Couples have been left blindsided after an iconic Sydney wedding venue has gone into administration, ceasing operations from June 24, 2024.
According to a report on the Daily Mail Australia, The Kirribilli Club abruptly shut its doors last month, with little to no warning, forcing the hasty re-scheduling of several nuptials and leaving couples without their deposits.
Disappointingly, the couple’s who had booked to have their wedding reception at Kirribilli Club only found out about the closure of the venue via an instagram post.
The post read, ‘On 19 June 2024, Kirribilli Ex-Service Club Limited (Kirribilli Club) appointed Hugh Armenis of SV Partners as Voluntary Administrator. Kirribilli Club has now ceased trading and is closed.
If you have any enquiries, please contact kirribilli@svp.com.au or alternatively (02) 8986 8986.’
The Daily Mail Australia reports that Sasha Avvali and James Saddington had organised an engagement party at the venue, and just six weeks before the special day the venue announced it was closing.
They have lost thousands in deposits with little hope of getting their money back.
‘We have family and friends coming in from interstate and overseas; our big event has been thrown into utter chaos,’ she told the Mosman Collective.
To make matters worse, the club had taken a payment of $350 from Ms Avvali on June 20, just a day after they had gone into voluntary administration.Â
‘The Kirribilli Club knew they were in financial trouble, and yet they still took my payments, which were made in good faith,’ Ms Avvali said.
Ms Avvali said she was unlikely to get any of her money back as unsecured creditors, like herself, are at the ‘bottom of the chain’ compared to banks and employees who have priority if the business’ assets are liquidated.
Another couple – Rachel and Steven – were left with just days to organise a new venue for their wedding reception on July 13, after being ‘blindsided’ by the Kirribilli Club’s closure.
The couple had planned to host 100 people at the venue’s Grand Ballroom with canapes and a three-course dinner.
‘This past week has been every bride’s worst nightmare,’ Rachel said. ‘No official communication was provided by the club and my wedding has been thrown into complete chaos.’Â
She and her fiancé had chosen the Kirribilli Club as the reception venue after a romantic harbourside proposal in June 2023.
Rachel and Steven are also unlikely to be refunded.
‘It looks like we got off lightly, because there are other functions that were booked and paid in full,’ Rachel said.
‘I have heard of at least four other weddings due to take place at the Kirribilli Club. It’s just devastating to think they can leave people in the lurch like this.’
Fortunately, both couples have been rescued by alternative Sydney venues for their wedding events.
Rachel said Le Montage in Lilyfield was ‘pulling out all stops to ensure my wedding day is perfect’ by hosting her reception.
Doltone House will host Ms Avvali and Mr Saddington’s engagement party at one of their CBD venues.
See the full story via the Daily Mail Australia
