A Wedding Day Nightmare

A wedding is supposed to be one of the most memorable days of a couple's life, filled with joy and celebration. However, for several newlyweds in Edmonton, their special day turned into a nightmare because of a caterer’s shocking no-show.

Mark Davidson's Story

Mark Davidson and his wife tied the knot on September 21, eagerly anticipating a delicious barbecue-style feast featuring hotdogs and hamburgers catered by Deidre Schlotter. Everything seemed perfect during their initial meetings, and they paid a hefty deposit of $700, but as their wedding date approached, the communication abruptly ceased. Davidson faced a dizzying silence, with his calls and texts going unanswered.

In a moment of panic as dinner time drew near, Davidson was left standing in the parking lot trying to figure out how to feed their 100 guests. Schlotter eventually called to say she was running late due to car trouble, promising to arrive in 45 minutes. But that promise faded into two prolonged hours of waiting. When she finally arrived, it was with food that was cold and not what they had agreed upon.

"We ended up ordering pizza," Davidson recounted, a stinging reminder of the day's chaos instead of the bliss they envisioned.

Kristi Mingo's Experience

Similarly, bride Kristi Mingo had a disheartening experience with the same caterer. Initially charmed by Schlotter’s demeanor, Mingo began to feel uneasy as her wedding day approached. After spending thousands, she realized it was too late to find another caterer.

On the big day, not only did the bartenders show up late, claiming to have been in an accident, but Schlotter also failed to deliver food at the promised time, offering a string of excuses instead.

One mishap included a full roast dropped by a staff member, which further delayed service. In a scramble, Mingo’s guests passed around snacks from personal bags, and even the DJ joined in, entertaining guests with cherries. Eventually, they too had to resort to ordering pizza as the expected meal never materialized.

Confrontation and Aftermath

Upon Schlotter’s late arrival, Mingo confronted her only to receive no apology; instead, Schlotter inquired where her team could set up for catering, oblivious to the chaos already unleashed. Frustrated, Mingo’s husband made it clear that they couldn’t work with her after the disaster.

In the aftermath, both couples have sought refunds and have received no response—just one more blow to their already tarnished wedding memories. They are not alone in this plight; many others who hired Schlotter are now joining forces to take action.

Legal Ramifications

The situation has escalated to legal ramifications, with the Edmonton Police Service charging Schlotter with seven counts of fraud under $5,000. Many couples are left wondering how one person could turn their joyous celebration into a dramatic failure.

A Cautionary Tale

With mounting frustration and unanswered calls, this story serves as a cautionary tale for future couples planning their weddings. You might want to do a little more digging into your vendors—because when it comes to your big day, the stakes are too high for 'What ifs?'