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'We're kind of numb and in shock:' Wedding venue files for bankruptcy

Several couples who had booked the Preston Woodall a bed and breakfast wedding venue said they lost their life savings. One couple was supposed to be married at the venue in a few weeks, but now their plans are falling apart.

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By
Kirsten Gutierrez
, WRAL reporter
BENSON, N.C. — A wedding venue in Benson abruptly closed its doors this week, leaving 30 couples planning to tie the knot with no place to go and without a refund to help them find another location.

Several couples who had booked the Preston Woodall, a bed and breakfast wedding venue, said they lost their life savings. One couple was supposed to be married at the venue in a few weeks, but now their plans are falling apart.

“I just spent $400 on invitations and stamps and they just went in the mail yesterday," said bride-to-be Stacey Reaves.

An email from the venue's owner, Jessica Jackson, soon derailed all hope of the wedding many spent months, if not longer, planning.

"We found out last night and we're kind of numb and in shock. We don't know what we're going to do," said groom Patrick Binder.

Jackson said the coronavirus pandemic is to blame for the closure. She said after months of trying to stay afloat they are now in the process of filing for bankruptcy.

With no refunds given at this time, five couples said they just want answers.

"You saw this coming, you had a lot of people -- people have events lined up. You could've at least kept us in the loop. You could have stopped new brides from booking with you. They made no effort to protect us," said Caitlin Pollard, another bride-to be who had booked the venue.

Many of the couples said they lost their savings and hopes of finding another venue in time.

"There's something iffy going on here and I just hope the world gets better and this doesn't happen to anyone else. I hope we get it figured out and we get at least a little bit of our money back, or we can have some resemblance of a wedding. I laugh because that's all I can do right now, I've cried enough today," said Kerrie Pitts.

Jackson said she is working to find a solution.

"My message to them is that I'm so sorry, and if there's anything I can do to undo all of this and make it right I would," she added. "I'm not going to walk away or change my number or disappear. I'm going to see this through and do everything I can to get their refunds."

Some couples said they're planning on seeking legal advice.

"This is a great lesson for any upcoming brides -- get wedding insurance," said Pollard.

One of the couples, Amanda and Patrick, who were set to get married on Dec. 12, have set up a GoFundMe to try and raise money for all the couples impacted.

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