Tuscan Villa Bankruptcy

[monique_evette]

I just got off the phone with my bride and she was in tears over the recent news of the Tuscan Villa filing for bankruptcy. Her wedding was suppose to be held there on October 12th! I just got back from California shooting her engagement session; man what a major blow!

I wish I could do something to make things all better, but I don't even know where to begin. She lives in California, but is getting married in Houston, so its going to make it soo hard for her to find another venue. The bad thing is that she paid everything in full to get their discount. I am sure her budget is really tight now, but any suggestions on where she should try and move her wedding?

[BeccaJ]

tell her to go to theknot.com and go to the houston board. There's TOOOOONS of discussion about vendors trying to help

[BeccaJ]

Some of the posts there:

I contacted Ashton Gardens. They said they are open and can help displaced brides. She also said they are able to work deals with people.

I know its out of the loop but it is very beautiful. (Although I am slightly biased because we booked them.)


Stephanie Selaiden

Director of Sales

Ashton Gardens

21919 Inverness Forest Blvd.

Houston, TX 77073

ph: (281) 362-0011 x 104

fx: (281) 443-4480

stephanieselaiden@ashtongarde
ns.com

Ladies,

Contact this lawyer, he's aware of the whole senario and is trying to get everyone together to file one BIG lawsuit if they do not fie for bankruptcy ASAP.

Carl W. Gordon, Esq.
Haynes and Boone, LLP
1221 McKinney, Suite 2100
Houston, Texas 77010

Phone: 713.547.2000
Direct fax: 713.236.5458
Carl.Gor
don@haynesboone.com

Sammi has been calling venue to try and find dates for out of place brides.
Paraiso Maravilla - 713-977-5773
10-3-05 is the only Friday available
There are no Saturdays
10
-5-08; 10-19-08; 10-26-08; 11-16-08; 11-9-08 for Sundays
They are willing to work with brides and their facility is probably the closest to what we had
The Parador - 713-529-3050 - Ask For Shiela Wells - She's awesome!
They have some Fridays and Sundays available and are willing to work with brides since it is last minute business.
The Corinthian - 713-222-2002 - Ask for Rebecca
They have some availability for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays! Rebecca can really help find locations if she is not available. They work with Jackson Hicks and do catering for a lot of venues so she was really helpful.
10-3-08; 10-10-08; 10-17-08; 10-24-08; 10-5-08; 10-12-08; 10-19-08; 10-26-08
She is checking to see what kind of rates she can give. She will know more tomorrow.
Petroleum
Club - Ask for a girl named Jeremy
10-3-08; 10-11-08; 10-17-08 and all Sundays
She is willing to help on the rates
The Houston Club has all kinds of availability and work with anyone who calls. I will give you his info in another email. They have two ballrooms though so they can accomodate a lot.
I will talk with some old buddies of mine at Hilton Americas tomorrow and I'm sure they have a lot available so I'll find out what kind of rates they can give and get back with you.
I also will talk with The Gallery tomorrow and get back to you on rates.
Tx Safari is another that has some availability. He will definitely work with people His name is Allison and he can be reached at 281-808-1699.
And I will send anything else I can find your way. THank you so much for posting this. Talk to you soon!

[ldelacruz]

So sorry to hear about your bride and all the others. Here is a link to a place just right outside Houston. They just bought a new facility so I know they would help. It is a country setting and nothing like Bella Terraza or Tuscan Villa but they are in business. The couple that owns it are very nice and they can plan and coordinate it all.


http://www.havenonthebrazos.com/

[CaptainTom]

I don't want to seem heartless because that is not my intent.
I have been in business for quite some time (different kind of businesses) and one business tenet that has stuck with me is that " you cannot afford to take on other peoples problems as if they were your own ". Let me explain. When a customer has a crisis and can't afford my services any longer, I will do whatever I can to make it still work out for both of us. But, I cannot afford to take over this customers problems and give away my services or products because they are having the crisis.

Do whatever you feel is necessary, but don't put yourself in a crisis in order to solve someone elses problems.

I wish I could do something to make things all better

I'm not saying this is what is happening, just that sometimes it helps to get advice from those who have made mistakes.

[CobyPhoto]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

I don't want to seem heartless because that is not my intent.
I have been in business for quite some time (different kind of businesses) and one business tenet that has stuck with me is that " you cannot afford to take on other peoples problems as if they were your own ". Let me explain. When a customer has a crisis and can't afford my services any longer, I will do whatever I can to make it still work out for both of us. But, I cannot afford to take over this customers problems and give away my services or products because they are having the crisis.

Do whatever you feel is necessary, but don't put yourself in a crisis in order to solve someone elses problems.



I'm not saying this is what is happening, just that sometimes it helps to get advice from those who have made mistakes.

