Avon couple calls on Lorain mayor for wedding ceremony after minister mix-up

AVON, Ohio - Stephanie and Arno Muennich, of Avon, planned a small wedding at their home for a few family members and friends. The Muennich's were hoping a smaller wedding, would mean fewer problems and a good experience for everyone involved.

The Muennich's hired a wedding photographer, made dinner reservations and hired a minister to come to their home, for an afternoon exchange of vows, back on June 19. The couple needed a minister, because they currently do not belong to a church.

"Our ceremony was supposed to start at 3:30 p.m., but by 3:45 p.m., the minister still hadn't arrived," Stephanie told 5 On Your Side Troubleshooter Joe Pagonakis. "Finally, after waiting for more than an hour, the wedding party had to leave the house, so we could make it to our 5 p.m. wedding dinner reservations."

Stephanie and her mother took action, and made numerous phone calls throughout the evening, getting the mayor of Lorain to help the couple through its vows, hours later. 

The minister told 5 On Your Side, he arrived at the Muennich's home on time, but he said no one was home, and the couple didn't answer several cell phone calls.

Stephanie admits she didn't have the ministers direct cell phone number, and she said, she and husband did not receive any of the minsters phone calls.

In response to this story, the minister apologized to the couple, and refunded his $100 fee.

To keep this from happening to your wedding, it's important that you give and receive a complete list of phone numbers to all service providers booked for you event.

It's a good idea to contact your reception hall, music provider, photographer and minister, a day or two before the ceremony to go over last minute plans.

And finally, look over all contracts carefully, make sure you understand all refund policies, and make sure to get them in writing.