SOUTHWEST RANCHES, Florida (AP) – Courtney Wilson and Shenita Jones invited family and friends to the “Dream Home and Property” for the weekend wedding: Saturday ceremony, Sunday brunch.
There was only one problem: the couple did not own the 1,500-square-meter mansion and were not allowed to use it.
The suburban Fort Lauderdale property had everything: a bowling alley, waterfall pool, hot tub, tennis courts, gazebo and a 240-meter bar. Wilson said God’s plan is for the two to get married there.
But despite what the invitation suggests, the owner himself, Nathan Finkel, never gave them permission to hold the festivities there. He was stunned when Wilson showed up Saturday morning to settle down and called police, according to SouthSentinel of South Florida..
“I have people breaking into my property,” Finkel told a 911 dispatcher. “And I keep harassing myself by calling. They are said to have a wedding here and that is God’s message. I do not know what happens. All I want is to (stop). And I’m on my property right at the front gate right now. ”
Two officers told Wilson he would have to leave. He did and no charges were filed.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Wilson told the newspaper.
Finkel, whose deceased father was franchised early at the IHOP restaurant, has been trying to sell the property for two years, now listing it for just over $ 5 million.
Wilson, who presents himself as a potential buyer, toured the property a few months ago, said Keith Poliakoff, a lawyer for Southwest Ranches, the luxury suburb where Finkel lives.
“A few months later, this guy asked Nathan if he could use the yard behind Nathan for his wedding,” Poliakoff said. – Nathan said no.
But that didn’t stop the couple from sending elaborate invitations, detailing their love story: reconnecting 30 years after high school and how they proposed pizza on Christmas Eve. The Saturday afternoon ceremony will be followed by an hour of red carpet cocktail and a reception that lasts after midnight. Sunday brunch will be from noon to 4 p.m.
“The guy thought it was a vacant house and didn’t realize Nathan was living on the property in another house,” Poliakoff said. “This guy had no idea he lived there. Do you know the shock that must have been on his face when he showed up at the gate and the owner was home? ”
Records in Broward County show that the couple was issued a marriage license last week, but did not register as married until Wednesday.