Heartless, Unaccommodating, and Potentially Unlawful -- A Devastating Experience with Villa Festa…read more I WOULD NEVER USE THIS VENUE or book with Beth at Villa Festa.
Our wedding was scheduled for October 4, 2025 but due to serious and unforeseen personal and financial hardship, we reached out to Villa Festa with advance notice, hoping for an honest, human conversation.
We had already paid over $9,000 of a $10,000 contract -- more than 90% of the total cost, with payments made at the end of 2024 and additional payments in January 2025. Only leaving a 1300$ deposit remaining which was due a month prior, Despite this, and despite having received no services at all, the venue refused to offer a meaningful refund, only returning $1,071and keeping the rest -- while refusing to compromise in any reasonable way only on their terms
When we asked about rescheduling, we were told we could only move the wedding to July or August -- the hottest, most uncomfortable months in Florida -- or pay additional upcharges and fees just to secure a new fall date. If we wanted to keep the original October weekend, we could -- but only if we dropped the weekend package or else lose value we already paid for. Downsizing or adjusting the event would also require giving up our full-weekend access or paying even more for the new year, which is over 1k.
We were shocked to learn that the contract -- which the venue keeps pointing to -- contains a clause stating that exceptions can be made on a "case-by-case basis." Yet when we approached them early and respectfully, they refused to help unless it involved more payments or major losses on our end.
Worse, the owner Beth has since ignored all emails, refused to return phone calls, and declined to meet in person -- showing zero effort to resolve the situation or even maintain basic communication. The entire interaction has been emotionally exhausting.
In light of these circumstances, I believe that Villa Festa's rigid "no refund" stance may violate Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA), under Florida Statutes 501.201-501.213. Businesses are prohibited from:
-Failing to provide services as agreed
-Misleading customers about contract terms
-Acting in bad faith in enforcement of policies
A "no refund" policy that disregards performance failures, ignores written clauses about case-by-case exceptions, and keeps thousands of dollars without delivering any service could very well be seen as unfair, deceptive, and potentially unenforceable under Florida law.
Villa Festa may look like a charming venue, but behind the scenes, you'll find a lack of professionalism, empathy, and integrity. This was supposed to be the most important day of our lives -- instead, we were treated like a burden the moment the money was received.
I would NEVER recommend this venue to anyone, and I hope this review saves someone else from a heartbreak, money and time.
