Bride Sues Wedding Venue After Fiancé's Death, Venue Countersues
A Texas woman is in a legal dispute with a wedding venue after it refused to refund nearly $16,000 following her fiancé's unexpected death.
A San Marcos, Texas, wedding venue is facing a lawsuit from a bride-to-be who claims the establishment refused to refund nearly $16,000 paid for her wedding after her fiancé died suddenly months before the ceremony.
Zoe Vandeloo and Diego Hernandez had planned to marry on November 20. They had paid Posey Meadows venue just under $16,000 for their event. In April, months before the wedding, Hernandez died at the age of 25.
Following his death, Vandeloo's family contacted Posey Meadows to request a refund. According to a lawsuit filed by Vandeloo in July, venue owner Julie Campbell stated that canceling was not an option and that the venue intended to keep all the money paid. The venue's cancellation clause was invoked, stating they were "unfortunately not in a position to issue a refund."
In her lawsuit, Vandeloo's attorney argued that Posey Meadows used the same cancellation clause it would apply to someone who simply changed their mind, asserting that Hernandez's death made the contract impossible to perform. The lawsuit stated that the venue's retention of the funds was an "unjust and ghoulish windfall built on a young man's death." Vandeloo is seeking a court declaration that a business cannot retain such funds after one party to the agreement has died.
Posey Meadows has since filed a countersuit against Vandeloo, accusing her of breaching the contract by failing to pay the remaining balance. The venue claims it was willing to discuss the remaining balance but that Vandeloo refused to provide proof of death and instead filed suit.
Posey Meadows issued a statement to People, asserting that the company has previously worked with grieving families to offer full refunds despite contractual agreements. The venue stated that they were in the process of working through a refund with this family when served with a lawsuit, which has complicated the process. Due to the pending legal matter, the venue declined further comment out of respect for the family's privacy.