Dang you Tom...you need to quit this. Tom is EXACTLY correct. You can open yourself up to major headaches and problems trying to locate and help these people out. If you step in, you just stepped in and assumed the responsibility and that bride can well come back to bite you in the butt if something goes wrong again!

You aren't a wedding coordinator/planner...you are the photographer. Sympathize, assure and bend on your arrangements to help her, but DO NOT try to step in and rescue her.

As far as Tuscany Villa is concerned, there is or has been a Bankrupcy filing on them and it isn't going to be pretty for anyone involved.

Monique: You just started your business and have risked alot to do so. PLEASE...MAKE YOUR DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR BUSINESS. It isn't a wise decision to become emboiled in this mess unless you were forced to.

CJ

[dcnctx]

Originally Posted by monique_evette

... Tuscan Villa filing for bankruptcy...

I wish I could do something to make things all better, but I don't even know where to begin...

Hi Monique,

There is always something one can do to help. It may not be enough help to rectify the current issue. It may; however be enough to help to move things in the right direction. Lots of good information has already been posted.

Looking at he problem in your mind, you've most likely already considered some solutions. Sometimes simply advice or suggestions will go along way in providing light to some difficulty. Remember you may not be around to see the remedy but you can be satisfied that you gave positive input or whatever else, within reason, that you deemed necessary and helpful.

Follow your heart. Don't give away the bank and move on to life's next challenge.

Learn to adjust, of course put in a nice way; it may be all that is required.

You may not be old enough to remember when there was no color television, cable or satellite, no internet, and the only music came in on AM radio stations. As you traveled down the highway, if you wanted to hear what was playing on your car radio, it required that you constantly adjust the dial. Otherwise, you lost the song or a new one replaced it or you endured loud static or advertising until you reached the next town.

Life requires adjustment. I'm sure you've done it with your cell phone. You find you have no signal so you hold it a different way, change locations, or find a land line and call from there. This bride can't change what's happened but she can look at her new options and learn to adjust. Maybe she will even find a way to retain your services. Good luck and remember, you can always help with good advice. (As you indicate, "Dwell in possiblity.")

Hope this is somewhat helpful and not to simplistic but it's a good way to handle the things life throws at you. LEARN TO ADJUST!

[Wil_Bloodworth]

So she just gets screwed? Isn't that fraud?

- Wil

Exactly my thoughts. Especially if they accepted money after they had already been to their attorney preparing for the bankruptcy.

[MaggieP]

After reading the posts on a couple of forums and some blogs, I'm confused as to why these brides have to find all new vendors? I understand that they need a new venue, but why are they searching for new photographers, etc. Was all of this contracted through the venue?
Sorry, I don't have any experience with TB/TGO, I was just curious.

[BeccaJ]

Originally Posted by MaggieP

After reading the posts on a couple of forums and some blogs, I'm confused as to why these brides have to find all new vendors? I understand that they need a new venue, but why are they searching for new photographers, etc. Was all of this contracted through the venue?
Sorry, I don't have any experience with TB/TGO, I was just curious.

Most of the venues in town come with everything except the photographer and the florist. And some even include one of those or the other! I didnt look at those 2 places when i was planning mine, but i looked at like 15 others and they all had all inclusive packages, minus those two things.

that means they need a new cake baker, caterer, a photographer if their current one is already booked and they reschedule, a venue, and officiant, new invitations, new decorations, probably still a new florist....

[dbphotos]

Originally Posted by ParkImaging

So she just gets screwed? Isn't that fraud?

- Wil

No, it's not fraud (criminal), it's BK Court (civil). She can file a claim with the BK Court just like any other creditor, but that doens't help the bride's current situation as the BK could take months or years and she is likely to get eithe pennies on the dollar or nothing at all when BK is discharged.

[SpeedRacerSlots]

You can try Pam House out at the House Plantation.
Dont know what they can do, but its worth a shot.
West of Houston (barely) on 290.
http://www.houseplantation.com/

On another note, its a beautiful place to shoot.

Greg

Originally Posted by dbphotos

No, it's not fraud (criminal), it's BK Court (civil). She can file a claim with the BK Court just like any other creditor, but that doens't help the bride's current situation as the BK could take months or years and she is likely to get eithe pennies on the dollar or nothing at all when BK is discharged.

Bankruptcy fraud is a criminal offense. And even though they are in bankruptcy that does not prevent them from facing criminal fraud charges for their actions.

[janetg]

according to the two brides i have spoken with - one's photographers will not accept a payment plan to complete the wedding package and wont' do bridals either. She has already paid a retainer fee, but that is non-refundable. this one is in 2 weeks and the guy is just being a butthead.

according to the other girl - the venue was offering a 20% discount if paid in cash and in full at the time of booking - and was all inclusive of cake, food, drink, etc. now this one had not yet hired a photographer (may 30, 09) but are out like $7000 on their deal - as it was all paid up front, they thought they had plenty of time and money left to hire someone. now they don't.