Wedding Venue Collapse Leaves 48 Couples Scrambling to Salvage Big Day
The Hidden Garden Estate in Berriedale, a popular Tasmanian wedding venue, has entered liquidation after breaching council permit conditions. The news came as a shock to 48 couples who had planned their weddings there.
Permit Breach and Immediate Impact
On Friday, November 7, couples received an email from the estate stating that Glenorchy City Council had advised them late the previous Thursday of a breach in their home business permit. The venue outlined three options for affected couples: proceed under strict new permit conditions, postpone to a later date, or cancel and receive a full refund.
New Restrictions
The new permit conditions imposed by the council were severe. Only owner Diane Burrows could conduct ceremonies, guest numbers were capped at 60, and only two vendors were allowed on site. The notice clarified:
“DJ, photo booth, live music, wedding planners, event hire suppliers and similar services are all classified as vendors.”
Couples were given until close of business on Monday, November 10, to decide how to proceed.
Permanent Closure and Liquidation
By the afternoon of November 10, the venue confirmed it would close permanently and enter liquidation. Owners Shan Strus and Diane Burrows stated:
“The authority initiating stringent terms that effectively caused couples to vote for refunds, has forced us to close the business.”
They added that they had sought a reprieve from the council but were refused.
Community Response
The local community has rallied behind those affected, offering support as couples scramble to reorganize their weddings.
Author’s summary: The sudden closure of Hidden Garden Estate has left dozens of couples facing major disruptions, highlighting the impact of strict permit enforcement on small businesses and personal celebrations.