WOODLAND, Wash. -- An upscale wedding venue has filed for bankruptcy protection but customers wonder why no one is protecting them. Now those customers want answers from the wedding facility's owners.




The Empress Palace wedding chapel in Woodland, Wash.
Tatum Lubber's wedding was just three weeks away when the Empress Palace in Woodland, Wash., suddenly closed its doors last week, taking her $6,000.

KGW first reported this story last Wednesday; since then, several other brides have come forward with similar stories. Just before filing bankruptcy for their Empress Palace business, Rob and Becky Neuschwander recently founded a church in Kalama.

The couple denied requests for an interview Sunday morning when KGW arrived at Riverview Community Church, before scheduled services.

Records show the Neuschwanders paid $600,000 for the 13,000-square-foot Empress Palace, a Woodland mansion, in 2000.

Reports from 2003 indicate they spent another $1 million during a renovation that included recreation of a Michelangelo painting on the ceiling of the foyer.

Last week, customers received a short e-mail from the Empress Palace that read, in part:

"... Because of events and circumstances beyond our control, including the current economic crisis, record cancellations and the FDIC seizure of their bank ... the Empress Palace is seeking bankruptcy protection."

But at least one of the affected brides-to-be found assistance from the community.

Lubber said several businesses offered to help recreate her approaching wedding after first learning of the Empress Palace's closure and unwillingness to assist its customers. The Vancouver Hilton stepped forward to help Lubber plan her wedding in their facilities.

"They are bending over backwards helping with ceremony and reception and working with my parents’ budget and what they can afford right now," Lubber said. "They’re really trying to help in any way they can and we greatly appreciate it."

Lubber said she had received e-mails from other brides in the same situation. At least three of the victims are now being helped by the Vancouver Hilton.

The brides are deeply touched that so many total strangers have stepped up to help after hearing about their situation.

Even so, they would still like to hear what happened to their money from Rob and Becky Neuschwander.

At this rate, if I get married, I would like someone to get one of those free online things that let them marry others. And yes, there are legitimate, legal, free ones out there.

Do it simply. Maybe rent a picnic spot in a park. Potluck BBQ. I do plan to make my own dress because I want a bridal belly dance outfit.

Why go to a whole lot of expense? Do something nice, cheap, and relaxing.

you mean a ordain minister, i am one as well is my daughter. and yes i know there legal and you dont have to regisiter with the court house.
there was someone that did a post on craigslist that offered her service she was totally nuts she was charging $75 for the marriage certificate and $450 for the ceremony.. that was nuts i email her and said she owed a tatoo shop and she married the people there and offered them free tatoos.. so freaken what if she gave them a free tatoo you dont pay any minister or ordain that kind of price

That was the word I was looking for. I have a horrible neck ache and it developed a horrible headache and it just would not come to me. Had a roommate that did that. And knew a woman that was so worried something would go wrong with her daughter's wedding, she got ordained just to be on the safe side.

Marriage is an institution.

Who wants to live in an institution the rest of their lives?

that all depends on how others see it.

my grandparents were married for over 60yrs untill my grandfather died..

my sister got married right after highschool and she has been married for 32yrs...

im sure they didnt and dont feel institulized

I was joking.

I have seen many fine long marriages.

Me?

I was married over twenty years....some people do less time for murder!

HA HA HA