Ballarat couples have been left with just weeks to re-plan their weddings after a popular Creswick venue suddenly went into liquidation.
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The Tangled Maze went into liquidation on Thursday last week, but couples were only told of the news on Tuesday.
Jay Brokenshow said he and fiancee Megan McGourlay received “the most heartless letter ever produced” with no explanation.
”It said, we know this sucks, but we are sorry we can’t do anything about it – it was very cold,” Mr Brokenshow said.
“The money problems are something you are going to know for awhile.
“Even a courtesy phone call to say this may happen would have been the most decent, most simple act.”
Born in Scotland, Miss McGourlay has 20 guests flying to Australia for her wedding in eight weeks.
Their package with venue was all inclusive, so not only do they have to find a new venue, but they also have to organise flowers, food, drinks and a cake in less than two months.
Mr Brokenshow said it had put a huge amount of stress on his fiancee.
“I work full time as a school teacher with disadvantaged kids so she has taken the reins with a lot of the wedding planning,” he said.
“It is not as if we have any wiggle room – I have not seen her that stressed for a long time.”
Another couple, who asked not to be named, said they had two weeks to re-plan an October 7 wedding.
Their package with The Tangled Maze had also included most items.
“We booked there January this year, we had a good nine or 10 months,” the 25-year-old groom said.
“Last week we spoke to the owner and it was all still go ahead, we were ready to make the final payment.
“My fiancee rang them last Thursday to book the meeting and the cheque we received today was dated for that day, so they would have known when we made the appointment with them.
“It was pretty disappointing that we didn’t hear from them sooner, just prior to getting the letter. It would have been nice to get phone call to explain what happened.”
The bride’s sister also wrote an angry Facebook post that received hundreds of comments on an about The Tangled Maze’s wedding cancellations.
Both couples received their deposits back from The Tangled Maze.
However Mr Brokenshow said his family were still back at square one to plan the wedding.
Miss McGourlay has met with RACV Goldfields Resort staff to discuss an all inclusive package.
Her fiance also said Ballarat cake decorator Angela Dobbin had generously offered her services for free.
The Tangled Maze and liquidator did not respond to requests for comment.