by What was supposed to be a couple’s dream wedding weekend turned into chaos after a Virginia bride claimed her Airbnb venue had no power, no water, and was crawling with ants — with uninvited guests even showing up mid-ceremony.
Couple’s $5,000 Wedding Turns Into a Nightmare
Bride Maggie Reed and groom Tyler Smithhart booked their dream wedding at Buttercups Home, an Airbnb in Portsmouth, Virginia, months in advance. According to local outlet WAVY 10, the couple signed their contract and paid a $5,000 event fee plus a $750 security deposit nearly a year and a half before their October 11 wedding date.
However, when Reed arrived at the property that weekend, she says she immediately noticed something was wrong.
“I went to ring the doorbell and the Ring camera wasn’t working, so I kind of peeked inside and there was no power,” Reed told. “There’s no power. There’s no water.”
She also claimed there was a delinquency notice from public utilities posted on the door — suggesting the venue’s services had been cut off.
Calls for Help Went Unanswered
Reed said she tried reaching out to the venue owner and staff several times but got no response.
“I’ve paid five grand for this place, and they’re not responding to me,” she said.
Her bridesmaid Brandi Paugh backed up her account, saying no one was present to let the wedding party inside and that they discovered a utility delinquency notice on the door.
Adding to the chaos, Reed said the venue’s kitchen and bathrooms were infested with ants, which ruined food the couple had prepared for the next day’s reception.
“They destroyed some of the food that we had set up on the counter that we had prepared for the next day,” Reed recalled.
Paugh added that the bride was in tears, unsure whether the wedding could even go forward.
“No bride should have to think about restarting her entire wedding 24 hours before it begins,” she told the outlet.
Wedding Day Interrupted by Open House Visitors
Despite the venue issues, Reed and Smithhart went ahead with their ceremony — only to face more unexpected trouble.
As the property was listed for sale, a realtor reportedly arrived that same weekend to post open house signs for October 19. Some would-be homebuyers mistakenly showed up early, confusing the date and trying to enter the property during the wedding.
The groom’s father, Randy Smithhart, told,
“I had to go to the end of the driveway several times to get rid of the people that were coming to the open house.”
The bride said she didn’t know whether to “laugh or cry” over the ordeal but credited her family and friends for saving the day.
“We still had a beautiful wedding weekend thanks to all of our family and friends,” she said. “But the venue itself was terrible.”
Venue Owner Denies the Claims
Property owner Brandon Feagin disputed many of Reed’s accusations in a statement.
“At no point before, during, or after Ms. Maggie’s stay were any utilities disconnected or interrupted,” Feagin said.
He claimed that he was on a flight when Reed arrived and that he sent the access code as soon as he got Wi-Fi access. Feagin also said a cleaning service had prepared the property before and after the wedding, and that he was never informed of any insect infestation.
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Despite denying wrongdoing, Feagin did issue an apology:
“We understand how important weddings are to our guests and we are truly apologetic that the recent couples who have come forward did not have the experience they hoped for.”
He also confirmed that the property is no longer being used for weddings, citing “economic headwinds currently facing the broader hospitality industry.”
“Our goal from the beginning was to offer people a safe, unique, and affordable setting for their short-term stay,” Feagin added. “We remain proud of the many wonderful overnight stays and gatherings we’ve hosted.”
A Costly Lesson for Future Brides
Reed said she hopes her story serves as a warning for others planning to host weddings at short-term rentals.
“It’s your wedding — do your research, read reviews, and make sure the venue is reliable,” she said.
Would you ever book your wedding through Airbnb after hearing this story? Share your thoughts in the comments at RaceDayLive.com.
