Bride Calls Off Wedding After Shocking $26K Catering Bill

Indiana couple rethinks plans after venue quotes high food and beverage costs for 70 guests

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:03pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Alyssa Lehman, a 27-year-old sales representative from Valparaiso, Indiana, went viral on TikTok after revealing that a $26,000 food and beverage quote for 70 guests made her and her fiancé Brayden call off their planned wedding. The couple had reserved a venue in the Milwaukee area, but the unexpected high costs, which would have pushed the total venue-related expenses close to $50,000, led them to reconsider their plans. Ultimately, Lehman and Brayden decided to cancel the traditional wedding and elope in San Francisco instead, prioritizing financial stability over a single day's celebration.

Why it matters

This story highlights the growing challenge of wedding costs, with many couples struggling to balance their dream wedding with financial realities. It also shows how unexpected expenses can force couples to make difficult decisions, potentially leading them to rethink their original plans.

The details

Lehman and Brayden had reserved their wedding date at the Villa Terrace Museum & Gardens after touring several venues in the Milwaukee area. The venue initially seemed affordable, with a $3,000 food-and-beverage minimum. However, they were later presented with an updated estimate showing a food and beverage total of about $26,000 for roughly 70 guests, with half of that amount due upfront. This unexpected high cost, combined with additional fees, pushed the total venue-related expenses close to $50,000, which the couple felt was overwhelming.

  • Lehman and Brayden had reserved their wedding date at the Villa Terrace Museum & Gardens.
  • The couple was later presented with an updated estimate showing a food and beverage total of about $26,000 for roughly 70 guests.

The players

Alyssa Lehman

A 27-year-old sales representative in the health and fitness industry from Valparaiso, Indiana, who was planning her wedding to her fiancé, Brayden.

Brayden

Alyssa Lehman's fiancé, who was planning the wedding with her.

Villa Terrace Museum & Gardens

The venue in the Milwaukee area where Lehman and Brayden had reserved their wedding date.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We understand weddings these days are expensive, but seeing a $26,000 cost just for food and beverage for 70 people was shocking to us. It felt overwhelming, especially when we hadn't planned for the total to be anywhere near that.”

— Alyssa Lehman

“My fiancé, Brayden, and I had a million thoughts going through our heads. It was extremely stressful. We're just a young couple wanting to have a wedding with our closest family and friends while also saving for our first home and managing day-to-day life.”

— Alyssa Lehman

What’s next

Faced with the higher-than-expected costs, Lehman and Brayden sought advice from friends, family members, and legal professionals as they tried to understand their options. Ultimately, the experience led the couple to cancel the traditional wedding and elope in San Francisco this July.

The takeaway

This story highlights the growing challenge of wedding costs, with many couples struggling to balance their dream wedding with financial realities. It serves as a reminder that couples should prioritize their long-term financial stability over a single day's celebration, and that there are alternative options, such as eloping, that can provide a meaningful wedding experience without the burden of high costs.