zero stars, although there’s probably no ratings concern now,” they said.
The venue in Sydney’s Wetherill Park has closed due to a leasing dispute between the wedding vendors and the venue’s owners. The Slovenian Association Sydney
‘You’ve left us all in the dark, now we have to be even more stressed… so close to our wedding.
“Your phones are off, socials are off. Weak behavior.
‘If I got a phone call with a warning, I wouldn’t be so outraged.
“I guess as much as you thought you were there for us, to help us… it was all about the money, right?
‘No respect for us whatsoever. I wish you nothing but the worst.”
The owners of Manor on Elizabeth revealed that the Slovenian Association Sydney has indicated that the venue may be able to host a few more booked weddings in the coming months.
The association said anyone who has booked weddings should call 0414 541 157 for assistance and negotiate with a catering company so the venue can reopen.
A spokesman for the association said they were ‘disappointed and shocked’ at the way Manor on Elizabeth ‘abandoned’ the property and ‘left it in such disrepair’.
Members of the Slovenian Association have made their position known $2.5 million will go to the legal battle over the lease, which dates from 2020.
An unnamed bride said the email announcing the venue’s closure ended up in her spam folder
A 2020 letter from the association’s committee detailed the problems the club faced on the property, most of which related to the reportedly crippling financial impact of the wedding venue lease.
“The Slovenian Association Sydney… is at a crisis point,” said a 2020 letter to members.
“As a result of the bad lease, the club has suffered the loss of its restaurant, the loss of its banquet hall, the loss of its kitchen, the loss of its playground (and) the loss of its tennis courts,” the letter said.
Daily Mail Australia contacted Manor on Elizabeth for comment.