Thatched Cottage in Chapter 11...Thoughts? - Long Island Weddings

As an TC bride getting married there 07/12/14, I freaked like everyone else when I learned about the filing. But as many others have said... Chapter 11 isn't the business closing its doors. I received a letter in the mail (it was also signed by Ralph, the owner), stating that everything will be business as usual and that they would even offer their upgraded 'millenial menu' at no additional cost (when I booked back in May 2013, they already told me that their entire menu/options and pricing would be going up in 2014, so the fact that they're even offering the option of free upgrades seems pretty reassuring to me). Anyway, Chapter 11 isn't the end of the world. Donald Trump filed for it! I'm sticking with TC.

Thatched Cottage in Chapter 11...Thoughts? - Long Island Weddings

How can they be offering all the upgrades for no charge if he doesn't have the money to pay his creditors? Makes no sense!

Re: Thatched Cottage in Chapter 11...Thoughts?

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Posted by marisac5414

How can they be offering all the upgrades for no charge if he doesn't have the money to pay his creditors? Makes no sense!

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I'm sure you think you're being helpful, but all you're doing is being an alarmist and adding more fear and stress to brides who have already sunk in too much money and are too close to their date to back out now.

I'm not a Thatched Cottage bride, so I don't have a horse in this race, but you're negative attitude and skepticism is really unappreciated. The right thing to say here would simply be that I certainly don't know the facts or how this will end up, but I absolutely hope for all the best for TC brides.

Re: Thatched Cottage in Chapter 11...Thoughts?

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Posted by Kroedel87

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Posted by marisac5414

How can they be offering all the upgrades for no charge if he doesn't have the money to pay his creditors? Makes no sense!

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I'm sure you think you're being helpful, but all you're doing is being an alarmist and adding more fear and stress to brides who have already sunk in too much money and are too close to their date to back out now.

I'm not a Thatched Cottage bride, so I don't have a horse in this race, but you're negative attitude and skepticism is really unappreciated. The right thing to say here would simply be that I certainly don't know the facts or how this will end up, but I absolutely hope for all the best for TC brides.

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I understand your point, but this is a public forum and she has every right to express her opinion. Especially as the OP ASKED for opinions. Everyone has to decide for themselves how to proceed. I understand how those who might be in a contract would feel to hear these concerns, but that doesn't change everyone's right to express them.

Thatched Cottage in Chapter 11...Thoughts? - Long Island Weddings

I am a TC bride just like the other ones in this forum and I am just voicing my opinion. At the end, it's their choice to stay or not to stay with the venue. The owner is a shady man and the whole story doesn't make sense… especially if he is offering to give everyone upgrades at no charge. Think about it.

Re: Thatched Cottage in Chapter 11...Thoughts?

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Posted by marisac5414

I am a TC bride just like the other ones in this forum and I am just voicing my opinion. At the end, it's their choice to stay or not to stay with the venue. The owner is a shady man and the whole story doesn't make sense… especially if he is offering to give everyone upgrades at no charge. Think about it.

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It's 'shady' to file for Chapter 11 so that you can stay open and host all of the events that you have booked? I don't really get that. I think the story makes perfect sense - especially if you were a bride that was booked with them pre-Sandy (which I was). They got TC in amazing condition very quickly after the storm, and that couldn't have been cheap. Although I don't agree with them offering free upgrades, we don't really know how much catering companies are charged for their food - all we know is that it is a heck of a lot less than what we are charged lol.

And to be honest (just voicing my opinion here), you don't SOUND like someone who has booked TC (not to mention that's not what it says under your name). Most of the girls seem concerned and upset, not angry and calling the owner shady. You're absolutely right that you can voice your opinion, but you seem to be pushing it more than simply seeming like a voice of reason.

My heart goes out to all you TC brides, and I HOPE that everything works out for everyone. TC was amazing on my wedding day, and I hope that all of you that choose to stay with them have the same experience that I did.

