Mobile Bartender Sold: New Owner Refuses Refunds for Deposits

Wedding vendors are vanishing on the big day for more couples in metro Detroit.

Local 4 reporter Kyla Russell has received multiple reports of brides being ghosted by Sip of Eden, a mobile bartending service.

Allison Blue, a bride from Tennessee, is the latest to report issues with the company.

Blue met her fiancé at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., last spring.

She found Sip of Eden through a bridal Facebook group in Tennessee.

After reviewing positive feedback, Blue sent a deposit to secure the service for her wedding.

The vendor confirmed the booking and promised to contact Blue in late October or early November.

Communication stalled in September when Blue attempted to reach the original owner.

Blue finally spoke with the vendor by phone but remained uneasy about the lack of follow-through.

The situation became urgent when Blue saw Sip of Eden mentioned in the comments of a previous news report.

Another bride warned, 'Don't get me started on Sip of Eden.'

Blue stated that her 'heart dropped' when she read the details of the prior investigation into the company's finances and ownership changes. Previous reporting indicated the business had been sold to Bartenders Elite. At the time, the new owner stated he would honor contracts paid in full and cover the remaining balance for those who had only paid deposits. Blue contacted the new owner regarding her deposit. She reported that he responded by explaining he felt he was scammed when purchasing the business. He indicated he was not issuing refunds for partial payments. Blue now must find a replacement vendor without her original funds. She urged the company to 'just do the right thing' and return money so brides can book other services. Local 4 reached out to the original owner of Sip of Eden but has not received a response. Reporters previously visited her home to ask about her plans for the outstanding accounts. Bartenders Elite provided a new statement addressing the situation. The new owner said, 'The former owner Eden is not honoring their contracts.' He added that the former owner received the payment for the events, not him. He noted he is offering free service to brides who paid the previous owner in full. Many brides have declined that offer. He stated that as of now, only about 20 brides have accepted the free event offer.