Wedding Caterer Legally Banned from Industry for 5 Years After Dozens of Complaints from Brides and Grooms

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has officially barred a local catering company from operating within the state for five years following a wave of consumer fraud allegations.

The legal prohibition targets Alicia Thompson, owner of the Michigan-based business Late to the Lake. The ban stems from a legal agreement reached after more than 40 consumers filed complaints detailing a “concerning pattern” of deceptive and unlawful business practices.

Investigations revealed that Late to the Lake frequently canceled wedding services at the last minute—sometimes as late as the day of the rehearsal dinner—while failing to issue refunds. According to the Attorney General’s office, the company’s conduct violated the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA).

Key allegations from the state’s investigation include:

• Withheld Refunds: One customer reported a loss of over $6,000 after the company canceled and refused to return the deposit.
• Predatory Pricing: Multiple victims claimed they were pressured to pay in full under the guise of “sale pricing” shortly before the company withdrew services.
• Unauthorized Charges: Customers reported being billed for fees they never agreed to or receiving invoices after cancellations had already occurred.
• Service Failures: When the company did appear, clients reported incomplete food deliveries and “serious deficiencies” in quality.

Attorney General Nessel emphasized that wedding vendors hold a unique position of trust. “A wedding is one of the most meaningful days of a person’s life,” Nessel stated in a Monday press release. “Couples should be able to trust that their chosen vendor will deliver what they promised.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Thompson is required to refund all documented complainants by July 1, 2026.

In communications with local media, Late to the Lake representatives claimed that “harassment” from customers contributed to the operational failures. They further asserted that only a limited number of complaints remain unresolved, a claim at odds with the volume of reports handled by the state.

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team is keeping the window open for additional victims. Impacted consumers have until May 1, 2026, to file a formal complaint to be eligible for restitution under the current settlement.