Thatched Cottage in Chapter 11...Thoughts? | Page 2 - Long Island Weddings

I'm sure everything will work out fine. And I'm pretty positive that he's able to offer the upgrades because when you file chapter 11, you are given a payment schedule that makes it easier to pay off your debt in a more timely and organized fashion. He probably knows that he can now afford to offer these upgrades, while still being able to pay it off in future payments. I think it's a smart move on his part to be offering this as a way to keep his customers. In the end, it's more cost efficient to offer a few random upgrades than to lose a client all-together. If it were me, I'd probably do the same thing just to ensure my customers wouldn't leave

All in all, these boards are meant to be for brides being able to express their opinions without being judged- While it seems like marisac5414's venue isn't TC, she did say earlier that she was booking elsewhere, so maybe that's what she did. and maybe it wasn't the BEST way to approach the situation on her part because it could have made other TC brides freak out alot more, but still, everyone has the right to say their piece.

End rant :)

Re: Thatched Cottage in Chapter 11...Thoughts?

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Posted by cets1290

I'm sure everything will work out fine. And I'm pretty positive that he's able to offer the upgrades because when you file chapter 11, you are given a payment schedule that makes it easier to pay off your debt in a more timely and organized fashion. He probably knows that he can now afford to offer these upgrades, while still being able to pay it off in future payments. I think it's a smart move on his part to be offering this as a way to keep his customers. In the end, it's more cost efficient to offer a few random upgrades than to lose a client all-together. If it were me, I'd probably do the same thing just to ensure my customers wouldn't leave

All in all, these boards are meant to be for brides being able to express their opinions without being judged- While it seems like marisac5414's venue isn't TC, she did say earlier that she was booking elsewhere, so maybe that's what she did. and maybe it wasn't the BEST way to approach the situation on her part because it could have made other TC brides freak out alot more, but still, everyone has the right to say their piece.

End rant :)

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You are very wise. Great comment.

Re: Thatched Cottage in Chapter 11...Thoughts?

What did you decide to do?

Thatched Cottage in Chapter 11...Thoughts? | Page 2 - Long Island Weddings

My fiance and I cancelled and re-booked elsewhere. I have so many good friends who have ties in the industry that found out so many shady things-we couldn't bear to stick it out. Even if he said he'd do our wedding for free and promised us his first grandchild, we were out. We booked at Milleridge Cottage and we absolutely love it...They had our date, and plus no crazy fees on top of the price per head like TC.

Thatched Cottage in Chapter 11...Thoughts? - Long Island Weddings

Hi girls,
My wedding is going to be at TC this summer. Like you, I was very concerned about the recent filing. However, I have several friends who have been involved with the reorganization of businesses through chapter 11, and they told me that this is a common practice and most of the time does not mean the closing of a business. One friend actually helped Macy's out of chapter 11, so is very knowledgable on the subject. There are several Long Island venues that have gone through this and come out fine on the other side. However, my family and I did schedule a meeting with Ralph, the owner, in order to voice our concerns. We were all thoroughly reassured. He was incredibly honest about his finances and layed everything out on the table for us. He does not owe anyone money. Much of his financial issues are the result of an unfortunate error in insurance filing, made by the insurance company itself, which the courts have recognized, as well as delayed FEMA funds. Instead of canceling on X amount of brides right after Irene and Sandy, he took out loans in order to repair damages without waiting for FEMA money. As I'm sure many of you know, there are hundreds of individuals and business STILL waiting for FEMA money to come in. That's just the unfortunate nature of the situation. That being said, he believes he will see the end of this much sooner than later, and only filed for chapter 11 to give the business some breathing room while it waited for these funds. We were very satisfied with our conversation with him, and ended it by talking about plans for our after party. Obviously, you all need to do what you are most comfortable with, but I have a gut feeling that TC will come out if this unscathed, as will my wedding. Just hoping to reassure some of you out there :)

Thatched Cottage in Chapter 11...Thoughts? | Page 2 - Long Island Weddings

I just recently decided to look elsewhere and the other places were great with helping me because that $5000 is a lot. I haven't written my letter yet that I am canceling. I am sending the paperwork for $5000 claim in this week as well. My fiance and I were originally staying until we spoke with their lawyer on Friday. What he told me, made me decide to leave. I really didnt want to because I fell in love with TC. But I was too nervous and being sick everyday thinking what if, I couldnt handle it anymore.
I wish the best of luck to everyone who is staying to leaving. We shouldnt have to be going through this.

Thatched Cottage in Chapter 11...Thoughts? | Page 2 - Long Island Weddings

It must have been a difficult decision. I am sure your wedding will be beautiful.