A North Carolina events venue is refusing to refund an $18,380 wedding deposit, even though the groom who was scheduled to be married there next month died in May.
Chris Perry and Kristen Seidel planned to tie the knot at the Cotton Room at Golden Belt in Durham on Oct. 11. Plans changed when Perry died suddenly on the eve of his 33rd birthday, according to an obituary posted May 23.
His grieving parents told North Carolina station WRAL that a DJ, a wedding planner and a photographer hired to work the event refunded the down payments they’d received on behalf of the couple. The venue, however, has been less generous.
The Cotton Room reportedly agreed to return $11,000 to the bride if another party took the booking left open by Perry’s death, but had no takers.
WRAL reported Tuesday that the Cotton Room’s owner claims to have received “multiple death threats” from enraged outsiders while trying to prepare for weddings taking place this weekend. News of the dispute was first reported Monday and gained traction on social media.
A Cotton Room representative said the venue needs to cover costs used to “support the advance planning, staffing and operational commitments” and found no one to take Seidel and Perry’s booking despite offering the time slot to other clients and advertising it online.
The Cotton Room is obligated to offer a refund only when the venue cancels an event, according to a contract reviewed by WRAL. The venue said it “strongly encourages” couples to buy insurance to avoid such issues. The would-be bride said she had no recollection of any such recommendation.
Perry and Seidel met three years before Perry’s death, according to his obituary.
“They were committed to each other and looked forward to an incredible, full life together,” it said.
Cotton Room didn’t immediately return a Daily News request for further comment.
