North Carolina Venue Under Fire for Withholding Deposit Following Groom’s Death
A wedding venue in North Carolina is facing backlash after it refused to refund a deposit following the tragic death of a groom just five months before his wedding.
Christopher Perry from Durham proposed to his Italian fiancée, Kristen Seidel, in 2024. They had booked a cotton room for their wedding on October 11, 2025, paying over $18,000 in deposits to cover food, drinks, and rental fees.
Tragically, Perry collapsed and died on May 12, 2025, just one day before Kristen’s 33rd birthday. The family notified the venue, part of TC Hospitality Group, within two days of his passing.
In response, the company stated that the deposit was non-refundable, as it allocated funds for securing the date and meeting operational commitments. They did offer a partial refund, but only if the date could be rebooked.
Staff reported keeping a $7,500 rental deposit but did waive the remaining half of the total amount.
Bill Perry, Christopher’s father, expressed his frustration in an interview, saying, “They are benefiting from the death of my son.” He highlighted how devastating it is for parents to lose their children and criticized the venue’s stance, which he feels keeps the wounds fresh.
“They haven’t done anything. They haven’t made this money yet,” his wife added, emphasizing their confusion regarding the venue’s financial justification.
In the midst of this controversy, the Perry family reported that other vendors, including their wedding planner and photographer, had returned their deposits in light of the circumstances.
Sue Perry made a heartfelt post on Facebook questioning how a venue that specializes in joyous occasions could respond so coldly to such a tragedy, noting that they have not heard from the venue owner since their son’s death.
Online reactions have been overwhelming, with support for the family pouring in through social media and review platforms. Many encouraged the venue to reconsider their position. One commenter described the situation as “shocking for a family business,” while another remarked, “They’ll lose more than that deposit… They’ve lost their reputation.”
“Legally, they’re not doing anything wrong… Did they do something morally wrong? Maybe?” pondered another user.
Conversely, some Reddit users defended the venue, stating that during peak wedding season, it’s understandable that businesses would struggle to fill last-minute cancellations. A wedding planner noted that companies depend heavily on deposits to navigate the financial challenges posed by the pandemic.
Ultimately, the executive director of TC Hospitality, Michelle Aldred, reiterated their position, emphasizing that preparations for such events involve complex planning and staffing, further complicating the issue of refunds.
