Judge's Order Has Brides Panicking About Wedding Day at Spiegel Farms

"This is something a girl looks forward to her whole life," said bride-to-be Summer Cooksey.

"I've been looking forward to this day since I was 5-years-old," said bride-to-be Alana Baxter.

On Sunday these brides learned their dreams of a fairytale wedding here at Spiegel Farms in Campobello may come to an end. Owner Sue Spiegel says the Wendswept Plantation Homeowners Association is suing her for conducting commercial activity on her farm, a violation of a homeowners association covenant.

"Trying to hurt me is one thing but they don't have a clue what they're doing to families," said Spiegel.

On June 18th a Spartanburg County judge issued a temporary injunction stopping Spiegel from engaging in any commercial activity until a hearing scheduled next month. That means these brides' weddings and the dozens of others planned for the rest of the year are on hold. Cooksey's wedding is on Saturday.

"We have 200 guests some coming from out of town and there's no way there's no possible way we have time to plan anything," Cooksey said.

The Homeowners Association President and Vice-President would not comment to News Channel 7. Their attorney, Sean Cobourn, issued this statement:

"The judge has issued the injunction and a hearing is set for July 29th and until then Ms. Spiegel is enjoined from commercial activity on her property. Everyone regrets the inconvenience to brides, grooms, and their families."

We asked News Channel 7 legal expert attorney Ken Anthony if anything could be done to help. He said a temporary injunction cannot be appealed. His message to the brides...

"My first advice would be go find somewhere else to have your wedding because I don't think it's going to happen here," Anthony said.

We asked Anthony about his thoughts if Spiegel continues with the weddings anyway. Anthony said, "It wouldn't surprise me for the judge to put her in jail. She would be served with more papers to be brought in front of the judge to show why she violated the court order or to try to prove that she didn't. If she did, I don't think any judge is going to take that lightly."

Spiegel says she'll do whatever it takes to give these brides the wedding they want.

"I'm willing to do them for free as long as their complaint is I am running a commercial enterprise here," said Spiegel. "If I don't charge them and I do it for free I don't know why I can't get these weddings done."

It's the only option for these brides who have spent so long planning their special day.

"It's devastating for us to come into this situation on a day we've worked so hard for and planned and then have them just shut it down," bride-to-be Cindy Crosby said.

We also asked Spiegel why she didn't tell brides earlier about the injunction and a lawsuit that was served to her months ago. Spiegel said she thought it would spend years in court before it would ever affect her brides and their families.

To protect yourself from situations like this the Better Business Bureau suggests you purchase wedding insurance. They say it usually costs between $125 and $400. The offer the following advice:
-Shop for wedding insurance before paying deposits on any wedding services to make sure all expenses are covered.
-Comparison shop and pay close attention to the fine print.
-Avoid purchasing overlapping coverage.
-Keep good records and all receipts for the insurance company in order to justify any reimbursements.