Worst wedding provider's service

I would just like to bring under the attention to the public the following, to perhaps save future brides from waterworks or people interested to make use of this venue. I’m getting married on the 28th of September, what was supposed to be my dream wedding turned out to be my biggest nightmare. Last year during September 2018, I saw on a facebook group to do with weddings, an adverti*****t for an open day at Royal Jontica, My castle your fairytale, as it is noted on facebook. I attended the open day and fell in love with the venue. I signed the contract and paid an amount of R10 000. The person Louise, never brought to our attention that she isn’t working for the venue. At no time has she noted to us during the times we have communicated with her, or attended her open days at the venue on more than one occasion, that she is working solely on her own and that the money we paid into an account with the same name, is actually her banking account. Out of experience with previous venues I never suspected anything, as there is usually a representative for that place.

I further paid an amount of R20 000 at the beginning of 2019. We took a package that was an all-inclusive package, there were made promises by Louise which she could not fulfill, and every time used another excuse for not having certain things, or saying she will make a plan, just for myself to incur extra costs, hiring in other vendors to assist to provide with what I wanted, take note on my own account. Last year in October she advised that she secured the booking with the Photographer and the DJ, and that I don’t have to worry, just to find out now a month before the time same has not been done, and I need to find another DJ, and also had to contract with the Photographer myself. I’ve had a discussion with her to say that I’m not prepared to incur more costs in paying her the so called all-inclusive package remaining balance, which now gives me nothing, after I’ve already incurred more costs. I’ve asked her for the owner’s details, which she refused to provide. After a search on the internet I noticed that the website no longer exists, and somehow found the owners details. After a discussion with her she noted that Louise is an agent working for them. When my mother addressed this with the owner, to inform her that we are not happy with the service we are given, she said that she can’t refund us our money as same was paid to Louise into her bank account. She is the owner but can’t take responsibility for Louise’s doing. After hearing this I drafted a letter and sent same to her via email setting out all my concerns, and advising that it is misrepresentation to the public. My parents scheduled a meeting with her, went to the venue just to find it locked, she didn’t even have the courtesy to cancel the meeting. After that I received a letter from her attorney stating that she received no money, which is not the truth as some of my guests paid their accommodation to the venue as well. I’ve learned a very expensive lesson out of this, and need to now litigate to get my money back. I would just like to bring this under the public’s attention as this is the worst and the most unprofessional service I’ve ever received from a venue.