It turns out there is help if the rug gets pulled out from under your plans for a big event. You just have to plan ahead.
They were supposed to be storybook weddings, held at the oldest synagogue in Manhattan, now an ultra chic venue.
But when the place was shuttered by the city, some young couples learned an expensive lesson that could save you thousands the next time you plan a festive function.
We got an icy reception outside the wedding hall as we tred to get full refunds for two couples, who both fell in love with the 19th century neo-gothic synagogue run by the non-profit Angel Orensanz Foundation.
"I had every single detail planned, every detail," said bride Amy Hanna.
"It was hard to find out four days before that I wasn't going to have the wedding I planned and that I had dreamed of," said bride Lisa Goldstein.
Just four days before Lisa and Keith were to tie the knot, and four weeks before Amy and Paul would say I do, their dreams got derailed.
The century old structure started falling apart on top of guests during an event on April 1st.
"They didnt even call us. If I didn't happen to see it on the news, I wouldn't have even known," Lisa said.
After firefighters found cracks in the pillars, city inspectors deemed the landmark structure unsafe and ordered it to be closed down.
"Overwhelming is an understatement..to have it all come to a screeching halt with 3 weeks to go, it's shocking," said groom Paul Frankel.
"I was in total panic and devastated," said Lisa.
Each paid in full, nearly $19,000. When they asked for a refund?
"She did tell me on the phone that they were going to give us back all the money we had paid," said Lisa.
But Lisa says they went radio silent. She scrambled to book another venue in time for their April 5 nuptials but Amy and Paul were stuck.
"We are hamstrung to commit to another place without that money, and as every day goes by our options get limited," Paul said.
After several calls by us the foundation promised full refunds, but after only partial refunds came.
"Hi Al, Nina Pineda 7 On Your Side," we said. "We need to get this couple their money, they need it to pay for another wedding."
"No no no, out, I give you my lawyer's name, Maria name, and she will give all the money," we were told.
"Maria promised last week they would have they would have the money, do you understand they need this money to get married?", we said.
Hours after we got shown the door, Amy and Paul were shown the money, and thanked us.
All told, the couples were refunded just under $34,000. Lisa agreed to receive the balance by the end of May. A rep from the Orensanz Foundation assured us everyone will eventually be paid back in full.
The big takeaway? If these couples had paid for something called "special event insurance", they probably would've been covered.
You can take it out for weddings, bar mitzvahs or any other special function.
It covers your losses if your special function or even your honeymoon is canceled for natural disaster or a death in the family.
It covers if a caterer or photographer doesn't show up.
Event insurance costs anywhere from $100 to $400. It could be the best money you spend.