SOMETHING BORROWED!
Poser bride & groom invite guests to nuptials at $5.6M mansion they thought was vacant!
IN A real-life version of Wedding Crashers, a brazen Florida couple planned to tie the knot at a “vacant” $5.6 million estate — until the owner was at home on their big day!
The shameless posers even claimed the lavish mansion sitting on 7.2 acres was theirs — inviting wedding guests to join them at “our dream home and estate!”
The property is actually owned by an heir to the IHOP restaurant franchise empire and was listed for sale on a real estate website.
Gutsy groom-to-be Courtney Wilson posed as a prospective buyer to check out the property, which boasts a 16,300-square-foot, nine-bedroom home with a ballroom, movie theater and bowling alley.
Wilson snapped photos during multiple visits and reportedly asked owner Nathan Finkel if he could use the property as his wedding venue.
Finkel said no, according to Southwest Ranches town attorney Keith Poliakoff.
Despite that, Wilson and his fiancée, Shenita Jones, set up a wedding website with elaborate plans for their April 17 nuptials. The “Royal Extravaganza” was to start with a 3:30 p.m. ceremony followed by a “red carpet cocktail hour” and reception.
The couple also invited guests to a “wonderful Sunday brunch” featuring “delicacies from our renowned chef at our resort-style pool.” When Wilson showed up on the big day, Finkel was there
— and called 911.
He told the dispatcher people were “trespassing” on his property, saying it was “God’s message” they should marry at his home!
“They keep harassing me, calling me,” a baffled Finkel said on the 911 call. “All I want is [for] it to stop!”
Two officers arrived and told Wilson to leave. No charges were brought against the couple.
“The guy figured it was a vacant house and didn’t realize Nathan lived on the property in a different home,” says Poliakoff.