Brazen couple try to throw wedding at $5.7M mansion believing it was vacant - owner turns them away | Daily Mail Online
Shenita Jones and Courtney Wilson planned to tie the knot at the $5.7 million estate with 7.2 acres of sprawling land in Southwest Ranches, Florida, currently owned by an heir to a lucrative IHOP restaurant franchise, according to the Sun Sentinel.
Wilson had allegedly posed as a prospective buyer to visit the home several times in the weeks leading up to the nuptials after it was posted on realty sites.
A detailed wedding website invited guests to join the bride and groom for a lavish ceremony at what they claimed was 'our dream home', even calling the property 'The Wilson Estate.'
But, the couple had not even hired the property - let alone bought it - and the real owner Nathan Finkel knew nothing of their plan until Wilson showed up on the morning of the big day.
A 911 call on April 17 revealed a baffled Finkel telling the dispatcher people were 'trespassing' on his property and had told him it was 'God's message' that they should be wed at his home.
The bizarre incident began some weeks ago when Wilson started making multiple visits to the mansion pretending he was interested in buying it, Town Attorney Keith Poliakoff told the Sentinel.
The estate, featuring a 16,313-square-foot nine-bed home, is on the market for $5.7 million.
It was first listed for $7.25 million back in 2019 but the price has been slashed since.
With its grand ballroom, two-story gentleman's bar, movie theatre, two-lane bowling alley, pool, tennis court and dance studio, it seems the couple eyed it as the perfect venue for a dream wedding.
Poliakoff said Wilson took many photos and then asked the owner if he could use the property as his wedding venue.
Finkel said no to the request, Poliakoff said.
But the couple appear to have ignored his response, with their elaborate wedding website detailing their lavish nuptials at the home.
The bride and groom planned their wedding for 3:30 pm on April 17 at the property at 5550 Hancock Road.
In the invite, the couple claim it is their property, describing it as 'our home' and even renaming it 'The Wilson's Estate'.
- Shenita Jones and Courtney Wilson planned to tie the knot at a $5.7 million estate with 7.2 acres of sprawling land in Southwest Ranches, Florida
- It is owned by Nathan Finkel - an heir to the IHOP restaurant franchise empire
- Wilson had posed as a prospective buyer to visit the home leading up to the day
- The couple shared a detailed wedding website inviting their guests to join them for a lavish ceremony at what they described as 'our dream home and Estate'
- They also invited their guests to return to 'our home' - which they dubbed 'The Wilson's Estate' - the next day for brunch around 'our resort style pool'
- Finkel knew nothing of their plan until Wilson showed up on the morning of the big day on April 17 and bumped into the real owner
- A 911 call revealed a baffled Finkel saying people were 'trespassing' on his property and had told him it was 'God's message' they should be wed at his home
Shenita Jones and Courtney Wilson planned to tie the knot at the $5.7 million estate with 7.2 acres of sprawling land in Southwest Ranches, Florida, currently owned by an heir to a lucrative IHOP restaurant franchise, according to the Sun Sentinel.
Wilson had allegedly posed as a prospective buyer to visit the home several times in the weeks leading up to the nuptials after it was posted on realty sites.
A detailed wedding website invited guests to join the bride and groom for a lavish ceremony at what they claimed was 'our dream home', even calling the property 'The Wilson Estate.'
But, the couple had not even hired the property - let alone bought it - and the real owner Nathan Finkel knew nothing of their plan until Wilson showed up on the morning of the big day.
A 911 call on April 17 revealed a baffled Finkel telling the dispatcher people were 'trespassing' on his property and had told him it was 'God's message' that they should be wed at his home.
The bizarre incident began some weeks ago when Wilson started making multiple visits to the mansion pretending he was interested in buying it, Town Attorney Keith Poliakoff told the Sentinel.
The estate, featuring a 16,313-square-foot nine-bed home, is on the market for $5.7 million.
It was first listed for $7.25 million back in 2019 but the price has been slashed since.
With its grand ballroom, two-story gentleman's bar, movie theatre, two-lane bowling alley, pool, tennis court and dance studio, it seems the couple eyed it as the perfect venue for a dream wedding.
Poliakoff said Wilson took many photos and then asked the owner if he could use the property as his wedding venue.
Finkel said no to the request, Poliakoff said.
But the couple appear to have ignored his response, with their elaborate wedding website detailing their lavish nuptials at the home.
The bride and groom planned their wedding for 3:30 pm on April 17 at the property at 5550 Hancock Road.
In the invite, the couple claim it is their property, describing it as 'our home' and even renaming it 'The Wilson's Estate'.
