Winnipeg couple loses deposit after wedding caterer shuts down
Wedding season is a few months away and some Winnipeg couples could be out of a caterer and their deposit.
Caitlin Turcotte and Mark Ribeiro are one of those couples.
“It’s obviously stressful, it’s frustrating,” said Ribeiro.
Their big day is in May – and while Turcotte says she is 'jumping for joy' in anticipation, her joy has been tempered by the fact their wedding is fast approaching and they no longer have a caterer and they’re out their $1,000 deposit.
Turcotte said they hired Modern Plate Catering in November. Two months later, she said she received an email from the business informing the couple they have shut down because of financial hardships caused by the pandemic.
The company apologized along with a list of other catering referrals.
“It’s understandable that a business could close during the pandemic, a lot of things are closing and a lot of things are happening,” said Turcotte, adding she asked for a refund.
Another email from the businesses indicated there is no money to give back because of the severe effects of the pandemic.
"There are no funds available to return deposits as the company is insolvent,” the email reads.
“It really does suck a lot, we’re pretty stressed out now. We still have to put another deposit down for another caterer and our wedding is about four months away,” said Turcotte.
If the catering company is insolvent, it could be tough for the couple and others to get their money back.
Rick Schwartz, from the law firm Tapper Cuddy, said in typical insolvency cases involving a business, there are several creditors, such as banks and government agencies, who would be paid first, leaving customers empty-handed.
“All sorts of other creditors that really have a much higher priority over somebody who has no security, and that’s what a customer of any business would typically be, is an unsecured creditor,” said Schwartz.
Turcotte said they have found another caterer and are hoping to finalize details, but they’re not as confident about getting their $1,000 down payment back.
“We’re going to try,” said Turcotte.
CTV News was unable to reach someone from Modern Plate Catering.
An email response to CTV News said it has closed its doors and appreciates all the love and support it received over the years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.