Couples Left Heartbroken as Ardencote Manor Cancels Weddings

A popular wedding venue in Warwickshire, Ardencote Manor, has recently canceled all wedding bookings for 2026, leaving numerous couples devastated. Following the venue’s acquisition by the hotel group Barons Eden earlier this month, couples who had planned their special days at Ardencote were notified that their events would be scrapped due to upcoming renovations.

The news has prompted an outcry, with couples expressing their frustration over lost deposits and the challenge of securing new venues on short notice. Many had already invested considerable time and money into their wedding plans.

Georgia Berry, who had booked her wedding for May 2026, described her experience as “disgusting.” After securing her venue more than two years in advance in February 2024, she was assured everything was in order. Just days after paying off half of her balance, she received a call stating that all weddings for 2026 and 2027 were canceled.

“We had everything organized through their recommendations, including our suppliers for disco, photography, and decorations,” Berry told CoventryLive. “We had just completed a food tasting and were told ‘big changes are coming,’ but we were assured nothing was wrong.”

Berry highlighted the significant personal impact of the cancellation, stating, “We have family traveling from Australia and Canada, who already booked their flights. Now we are unsure if we can find another venue that has our date available as it is only eight months away.”

Another couple, Laura Smith and her fiancé, faced a similar predicament. After getting engaged on September 29, 2024, Smith received devastating news just days later that she had been diagnosed with cancer. Despite her health challenges, she and her partner were excited to choose Ardencote as their wedding venue.

“I had dreamed of getting married there since I visited the spa ten years ago,” Smith recounted. “We secured all the suppliers for our bank holiday weekend date, believing everything was on track.” However, just days after confirming an LED dance floor booking, they were informed that their wedding was canceled due to the venue’s transition to new ownership.

“This is not covered by wedding insurance,” Smith explained. “Our only option is to negotiate directly with Ardencote, which is incredibly frustrating.” While Smith has managed to find a new venue, the costs have nearly doubled her original budget.

Another couple, Jonathan and Martyn, shared their dismay after learning of their cancellation when they attempted to add an extra room to their booking. They had received assurances from Ardencote that their contract would be honored even after the sale, but they were ultimately informed that their wedding was canceled on September 11.

“We are beyond disgusted at how we have been treated,” they stated in an email. “This has left us totally flattened, with a lot of money wasted and significant additional expenses on the horizon.”

The recent actions of Ardencote Manor have raised concerns about the treatment of couples who had invested emotionally and financially in their wedding planning. The hotel has provided refunds for deposits but has not offered compensation for other costs incurred by the couples.

As the situation unfolds, affected couples await a response from both Ardencote Manor and its new owners. The emotional and financial toll of these cancellations continues to resonate among those who had once envisioned their future at this cherished venue.