Bride Worries She's Been Scammed Out of $8,000 After Wedding Venue Cancels Her Booking 3 Weeks Before Ceremony
Bride-to-be Chelsea Kolman is worried she's been scammed after paying $8,000 before a company canceled her wedding venue reservation just three weeks before her big day
"As time got closer we would message her and it would be two or three weeks before she'd respond," Kolman, of Versailles, Kentucky, told NBC-affiliated station WLEX's LEX 18 of attempting to contact the host
Kolman booked The Farm, LLC through the vacation rentals booking platform VRBO, but received her cancellation email from the venue. In a statement to PEOPLE, The Farm, LLC stated that Kolman has received "information on refund or rebooking options"
A bride-to-be had to search for a last-minute wedding venue after reportedly having her booking canceled just a few weeks before her special day.
Chelsea Kolman, of Versailles, Ky., is worried that she's been scammed after allegedly paying The Farm, LLC $8,000 outside of VRBO, which was the vacation rentals booking platform she used.
Kolman told local NBC-affiliate station WLEX's LEX 18 that, "As time got closer we would message her and it would be two or three weeks before she'd respond," regarding her attempts to contact the host.
The bride-to-be claimed her booking was canceled by the company on April 17, just 21 days before she was set to tie the knot, the outlet noted.
Getty A stock photo of a bride holding a bouquet of flowers
A stock photo of a bride holding a bouquet of flowers
Related: Woman Charged with Scamming 70 Brides by Offering Wedding Dress Dry Cleaning Services, Then Selling Gowns on Social Media
According to a Honeyfund website created ahead of Kolman's wedding to her fiancé Eric, the couple said they had to change the venue "due to unforeseen circumstances." The wedding date is listed as Saturday, May 10.
Kolman was reportedly told by the host to contact VRBO for a refund, per LEX 18. She said she'd received an email saying their reservation had been canceled by the booking platform, but claimed the message actually came from The Farm, LLC.
When she reached out to VRBO, Kolman — who said she'd seen a mix of reviews after doing a bit of research into the host — was told the booking still existed, the outlet reported.
"It really is like a Russian roulette sort of thing," Kolman said of seeing both positive and negative reviews, per LEX 18. "It's just enough to make you believe it's not too good to be true, it's a real thing."
"I'm kind of encouraging people to beware, and you shouldn't have a thought in your head like this could be a scam, but now I'm telling people you gotta look out because it happens," she added to the outlet.
Related: Bride Unable to Get $10,000 Deposit Back After Her Wedding Vendor Was Allegedly Put in Medically Induced Coma
Per the Better Business Bureau website, The Farm, LLC has a rating of "F," due to alleged failure to respond to multiple complaints filed against the business and two complaints that were allegedly not resolved.
The site pointed out that in January 2024, the company "filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the federal Bankruptcy Act."
"This permits the business to continue to operate with court supervision while developing a plan of reorganization," the site reported.
The Farm, LLC's website states it is currently being improved, and the company encourages anyone interested in their venues to visit their "VRBO listings" in the meantime. The business still appears to have multiple venues in Kentucky and one in Tennessee, per the site.
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WTVD previously confirmed The Farm, LLC had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, reporting in May 2024 that multiple couples had been affected after planning their wedding at The Champion Estate at the Triangle in Durham County, North Carolina. It appears that the property is no longer managed by The Farm, LLC, per the listings on the business' website.
PEOPLE reached out to The Farm, LLC for comment on the situation, to which the team stated: "The Farm LLC is a hospitality company committed to ensuring our guests have an extraordinary experience. Whether it's a family reunion, a wedding, or a simple staycation –we want every guest to feel taken care of, but when they aren't – we're here to make it right. A recent convergence of events involving company restructuring, booking vendors, and market dynamics led to some guest cancellations."
"Guests affected to date have been notified of any changes in itinerary and they have received information on refund or rebooking options," the venue continued. "Guests who have not yet executed on those options, including the guest highlighted in your story, are still welcome to do so at their earliest convenience. We encourage any guest with questions about any future booking to contact us using the methods provided in the notification to them or by emailing reservations@thefarmllc.com."
VRBO and Kolman did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
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