Couple's wedding dream wrecked after Weston Hall closes
A COUPLE have been left £1,000 out of pocket after their planned wedding venue closed suddenly.
John O'Neill and Hayley Halsey fear they may not be able to afford to reschedule their big day after losing the deposit paid to Weston Hall, near Stafford.
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VENUE: Historic Weston Hall, at Weston, near Stafford.
They were stunned after hearing the Grade II-listed building had closed in November.
They were offered renewed hope after the venue reopened a short time later only to now find it has shut again. They say they face a fight to get the cash back and save their dream wedding.
Dad-of-three John, a production worker for JCB, said: "We are facing a race against time to get the money back and get married. It's a disaster."
Hayley, aged 30, a drug and alcohol worker with young people, said: "I'm meant to be having my hen party in a few weeks' time but I don't even know if the wedding will go ahead. It's very upsetting."
The pair, who have an 11-month-old son, John, got engaged in November 2010. They fell in love with the 16th-century hall after a visit last April.
After being quoted £3,000 to hold a ceremony and reception, the couple were told they needed to pay a £2,000 deposit.
John, aged 31, said: "We did question the wedding planner and they eventually said they would accept £1,000."
The Uttoxeter couple then demanded a meeting, where they outlined specifics of the wedding, which was scheduled to be held on April 14.
John added: "We were started to get very worried about whether are wedding was going to take place."
Shortly afterwards, the couple received news the venue had closed but later received assurances the wedding would go ahead once the venue reopened.
But after Hayley called Weston Hall a week ago to confirm a room booking, her worst fears were realised when she couldn't contact anyone.
She said: "Nobody had the courtesy to let us know. We only found out through the DJ we'd booked for the reception.
"Our parents helped with the deposit and we really can't expect them to pay again."
Her sister Kelly Beech, aged 28, of Rocester, who was due to be the maid of honour, said: "They should be enjoying this time but it's been nothing but stressful. It's disgusting how they've been treated."
The couple are now hoping to hold their wedding at the Moat House Hotel, in Acton Trussell, in May if they are able to recoup the cash paid out to Weston Hall.
All attempts by The Sentinel to contact Weston Hall for a comment were unsuccessful.
38 Comments
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by Munkee17
Saturday, February 18 2012, 9:16AM
“I like to use my bath as a boat on Westport Lake, but I lost the plug. We saluted as we went down. We swam ashore last Tuesday and have eaten only custard creams ever since.”
by Hayley103
Saturday, February 18 2012, 8:28AM
“@Stoke Girl - if you pass harsh judgements on people you don't know & have no idea of the actual reality of the situation, you have to expect a back lash. If you are going to dish it out - be prepared to take it.
People in Staffordshire have a right to know that this venue has been taking people's hard earned money - the fact that you have made the decision never to marry, does not make it right that others are ripped off just for wanting their special day to be somewhere just that - special.
We have all encountered horrible life experiences - this is not a competition. It is in the public interest that what these conmen have done to us & no doubt dozens of others, should be made known.
For you information - NOT that I need to give it - we did have wedding insurance & our ONLY aim in talking to the news was to highlight it for many other unfortunate people who have their weddings booked there & may not even know what it going on. The point of the lost money is the question of whether we will get it back IN TIME for our wedding day AND also the fact that these people have taken that money for NOTHING, lined their greedy pockets with it & thus causing more damage to out insurance policies unnecessarily. If that is such a heinous crime for which I should be publicly slated by you & a couple of other morons, so be it. But I doubt most people would agree.”
by kezzababe
Friday, February 17 2012, 9:06AM
“How nasty some folk are, they wanted to have a very special day and to look back on it in years to come. The venue should of at least contacted them explained the situation. What would have happened had they all turned up on that day in question?
Yes they should highlight it in the paper; at least it gives other folk chance as not to want to book to that place. Some of you that have negative thoughts about this are maybe single folk who don't intend to get married or folk that are married but could not afford a Lovely dam good wedding. Get off your high horse you ….NASTY LOT??”
by albini13
Friday, February 17 2012, 1:06AM
“I'm finding it difficult to understand why there is so much negativity aimed at these people for going to the papers, why not highlight a company that has ripped them off? If it helps other people or even helps their cause surely it's a good thing.”
by Wozzer101
Thursday, February 16 2012, 8:48PM
“Worldisflat, I know its the wrong Weston Hall. Fool. And the Take a Break Buttie Shop is a fine establishment, of that there is no doute. Butties as full as you like, lovely.”
by StokeGirl
Thursday, February 16 2012, 7:13PM
“@ Nightnurse66 - Actually I'd have had the foresight to have taken out Wedding Insurance & no I wouldn't go bleating to the papers about how I can't have the "perfect" wedding that I cant afford.
@Hayley103 Please don't patronise me, I'm not a silly little girl. Nothing like this will ever happen to me because I won't be getting married & for your information I have encountered considerably worse experiences than losing £1,000.
Wozzer and Valey have got it spot on...if you can't afford to lose the money then don't risk it.
I learnt years ago that you have to insure what you can't afford to lose & if you don't you may well be left with the consequences as has happened in this case.
As I said before "Don't get me wrong, I feel sorry for them for losing the deposit & the use of the venue but why go to loads of papers. "”
by mower79
Thursday, February 16 2012, 6:20PM
“boo hoo,get yourself in a registery office like normal people times are hard and stop bratting about it. i want i want doesnt always get”
by audiegregory
Thursday, February 16 2012, 1:43PM
“Re my comment...the last words should have been ....'you want to happen' not "what" sorry it didn't make sense, but I would like to add, what would make sense, is that Hayley and John get their deposit back and have a wonderful and happy wedding day.”
by bighoppo
Thursday, February 16 2012, 12:47PM
“Hayley Take no notice of these stupid comments, Hope you go on ok and get sorted. Hope these people get ripped off one day see how funny they think it is then.”
by audiegregory
Thursday, February 16 2012, 12:17PM
“huey-hog, I agree with you, bullies are cowards and through using anonimity they are hiding to protect themselves, I was sad to hear John and Hayley have lost their dream venue for as albini13 says, a non-refundable deposit was paid in order to secure the booking, this was something they had to pay, yet now it seems they may lose it, best wishes to you Hayley and John may it not spoil your wedding day, and the true reason that you in a loving partnership what to happen.”